Loving With God's Love: Moving Beyond Transactional Relationships

This sermon explores the transformative nature of God's love as revealed in 1 John 4, emphasizing that all human love originates from God's prior love for us. The pastor contrasts human transactional love—which focuses on what we receive—with God's unconditional love that focuses on benefiting the object of love. God loved us when we were powerless, sinful, and His enemies, demonstrating a love that gives without expectation of return. This divine love provides believers with life, purpose, righteousness, and fellowship with God. The sermon challenges listeners to examine whether they love others with God's selfless love or with human love that seeks payback, calling them to love the brethren as evidence of truly loving God.