Here For It: Wk 8

Intro:

Henry Ford knew that cars were the future, he saw the potential of this transportation and his ability to make it happen. So he set out to make as many cars as he could. The problem was that it took too long. People, even the best workers, were just too slow to keep up with the demand. For years Ford tried different strategies and trained people to make his factories the most productive they could be. But it still wasn’t enough. This all changed when Henry ford was inspired by the assembly lines he saw being used in mills, bakeries, and meat packing plants and began to dream up a way to make that work for his cars. On December 1, 1913, Henry Ford installed the first moving assembly line for the mass production of an entire automobile. This invention reduced the time it took to build a car from more than 12 hours to exactly 1 hour and 33 minutes. Henry Ford knew the world needed cars, so he built the most efficient factory for making cars fast.

Tim Keller, a pastor who died back in May is famous for saying, “The human heart is an idol factory that takes good things like a successful career, love, material possessions, even family, and turns them into ultimate things.”

In other words, if we had an assembly line in our hearts, the only thing we could mass produce is things to worship that aren’t God. things of our own creation to give our lives over to.

Now, I know that sounds harsh and seems like a dark way to start tonight off. However, it is the truth for humans apart from Christ! We were created to know, love, and worship God. We are created to find all of our life, purpose, and satisfaction in HIM. But when we are born in sin we find ourselves looking for life, purpose and satisfaction in all the wrong places. We follow our desires and the ideas around us in hope of finding satisfaction and life but nothing lasts. We can try everything in this world and if we don’t have Jesus we will stil be just as empty and lifeless as when we started! But our hearts continue to chase things because we were created for a life of worship- something to give ourselves to and to receive life and fulfillment from. But, we were created to worship God, not the idols of our own creation! Nothing but God can satisfy our lives.

We’ve been in 1 John the past 7 weeks and now we are in our 8th and final week of our series here for it. John is wrapping up in the last few verses by summarizing everything he hopes the rest of this letter taught the christians he is writing to. Ultimately, John wants them, and us, to know that through Jesus

We know there is one real God who can give us real life.

Over this series we have learned a lot but really its all been 3 big things, God is light-meaning life, and we are called to walk in the light, the life of God, through Jesus.

We also have said God is love and we are created to love God and love people and we can do that by by transformed by the Gospel which is God’s ultimate display of His love for us!

And throughout all of this John has emphasized the idea of truth. That Jesus is the true messiah, God is the one true God, and we must walk in truth, not the lies of the Devil!

So, we have learned to walk in light, love, and truth. John, here, is wrapping up those thoughts by emphasizing a life that is REAL, marked by knowing the one REAL God, reaching a world that is falling for a FALSE life, and living life the REAL way that Jesus taught us to- only loving God and people!

We know there is one real God who can give us real life!

So, one final time, turn with me to 1 John, we will be in the last few verses of chapter 5 tonight.

As you turn there, I want to give some more context for this book. We have mentioned some of this before but it is really important for tonight. Remember: John was likely writing to the Christians in the city of Ephesus and Ephesus has a certain reputation in history. At that time it was well known for it’s idolatry. The temple to the Roman goddess Diana was at the heart of the city, literally a massive temple that is one of the wonders of the ancient world. This made making and selling idols to the Roman gods one of the primary jobs and practices in the whole city! So, John realizes that the Christians in this city are under constant temptation and pressure from the people around them to turn to false gods, or at least incorporate them into their lives. So, as John wraps everything up, let’s keep that in mind as it will help us see the heart of his message to them.

1 John 5:18–21 (CSB)

We know that everyone who has been born of God does not sin, but the one who is born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the sway of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know the true one. We are in the true one—that is, in his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

Again, John is recapping his entire message here. He sums things up with 3 major We Know statements.

The first thing we know as Christians:

We know we have victory.

It makes sense he comes back to the idea of walking in the light that he started his letter with, by saying Christians- anyone born again in Christ has a new life free from sin! In the new life of christ we have victory over sin and are righteous as God’s children.

Remember, John isn’t saying that anyone who is saved is immediately perfect and never sins again. We know that is not the case, that’s not what we experience, it’s not what the rest of the Bible teaches and it’s not what John has said. The language John uses in this statement is better translated as an ongoing action meaning- everyone who has been born of God does not continue sinning.

As Children of God we have the light/the life of God which is free from death which means we are no longer slaves to sin. Jesus won the victory over sin on the cross and so we have victory in Christ over our sins.

I believe there are two major ways we should see this evidence in our lives. First, when we get saved, there should be an immediate and radical repentance of our sins. That’s the whole point right? Like When you first heard the Gospel and realized you needed to be saved that meant you understood your sin was wrong and separated you from God, but Jesus paid for your sin and calls you to follow Him as Lord- no longer pursuing your sin but pursuing his life! So, there should be immediate turning away from previous sins in your life.

The second part is the ongoing growth we experience as we break old habits and turn from sins as the Holy Spirit reveals them to us as we follow Jesus longer and longer. Jesus takes us just as we are, which means we often come with addictions, habits, relationships, and tendencies that are sinful and don’t look like Jesus. And the longer we follow Jesus the more he shows us those things through our time in the Bible, the Holy Spirit speaking to us, and other believers helping us! This is the process of Sanctification- becoming more like Jesus! It is a continual process that we will be in until Jesus returns and makes us just like Him perfectly one day!

And this is what John means- anyone born of God does not sin!

This is the real life offered by God through our relationship with Jesus! Real life is freedom from sin so that we may draw close to our Holy and Perfect God and Father!

John goes on to say that the evil one does not touch us! The picture John uses here with his language is like Jesus is holding us wrapped up in his arms protecting us from the evil one- the devil who wants to steal, kill, and destroy the life that God has given us on this earth! But just as Jesus taught us to pray- lead us not into temptation, deliver us from the evil one! We are held tight, protected by the powerful arms of God and He will not let us go. You will face struggles in this life, you will go through pain and the effects of sin, but the evil one already lost, he can attack you but he can’t defeat you! We know we have victory over sin and death for eternity in Jesus!

Spiritual death has no claim on you, we have Spiritual Life now.

sin cannot control you, we are controlled by the Holy Spirit.

and the evil one cannot touch you, we are protected by Jesus Himself!

So, next time you are tempted, or someone hurts you, or the devil lies to you about who you are or how God views you- claim victory in Jesus and say GET BEHIND ME SATAN and walk in the truth and victory you have in Jesus- you do not have to go back to your sin and the devil has no power over you!

We know we have victory! But we know that is only the story for the Children of God who have new life in Jesus. Unfortunately John says we also know the world still is in slavery to sin and death…

2. We know the world is lost.

1 John 5:19 (CSB)

We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the sway of the evil one.

John contrasts the life we have in Jesus with the false life offered by the world. The light of God with the darkness of the world.

This is important for us to know and remember though.

The devil does has power in this world and he is at work influencing anyone and everyone who is not saved. This is where we see the false life that is all around us. The idols that people chase, the false gods they worship without even realizing it. This is why people are twisting what is true, pursuing things that are so clearly evil and wrong.

But the world and its lusts promise to offer satisfaction, joy, fulfillment, purpose… life! But everything falls short. In the end it leaves you empty and lifeless- spiritually and physically.

We must not fall for the traps of this world. The things that seem to be good and worth involving in our lives but that actually are not from God and do not offer life! We are called to live faithfully in this world and in Christ we can experience abundant life here as citizens of His kingdom. But we have to remember the reality of the world around us and not be fooled by the temptations around us.

Think about it this way:

When this world belongs to the devil, and we belong to God, why would we turn to this world for answers, significance, satisfaction, or pleasure? We wouldn’t and shouldn’t! Real life is only found in the real God that we know through Jesus!

So the real God offers real life, but this world offers a false life.

With that emphasis John moves to his final point.

The final thing we know is

3. We know that Jesus offers hope.

1 John 5:20 (CSB)

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know the true one. We are in the true one—that is, in his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

John has continued to go back to this summary of the gospel all throughout his message. Everything comes down to the core belief that Jesus is God’s son who came down to earth, took on flesh, and gives us eternal life through his death and resurrection!

Jesus offers a personal relationship with the one real God that gives life. That life is available to anyone and everyone who turns from their sins and follows Jesus as Lord.

The real life of God is JUST as openly available to us as the false life of this world! I think we forget that sometimes because of how blatantly we see the false life of this world all around us. We can begin to believe that is the only option, or that is the easier option for people. But Jesus came to give us the free gift of eternal life through the Cross! The real life of God is just as available as the false life of this world. And the hope we all have is in Jesus.

There is hope for everyone in Jesus Christ- the Lord and Savior of the world.

This is the message the world NEEDS. In fact, they are literally dying to hear this news.

Your friends and family that don’t know Jesus are living daily without hope and without real life. Even if they act happy or like their life is great, if they don’t have Jesus they do not have real life. They are slaves to sin and even if they don’t act like it or admit it, they know they need something more. This is why YOU must go and tell them about the hope that is found in Jesus. Tell them that this world is not worth their worship.

Tell them that there is one real God who wants to give them real life and Jesus came so that they could receive that life!

We are here to walk in the life of God and go share it with others. Invite people into it! This is why I always tell you all to share the Gospel with your friends, love them well and invite them here so that they can witness what real life looks like. What it looks like for a bunch of people who have REAL life to celebrate that life together and encourage each other and love each other.

We are here to share the life of God with the world around us! To push back darkness, to directly attack the kingdom of the evil one with the life of the kingdom of God!

Yes the world is lost, but we know that Jesus offers hope and real life! That is good news! That’s the gospel!

Finally, John ends on one of the most unusual verses in Scripture because it seems to come out of no where and end very abruptly! He just says

1 John 5:21 CSB

Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

Boom, done, mic drop, walk away.

But this isn’t random and it does make sense. John again is saying there are two options: The real life of God and the counterfeit life of this world.

We are here to follow Jesus in new life and invite others to come and experience that life with us! AS we do, we must guard ourselves from the fake life that will tempt us daily! The devil will even try to use good things to distract you from the real life God has given you and the mission he has called you to. School, sports, music, friends- all can be good and great for you, but the second they take over your life or become your primary focus you must turn back and make sure you aren’t idolizing those things.

An easy, consistent idol check is to regularly look at what takes the most of your time, energy, and emotional focus- and ask if those things are drawing you closer to or pushing you away from God! Maybe you need to adjust your priorities or your schedule, maybe you need to cut something out of your life completely.

Be on your GUARD against idols. Because they will keep you from walking in the REAL life of God and if you aren’t walking in the real life of God you can’t go and reach others with that life!

Students, if you are in Jesus you are a new creation.

You have victory over sin and death- walk in the victory. The world around you is lost, and searching for life in all the wrong places.

So, go boldly and share the the Gospel of hope that is found in Jesus!

You have the life of God in Jesus, so you have everything you need to offer hope and life to a lost world. Let’s be a ministry that is constantly reaching the world with this life!

The real life from the one real God!

Bow your heads with me

Matt come up.

Let’s respond together to this passage and this series as a whole.

If you are here and have never received the eternal life of God through Jesus you need to today! The fake life that you can find for yourself in this world is NOT enough, you know you are still searching for more. JEsus came to show you how to have the life you were created for and it’s only found in him. Turn away from your sins and trust Jesus as Lord! He is the one who gives you hope and eternal life free from sin and death forever! God loved you so much he sent his son to live a perfect life for you, to die the death you deserved to pay for your sins, and rose from the dead to offer you forgiveness, a relationship with Jesus and life in His kingdom forever! Is there anyone here who needs to trust in Jesus as lord and be saved tonight!? Raise your hand so I can pray with you!

Christians in the room, with John I want to urge you to KNOW who you are in Jesus and live the life He gave you consistently! Don’t fall for idols of this world, don’t lose hope in the midst of suffering and struggles in this world, but walk in the hope, life, and victory that you already have in JESUS!

I want to encourage you to think right now about who you can invited to Friendsgiving. There are people in your life who NEED the life of Jesus! They are desperate for Him! Who can you text tonight and invite them. Don’t let any fear, excuse, or anything else stop you from going out and sharing the life and hope of Jesus with the lost world. An invite to Friendsgiving next week is one of the easiest ways you can begin to invite someone into the life of the Gospel going forward.

Lets pray for God to remind us of this truths, help us to live in them, and show us the lost world around us that we can go and share the hope and love of Jesus with!

Pray and sing!