"The testimony about God's Son"

The New International Version Chapter 5

This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Introduction: Our faith and our assurance rest upon the historical validity of the witnesses which God has provided. One may ask, what witnesses has He provided. John our author in this section of scripture leaves no doubt as to who the witnesses are and the position that an individual is in based on his or her acceptance of the testimony. This is important to our faith as believers because John writes

• To assure those who pass these black-and-white tests of their inclusion in the family of God

• To motivate us to draw closer to God with the type of intimacy that should characterize those who share the same life and character

• To increase our joy as we commit ourselves to loving the brethren and experience the fellowship of the common life in Christ that we share.

Faith in God’s Witness (1 John 5:6-12)

John here is the witness that writes to remind us how faith originates in the believers heart. Here John illustrates the three witnesses that God provides to show that Jesus is the Christ: water, blood, and Spirit. By believing God’s testimony, we can have eternal life through his Son. This is because Christ also completed His mission by paying the full penalty for our sins. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete.

FAITH IN GOD’S WITNESS OF THE INCARNATION (1 John 5:7-8)

Once again John our writer silences the Gnostics notion of Christ was just a man that the Holy Spirit descended upon and was not God. However that notion was squash at the Transfiguration, where God said this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God, the same was in the beginning with God. Jesus’ life was both human and divine. All three testimonies agree. It is fundamental to our faith in regards to the acceptance and reality of the incarnation. The doctrine of the incarnation teaches that through the work of the Holy Spirit, God the Son has become fully human in time in order to die for the sins of humanity and defeat death by the power of his resurrection.

FAITH IN GOD’S WITNESS BY HIS SPIRIT (1 John 5:8-12)

Throughout this letter, John identifies the Spirit as a testifier that confirms the truth (see 1 John 3:24; 4:2, 13).the three are in agreement with regard to Jesus’ identity.  Because of the Holy Spirit residing in us , because we believe that Christ is the Son of God and we have accepted Him as our Savior, the Holy Spirit who lives in us testifies as a witness. So you have to be careful of what testimony that you are listening to. God’ testimony is greater than man’s. Don’t allow folk to tell you that Jesus was not God and man. God’s witness is greater than theirs if they are teaching anything other than what verse 9 says. We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. Jesus said:   “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true.

33 “You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. 34 Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. 35 John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.

36 “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent.  One therefore has no reason for not accepting God’s testimony to the person of Christ. If man’s testimony can be accepted when adequately attested (Deut. 19:15), God’s testimony, being greater, ought also be accepted. So the real question is, do you believe, and if you believe, the faith that you have in Christ assures you the victory!

Closure: These are challenging times to live in, however our faith in God is sufficient to lead us to victory over life’s circumstances. Keep trusting God and hold to His hand. Keep the faith and continue to serve Him to the best of your ability. In your moments of weaknesses and uncertainties, Faith is the answer. The Hymnologist said it better than I can: I was weak and weary, I had gone a-stray, walking in the darkness, I couldn’t find my way. Then a light came shining to lead me from despair. All my sins forgiven, and I was free from care. I found the answer, I learned to pray. With faith to guide me, with God beside me. I found the way. The sun is shining for me each day, I found the answer, I learned to pray. Faith is the answer and prayer is certainly a key element to our faith and our testimony about who Jesus is.

“The Facts about God’s Love”

Text: 1 John 4:9-13

Introduction: God’s love is the divine attribute that indicates God’s disposition to be self-giving and for the good of the other. God’s love can be considered His central attribute because all other divine attributes are but an expression of His love. There is nothing like the love of God! It is the most overwhelming thing you and I will ever encountered in life. It is the greatest thing God ever did for any of us! John’s epistle is written to combat a heresy known as Gnosticism. The Gnostic believed that knowledge was power. They felt that they had a special knowledge of God and His ways. John is writing to put them into their place! And, as he does, he tells the rest of us about a great God with a great love for great sinners. So, today allow the Lord to speak to your hearts on the facts of His great love.

Description of Love

  A. It Is Unspeakable—we oftentimes can’t describe it apart from this text. We don’t completely understand it, or why, but we know we have experienced it and we can never be separated from it—Rom. 8:38–39

B. It Is Unending—Jer. 31:3. There is a difference between infatuation and love! God’s love is eternal!

C. It Is Unselfish—Ill. It asks for nothing in return! However, it leads man to repent and turn to God in love—Rom. 2:4; 1 John 4:19.

C. It Is Unmerited—Cannot be earned or deserved! God loved us because He desired a people to love. (Ill. His love is based in His grace!) (Ill. Jesus and Jerusalem—Matt. 23:37.)

E. It Is Unconditional—It is not based on what we can or cannot produce, it is a product of the heart of God. Nothing you can ever do to make God love you more than He already loves you. Man can never reach a place when he will not be loved by God! God loved us first, He loved us anyway and He loves us eternally!

F. His love is Supernatural, it is Sacrificing, it is Satisfying.

THIS LOVE WAS DEMONSTRATED AT CALVARY (1 John 4:10)

A. God’s love can never be fully understood, but it can be seen! It is best viewed Calvary!

B. He Stood In The Gap—2 Cor. 5:21

God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

D. He Saved Us From Hell—It is His death on the cross, the death that released His precious blood, that opened the door of salvation for every sinner who will come to know God. 1 Pet. 1:18–19; Thank God for the Blood of the Lord Jesus!!!!!

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

THIS LOVE IS DISPLAYED IN THE CHRISTIAN (1 John 4:11-12)

A. It will be visible if you really have it!

B. Notice throughout the Bible, there have been men who demonstrated God’s love:

1. Forgiving Love—Joseph—Gen. 45:1–8

2. Redeeming Love—Hosea—Hos. 3:1–3

3. Compassionate Love—Barnabbas—Acts 15:36–41

4. Healing Love—Paul—2 Tim. 4:11 Men are limited in their ability to love, but God possesses every shade of love imaginable!

C. When the love of God is present in the life of a believer, it will be visible in 5 different areas.

1. Love For The Savior (Ill. John 14:15) (Ill. Ephesus—Rev. 2:4)

2. Love For The Scriptures (John 5:39)

3. Love For The Sanctuary (Heb. 10:25) (Ill. David—Psalms 122:1)

4. Love For The Saints (1 John 4:20–21; 1 John 5:1–3) (Ill. John 13:35–1 John 4:12! When the saints walk in love, then God will be seen!)

5. Love For The Sinners (Pray, tell, live clean before) (Ill. Jesus had a heart for sinners—Ill. Nicodemus, Man with withered hand, Blind man, etc.) (Ill. God’s love is more than just being loved! It is opening our lives so that the Lord can love through us. So that He can reach a world for Himself.) 

Conclusion: We ought to praise the Lord today for His overwhelming love! Is there anybody here that will lift up the name of the Lord? We can shout, we can run, we can repeat mantras, but the best means we have of thanking Him for His love is by letting Him love through our lives and reach others for Jesus. I thank Him for loving me, and I am sure you do too. Today, let’s show that love for God by doing His will and being what He would have us be, and by loving like He would have us love. By loving others exactly as we have been loved by God—Matt. 22:39.