Growing in a Relationship with God — To Know God — God Is Love

Join us as we study the Bible Study Guide for the second quarter of 2026 called Growing in a Relationship with God. We are studying the lesson for week 2 called To Know God.    

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Neste episódio, baseado em Mateus 13:4, 19, conto uma história preciosa relacionada a uma interação com um de meus pais na fé, o irmão Antônio Fragoso, ancião de uma das igrejas onde fui pastor em São Paulo, Brasil.

Apresentado a pastores da APSo (Associação Paulista do Sudoeste) no CATRE de Araçoiaba da Serra em 30 de agosto de 2025.

God Is Love

Love is perhaps the most common word used by Christians to describe God’s character. This could be because of the identity statement about God in 1 John 4:8, which says, “God is love.” John didn’t say, “God is loving,” but rather, “God is love.” Love is His character, the very essence of who He is.

For many people, their picture of God emerges from their human definition of love, which is always distorted and imperfect. Instead, our very definition of love should be shaped by who God is and what He reveals about Himself in His inspired Word.

What does 1 John 4:7-19 explain to us about love?

God’s love is perfect, free, and deeply relational, as revealed in the repeated invitation to “abide” in Him in 1 John, because “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” (1 John 4:16, NKJV). God is love, and He created us in His image (Gen. 1:27) to love and to desire love. In Hebrew, one major word for love is hesed. This describes God’s covenant love for humankind, which encompasses traits of loyalty, protectiveness, steadfastness, and tenderness.

The ancient languages of Hebrew and Greek use many different names to refer to God, names that capture meaning to shed light on different aspects of God’s beautiful character. Here are just two examples:

• Adonai: The Lord of all, who reigns forever, in reference to the covenant (Gen. 15:2, Judg. 6:15, Mal. 1:6, Ps. 97:5).
• Yahweh-Yireh: The-LORD-Will-Provide (Gen. 22:13-14, NKJV).

Ultimately, the greatest expression of God’s love is revealed through the gift of His Son to this earth (John 3:16) who died for sinners (Rom. 5:8). God could have withheld this from humankind, yet because of His magnanimous, radical, supremely altruistic love, God sent Jesus to earth so that we might freely choose to respond to His love, revealed in His substitutionary death on our behalf. Not only did Jesus bridge the separation that sin has brought between us and God (Isa. 59:1-2), He lived to show us God’s perfect character of love (John 14:9, Heb. 1:3) and to draw all people to Himself (John 12:32).

Many of God’s names capture His holiness and love at their core. Read 

The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the most pivotal moment in human history, transforming despair into hope and defeat into victory. Despite Roman guards, official seals, and a massive stone, Jesus rose from the dead exactly as He predicted. The empty tomb, the disciples' dramatic transformation from fearful hiding to bold proclamation, and over 500 witnesses confirm this miraculous event. Old Testament prophecies in Psalms, Isaiah, and Daniel all pointed to the Messiah's resurrection. Because Jesus lives, believers have victory over death, hope for the future, and the foundation for eternal faith.

In this powerful and practical message, Elder Frank Jaftha reminds us that salvation is not the end of our journey—but the beginning of our mission. Titled “Saved to Serve,” this sermon challenges every believer to embrace their calling as an ambassador for Christ.

Through biblical examples like Joseph, Esther, Moses, and Paul, we learn that God saves us with purpose—so that we can serve others, remain faithful through trials, and reflect Christ in every situation. Even in life’s darkest moments, God is working out His greater plan.

Are you just saved—or are you serving?