Our first All-Age family morning service, led by Dani Osoba and our youth team. Preaching from Nathan Gordon.

Sermon Details

This morning, the young people requested us to talk about the theme of God’s love. The love of God is a vast topic that is simplified through the sacrificial suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the cross. God proved and demonstrated his love by giving the world his only begotten Son as a sacrifice of love, as described in John 3:16.

The perfect example of Love is Jesus Christ

As Christians, we should respond to God’s love by receiving it ourselves and sharing it with others. It is not enough to just call ourselves Christians; we must also live our lives in a way that reflects God’s love.

People should be able to recognize us as Christians by our love for one another, our ability to forgive, and our patience with each other.

Bitterness, hatred, and unforgiveness are not consistent with the unconditional (Agape) love that Christ wants us to show.

The Challenge

We must challenge ourselves to ask whether we are loving each other through the lenses of unconditional love, or if we have imposed limits and conditions on our love.

• Love is a command from Christ to love others as He has loved us.
• Love requires action, not just words.
• It means showing others that we care and giving our time and resources when necessary.
• Love requires sacrifice and is unselfish.
• Love offers healing rather than division.

Let’s put our love to the test
 – 1 John 3:14-15

• John identifies a key character trait that all Christians should have in common – LOVE FOR EACH OTHER
• John makes a bold declaration that those who do not love others, do not have a true connection to God.
• Bitterness towards others can lead to hatred and unforgiveness. (See Gen 4:1-16) for the story of Cain and Abel.

Don’t look for love in the wrong place
 – 1 John 3:16

• True love can be found in Jesus Christ and the cross. The cross is a powerful example of what true love really means – sacrificial, unconditional, and forgiving.
• By giving up his own life for the sake of humanity, Jesus showed us the ultimate act of love.
• It is through this selfless act that we can truly understand what it means to love others unconditionally, without any conditions or expectations in return.

So, if you’re seeking to understand true love, look no further than the example of Jesus Christ and the cross.

Let’s get rid of the excuses not to love
– 1 John 3:17-18 & 4:20-21

• It is common to measure our love for God by our regular attendance at church, our giving, or our service.
• However, the true measure of our love for God is revealed in how we treat the people we encounter in our daily lives, such as our family, friends, fellow believers, and even strangers.
• While we may have valid reasons for not loving someone, God calls us to transcend the limitations of the world and love others as He loves us.

He Looked Beyond My Faults

Amazing Grace shall always be my song of praise
For it was grace that brought me liberty
I do not know just why He ever came to love me so
He looked beyond my faults and saw my need

And I shall forever lift mine eyes to Calvary
To view the cross where Jesus died for me
How marvellous the grace that caught my falling soul
He looked beyond my faults and saw my need

I shall forever lift mine eyes to Calvary
To view the cross where Jesus died for me
How marvellous the grace that caught my falling soul
He looked beyond my faults and saw my needs

Questions

1. Why is Christ’s death on the cross the supreme example of love (1 John 3:16)?
2. What is the danger in defining or quantifying God’s love based on your circumstances rather than the cross?
3. How can you ensure that love is not just spoken, but shown in action and truth in your life?
4. How does the story of Cain and Abel apply to our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ today (Gen 4:1-16)?
5. How can the church today be a better reflection of the love and righteousness of God?
6. How would you encourage a new Christian who is struggling to forgive someone who hurt them both physically and emotionally?