Concluding with Confidence

A Sermon on 1 John 5:13-21

[INTRODUCTION]

Good morning. I want to tell you a story about one of baseball's most tragic mysteries.

Steve Blass was one of the National League's top pitchers between 1968 and 1972. During those years, he accumulated 78 wins, earned a spot in the 1972 All-Star Game, and finished second in Cy Young voting. He was at the top of his game. He played a pivotal role in the Pittsburgh Pirates' victory over the Baltimore Orioles in the 1971 World Series, recording two complete game victories. To this day, he remains the last National League pitcher to throw a complete game in Game Seven of a World Series.

Steve Blass was a champion. He was a hero. He was dominant.

Then everything changed.

In 1973, Blass went 2-9 with a staggering 9.85 ERA. He walked 84 batters in just 88 innings and hit 12 batters, leading the league in that unfortunate category. After 1973, he never won another game in the Major Leagues. He was only 31 years old—still in his prime.

He simply lost his control. He couldn't throw a strike. And here's the mystery: there was no physical injury. No torn ligament. No damaged arm. Nothing the doctors could find.

This happens sometimes in baseball—talented players who mysteriously and permanently lose their ability to throw a baseball accurately. This phenomenon became so identified with Steve Blass that a condition called "Steve Blass disease" entered baseball's lexicon. It's a real term that baseball people use to this day.

No one knows the exact cause. Doctors, sports psychologists, pitching coaches—they've all studied it. But among the theories, one stands out above all the others: a loss of confidence.

[TRANSITION]

THE COST OF LOST CONFIDENCE

Now, confidence isn't everything, but it's certainly something—and when someone loses their confidence, the implications can be devastating.

You begin to second-guess every decision to the point where you sometimes can't make a decision at all. In a relationship, lost confidence keeps you constantly on edge, leading to terrible decisions and strange behavior that ultimately sabotages what you're trying to protect. You become paralyzed.

But here's what concerns me as a pastor: it can happen in our faith walk too.

We doubt our worth. We doubt God's love and forgiveness, and we retreat. We stop seeking God's will altogether. We often become suspicious of others and find no joy in the Christian community. Worst of all, we live with this cloud hanging over our heads, uncertain about everything.

If you've ever experienced this kind of spiritual "Steve Blass disease," you know how debilitating it can be. You once walked with confidence in your faith. You once had joy in worship. You once prayed with boldness. But somewhere along the way, you lost it. And you don't even know exactly when or how it happened.

[TRANSITION TO SCRIPTURE]

DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM

As I've been reading through 1 John over these past weeks, I've realized this is one of the conditions John has diagnosed in these believers he loves so deeply—and it's breaking his heart.

These people were once brimming with confidence. They were joyful in their faith. They were bold in their witness to others. It may have been years ago, but John knew these people as vibrant, passionate believers. Now word has gotten back to him that all that energy has disappeared. The fire has gone out.

What happened?

False teachers had infiltrated the church, telling them they weren't good enough. That they didn't know enough. That their sins weren't really forgiven. And worst of all, that God didn't truly love them anymore. They had been convinced they were the child who always disappointed the Father—and that He had finally had enough of them.

Can you imagine? These believers who once walked in joy now walk in fear. These believers who once prayed with confidence now barely pray at all. These believers who once loved the fellowship of the saints now avoid gathering together.

John wants them to recover their joy, and he says so clearly at the beginning of his letter: "We write this to make our joy complete" (1 John 1:4).

Throughout this letter, he's been giving them powerful reasons to be joyful. Let me remind you of what he's already told them:

You are forgiven. You can confess your sins and believe that God really does forgive. Yes, He expects us to grow and mature, but He is far more forgiving than you think—and certainly more forgiving than these false teachers are leading you to believe.

You are good enough. The false teachers had convinced them they needed some secret, esoteric knowledge, but John reminds them that when you boil down the message of Christ, it's all about love. When you love others and walk in obedience, you are enough. Again, John wants them to grow, but he doesn't want them getting lost in the idea that it's all about knowledge.

You are loved. God loves you like a father loves a child, and you can know this because He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us. John reminds them they can be confident of this love because God didn't just send someone to rescue us—He came Himself. Jesus is God in the flesh. And anyone who says otherwise is the antichrist.

In all of this, John has one primary goal: to restore their confidence.

And this is so evident as he writes these last words of his letter. This morning we're going to conclude our study of 1 John, and I want you to hear how John ends this powerful letter. Listen to these words of the apostle:

[READ 1 JOHN 5:13-21]

"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death. We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Dear children, keep yourselves from idols."

[EXPOSITION BEGINS]

I. THE POWER OF SPIRITUAL CONFIDENCE (verses 13-15)

Just as a lack of confidence can turn a dominant pitcher into a total flop, confidence can do the exact opposite. Spiritual confidence can transform our lives—and that's what we need to have.

Don't you love verse 13? Look at it again: "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."

You can know that you have eternal life.

I mentioned last week how many times John uses that phrase or similar ones throughout this letter. "We know." "You know." "You can be sure." Over and over again, John emphasizes certainty, assurance, confidence.

But here's what happens in the church: Sometimes we think it's the Christian thing to talk about ourselves as "barely saved." We think it's the humble thing to carry around these doubts. We think it sounds spiritual to say things like, "Well, I hope I'm saved" or "I'm trusting God will let me in" or "I'm doing my best and hoping it's enough."

But let me tell you something: that lack of confidence is an affront to the love of God. It's an insult to the power of the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ. And it turns us into feeble, powerless Christians.

John says you can know—not hope, not wish, not think—but know that you have eternal life.

Let's read on:

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him" (verses 14-15).

Now, this is one of those passages in the Bible that can really throw us for a loop, and I don't pretend to understand everything about it. We could spend hours dissecting all the implications and complexities of what John may mean here. What does it mean to pray according to His will? How do we know His will? Does this mean we get everything we ask for?

But in the complexity, let's not overlook what we can know—and this is powerful. This is a confidence booster.

We can know that God hears us!

Not "maybe He hears us" or "He might hear us if we pray hard enough" or "He'll hear us if we're good enough." No! We can know—with certainty—that God hears us.

And not only does He hear us, but He has a will. He has a plan. And I can be part of that plan.

Think about that for a moment. The God of the universe has a plan, and when I pray, I'm invited into that plan. I may not know all the details of that plan, and maybe I make it more complicated than God does. But I can find confidence that when I pray, God hears—and that He will give me everything I need to carry out His will.

When I pray, I can leave that time with Him knowing I have what it takes to join Him in His plan of bringing people into right relationship with Him. God can use me! So when I walk out the door, I can brim with confidence that I'm working with God.

And when I'm working with God, I have a joy that can be found nowhere else.

[ILLUSTRATION FROM ACTS]

Our reading group has just finished the book of Acts, and let me tell you—it's full of confident people. And here's what's remarkable: they're not confident because everything is going their way. They're not joyful because everyone is receiving their message. In fact, it's quite the opposite. They're being arrested, beaten, threatened, and persecuted.

But they have confidence and joy because they know they're working with God!

In Acts, you read things like this:

"Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, 'Which is right in God's eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.' After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened" (Acts 4:18-21).

Do you hear that confidence? "We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." They're not arrogant—they're confident. They're not reckless—they're certain. They know God is with them, and that changes everything.

When you have confidence that God is using you in His plan, you have energy. You have energy to do things you didn't think you could do. You have energy to do more than you thought you could do. You have energy to take chances you never thought you would take.

God hears you, and He says, "Let's work together!"

[TRANSITION]

II. PRAYING WITH CONFIDENCE FOR OTHERS (verses 16-17)

Now let's read on:

"If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death" (verses 16-17).

Okay, this is another challenging passage that has led to much discussion and debate throughout church history. John talks about two categories of sin—sin that does not lead to death and sin that does lead to death. One seems redeemable; the other seems unredeemable.

And I know what some of you are thinking right now: "Oh no, have I committed that unforgivable sin? Is that what I did last year? Is that why I feel so distant from God?"

Let me share what the great Welsh preacher Martyn Lloyd-Jones says about that "sin that leads to death," because aren't all of us afraid we might have committed it?

He writes: "Those who believe they are guilty of this sin against the Holy Spirit are obviously not guilty of it. If you are afraid, my friend, that you have committed the sin against the Holy Spirit, on the basis of this exposition I say to you that you can be absolutely certain you are not guilty. To be afraid that you are guilty of it is proof that you are not."

Did you catch that? If you're worried you've committed the unforgivable sin, that very worry is proof you haven't committed it!

It seems clear to me, in the context of 1 John, that John is referring to those he calls "antichrist"—those who deny that Jesus has come in the flesh and therefore deny that salvation is even possible. That sin is beyond forgiveness because it denies the very foundation of our forgiveness. It's not a particular act—it's a complete, final rejection of Christ Himself.

We could spend hours on this, but again, let's not miss what is clear.

DON'T LOSE CONFIDENCE IN OTHERS

John acknowledges that there is sin that does not lead to death. Not every sin we commit means we've abandoned the faith. And not every sin we see others commit means they've abandoned the faith either.

This is so important. In warning these people about false teachers and using strong language like "antichrist," John doesn't want to create an atmosphere of suspicion where everyone becomes suspect. He doesn't want the church in a situation where they're excommunicating everyone because they sin. In that case, there would be no church left!

When we see people sin, we can be sure they have access to forgiveness just like we do.

And isn't this true of us? Sometimes we think our sins can be forgiven but others' cannot. We so often find love and forgiveness from God in our own lives but fail to extend that same grace to others. We make excuses for ourselves but harsh judgments about others.

John says don't throw these people out. Don't gossip about these people. He tells them to pray for your brother or sister who sins and believe that they have life just like you do!

This is huge. When we become suspicious of everyone, we will soon lose the joy of being part of a Christian community. I can be confident that you are forgiven just like I am. Instead of living in judgment or suspicion of you, I can know that you, just like me, commit sins—sins we struggle with, but sins that do not disqualify us from the body of Christ.

God works with imperfect people. If we're not willing to pray for and offer forgiveness to others, we will become a bitter and useless church.

BALANCING GRACE AND TRUTH

Now, I appreciate how John reminds us that this attitude shouldn't lead to a dismissal of sin. He says "all wrongdoing is sin." Church, we must maintain an atmosphere of forgiveness while still recognizing the seriousness of sin. This is a delicate balance, but we must be committed to it.

We don't excuse sin. We don't minimize sin. We don't pretend sin doesn't matter. But we also don't use sin as a weapon against each other. We extend the same grace we've received.

[TRANSITION]

III. FINISHING STRONG: YOU WERE BORN FOR THIS (verses 18-20)

Let's take it to the finish line:

"We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life" (verses 18-20).

Something that can rob us of our confidence is the proliferation of evil in this world. We turn on the news and see violence, corruption, injustice. We look at our schools, our workplaces, our neighborhoods, and we see darkness spreading.

We can wonder, "How can I make it? How can I keep doing what is right? Is evil so prevalent that I'm bound to give in? Can I resist being influenced negatively? Can I really stay pure in a world like this?"

And John gives a resounding YES.

Even though the world is under the control of the evil one, you know better—because you are a child of God.

You know the expression, "I was born for this"? People use it to express the confidence they have knowing that what they're doing is what they were created to do. Athletes say it before big games. Soldiers say it before battle. Artists say it when they're creating their masterpiece.

"I was born for this."

John reminds these people—and us—that we have been born again to live righteous lives. I can have confidence that as a child of God, whatever situation I find myself in, I can confidently say to myself, "I've got this."

I can respond in a godly manner. I can resist that temptation. I can love even the unlovable. I can overcome the evil one because, using John's own words, the One who is in me is greater than the one who is in the world.

Do you remember that? Back in chapter 4, John wrote: "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."

The One in you—the Holy Spirit, the presence of God Himself—is greater than any evil you'll face. Greater than any temptation. Greater than any opposition. Greater than any darkness.

I think this is what Paul is going for when he says, "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." You can live like a child of God. You were born again for this very purpose.

[TRANSITION TO CONCLUSION]

IV. A FINAL WARNING (verse 21)

Now, John ends this letter in an abrupt and somewhat surprising way. After all these profound theological truths, after all this talk about confidence and assurance, he writes just five words:

"Dear children, keep yourselves from idols."

That's it. That's how he ends. No long benediction. No elaborate closing. Just a simple, urgent warning: Keep yourselves from idols.

An idol is a substitute for God, and John says, "Don't accept any substitutes." God—the God who is Light and Love—wants your heart. All of it. Not part of it. Not most of it. All of it.

And giving your heart away is scary. John knows that.

Let me tell you about John for a moment. Years ago, he was fishing on the Sea of Galilee, doing what he loved but knowing there was more. He had this sense that life had to be bigger than casting nets and selling fish. Then one day, this man Jesus came into his life.

And when he met Him, when Jesus looked at him and said, "Follow me," John dropped his nets—gave up all that he had known, his family business, his security, his plans—and said to Jesus, "I'm all in!"

That's not easy. It's not easy to give someone your heart. It requires trust. It requires faith. It requires letting go of control.

But John would say it's been amazing.

"I have found love. I have found purpose. I have found life. I have found joy. I have found confidence. And I thought all of this was too good to be true. These things don't happen to Galilean fishermen. Nobody picks guys like me for great adventures. But with a God who is Light and Love, it is true. In fact, it's too good not to be true."

John would say, "I gave Him my heart, and He has taken care of it—and He will for you as well."

[FINAL APPLICATION]

Church, some of you have lost your confidence. You used to pray with boldness, but now you barely whisper. You used to worship with joy, but now you just go through the motions. You used to serve with enthusiasm, but now you're exhausted and burnt out.

You've got spiritual Steve Blass disease.

But here's the good news: Steve Blass never recovered his pitching confidence. He couldn't get it back, no matter what he tried. But spiritual confidence? That's different. That can be restored—not because it's based on your performance, but because it's based on God's promise.

You can know you have eternal life. You can know God hears your prayers. You can know you are a child of God. You can know the One in you is greater.

Stop living in doubt. Stop carrying around uncertainty like it's a virtue. Stop apologizing for having assurance.

God wants you to be confident—not in yourself, but in Him. Not in your strength, but in His. Not in your goodness, but in His grace.

And if you've been making idols—substitutes for God—drop them. Drop them like John dropped his nets. Give God your whole heart. He's proven He can be trusted with it.

Let's pray.

[CLOSING PRAYER]

Father in Heaven,

We come before You today with grateful hearts, acknowledging that You are the God who is Light and Love. Thank You for the powerful reminder through Your servant John that we can know—truly know—that we have eternal life in Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Lord, we confess that too often we've lived like Steve Blass—talented but paralyzed, gifted but unable to move forward, saved but lacking confidence. We've allowed doubts to creep in. We've listened to voices that tell us we're not good enough, not forgiven enough, not loved enough. Forgive us for doubting Your love and for treating the blood of Christ as insufficient.

Today, we ask You to restore our confidence. Help us to believe what You've declared over us:

That we are forgiven—completely and eternally

That we are loved—as dearly beloved children

That we are heard—every time we pray according to Your will

That we are secure—kept safe by the One who was born of God

Give us the confidence to pray boldly, knowing You hear us. Give us the confidence to live righteously, knowing we were born again for this very purpose. Give us the confidence to extend grace to others, knowing we ourselves have received infinite grace.

Help us to resist the temptation to create idols—substitutes for You. You alone deserve our whole hearts. Like John, may we drop our nets, give You our all, and say with joy, "I'm all in!"

Lord, as we leave this place today, fill us with the energy and boldness that comes from knowing we're working with You. May we be like those early believers in Acts—confident not because everything is easy, but because we know we serve a God who is greater than any challenge we face.

The One who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world.

We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.

We know we have eternal life.

Thank You, Father, for these unshakeable truths. May they anchor our souls and propel us forward in joyful service.

In the powerful name of Jesus Christ, our true God and eternal life,

Amen.