Here it is:
The Sacrificial Love of God
A Sermon Summary — 1 John 4:9–10
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Before our family's white water rafting trip in Red River, New Mexico, our guide walked up and changed everything. He was strong, kind, and communicated clearly — and by the time we hit the water, fear gave way to confidence, courage, and comfort. That's exactly what knowing God is meant to do for us.
Over the past several weeks, we've been learning who God truly is. He is great — the One whose voice spoke billions of galaxies into existence, yet knows each of us by name. He is kind — not just powerful, but generous, filling the world with beauty that far exceeds what survival requires. And He has spoken — giving us His Word, a unified story woven across sixty-six books, forty authors, and fifteen centuries, because He refuses to be unknown.
But there's one more truth we haven't named yet, and it may be the most stunning of all: God is sacrificially loving.
This love wasn't improvised. Before the first word of creation, God already had a rescue plan — and He knew it would cost Him everything (Ephesians 1:4–6). Grace was not a reaction. It was a forethought.
This love required God to become one of us. While every other religion asks us to reach up to God, Christianity alone declares that God reached down — stepping out of eternity, taking on human flesh, and making Himself nothing (Philippians 2:5–8).
And this love walked straight to the cross. Not after we cleaned ourselves up, but while we were still sinners — He died for us (Romans 5:8). As John puts it simply: "This is love." Not an example of love. The definition of it.
When you truly know this God — your Guide — the rapids don't disappear. But you're no longer facing them alone.
He's in the raft with us.
