Go! And Live In Perfect Love - 1 John 4:18 Series

Go! And Live in Perfect Love

Introduction:

Today we gather in the presence of our mighty God, who is love itself. Love is at the very core of the Christian faith, and today, we turn to 1 John 4:18 (NLT) for a powerful truth:

"Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love."

What does it mean to live in the perfect love of God? How does His love drive out fear? Today, we will explore three key truths about God's love:

Perfect Love Conquers Fear

Perfect Love Comes from God Alone

Perfect Love Leads Us to Action

May the Holy Spirit open our hearts as we dive into His Word.

1. Perfect Love Conquers Fear

Fear is a powerful force. It can paralyse, control, and hinder us from fully embracing the life God has for us. But 1 John 4:18 assures us that God's perfect love has the power to cast out all fear.

The Greek word for perfect here is teleios (t??e???), which means complete, mature, or whole. This means that when we truly understand and experience the completeness of God's love, fear loses its grip on us.

The word expels is from the Greek ballo (ß????), which means to throw out, to drive away forcefully. God's love does not merely reduce fear; it casts it out completely.

Romans 8:15 (NLT) - "So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, ‘Abba, Father.’"

When we truly grasp that we are children of God, fear is replaced by confidence. We are not distant from Him; we are His beloved sons and daughters.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) - "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."

Fear does not originate from God. The Holy Spirit empowers us with boldness, love, and self-control to live as His people.

Imagine a small child in a thunderstorm. The child clings to their parent, and in their parent's embrace, fear dissipates. That is what God's love does for us—it surrounds us, calms us, and strengthens us.

Pastor Tony Evans said, "Fear is faith in the wrong thing. When you allow fear to control you, you're placing more faith in the problem than in God."

God's perfect love redirects our faith toward Him!

Pastor Tony Evans speaks a profound truth when he says, "Fear is faith in the wrong thing. When you allow fear to control you, you're placing more faith in the problem than in God."

Fear is a powerful emotion. It can paralyse us, cloud our judgment, and lead us to doubt the goodness and faithfulness of God. But as followers of Christ, we are called to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Fear often arises when we focus on our circumstances rather than on the sovereignty of our Heavenly Father.

Consider the story of Peter walking on water in Matthew 14:29-30 (NLT):

"Yes, come," Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. 'Save me, Lord!' he shouted."

Peter was fine as long as his eyes were fixed on Jesus, but the moment he shifted his focus to the storm, fear took over, and he began to sink. This is what happens when we put more faith in the problem than in the power of God.

The enemy wants us to be consumed by fear because fear weakens faith. But the Word of God repeatedly reminds us "Do not be afraid" (Isaiah 41:10, Joshua 1:9, John 14:27). Why? Because God is greater than any problem we face.

Tony Evans' statement challenges us to shift our faith from the problem to the Problem-Solver. Instead of fearing what might happen, let us trust in the One who holds all things in His hands. Instead of dwelling on what we cannot control, let us rest in the knowledge that "God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28, NLT).

So, what about you? Are you placing more faith in the problem or in God? Today, choose to put your trust fully in Him, for He is faithful, He is powerful, and He is in control. Faith in God always overcomes fear.

2. Perfect Love Comes from God Alone

1 John 4:19 (NLT) - "We love each other because he loved us first."

Love does not originate in us—it comes from God. Our ability to love others flows from the love we have first received from Him.