The Heart of the Life That is Real (preaching resource for Easter 5: 4/28/24)
This post exegetes 1 John 4:7-21, providing context for the 4/28/24 (Easter 5) RCL Epistle reading. This exegesis draws on commentary from Warren Wiersbe ("Bible Expository Commentary"), Stephen Smalley ("Word Biblical Commentary") and Leon Morris ("New Bible Commentary"). "The Master's Touch" by Greg Olsen (used with artist's permission) Introduction 1 John 4:7-21 directs our attention to the heart of the life that is real. That heart is none other than God’s love. And God’s love is the intimate communion of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit—a communion we share in union with Jesus. John takes us straight to the nature of this love, beginning by pointing out three profound truths: love is what God is, love is what God did, and love is what God is now doing. Love is what God is (1 John 4:7–8) 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love do