“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love’” —1 John 4:18
I want to share with you a message about how God’s reckless love leads us into victory, even when we feel troubled or out of place. Imagine this: the stage is set for a grand performance, and a beautiful grand piano sits at the center. The audience is ready, the lights are on, and the curtain rises. But wait—there’s little Tommy, standing on the stage, completely ignoring the sign that says "No Public Access." He’s just a child, curious and full of life, and before anyone can stop him, he begins to play "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" on the piano.
As you can imagine, Tommy's parents immediately panic, thinking he’ll embarrass himself in front of the audience. But then, something unexpected happens. The master pianist enters, and instead of scolding Tommy, he says, “Don’t stop. Keep playing.” And so, Tommy continues, playing his simple song, while the master pianist joins in, playing skillfully, complementing Tommy’s tune with higher and lower notes. What started as a small mistake, a moment of recklessness, turned into something beautiful—a four-hand duet that transformed the situation into an unforgettable piece of music.
When Reckless Love Leads Us to the Wrong Stage
In a way, we can all relate to Tommy. Life sometimes feels like we’ve stepped onto the wrong stage, made a mistake, or acted recklessly. We think we’ve embarrassed ourselves or messed up in front of others. And just like Tommy, we all have those moments where fear tries to take center stage in our lives—fear of failure, fear of embarrassment, fear of never being enough. But the opposite of love is not hate—it’s fear. Fear holds us back and makes us shrink into ourselves. Fear keeps us from acting boldly or stepping into the unknown.
God calls us to meet this fear with reckless love. How many times in the Bible do we hear, “Do not fear” or “Do not lose heart”? There are 365 instances where God tells us not to be afraid, maybe even enough for each day of the year. In 1 John 4:18, we are told, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear."
When Reckless Love Becomes Fearless Love
Perfect love drives out fear, and that’s where God’s reckless love empowers us. Fear makes us react—react to others’ opinions, to failure, or to uncertainty. But love—true love—acts. Love chooses to forgive, to look forward, to step out in faith, even when it’s scary. God’s love gives us the freedom to choose to act, to rise above our fears, and to live out His will in our lives.
Many times, we let fear control us—fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of not meeting expectations. But the perfect love of God is stronger than those fears. Jesus offers us the good news of His love, which frees us from the fear of men and frees us to act in His love, as He did for us.
When Reckless Love Is As Strong As Death
In the story of Prince Harry’s wedding, a bishop quoted Song of Solomon 8:6: “For love is as strong as death…” This powerful verse speaks of love’s unshakable, enduring nature. But what the bishop didn’t quote is the following verse: "Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved?" This speaks of a reciprocal love—the bride leaning on the beloved. The question for us, as the Church, is: Are we responding to Christ’s reckless love, which is as strong as death, by leaning on Him?
1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.” God’s Holy Spirit in us gives us the courage to rise above fear, because of the reckless love Christ has for His Church. When we lean into His love, we rise above our fears and face the challenges of life with boldness.
David: Troubled Yet Victorious
Think of David. In 1 Samuel 17, David faced the giant Goliath. The whole Israelite army was trembling in fear, but David, a young shepherd boy, stepped forward in faith. His confidence didn’t come from his preparation or strength—it came from the reckless love he had encountered in God while tending his father’s sheep in the wilderness. David knew that God was with him, and that reckless love empowered him to face the giant when everyone else was paralyzed by fear.
David told King Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." This wasn’t just a statement of courage; it was a declaration of faith in God’s love. David stepped onto the wrong stage, at the wrong time, but he acted, not reacting like everyone else. And we know the rest of the story: he defeated Goliath, not by his strength, but by the reckless love of God working through him.
Our Victory in Christ
Jesus didn’t want His story to be just about the past; He wants us to join in His victory today. His reckless love meets us in every situation, even in the most fearful, uncertain moments of life. It turns our fear into fearless love, and through that love, we become partakers in His victory.
So, believers, remember this: no matter how troubled you may feel, no matter how out of place you might be, God’s reckless love makes you victorious. When you encounter fear, let His perfect love drive it out. Let that fearless love empower you to act, to forgive, to trust, and to move forward. And like David, know that with God’s reckless love, no giant is too big, no challenge too great.
God’s reckless love is real, it’s powerful, and it’s for you. Will you lean into it today?
Small Group Discussion: Overcoming Fear through God’s Love
Icebreaker Question:
Think of a time when you faced a fear or challenge that seemed overwhelming. How did you feel before facing it, and what helped you move forward?
Real-Life Example: Overcoming Fear with God's Love
Let’s consider the real-life example of a woman named Sarah, who struggled with fear for many years. Sarah grew up in an environment where failure was seen as shameful, and perfection was expected. As a result, she developed a deep fear of making mistakes, especially in her work and relationships. She feared not being good enough, not meeting others’ expectations, and most of all, disappointing God. This fear caused her to procrastinate, avoid taking risks, and feel paralyzed by the thought of failure.
One day, Sarah felt prompted by God to step out and take on a new opportunity at work—a project she had been avoiding because she feared she wasn’t capable. As she prayed and asked God for guidance, she was reminded of 1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” Sarah realized that her fear was holding her back, and that God’s perfect love was the key to overcoming it. She chose to trust God, take a step of faith, and accept the opportunity.
As Sarah worked on the project, she faced challenges, but each time she was tempted to retreat into fear, she reminded herself of God’s love and His promise to be with her. With God’s strength, she completed the project successfully and was even praised for her creativity and leadership. More importantly, she realized that God's love was greater than her fear, and she felt empowered to continue stepping out in faith, knowing she wasn’t alone.
Discussion Questions:
1.Facing Fear with God’s Love:
In Sarah’s story, we see how fear was driven out by trusting in God’s love. Can you think of a time when fear kept you from stepping out in faith or taking a risk? How did you handle that fear?
2. God’s Perfect Love:
1 John 4:18 tells us that perfect love drives out fear. How does understanding God’s perfect love for you impact your ability to overcome fear in your life? How can you remind yourself of God’s love when fear tries to take over?
3.Fear of Failure:
Sarah’s fear of failure held her back from seizing opportunities. How does fear of failure affect you? How can you replace that fear with trust in God’s ability to lead you and equip you for success, no matter the outcome?
4.Stepping Out in Faith:
Like Sarah, sometimes God calls us to step out into new situations that feel uncertain. What steps can you take in your own life to move forward in faith, even when fear is present? How can God’s love give you the courage to act?
5.The Role of Community:
In Sarah’s journey, she relied on God’s love to overcome fear, but she also had to take action. How can the community support you in overcoming fear? How can we as a group encourage one another to trust in God’s love and take steps of faith?
Closing Reflection:
Take a moment to reflect: Is there an area in your life where fear is holding you back from acting in faith? What would it look like for you to lean into God’s perfect love and take that next step, trusting that He is with you?
Reckless Love #3
Agape House Fellowship
Reckless Love #3
Troubled Yet Victorious
by Coach K
Scripture:
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love’” —1 John 4:18
Coach K’s Message Video:
https://youtu.be/8efgomBPD0I?feature=shared
Video play time: 00:00 - 25:03
Reckless Love: Troubled Yet Victorious
I want to share with you a message about how God’s reckless love leads us into victory, even when we feel troubled or out of place. Imagine this: the stage is set for a grand performance, and a beautiful grand piano sits at the center. The audience is ready, the lights are on, and the curtain rises. But wait—there’s little Tommy, standing on the stage, completely ignoring the sign that says "No Public Access." He’s just a child, curious and full of life, and before anyone can stop him, he begins to play "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" on the piano.
As you can imagine, Tommy's parents immediately panic, thinking he’ll embarrass himself in front of the audience. But then, something unexpected happens. The master pianist enters, and instead of scolding Tommy, he says, “Don’t stop. Keep playing.” And so, Tommy continues, playing his simple song, while the master pianist joins in, playing skillfully, complementing Tommy’s tune with higher and lower notes. What started as a small mistake, a moment of recklessness, turned into something beautiful—a four-hand duet that transformed the situation into an unforgettable piece of music.
When Reckless Love Leads Us to the Wrong Stage
In a way, we can all relate to Tommy. Life sometimes feels like we’ve stepped onto the wrong stage, made a mistake, or acted recklessly. We think we’ve embarrassed ourselves or messed up in front of others. And just like Tommy, we all have those moments where fear tries to take center stage in our lives—fear of failure, fear of embarrassment, fear of never being enough. But the opposite of love is not hate—it’s fear. Fear holds us back and makes us shrink into ourselves. Fear keeps us from acting boldly or stepping into the unknown.
God calls us to meet this fear with reckless love. How many times in the Bible do we hear, “Do not fear” or “Do not lose heart”? There are 365 instances where God tells us not to be afraid, maybe even enough for each day of the year. In 1 John 4:18, we are told, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear."
When Reckless Love Becomes Fearless Love
Perfect love drives out fear, and that’s where God’s reckless love empowers us. Fear makes us react—react to others’ opinions, to failure, or to uncertainty. But love—true love—acts. Love chooses to forgive, to look forward, to step out in faith, even when it’s scary. God’s love gives us the freedom to choose to act, to rise above our fears, and to live out His will in our lives.
Many times, we let fear control us—fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of not meeting expectations. But the perfect love of God is stronger than those fears. Jesus offers us the good news of His love, which frees us from the fear of men and frees us to act in His love, as He did for us.
When Reckless Love Is As Strong As Death
In the story of Prince Harry’s wedding, a bishop quoted Song of Solomon 8:6: “For love is as strong as death…” This powerful verse speaks of love’s unshakable, enduring nature. But what the bishop didn’t quote is the following verse: "Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved?" This speaks of a reciprocal love—the bride leaning on the beloved. The question for us, as the Church, is: Are we responding to Christ’s reckless love, which is as strong as death, by leaning on Him?
1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.” God’s Holy Spirit in us gives us the courage to rise above fear, because of the reckless love Christ has for His Church. When we lean into His love, we rise above our fears and face the challenges of life with boldness.
David: Troubled Yet Victorious
Think of David. In 1 Samuel 17, David faced the giant Goliath. The whole Israelite army was trembling in fear, but David, a young shepherd boy, stepped forward in faith. His confidence didn’t come from his preparation or strength—it came from the reckless love he had encountered in God while tending his father’s sheep in the wilderness. David knew that God was with him, and that reckless love empowered him to face the giant when everyone else was paralyzed by fear.
David told King Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." This wasn’t just a statement of courage; it was a declaration of faith in God’s love. David stepped onto the wrong stage, at the wrong time, but he acted, not reacting like everyone else. And we know the rest of the story: he defeated Goliath, not by his strength, but by the reckless love of God working through him.
Our Victory in Christ
Jesus didn’t want His story to be just about the past; He wants us to join in His victory today. His reckless love meets us in every situation, even in the most fearful, uncertain moments of life. It turns our fear into fearless love, and through that love, we become partakers in His victory.
So, believers, remember this: no matter how troubled you may feel, no matter how out of place you might be, God’s reckless love makes you victorious. When you encounter fear, let His perfect love drive it out. Let that fearless love empower you to act, to forgive, to trust, and to move forward. And like David, know that with God’s reckless love, no giant is too big, no challenge too great.
God’s reckless love is real, it’s powerful, and it’s for you. Will you lean into it today?
Small Group Discussion: Overcoming Fear through God’s Love
Icebreaker Question:
Think of a time when you faced a fear or challenge that seemed overwhelming. How did you feel before facing it, and what helped you move forward?
Real-Life Example: Overcoming Fear with God's Love
Let’s consider the real-life example of a woman named Sarah, who struggled with fear for many years. Sarah grew up in an environment where failure was seen as shameful, and perfection was expected. As a result, she developed a deep fear of making mistakes, especially in her work and relationships. She feared not being good enough, not meeting others’ expectations, and most of all, disappointing God. This fear caused her to procrastinate, avoid taking risks, and feel paralyzed by the thought of failure.
One day, Sarah felt prompted by God to step out and take on a new opportunity at work—a project she had been avoiding because she feared she wasn’t capable. As she prayed and asked God for guidance, she was reminded of 1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” Sarah realized that her fear was holding her back, and that God’s perfect love was the key to overcoming it. She chose to trust God, take a step of faith, and accept the opportunity.
As Sarah worked on the project, she faced challenges, but each time she was tempted to retreat into fear, she reminded herself of God’s love and His promise to be with her. With God’s strength, she completed the project successfully and was even praised for her creativity and leadership. More importantly, she realized that God's love was greater than her fear, and she felt empowered to continue stepping out in faith, knowing she wasn’t alone.
Discussion Questions:
1.Facing Fear with God’s Love:
In Sarah’s story, we see how fear was driven out by trusting in God’s love. Can you think of a time when fear kept you from stepping out in faith or taking a risk? How did you handle that fear?
2. God’s Perfect Love:
1 John 4:18 tells us that perfect love drives out fear. How does understanding God’s perfect love for you impact your ability to overcome fear in your life? How can you remind yourself of God’s love when fear tries to take over?
3.Fear of Failure:
Sarah’s fear of failure held her back from seizing opportunities. How does fear of failure affect you? How can you replace that fear with trust in God’s ability to lead you and equip you for success, no matter the outcome?
4.Stepping Out in Faith:
Like Sarah, sometimes God calls us to step out into new situations that feel uncertain. What steps can you take in your own life to move forward in faith, even when fear is present? How can God’s love give you the courage to act?
5.The Role of Community:
In Sarah’s journey, she relied on God’s love to overcome fear, but she also had to take action. How can the community support you in overcoming fear? How can we as a group encourage one another to trust in God’s love and take steps of faith?
Closing Reflection:
Take a moment to reflect: Is there an area in your life where fear is holding you back from acting in faith? What would it look like for you to lean into God’s perfect love and take that next step, trusting that He is with you?