Dealing with Fear

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 15, 2022

“Dealing with Fear” – 1 John 4:7-21

1 John issues:

• Written to refute Gnosticism – secret knowledge, the humanity of Christ
• Written to give believers confidence: “this is how we know…” (2:5, 2:18, 3:10, 3:16, 3:19, 3:24, 4;13, 5:2)
• Written to give believers assurance of eternal life – 5:13
• Written to remind us the God is Love

GOD IS LOVE!

The source of love is God – 4:7

 

The evidence of knowing God is the presence of love – 4:8

 

If you don’t love, you don’t know God – 4:8

 

God’s love was shown to us in Jesus – 4:9

 

God initiated our loving relationship with Him by removing our sin problem – 4:10

 

Our response to God love is a call to love people – 4:11

 

The presence of my love for people is evidence that God exists – 4:12

 

My acknowledgement that Jesus is the Son of God gives me the assurance to rely on His love – 4:15-16

 

My connection with God is based entirely upon love – 4:16

 

My confidence before God is based upon how much I am like Jesus – 4:17

 

There is no fear is love – 4:18

 

Perfect (mature, complete, grown-up) love drives fear away – 4:18

 

If I am afraid, love is still incomplete in me – 4:18

 

Love was initiated by God, it’s already there! – 4:19

 

If I hate people I am lying about loving God – 4:20

 

The only command that matters is the command to love people – 4:21

 

• Matthew 22:37-40

 

• Galatians 5:4-6