All You Need Is Love

            God is only a loving God

Is the following statement true?: “God is love”

 You’ll find it in the Bible.

1 John 4:16
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

But many have taken this truth and have pictured God as a kindly old man unfazed by what we do here on this planet. And since God is love, no one would ever face consequences for their actions. 

What have you heard some people assert about a loving God?

“A loving God  doesn’t care if I sin”

“A loving God would never send anyone to hell”

            Reality: God is love but He is also just.

Who believes in spanking?

What are some alternatives?

Go over methods used in the Kunkel household, Jonathan putting perforating Josh’s ear drum - consequences

Some people feel that if you set up any boundaries for a child, you’re withholding love

Do you agree?

Why is it important to set up boundaries and consequences for a child?

Could it then be said that by not setting up boundaries for your kids and teaching there are consequences for certain behaviors that you are withholding love?

Does God discipline us?

Proverbs 3:11-12

11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline
       and do not resent his rebuke,

 12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
       as a father  the son he delights in.

2 Corinthians 13:1-10

1This will be my third visit to you. "Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses."^[a] 2I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, 3since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you.

 5Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 6And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. 10This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

In the Bible, how has God disciplined His people?

How does God discipline us today?

Turn with me in your Bibles to Hebrews 12:4-11.  Scripture posted but you’ll need to see the whole passage to complete this exercise.

Find some key points in this passage:  Hebrews 12:4-11

 4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:
   "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,
      and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
 6because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
      and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."^[a]

 7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

What does this passage  say about discipline?

1.    Don’t make light of it.

2.    Don’t get discouraged when disciplined

3.    He disciplines us because He loves us and accepts us as His children

4.    While some go through hardships as a consequence of sin, it cultivates righteousness and peace.

5.    Discipline allows us to share in God’s holiness.

6.    Every Christian is disciplined.

What catch phrase was popularized by the 70’s sitcom: Maude?

God is gonna get you for that!

God is not up in heaven waiting to “get” us. He disciplines us to get us on the right track.

          But what of the unbeliever?

Does a loving God send non-believers to hell?

          Most people will have a hard time answering this question as it strikes to the heart of most people’s view of free will and predestination.  I believe some more pointed questions are in order.

Does God want people to go to hell?

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Who is sinful?

Romans 3:23

23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

What is the penalty of sin?

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What’s the Good News in this passage?

What does John 3:16 say?

John 3:16

16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,^[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

But what does John 3:18 say?

John 3:18

18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

I think we can conclude that God does not send people to hell. Rather the unbeliever sends himself there. Yet God provides the gift of salvation to those who would believe in His son.

What can you tell an unbeliever who says God is just a loving God?