God is Love.
Our culture uses a heart as the symbol of love. Scripture uses a bloody cross.
1 John 4:16 “… God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.”
Love is not just something God has, it’s who He is.
Best description of God …. Love
Types of Love in Ancient Greek
Eros – attraction & infatuation
Philia – friendship & loyalty
Agape – service & sacrifice
When scripture talks about love, its talking about agape. This is the “God-kind” of love.
John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”
You can only give what you’ve got and God is how you get agape.
5 Things You should know about God’s love:
1. God’s love is unstoppable.
Romans 8:35-39
The things that happen to you are not an accurate reflection of how God feels about you. Choose to believe God’s love for you, anything less is believing a lie.
2. God’s love pursues you.
1 John 4:10
Luke 19:10
3. God’s love actively helps you.
John 5:17
The opposite of love is not hate, but inaction. In your waiting God is working.
4. God’s love is not easy, comfortable or pretty.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love does what’s best for the other person.
5. God’s love is meant to be shared.
John 13:35 “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."
1 John 4:12 “No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.”
We can show the world the love of God by loving one another.
Ephesians 4:15
Love is the most effective way to share the gospel. Or to share the good news.
Do you know that GOD IS love?