1 John 4

August 25, 2025

God is Love

1 John 4:7-21

God is love. As children of God, then, love is a defining characteristic of who we now are. And love should permeate and motivate all that we do.

I said this earlier, but it bears repeating. Love, in the Bible, is not just a warm, fuzzy feeling. It’s not just good vibes toward someone who’s important to you. It’s not heart emojis and puppy dog eyes. Love is an action word. It builds up and spurs on. It sacrifices and gives. It doesn’t look out for “me” but for the good of others. It can’t help but help. When it sees a need, it meets the need. Bringing the full weight of the resources that the LORD has blessed us with to serve others. It’s the natural consequence of our experience of God’s love for us.

Jesus said that the world would know that we are His disciples by our love. So, if you are having a hard time loving others, what’s getting in the way? Love doesn’t save us. Only faith in Jesus can do that. But love is an indication that we have been saved, that we are children of God. So, again, what’s getting in the way of your loving others? Are you listening to the wrong voices? Are you following the wrong path? If so, you won’t experience the life that Jesus saved you for. That’s why it’s so important to listen to the testimony of the Apostles. To spend time in God’s Word.

The other end of the spectrum is hate. The one who hates is not a child of God. Love and hate, like life and death, are mutually exclusive. You are a child of God, or you are a child of the devil. There is no middle ground. Faith in Jesus is what separates the two.

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus yet, you can do that today. You, too, can become a child of God. It’s as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Believing that Jesus is the Savior that God promised. He lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death, was raised to life on the third day, conquering death so that your sins can be forgiven, that you can have eternal life, and that you can become a child of God. Then you, too, can walk in the light and have fellowship with the Father and the Son.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our 1 John series, “Unshakeable.” Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X or Threads: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

August 20, 2025

The Testimony of the Spirit

1 John 4:1-6

The Spirit of God testifies that Jesus is the Christ. The Apostles received this message from the Spirit, so by listening to the Apostles and believing their testimony, we become children of God.

How do we receive the Apostles’ message today? Through the Word. The Bible. It’s the testimony of the Apostles written down.

Discerning Truth from deception is just as important today as it was in John’s day. There are a lot of voices out there. It matters who you listen to. How do you know what is true? How do you “test” the spirits? It’s simple. Does it align with the Word of God? If not, don’t listen. But how will you know? No shortcuts. You have to spend time in God’s Word. You have to receive the testimony of the Apostles (NT) and Prophets (OT). Otherwise, it’s easy to be led astray.

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus yet, you can do that today. You, too, can become a child of God. It’s as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Believing that Jesus is the Savior that God promised. He lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death, and was raised to life on the third day, conquering death so that your sins would be forgiven, that you would have eternal life, and that you would become a child of God. Then you, too, can walk in the light and have fellowship with the Father and the Son.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our 1 John series, “Unshakeable.” Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X or Threads: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.