Know God? Love Your Neighbor

Introduction

• Muslim Extremists vs. British Soldier (John 8:44)
• The Most Hardened Heart Can be Converted & Saved (Acts 9:1-2; 26:12-18)
• We Give Evidence of knowing Christ & Abiding in Him
• Two Truths to Keep in Mind (1 John 2:1-2)

I. What it Means to Know God (vs. 3-5)

A. Knowing God – Keep His Commandments (v. 3)
• True Knowledge of God vs. Phantom Knowledge (James 2:19-20; Calvin)
• “We Know That We Know Him” (2 Cor. 4:6)
• Knowing God Gives Us a Desire to “Keep His Commandments” (Ezek. 36:27)

B. Cannot Know God, if Commandments not Kept (v.4)
• The Spiritual Lie Detector

C. The Love of God is Perfected in him, Who Keeps the Word of God (v. 5)
• “Perfected” – Perfect Tense/Passive Voice (John 14:21, 23)

II. What Does it Mean to be in Christ (vs. 6-11)

A. A New/Old Commandment (vs. 6-8; Lev. 19:18; Matt. 22:37-39; John 13:34-35; Ephesians 5:25)

B. Hate Your Brother – Still in Darkness (v. 9, 11)
• Abides in Darkness; Never had the Light (v. 9)
• Walks in Darkness; Doesn’t Know Going Down Path of Destruction (v. 11; 2 Cor. 4:3-4, 6)

Conclusion and Application

• Desire to Keep the Word of God; His Commandments
• Love as God Has Loved Us (Ephesians 5:1-2; Matthew 25:41-46; Romans 12:19-21; Hebrews 12:5-6)
• Let Your Light so Shine (Luke 6:46; Matthew 5:16)