What is Love? The Completion of Love
John 3:16, 1:12, 17:3
So far in this sermon series, we learned that God’s love is fundamentally different from human love. While we often love others based on their qualities or what they offer us, God loves us simply because He is love (1 John 4:8,16). His love is unconditional, steadfast, and rooted in His own character rather than our performance or worthiness. Because God first loved us, giving His one and only Son (John 3:16), we are called not only to receive this love but to reflect it through sacrificial action. This means putting God’s Word into practice, loving selflessly, giving generously, and serving others with genuine intent. The church models this through ministries such as scholarships, mental-health support, food and financial assistance, and open pastoral care. Scripture shows that true love is revealed in what we are willing to give, as seen in Abraham trusting in God in offering Isaac and God sacrificing his own son for our sake. Ultimately, love is not emotion or duty, but the posture of a heart that places others’ good above personal comfort, trusting that God’s plans are for our hope and future.
The fifth and final sermon on this series addresses the completion and fulfillment of God’s love. So how can God’s love be completed? The story of Eugene Onegin by Pushkin shows a tragic story of missed opportunity through Euguene and Tatyana’s mistimed love. Their love was always one-sided and never completed. How does this apply to our relationship with God? The completion of God’s love depends on how we respond to His calling. How we should respond is written in John 3:16, “whoever believes in him.” We can respond to God’s love by believing in Him, that He is Lord and that He gave His only son for us. God has been continuously confessing His love to us. How will you respond?
Now, once God’s love has been completed through us, what is the outcome? This is also addressed in John 3:16, “whoever believes in me shall not perish but have eternal life.” Everyone’s future guarantees eternity but the difference lies between spending time eternally separated or in fellowship with God. John 17:3 lays it out bluntly, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” Eternal life is knowing God, knowing Jesus Christ.
Knowing someone means to have intimacy with them. The same applies to our relationship with God. Having intimacy with God is an ongoing journey and needs to be sustained. To grow in intimacy we can practice by:
Spending intimate fellowship with Christ. Just as a married couple needs to continue going on dates, spending intentional, dedicated 1:1 time with God.
Spend intimate time with others. Whether that is with your parents, children, spouse, significant other, friends, or pastor. God wants us to love each other and to have fellowship with one another. Perhaps through these relationships, we can also grow closer to God and see an example of the intimacy He seeks to have with us.
Discussion Questions:
What are some practical ways you can apply the call to action to spend intimate time with God? If you are already doing this, how are you already spending intimate time with God and what is the outcome?
Is there anyone in your life you feel that God is calling you to grow in intimacy? Is there any challenge you have experienced when trying to grow in intimacy?
Any takeaways from the sermon?
