Teaching summary
In this teaching, Pastors Leonard and Lori Rola share that love is the ruling force meant to govern the life of every believer. They explain that love is not merely something God does, but who God is, and therefore love must define how believers live, respond, and relate to others. The message emphasizes that love reveals God to the world more clearly than knowledge, eloquence, or religious performance. When believers live from God’s love, unity, faith, and true witness naturally flow.
Bible verses referenced
1 John 4:7- Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1 John 4:8- He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
John 17:23- I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Galatians 5:6- For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
1 John 4:17- Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
Teaching notes
Table of Contents
- Opening Thanksgiving and Purpose of the Message
- The Rule of Love in the Life of the Believer
- God Is Love: The Source of All True Love
- Love as the True Witness to the World
- 1 John 4:7 – Love Always Includes Others
- Loving Others Reveals God
- 1 John 4:8 – God and Love Are Inseparable
- Love as the Energizing Force of Faith
- John 17:23 – Love, Oneness, and God’s Witness
- As He Is, So Are We: Living From God’s Love
- Closing Encouragement and Part One Conclusion
Opening Thanksgiving and Purpose of the Message
Pastors Leonard and Lori begin by expressing heartfelt gratitude to the congregation for their love, prayers, generosity, and ongoing support of the ministry. They acknowledge the people as “God’s hand extended,” recognizing that God works through His people to bless and support others. Pastor Leonard then explains that this teaching will be a two-part message focused on love, specifically what he calls “the rule of love.” He shares that love is one of the two greatest forces in the life of a believer, the other being righteousness, and that this message is something the Lord has placed deeply on his heart.
The Rule of Love in the Life of the Believer
Pastor Leonard explains that love is not a side topic in the Christian life, but a governing force. Love is meant to rule how believers think, respond, and live. He reminds listeners that Scripture declares God is love, and therefore everything God does flows from love. All of God’s attributes—His kindness, mercy, compassion, goodness, and care—stem from the fact that love is His very nature. Because of this, love must also be central in the life of every believer.
God Is Love: The Source of All True Love
The pastors emphasize that love does not originate with humanity but with God Himself. Love flows from God because God is love. This means believers are not striving to create love through effort or discipline, but are called to allow God’s love, already dwelling within them, to flow outward. When love is understood correctly, it transforms how believers see God, themselves, and others.
Love as the True Witness to the World
Pastor Leonard recalls the well-known idea that people will recognize Christians not by eloquent speech, deep theological knowledge, or mastery of biblical languages, but by love. He stresses that love—not religious performance or intellectual display—is the true identifying mark of Christianity. The world does not come to know God through impressive credentials, but through believers who live and act in love.
1 John 4:7 – Love Always Includes Others
Pastor Lori reads from 1 John 4:7, which Pastor Leonard then expounds upon in depth.
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
They explain that love always includes others and never excludes. Love does not draw lines based on financial status, education, profession, or background. Instead, love opens its arms and welcomes. Because love springs from God, and God dwells within believers, His love naturally flows outward. Pastor Leonard highlights that when people encounter genuine love, they instinctively sense acceptance, favor, and God’s care toward them.
Loving Others Reveals God
The pastors explain that love is how people come to understand God’s heart toward them. When believers love others, it communicates that God sees them, values them, and has good intentions toward them. Love awakens people to the reality that God’s eye is upon them and that His heart is for them. Pastor Leonard emphasizes that loving others is not optional, but is the natural expression of knowing God.
1 John 4:8 – God and Love Are Inseparable
Pastor Lori reads 1 John 4:8, and Pastor Leonard reflects on its meaning.
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
They explain that God and love cannot be separated. To remove love from one’s understanding of God is to misunderstand God entirely. Because believers are united with God, love cannot be separated from them either. Love is a binding, powerful force that defines the believer’s identity and connection with God.
Love as the Energizing Force of Faith
Pastor Leonard references Galatians 5:6 to show how love empowers faith.
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
He explains that when love is realized and understood, faith is energized. Love fuels faith, giving it life and effectiveness. This reinforces how vital love is in the Christian life, not only for relationships, but for spiritual growth and confidence before God.
John 17:23 – Love, Oneness, and God’s Witness
Pastor Leonard points to Jesus’ prayer in John 17:23 and reads it aloud.
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
He explains that Jesus prayed believers would know that the Father loves them in the same way He loves Jesus. Love creates seamless oneness with God and with one another. This unity becomes a powerful witness to the world, revealing God’s truth, glory, and goodness. Love, not religious effort, is what exalts God before the world.
As He Is, So Are We: Living From God’s Love
Pastor Leonard reminds listeners that believers share the same love that exists between the Father and the Son. He references 1 John 4:17 to reinforce this truth.
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
He explains that just as Jesus loves, believers are now able to love. Keeping one’s focus on God’s love produces a natural response of love toward God and others. Love becomes the lens through which believers live their daily lives.
Closing Encouragement and Part One Conclusion
The pastors encourage believers to continually move, respond, and live from love in every situation. They close by reminding listeners that love is powerful, illuminating, and transformative. Pastor Leonard thanks everyone for staying with them for part one of the message and invites them to continue into the next part, where the teaching on love will be further developed.
We hope this article blessed you and encouraged you to reflect on what truly rules your life. If this teaching helped you see God’s love more clearly, please consider sharing it with others so they, too, can be encouraged by the power of love.