Tag Archives: love

Why Prophecy?

Introduction

These notes are a summary of the main points in a sermon preached on May 2, 2021 by Pastor Daniel Wallace of Harmony Community Church in Ormond, Ontario (near Winchester).

Priority of Love

If we are going to operate properly in any spiritual gift we need to build on a foundation of love. 1 Corinthians 13:1-2

Prophetic powers that are not governed by love are of no value and may even do significant harm.

We are to pursue love. 1 Corinthians 14:1

Spiritual gifts are good and should be sought and desired

Eagerly desire spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 14:1

Prophecy is a higher gift

Prophecy is especially valuable because it has the capacity to build up, encourage and comfort our fellow believers. This is a practical expression of the love of God. 1 Corinthians 14:3-4

Potential Impact of Prophecy

Prophecy has the potential to call people to account, reveal the secrets of their hearts and thus bring unbelieving people to repentance as they recognize the power and presence of God in His people. 1 Corinthians 14:24-25

Prophecy must be weighed

Prophecy is subordinate to the written Word of God in authority. A valid prophetic word is a word from God, and therefore carries genuine authority to address the human heart with lifegiving truth, but it is never equal to the written Scriptures in authority.

Paul says that all prophecies spoken in the the assembly of believers are to be weighed. 1 Corinthians 14:29, see also 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21

Summing up

A good safeguard which will ensure safe and effective prophecy is to fix our hearts on everything that is good. Philippians 4:8-9. Jesus said if we make the tree good, its fruit will be good. He said this in reference to the human heart. Matthew 12:33, see also Luke 6:43.

1 Peter 1:20-25

Recap: 1 Peter 1:18-19

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

1 Peter 1:20-21 – Putting our hope in Jesus

Verse 20

He was chosen before the creation of the world

but was revealed in these last times for your sake

Through him all things were made.
      For us and for our salvation
           he came down from heaven;
           he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,
           and was made human. (The Nicene Creed, 325/381/459 AD)

Verse 21

Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him

When you believe in Jesus as Lord, you are believing in the One who sent him. John 12:44.
jesus’ claims were vindicated by the Father when He raised Jesus from the dead. Acts 17:31

and so your faith and hope are in God

Believing in Jesus is believing in God

1 Peter 1:22-23 – Sincere, earnest, heartfelt love

Verse 22

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth

God’s truth has a sanctifying effect on us. It changes us. John 17:17

so that you have sincere love for each other

Obedience to God’s truth should cause us to love one another. John 13:34-35.

love one another deeply, from the heart

This love should be heartfelt and earnest, not shallow and fleeting. Jesus’ love for us was sacrificial.

Verse 23

For you have been born again

Our ability to love sacrificially does not come from ourselves. It is the fruit of being born again, born from above. John 3:3

not of perishable seed, but of imperishable

our rebirth has a heavenly origin. John 3:6-8.

through the living and enduring word of God

God’s word, which has given us new birth, is eternal and everlasting. John 10:35, Psalm 119:89

1 Peter 1:24-25 – the enduring word of God

All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field

Human life in this age is transient. Isaiah 40:7-8, Psalm 103:15-16, James 4:14

the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.

God’s word is reliable. Everything in this age is temporary, but God’s word is permanent. Matthew 7:24-25

And this is the word that was preached to you

The preached word has its source in the eternal, enduring word.

Reflection

Do you truly believe that Jesus was revealed for your sake? How does this conviction affect your life?
Where does love come from? If we realize that we need to grow in love, what can we do about it?
What difference does it make that God’s word is eternal?

1 Peter 1:6-9

1 Peter 1:1-5 Recap

In his opening greeting (vs 1-2), the apostle shines a spotlight on the privileged status of the first believers. Although they are a persecuted minority, exiles from a dying age, he reminds them that they are chosen by God, that God knew them from the beginning, that they are destined to become like Jesus, set apart by the Spirit and by the shed blood of the Lamb.

Then the apostle launches into prayer. He begins (vs 3-5) by thanking God for the living hope that He has bestowed on believers, and for the inheritance to which we can look forward.

Today we listen in as Peter continues to pray.

1 Peter 1:6-9

Verse 6

In all this you greatly rejoice

Rejoice translates a Greek word that originally meant to leap much or to leap greatly,
much like our English expression jumping for joy.
In all this : in what? What was the reason for all this rejoicing when their lives were so hard?

We rejoice in our hope of sharing in the glory of God (Romans 5:2). This is a living, vibrant hope, as we look forward to an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.

though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

for a little while : Suffering is temporary. Our inheritance is eternal.

The Greek wording suggests that suffering in this age is inevitable and even necessary. The ESV translation of verse 6 brings out this thought more clearly.

Why might suffering be necessary from God’s point of view? What reasons can you think of?

Verse 7

the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire

Peter then goes on to use the analogy of refining gold in a fire, which suggests one reason why suffering is necessary. He says that It purifies and tests our faith.

How does suffering purify our faith?
Why is our faith more precious than gold?
What does fire accomplish in the process of refining gold?

may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

What will be the end result for those who submit to this fiery process of refinement?

Verse 8

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him

See John 20:29
How can you love someone you have never seen?

and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy

have you ever felt anything so strongly that you could find no words to express it?
have you tasted what the KJV describes as joy unspeakable and full of glory?

Verse 9

for you are receiving the end result [outcome] of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

see 2 Corinthians 5:1-5
What event are Peter and Paul referring to?
How can Peter say that we are receiving (present tense) this future event?

Reflection

How real is the hope of resurrection to you?
Does that hope bring you great joy?
How can you increase the level of resurrection hope in your life?
See Psalm 16:11

1 John 5:1-5

Love is not an option

ESV

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Discussion Notes

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God,
and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.

In this verse,

What does “believe” mean?
What does “born of God” mean?
Why is it true that if you love the Father you will love his children?

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.

To grasp what John is really saying here, check out John 14:15 and John 15:14.

Love is not always easy. If you find some of God’s children difficult to love, consider this.

We are saved by grace. But when we are saved, the first and most important evidence of our salvation is that we love God, which is impossible for us to do without His grace.
If we love him we will want to please him.
In John 14:15 and John 15:14, Jesus says that real love results in obedience
God commands us to love His children, who are our brothers and sisters
If you love God, you will learn to love His children
(and He will help you – see next verse)

And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Let’s assume that John is talking about only two (or three, or four) commandments.

Love God with your whole being – with everything in you
(heart, soul, mind, strength)
Love your neighbour as yourself
Love your brother/sister as Jesus has loved you
Love your enemies

Do you find these commandments easy or hard to keep?

If they are hard to keep, why is this? (See 1 John 2:15-17)
If they are easy to keep, why is this? (See 1 John 5:4)
Can both these things be true at the same time?
Which way do you want it to be in your life?

Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

What is the essence of “the world” according to 1 John 2:15-17?
How does believing in Jesus – the Son of God – help you to overcome pride and self-preoccupation?

1 John 4:19-21

ESV

We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother [sister] whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother [sister].

Discussion Questions

When John says we love because He first loved us, is he talking about all forms of love, or a love that is unique to those who belong to Jesus? Why?
Why does John say that those who do not love their brothers and sisters do not really love God?
Who is your brother or sister?
How is our love for our brothers and sisters in the faith different from our love of neighbour? How are they the same?
Read John 17:20-23.
- What does Jesus say here about the impact of genuine love among believers?
- Why is it not selfish to prioritize love for the brothers and sisters?
- If this love is truly from God, what will it also lead to?

1 John 4:17-18

ESV

By this is love perfected [completed] with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Discussion questions

What is the basis for our confidence in the day of judgment?

Jesus died for us and we have put our hope in Him (1 Timothy 4:10, Ephesians 2:1-10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10)
He has put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14, 1 John 3:24)
In this world we are like him (1 John 4:17, 1 John 3:2-3)

Why do we not need to fear punishment?

How does God’s love set us free from fear of His judgement? (Romans 5:1-5, Ephesians 3:14-19)

Why do we need to give ourselves to becoming more like Jesus in order to grow in confidence?

1 John 4:13-16

ESV

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

What does it mean to abide in God?

What does it mean to have God abiding in us?

remain
stay
wait
permanent indwelling

Strong’s #3306

How can a Holy Spirit live in sinful people?

What has this got to do with Jesus being the Saviour of the world?

If Jesus hadn’t died for our sins, would Holy Spirit be able to abide (make his home) in us?
How are we transformed into His likeness? (2 Cor 3:17-18)

We are able to abide in Him
1. Because our sins are forgiven and we are freed from guilt and shame and condemnation
2. Because He abides in us
3. Spirit in our hearts cries out Abba, Father
As we remain His presence we are changed

What is the connection between the Holy Spirit’s indwelling and our ability to abide in love? Romans 5:1-5

1 John 4:7-12

ESV

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

Discussion Questions

vs. 7 whoever loves has been born of God and knows God

How can this be true?

Doesn’t everyone love somebody?
So does everyone know God?

What kinds of love does the New Testament describe and how are they different from one another?

What kind of love is John talking about in this verse?

vs. 9 How does John say that God’s love was shown to us?

vs. 10 What is propitiation?

Why would this be necessary?
What meaning can God’s mercy have if he is not capable of wrath?
Are you thankful for Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on your behalf?

vs. 11 if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another

God showed his love by an atoning sacrifice when we deserved His wrath.

What does this say about the kind of love he wants us to display to one another?
How is this possible?

vs. 12 if we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us.

Do you want this?
Let’s ask Him to do this work in us

1 John 3:19-24

Vs 19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him

By what?

Three sources of assurance in 1 John

Our faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross on our behalf.
1 John 2:23-25, 1 John 5:1, 1 John 5:4-5
The testimony of the Spirit in our lives. 1 John 4:13, 1 John 3:24
The evidence of genuine love and obedience in our lives.
1 John 3:18-19

Why is each one important?

Though it follows after #1 and #2 in terms of the overall flow of God’s plan of salvation, why is #3 also important?

vs 20-22 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

How does habitual obedience (i.e. walking in love) affect our prayer life?

How does habitual disobedience affect our prayer life?

Why is it hard to pray with confidence when you know you haven’t been obeying God?

What can we do about this?

vs 23-24 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

All three sources of assurance are found in these two verses. What are they, and where are they in these verses?

Prayer themes

Give thanks for the assurance (confidence) that we can have in our prayer life because of what Jesus has done for us
Give thanks for the work of the Spirit and ask for more
Ask God to help us to grow in love towards Him, towards our brothers and sisters in the family of God, and towards those not yet in the faith.

1 John 3:11-18

According to John (1 John 3:14) , how can we know that we have passed out of death into life?

What does John mean when he says we have “passed out of death into life”?

Are we still going to die?
If so, in what sense have we “passed out of death into life”?
According to Jesus’ words in John 17:3, what is eternal life?
What does it mean to know God?
How well do you think you know God?
Are we supposed to be content with the knowledge of God that we have now? (Philippians 3:7-14)

What does John say about the world system’s rejection of true Christians? (1 John 3:13) Should we be surprised by this? Why, or why not? (1 John 3:1, John 15:18-21)

Why did Cain hate Abel? (1 John 3:12)

What is the root cause of murder? ( 1 John 3:15, Matthew 5:21-23 )

How are true believers to treat one another? (1 John 3:16-18)

What does Jesus say about the true significance of living in this way? (John 13:34-35, John 17:20-21)

What about our enemies – those who hate us? What did Jesus say about how we are to treat them? (Matthew 5:44-48)

Prayer Themes

Pour out Your love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit; cause us to abound (overflow) in love.

Philippians 1:9-11

Romans 5:1-5