These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
I John 3:16-24
Review…
- The Division – THREE sections…
- Section 1 – God is LIGHT [mention 6 times] – I John 1-2
- Section 2 – God is LOVE [mentioned 57 times] – I John 3-4
- Section 3 – God is LIFE [mentioned 7 times] – I John 5
- LOVE of the Father…
- What KIND of LOVE does the Father give – AGAPE – He calls us His Children…
- A LOVE that TRANSFORMS us – when we see Jesus we will be LIKE Him – mind and body…
- A LOVE that gives us VICTORY over SIN – as we ABIDE in Jesus…
- Because ANYONE who ABIDES – has VICTORY over SIN!
- The Test for LOVE…
- How do we KNOW we have received the LOVE of the Father – we are given a TEST…
- If we act RIGHTEOUS – we are the SONS of God – is we SIN – we are the SONS of satan…
- Because whoever is BORN of God – cannot CONTINUE in SIN…
- What does it mean to be RIGHTEOUS – obey the COMMAND – to LOVE one another…
- By this we know we have passed from DEATH to LIFE – because we LOVE each other!
The RESULT of LOVE…
- 1st – Caring… vs. 16-17
- 1st – Example of LOVE… vs. 16
- By this we know love – because He laid down His life for us!
- The FIRST result of having the LOVE [ἀγάπη] of the FATHER: follow the example of Jesus…
- We KNOW [γινώσκω] – how Jesus showed His LOVE for us…
- He SHOWED us His LOVE [ἀγάπη] – by dying on the cross for our SINS!
- We were the enemies of God – we were the SONS of satan…
- But as a RESULT of how much Jesus LOVES us – He was willing to die to make us His friends!
- John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this – than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
- And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren!
- In the same way – since we have the LOVE of the Father – we OUGHT to LOVE one another…
- OUGHT [ὀφείλω] – to constantly [present] be in DEBT…
- The DEBT we owe is our LIVES – the LOVE of the Father compels us to LIVE for others!
- The world teaches us to live by the MANTRA – look out for number one…
- Every moment we are encouraged to ask what do WE want!
- But this is the OPPOSITE of LOVE – LOVE demands that we LIVE for others…
- We OWE it to Jesus – who PAID for all of our SIN – to follow His EXAMPLE…
- To live our lives in such a way as to CONTINUALLY be a blessing to those around us…
- How can I bless my wife – husband – child – friend today…
- This is the RESULT of having the LOVE of the Father in us!
- 2nd – Providing LOVE… vs. 17
- But whoever has this worlds goods – and sees his brother in need!
- ONE way that we can LIVE for each other – is by HELPING in times of NEED…
- IF [subjunctive] we have the ABILITY [worlds goods] to HELP…
- And see a brother in NEED [subjunctive] – we should HELP!
- How much should we GIVE…
- There was a poor widow who only put in TWO mites – about 50 centavos – Mark 12:42-44
- Jesus called the disciples and told them – she gave more than all the rich put together!
- The rich gave out of their abundance – she out of her poverty – she gave all she had!
- It is not about the quantity – giving a LOT means NOTHING if it costs us NOTHING…
- It is about SACRIFICE – giving from the HEART – showing the LOVE of God…
- If someone is in NEED – and we give a little – even if it is NOT enough…
- It is a HUGE blessing to them – because they know we care about them!
- Do NOT go hungry…
- II Corinthians 8:13 – “I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened…”
- Paul wrote to address this very issue to the church in Corinth…
- They were gathering an offering for the NEEDS of the church in Jerusalem…
- But he told them NOT to give more than they could afford…
- He did not want them to STARVE so others could EAT!
- In other words – be wise with how we GIVE – do not GIVE beyond our means!
- Balance the wealth…
- II Corinthians 8:14 – “Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later – they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way – things will be equal. As the Scriptures say – Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over – and those who gathered only a little had enough.”
- When the children of Israel were in the wilderness for FORTY years…
- They had to collect manna every day to eat – none extra – none lacking!
- In other words level the field – those with MUCH give to those with LITTLE…
- Not lending money – that is not a blessing – that is a LOAN – Romans 13:8
- Better to simply give it if we have it – use the money we have for others…
- Then when we have no money – those we helped will be there to bless us back!
- And shuts up his heart from him – how does the love of God abide in him!
- IF we see a NEED – and we do NOT HELP – IF [subjunctive] we CLOSE our heart…
- Then it SHOWS we do NOT have the LOVE [ἀγάπη] of God ABIDING [μένω] in us!
- Because Jesus had ALL the riches of HEAVEN – and did not hold onto them…
- Instead He gave them freely to us – who were POOR and in NEED…
- Therefore if Jesus is ABIDING in us – we will likewise GIVE to others in their NEED!
- Acts 20:35 – “[We] must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus – that He said – It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
- 1st – Example of LOVE… vs. 16
- 2nd – Confident… vs. 18-21
- 1st – LOVE is action… vs. 18
- My little children – let us not love in word or in tongue!
- The SECOND result of having LOVE [ἀγάπη]: we become CONFIDENT…
- Because we see the LOVE of the Father coming from our lives!
- Little Children [τεκνίον] – 7x in this letter – speaking to DISCIPLES of Jesus – John 13:33
- Do NOT just pretend to have LOVE [ἀγαπάω] – by just using WORDS!
- James 2:15-16 – “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food – and one of you says to them – Depart in peace – be warmed and filled. But you do not give them the things which are needed for the body – what does it profit!”
- If we see someone who is HUNGRY – and has no FOOD…
- And we respond by saying we will PRAY for them – how does that HELP!
- WORDS are NOT enough – they lack the POWER in WORDS to HELP the person in NEED…
- We can say all day that we LOVE our NEIGHBOR – but where is the PROOF!
- LOVE… in deed!
- LOVE should be seen our DEEDS [ἔργον] – our WORKS…
- People tend to use the word LOVE very casually – it is easy to SAY…
- But LOVE is not a WORD – it is an ACTION – it needs to be SEEN!
- I knew a man who lived a VERY sinful lifestyle – alcohol and drugs…
- His wife prayed for him to be saved for many years…
- One night driving home DRUNK – he almost hit a police car – would have gone to prison…
- God used that moment to wake him up – and he called out to Jesus to save him…
- He was so excited to go and tell his wife – God told him not to TELL her – SHOW her!
- If we were SILENT – and NEVER said one word – would people know we LOVED them…
- Would our family – our friends – our neighbors – see Jesus in our lives…
- Love is not what we SAY – it is what we DO!
- LOVE… in truth!
- We must LOVE in TRUTH [ἀλήθεια] – 110x in NT
- LOVE is seen in our ACTION – but it also has to have the right MOTIVE!
- When I was a child – I liked to do GOOD things for others…
- Not because I LOVED them – but because I LOVED to hear them compliment me!
- We can do the RIGHT things – with the WRONG heart…
- To LOVE someone in TRUTH – is to LOVE them without any ulterior motive…
- We want NOTHING from them – only to give to them – the LOVE of the Father!
- 2nd – LOVE is TRUTH… vs. 19
- And by this we know that we are of the truth – and shall assure our hearts before Him!
- We KNOW [γινώσκω] we are of THE truth [ἀλήθεια] – Jesus is the TRUTH – John 14:6
- Because we LOVE others – not just in WORDS – but in our ACTIONS with unselfish MOTIVES…
- Which will [future] give our heart ASSURANCE – when we will stand before Jesus…
- ASSURANCE [πείθω] – the VERB form of the ROOT word for FAITH [πίστις]
- Men FEAR death – partially because it is an unknown…
- But mostly because they do KNOW – after death comes the JUDGMENT – Hebrews 9:27
- We will all STAND one day before the JUDGEMENT seat of Christ – Revelation 20:12
- How can we be CONFIDENT that we will not be PUNISHED for all our SIN…
- Our heart has FAITH [verb] – that by GRACE – Jesus paid for all our SIN on the CROSS…
- And the PROOF that we have received His GRACE – is His LOVE flowing through us!
- 3rd – Not Condemned… vs. 20
- For if our heart condemns us!
- IF [subjunctive] our heart CONDEMNS us…
- CONDEMNS [καταγινώσκω] – though [κατά] KNOWING [γινώσκω]
- We might look GOOD on the outside – try our best to be GOOD person…
- But we KNOW what is in our HEART – we KNOW we are SINNERS…
- If people could see what is on the INSIDE – we KNOW we deserve to be JUDGED!
- God is greater than our heart – and knows all things!
- God is ALWAYS [present] – GREATER than our HEART…
- He KNOWS [γινώσκω] it ALL [πᾶς] – nothing is hidden from him – Hebrews 4:13
- He KNOWS every mistake – every SIN – every thought we will ever have…
- He KNOW us better than we know ourselves…
- But He also KNOWS that He paid for EVERY one of those SINS…
- And He KNOWS what our FUTURE holds – and it is not JUDGEMENT!
- Jeremiah 29:10 – “I know the thoughts that I think toward you – says the LORD – thoughts of peace and not of evil – to give you a future and a hope.”
- Conviction is good – the work of the Spirit telling us not to sin – repent…
- But condemnation is bad – focusing on our failures – dwelling on our mistakes…
- When we are FOCUSED on our mistakes – we are NOT looking to Jesus…
- We condemn ourselves – but God has forgiven us – and He is greater than our failure…
- We just NEED to get our eyes off ourselves – and put them back onto Jesus!
- 4th – Confident… vs. 21
- Beloved – if our heart does not condemn us – we have confidence toward God!
- BELOVED [ἀγαπητός] – those who have RECEIVED the LOVE [ἀγάπη] of God…
- IF [subjunctive] our heart does not CONDEMN us…
- It is because we have CONFIDENCE [παρρησία] – to be able to say ANYTHING without FEAR!
- Hallel can ask me ANYTHING – because she is my daughter…
- But I know when she has done something WRONG – because she gets QUIET…
- Her SIN makes her SHY to talk to me – for fear I might find out what she did!
- When we are BELOVED – we have received the LOVE of God…
- Then we know we are the CHILDREN of God – and can SAY anything to Him…
- If we find we are SHY to come near the LORD – it means we have done something wrong…
- But all we have to do is CONFESS to Him – TALK to Him…
- And we will find He has already forgiven us – I John 1:9
- 1st – LOVE is action… vs. 18
- 3rd – Provision… vs. 22-24
- 1st – Answered prayer… vs. 22
- Whatever we ask we receive from Him!
- The THIRD result of having LOVE [ἀγάπη]: God provides for us…
- IF [subjunctive] we ASK – we will receive [indicative] from Him!
- James 4:2 – “You do not have because you do not ask.”
- I think we get the idea a lot of times that God is NOT listening to us…
- But it is not God who is silent – we just tend to neglect to ASK…
- I imagine we will be amazed at how much God wanted to do in our lives…
- But it NEVER happened simply because we just NEVER bothered to ASK!
- Luke 11:9 – “Ask and it will be given to you – seek and you will find – knock and it will be opened to you.”
- Because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight!
- The reason why He gives us WHATEVER we ask for – we KEEP [present] His COMMANDS…
- COMMANDMENTS [plural] – referring to the LAW of God…
- As we have the LOVE of the Father – we LIVE in a way that is PLEASING to Him!
- John 15:7 – “If you abide in Me – and My words abide in you – you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you.”
- If Hallel asked me for money to buy school supplies – I would not hesitate…
- But if she asked you for money to buy candy and sweats – I would not give it…
- Not because I do not love her – but because I know not EVERYTHING is good for her!
- In the same way if we ASK God for SELFISH things – SILENCE will be His ONLY reply…
- But as we LIVE for Jesus – we can ASK for anything – and God WILL give it…
- Because we are going to be asking for the things that God WANTS!
- Psalm 37:4 – “Delight yourself in the LORD – He will give you the desires of your heart.”
- God does not give us what we WANT – only what we NEED…
- But God does NOT just want to provide for our NEEDS – He has a far greater plan…
- He wants to give us His KINGDOM – bless us beyond imagination – Luke 12:33
- The only reason He would NOT give us something is He knows it is NOT good for us!
- 2nd – The Command… vs. 23
- And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ…
- The COMMAND [singular] – there is only ONE command we must keep…
- That we BELIEVE [πιστεύω] – to have FAITH [verb] in the NAME of Jesus Christ…
- Jesus is His NAME – [יְהוֹשֻׁעַ] – Yahweh Shua – God is Salvation…
- Christ is His TITLE – [Χριστός] or [מָשִׁיחַ] – meaning the anointed one…
- He was ANOINTED – called – to come and DIE to save us from our SINS!
- It is the COMMAND of God that EVERY person BELIEVE in Jesus…
- Because there is NO other way to be SAVED – NO other way to get to HEAVEN!
- Acts 4:12 – “Nor is there salvation in any other – for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
- And love one another – as He gave us commandment!
- When we BELIEVE [πιστεύω] in Jesus Christ – we will receive the LOVE of the Father…
- The RESULT will be – His LOVE will flow from us to others…
- Fulfilling the COMMAND that Jesus gave to the Disciples – John 13:34
- The church is best known today for its LOVE – instead for what it does NOT do…
- Do NOT drink – do NOT smoke – do NOT go to parties – do NOT get tattoos…
- And when the world looks at the church – ALL they see is RULES…
- Most of which the people in the church do NOT even keep…
- The world walks away from Jesus – saying who would want that!
- God does not tell us we are to be known by our RULES – by what we do NOT do…
- We are to be known by what we DO – we are to be known by our LOVE!
- John 13:35 – “All will know that you are My disciples – if you have love for one another.”
- 3rd – The Holy Spirit… vs. 24
- Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him – and He in him!
- The one who KEEPS [present] His COMMANDS [plural] – is ABIDING [μένω]
- Because we have the LOVE of the Father – we OBEY the LAW…
- Not because we TRY really hard – but because of WHO is in us…
- Jesus and the Father are ABIDING in us – giving us the power to live a GODLY life!
- John 14:23 – “If anyone loves Me he will keep My word – and My Father will love him – and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”
- And by this we know that He abides in us – by the Spirit whom He has given us!
- We KNOW [γινώσκω] that Jesus ABIDES [μένω] in us…
- Because of the HOLY Spirit that He GAVE [aorist] to us!
- If you get engaged – you give your bride to be a wedding ring as a PROMISE…
- It is the guarantee that you will for sure be back to finish what you started!
- Jesus bought and paid for us with the cross – I Corinthians 6:20
- And He has gave us His Holy Spirit – as a down payment…
- It is His guarantee He will be back for us to finish the work He started…
- Until then He ABIDES in us – and SEALS us with His Spirit…
- It is the same SEAL God uses to bind satan for 1000 years – Revelation 20:3
- 1st – Answered prayer… vs. 22