1 John 4:13-16 (NKJV) — 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

John provides a picture of the Gospel in the context of the Holy Trinity; Father, Son, and Spirit. Pastor Weston described confessing Jesus as an inward allegiance/submission to God and an outward proclamation/representation of God. Living and sharing the Gospel of Christ is living and sharing God’s love. 

What role does the Holy Spirit play in our Christian life and what impact does the Holy Spirit have on your daily life? 

Considering all that confessing Jesus entails, what does it look like to share the Gospel through your life and with your words? 

What assurance do you receive from the Gospel and how does that shape the message you share with others?

1 John 4:17-18 (NKJV) — 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

We covered last week that God is love and when we have true love in us we have God abiding in us and we abide in Him. Pastor Weston described the boldness this true love gives us by confirming, “We are set free from the fear of God’s judgement by the love perfected in us.” 

How does your relationship with Jesus (you are “as He is”) allow you to be bold and without fear on the day of judgement?

How does our future experience of the judgement and love of God affect our current experience in our Christian walk?