Living in the Assurance of Faith
Notes
Transcript
"Living in the Assurance of Faith"
I. 1 John 5:9–15
I. 1 John 5:9–15
A. Opening illustration: "Close your eyes and picture yourself strapped into a harness, the thump-thump of helicopter blades reverberating through the air around you. As you peer out of the open door, your heart races with anticipation, knowing that in just moments, you'll be stepping out into the vast expanse below, suspended by nothing but a sturdy rope tied securely around your waist.
This isn't just a scene from an action movie; it's a snapshot from my time in the Army, navigating the rigorous challenges of air assault school. Every soldier knows the mix of excitement and trepidation that comes with rappelling out of a helicopter, trusting that the rope and your training will see you safely to the ground.
But today, we're not here to talk about adrenaline-fueled missions or daring feats of courage. We're here to explore a different kind of trust—a spiritual trust that anchors us amidst life's most daunting obstacles.
In the words of 1 John 5:9–15, the apostle John unveils a profound truth: the assurance of our faith in Christ. Just as that sturdy rope provided security as I rappelled from helicopters, our faith in Jesus Christ offers us an unshakable foundation in the face of life's uncertainties. So, as we journey through this passage today, let's uncover the unyielding assurance that comes from knowing and believing in the Son of God.
As we delve into the depths of God's testimony, the transformative power of belief in Christ, and the unwavering assurance of eternal life found in Him. Together, let's discover how we can live boldly and confidently in God's promises, even in the midst of life's most formidable challenges." B. Thesis: In this passage, John teaches us how we can live in the assurance of our faith in Christ. Throughout our journey today, we will explore the unshakable foundation of our faith and how it empowers us to live boldly and confidently in God's promises.
II. The Witness of God 1 John 5:9
II. The Witness of God 1 John 5:9
Last week we left of with this from 1 John 5
For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.
John was talking about the testimony of Jesus being the Christ, and that faith in him comes through the Spirit, that is the Holy Spirit, in baptism, the water and by Jesus shed blood on the cross, now given to us in the bread and wine we partake of in communion. These are testimonies to the faith, real elements given to us conveying faith, testifying to what Jesus did for us, namely the forgiveness of sins. Continuing on then with this idea, to day we pick up at verse 9…
If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son.
A. John asserts that the testimony of God is greater than the testimony of man. When God speaks, His word carries divine authority and truth. This reminds me of my days as a young kid, for the short time I was involved with the Mormons I remember one Sunday a month which they called testimony Sunday, and to this day I cringe when I think about this, hours upon hours of people giving their “testimonies.” When I say cringe I mean that these were the very thing John is talking about testimonies of men, and it was not even they were talking about their faith, about what Jesus did for them, but rather it was about how they just new that their Church was the one true church, how they just new Joseph Smith was the one true prophet and blah, blah, blah. Looking back at it now I see that it was a method of indoctrination, a way of trying to convince themselves and those who were stuck there listening to it that it just has to be true because they want it to be true, not that it stood on its own merit, and this is the contrast to the truth we find in the testimony of God.
Truth stands on its own merit, it stands and God being truth, the absolute truth, cannot lie by his nature it is impossible, therefore God’s testimony stands far above man’s.
B. Supporting passage: John 3:33 - "Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true."
Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true.
This verse emphasizes the absolute trustworthiness of God's testimony. We don’t just know its true because we want it to be true but because the testimony of God.
C. It is like this a courtroom scene where an expert witness is called to testify. Their words hold weight because of their expertise in the subject matter. Similarly, God's testimony carries unmatched authority because He is the ultimate expert, knowing all things from beginning to end. When He testifies about His Son, Jesus Christ, we can trust His word without reservation.
III. Believing in the Son of God 1 John 5:10
III. Believing in the Son of God 1 John 5:10
Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.
A. John emphasizes the significance of believing in the Son of God. This belief is not merely intellectual assent but a deep trust and reliance on Jesus Christ as the Savior and Lord. It then isn’t about how much you know, these are all fine, but head knowledge does not always equate to heart knowledge. What I mean in that it is one thing to know about God, but it is a whole other thing to know God, intimately as a father, as a person in Jesus and as the Spirit who gives us that faith, that knowing we can trust in him, trust him at his word, and that is what faith is trusting beyond our own understanding.
B. Supporting passage: John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." This foundational verse underscores the transformative power of belief in Christ, leading to eternal life.
C. Illustration: Imagine a weary traveler in a desert, parched and desperate for water. Suddenly, they come across a life-giving oasis. In their desperate need, they must choose whether to trust in the water's ability to satisfy their thirst. Similarly, when we believe in Jesus Christ, we find the fulfillment of our deepest spiritual longings. Our belief in Him is the source of our assurance, providing us with living water that quenches our souls forever.
IV. Eternal Life in Christ 1 John 5:11–12
IV. Eternal Life in Christ 1 John 5:11–12
And this is the testimony, that God gave 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.
A. John declares that God has given us eternal life, and this life is found in His Son, Jesus Christ. This eternal life is not merely a future hope but a present reality for those who are in Christ. Romans 6:4
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
It is a now and not yet, we are raised to new life, this is the here and now, we are resurrected having once been dead spiritually and are now alive in Christ. Then there is the other aspect of the not yet, we know that ultimately still we are sinners and death will still come, for the not yet has not come, it is still to be fulfilled, that on the last day when Christ returns, that trumpet will sound and the dead shall be raised. It is on this day that we look forward to, we death shall be no more, when every tear is wiped away. This is the ultimate hope, that sin will no longer reign in our mortal bodies and we will be resurrected like him, in a body like his.
B. John 10:28 - "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand." Jesus assures His followers of the security of their eternal life, emphasizing the unshakable nature of God's promise.
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
C. Illustration: Consider a precious heirloom passed down through generations, carefully preserved and cherished by each recipient. Similarly, our eternal life in Christ is an inheritance that is secure and protected by the unchanging love and power of God. Just as the heirloom brings joy and assurance to its owner, so too does our eternal life in Christ bring us lasting peace and confidence in the midst of life's uncertainties.
V. Confidence in Prayer 1 John 5:14–15
V. Confidence in Prayer 1 John 5:14–15
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
A. Explanation of the text: John assures believers that they can have confidence in approaching God in prayer. This confidence stems from praying according to God's will, aligning our desires with His purposes.
B. Supporting passage: Philippians 4:6-7 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Here, Paul encourages believers to bring their requests to God with thanksgiving, trusting in His provision and experiencing His peace.
C. Illustration: Imagine a child approaching their loving parent with a heartfelt request, knowing that their parent always desires what is best for them. In the same way, as children of God, we can come before our Heavenly Father with confidence, knowing that He hears our prayers and answers them according to His perfect will. Just as a loving parent delights in fulfilling the desires of their child, so too does our Heavenly Father delight in granting the requests of His children who pray in alignment with His will.
VI. Conclusion
A. Recap of main points: Throughout this passage, John has shown us the foundation of living in the assurance of our faith. We have seen that God's testimony is greater than any human testimony, and our belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God is the cornerstone of our assurance. Furthermore, our eternal life in Christ is secure, and we can approach God in prayer with confidence, knowing that He hears and answers us according to His will.
This is the confidence then that we have, that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, took our sins, nailed them to the cross and then rose from the dead three days later. This is the testimony of truth, it is what we have hope and confidence in that our sins are washed away, we are forgiven by Christ sake, and that we will live again in the assurance of hope, because he lives, we too shall live and until that day we say amen.