We all long for perfect love. Love that satisfies the aches loneliness inflicts, love that fixes all that is broken by life in a fallen world. But where will we find it? Where can we find a love that meets the burden of all our needs and expectations?  Join us as we examine 1 John 4:13-21 and discover the power of God’s perfect love upon his children. 

In a world where it is easy to dress up in the costume of false spirituality or live in fear that we are self-deceivers rather than believers, John comforts us by showing how our love for one another reveals the reality of our abiding faith in Christ. Join us as we examine 1 John 4:7-12 and consider how brotherly love reveals the reality of our Christian faith to ourselves and others.  

Sibling rivalry is nowhere more fierce than at Church. We contend over theology and the color of the carpet with equal intensity. But to love our brothers is a work of God’s sanctifying free grace. And a work we are all commanded to engage. Join us as we examine John 3:11-18 and consider what this commandment to love one another as Christians entails.

A believers’ assurance is not marked by sinless perfection but by practicing righteousness. One who has little concern over their sin shows contempt, not love, for the one who came to take away sin and to destroy the works of the devil.  Join us this week as we examine 1 John 3:4-18 and consider the difference between practicing righteousness and practicing lawlessness.  

Christians live out assurance by plowing in hope. No matter what struggles, adversities, doubts, or sin beset us, assurance is rooted not in our own strength, but in the “blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Join us as we examine 1 John 2:28-3:3 and consider the blessed hope that animates our assurance of faith.

Presumption and assurance may look and act alike, but they are very different. Assurance is vigilant, wary of threats, within and without. While presumption thinks itself bullet-proof, invincible. Assurance welcomes warnings. Presumption plows ahead. Join us as we examine 1 John 2:15-17 and consider John’s warning not to love the world and how that warning impacts our assurance.

“Actions speak louder than words!” “If you talk the talk, walk the walk.” But assurance is declared as much as displayed. When deeds are done, we still need words. We need to hear assuring words from Christian friends declaring the reality of our faith. Listen as we examine 1 John 2:12-14 and consider the importance of pastoral care and encouragement in providing assurance of our faith.

How can I know that I know? There are tests for everything so that we can know that we know what we know. But when it comes to the most important thing we need to know, we look to mere feeling or experience, content not to know that we know. Join us as we examine 1 John 2:7-11 and consider the social dimension of assurance and what our relationships with others reveal about our relationship with God.