October 9th, 2022 - Love and Heresy

Slide 1

Confession:
I find life complicated.

Slide 2

The life of faith has always been complicated.

Slide 3

Evidence: John is pleading for his readers to believe his testimony

Slide 4

Was the gospel controversial in the church? ...it's complicated.

 Slide 5

Heresies:
1. Christ isn't human.

Slide 6

Heresies:
2. Christ wasn't God.

Slide 7

Heresies:
3. Christ was both, but only at certain times.

Slide 8

Heresies:
4. Spirit and flesh don't really connect.

Slide 9

Heresies:
5. Christ's body was like a shell, (no human emotions, etc).

Slide 10

Heresy, right belief, and...love? (Loads of love!)

Slide 11

On love:
1. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light...
(1 John 2:10)

Slide 12

On Love:
2. See what great love the Father has lavished on us...(1 John 3:1)

Slide 13

On Love:
3.  We should love one another.
(1 John 3:11)

Slide 14

On Love:
4. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. AND...(1 John 3:16)

Slide 15

On Love:
5. Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.
(1 John 4:7)

Slide 16

Letter Structure:
Prologue, gospel & need for salvation, love love love... (why?)

Slide 17

John says, “I am not telling you a new commandment…and yet I am.”
(1 John 2:7-8)

Slide 18

But why spend so much parchment on love?

Slide 19

Thanksgiving...?
Spirit led wisdom and current science: "gratitude prompts love"

Slide 20

Life is complicated, but this isn't.
"Little children, love one another"
Thanks be to God!