Textual Sermons                                                                                                                                  Power Point Show

Scripture Reading: 1 John 5:10-13

1 John:  "We Know" (Our Confident Faith)

Intro.
1.  We hear Christians express doubt & uncertainty about their faith.

2.  Yet, Christians should be confident in our faith, of our relation with God & our salvation in Christ, & have boldness as we approach the day of eternity, 1 Jno. 2:28; 3:21; 4:17; 5:14.

3.  There are many trying to deceive you, 1 Jno. 2:24-26 (2 Jno. 7).

4.  1 John:  John assures saints “we know” (5:13). (John uses words like confidence, boldness, victory & assurance to describe our faith.)

  -Know (ginosko):  “to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel…to know, understand, perceive, have knowledge of” (21x’s 1 Jno.).

I.  THE EVIDENCE FOR OUR FAITH IS SURE (true, genuine, authentic), 1:1-4.

  A.  Eyewitness Testimony, cf. 1 Jno. 4:14 (Jno. 19:35; 21:24).

    1.  Inspired by the Holy Spirit, 2 Pet. 1:16-21 (Jno. 14:26; 16:13).

    2.  Our faith is not blind; it is bold & confident.

  B.  So Our Joy May be Full, 1 Jno. 1:4 (Rom. 15:13).

      -NT forms the basis of our faith, fellowship & fullness in Christ; 1 Jno. 5:20; The words of Christ bring great joy; not doubt, Jno. 15:11.

II.  WE KNOW…

  A.  …We Know & are In Jesus Christ, 1 Jno. 2:3-6.

    1.  By this we know:  If we keep His commandments, 3:24 – 4:13.

       -Truth is in us…abide in Him…walk just as He walked (2:4-6).

    2.  Love is not a burden (Jno. 14:15; 1 Jno. 5:3).

      a.  Love indicates that we know God, 1 Jno. 4:7-8 (11).

      b.  Confess Christ (faith) & love…God abides in him & he in God,1 Jno. 4:15-16.

    3.  Abide in Him!  1 Jno. 2:28-29 (practice right., cf. Jno. 15:4-7)

  B.  …It is the Last Hour, 1 Jno. 2:18-19.

    1.  Moment of crisis due to those who opposed Christ & His truth.

    2.  2:22-23 – Those who deny Jesus is the Christ.

    3.  We can identify those who are against Christ (4:1, 6).

  C.  …All Things, 1 Jno. 2:20-21, 24-27.

    1.  All truth (from God, 2:20) consecrates & establishes us, Jno. 8:32; Eph. 3:3-5; 5:17; Col. 3:16.

    2.  What NT teaches is true…taught…abide in Him, 2:27.

  D.  …We Will Be Like Him When He Returns, 1 Jno. 3:1-3; Phil. 3:20-21.

     -This assures our hope & gives purpose to holy living, 3:3 (4:17).

  E.  …Jesus was Manifested to Take Away Our Sins, 1 Jno. 3:4-9.

    1.  cf. 1:2; 2:2; 3:8; 4:14:  Eternal life; propitiation; destroy works of devil; Savior of the world.

    2.  He did not commit sin (“in His there is no sin”), 3:5.

    3.  We who abide in Him do not practice sin, 3:6-9 (Rom. 6:1-2); 5:18.

    4.  As our habit of life is righteousness (2:29) instead of sin (3:6) we have confidence of our salvation.

  F.  …We have Passed from Death to Life, 1 Jno. 3:13-15.

     -In contrast to the world, where hatred reigns, our brotherly love gives us knowledge (assurance) that we abide in eternal life.

  G.  …Love, 1 Jno. 3:16-18.

     -Practicing brotherly love affirms that we abide in God & He in us, 4:12-13.  Love is not a life of doubt; it is a life that positively impacts.

  H.  …We are of the Truth, 1 Jno. 3:19-21.

     -Life of love assures & settles our heart; Confidence toward God; cf. 1 Jno. 4:17-19.

  I.  …Truth and Error, 1 Jno. 4:1-6.

    1.  Know the Spirit of God, 4:2…Know the spirit (disposition, influence, nature) of truth & error, 4:6.

    2.  We do not doubt truth; established in it, 2 Pet. 1:12.

  J.  …We Love the Children of God, 1 Jno. 5:1-3.

    1.  When we love God & keep His commandments.

    2.  Obedience is born of faith (joy, hope); not a burden.

    3.  Why do you obey: Love or compulsion (force)?

  K.  …God Hears & Answers Prayer, 1 Jno. 5:14-15 (3:22-23).

     -Our confidence is that God has regard for those who are faithful to Him.  Pray always (Lk. 18:1).

III. THREE SUMMARY DECLARATIONS, 1 Jno. 5:18-20.

  A.  We Know those Born of God do not (Practice) Sin, 1 Jno. 5:18.

     -Christian carefully guards his new spiritual existence in Christ.

  B.  We Know We are of God, 1 Jno. 5:19.

     -Demarcation, distinction & separation; cf. 1 Jno. 2:15-17.

  C.  We Know the Son of God has Come & Given Us an Understanding, 1 Jno. 5:20 (cf. Jno. 1:14, 17; 14:6 – truth).

    -Assures our fellowship with God, 5:20 (cf. 1 Jno. 1:5-7).

Conclusion

1.  God has given us eternal life in the Son, 1 Jno. 5:11-12.

2.  Written so believers know you have eternal life in Christ, 1 Jno. 5:13.

3.  Don’t live in doubt…continue to believe (5:13; 2 Cor. 5:7).