Declaration
Notes
Transcript
What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
John says: We have witnessed eternity in the flesh.
John says: We have witnessed eternity in the flesh.
What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—
In the beginning.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The Gospels are the account of John and the Apostles spending no less than 3 years walking, living with our Lord Jesus.
They walked with Him, ate with Him. They were present when He was taken. John witnessed in horror the Crucifixion.
Ran to the tomb to discover it was empty. Fell backwards when Lord Jesus appeared in the room.
As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peace to you!”
again, weeks later:
But Thomas (called “Twin”), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.”
Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
John makes it clear: we have touched the WORD MADE FLESH.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John says: we TESTIFY
John says: we TESTIFY
that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—
what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
That our Joy may be complete
That our Joy may be complete
We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
Biblical joy is a profound, Spirit-produced state of contentment and confidence in God, independent of circumstances,, which remains, even in suffering
We are commanded to share the Gospel.
We are commanded to share the Gospel.
Then he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Sharing the Gospel brings joy!
Sharing the Gospel brings joy!
always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
True Joy is not worldly!
True Joy is not worldly!
I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in truth.
Sharing the Gospel and saving people brings joy beyond understanding.
Sharing the Gospel and saving people brings joy beyond understanding.
For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? Indeed you are our glory and joy!
John says that he is writing this that his JOY be made complete. I shared how we are commanded to share the Gospel. How sharing the Gospel is a joy bringer. Being present when someone’s soul is SNATCHED from the fires of hell is beyond amazing. When it was your vocal chords that God used to do so is an honor.
Yet, the sad reality is that over 90% of Christians have never shared the Gospel.
If you have experienced Jesus:
You have witnessed ETERNITY!
You have a TESTIMONY- SO TESTIFY!
Because the proclamation of the Gospel SAVES LIVES!
Penn and Teller.
Penn Jillette says that if he believed a truck was speeding toward someone, he would tackle them to save them. He argues that if a Christian believes in eternal life, not sharing that message is equivalent to watching someone walk into that truck.
“How much do you have to hate someone to not proselytize?”
That’s coming from an atheist!
So your JOY may be made complete.
