Testimony
Notes
Transcript
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ESV
http://bible.com/59/1jn.5.6-12.esv
Intro:
TS: As I read these verses I was reminded of the difficulties of that day. John lived during the early days of the church, while she was yet in her infancy. The Gospel was being shared and many were saved, but false doctrine and heresy abounded as well. Many denied the finished work of Jesus, refusing to embrace Him as the Christ. Others rejected any mention of the true and living God. The world was under Roman dominance, influenced by the philosophies and doctrines of the many gods they worshiped.
John knew the truth; he was settled on the Gospel message, and yet he realized others were skeptical. He boldly and confidently presents Jesus as the Christ. He emphasizes the irrefutable evidence to substantiate his message. The world looked for truth and assurance and John sought to provide that for them.
RS: We live in a world that shares many of the same similarities. The Gospel is embraced by many, and even accepted as truth by others even if they aren’t born again in Christ. However, many other faiths and doctrines are being promoted and taught today. Some question the Gospel truth and wonder how it is possible to know for sure. As believers we are settled in our faith, but we must realize all are not as we are. Many have more questions than answers. This passage provides the evidence that substantiates our claim.
Let’s consider the assertions John makes as we think on: The Witness of Christ.
Let us read the word of God:
This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
For there are three that testify:
the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.
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.
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.
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.
I. Testimony to Christ (6-8) –
I. Testimony to Christ (6-8) –
This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
For there are three that testify:
the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.
This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood.
John speaks of the testimony of Christ’s ministry here on earth.
John speaks of the testimony of Christ’s ministry here on earth.
John speaks of the testimony of Christ’s ministry here on earth. Consider:
A. The Water
A. The Water
A. His Service (6a) –
His Service (6a) –
John refers to Jesus coming by water and by blood.
His coming by water speaks of His baptism of John the Baptist.
This marked the beginning of His public ministry here on earth.
Jesus lived to serve to others.
His life consisted of meeting the needs of those He met rather than having others wait upon Him. It is impossible to study the life of Christ and miss the great service the Son of God rendered to humanity.
The life our Lord lived here on earth bears testimony of His being who He claimed to be.
Every action, gesture, and word spoken revealed His love and that He was indeed the Christ.
B. The Blood
B. The Blood
This speaks to His great sacrifice on the cross as He gave His life so that we might live.
There can be no doubt John refers to His great sacrifice on the cross as He gave His life so that we might live.
There can be no doubt John refers to His great sacrifice on the cross as He gave His life so that we might live.
His crucifixion demonstrates much evidence of His genuinely being the Christ.
An imposter would have given it up before death.
Pharisees would have probably jumped at Him recanting His claims
He could’ve escaped the cross if He had desired, but He chose to die for our sin.
He could’ve called legions of angels to free Him, but He chose the suffering for our salvation.
several miracles surround Calvary
darkness over the earth in the middle of the day.
darkness over the earth in the middle of the day.
The great veil of the Temple was split.
The earth shook and trembled, breaking great rocks in pieces.
The tombs were opened and the dead walked within the city of Jerusalem.
These were great miracles that testified the Son of God had fulfilled the work of redemption!
It was so moving that even a Roman Centurion at the cross noticed:
When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Mt
The Spirit
The Spirit
II. Christ’s Glorious Deity (6b-8) –
This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
For there are three that testify:
the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.
The Heavenly Witness of the Holy Spirit
Here John refers to the witness of the deity of Christ. It is confirmed through many witnesses.
Notice:
Notice:
A. The Heavenly Witness (6b-7) –
The Spirit also bears witness of Christ.
The Father – There is no doubt God the Father affirmed Jesus as the Christ. He was His only begotten Son. We know that God affirmed Christ at His baptism and on the Mount of Transfiguration. The Father bore witness of Christ’s deity throughout His ministry on earth. – I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. – Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
The Word – John declares the Word also bears witness of Christ. This comes as no surprise because we know Christ is the embodiment of the Word. He is the incarnate Word. – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Jesus came as the Word in flesh and completely fulfilled every prophecy concerning the first advent. As the living Word and continuing today with the written Word, the Word of God bears witness of Christ!
The Spirit also bears witness of Christ. Many deny it, but Christ was conceived of the Spirit within a virgin womb. The Spirit bore witness of Christ as His baptism, descending upon Him as a dove.
Many deny it, but Christ was conceived of the Spirit within a virgin womb.
After Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be mother to the Son of God, she asked how she, a virgin, could possibly have a child. Let’s read Gabriel’s answer in
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.
The Spirit bore witness of Christ as His baptism, descending upon Him as a dove.
The Spirit – The Spirit also bears witness of Christ. Many deny it, but Christ was conceived of the Spirit within a virgin womb. The Spirit bore witness of Christ as His baptism, descending upon Him as a dove.
The Spirit bore witness of Christ as His baptism, descending upon Him as a dove.
And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;
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Our Lord lived His life a sinless, Spirit filled man.
All He did manifested the Spirit.
He also promised the Holy Spirit would reside in His disciples
He fulfilled that promise on the Day of Pentecost and continues to fulfill it to this day.
The Spirit continues to bear witness of Christ within the world.
He brings conviction to unbelievers
He opens our understanding of the Word of God
He leads us in worship of our Lord and Savior.
The Spirit remains active in His testimony of Christ.
And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. Again John mentions the witness of the Spirit, the water, and the blood. We have discussed these at length, but it is important to note their witness stands in absolute agreement. There is undeniable witness in heaven, and the evidence on earth bears confirmation of Jesus as the Christ as well.
the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.
B. The Earthly Witness (8) –
Again John mentions the witness of the Spirit, the water, and the blood.
And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. Again John mentions the witness of the Spirit, the water, and the blood. We have discussed these at length, but it is important to note their witness stands in absolute agreement. There is undeniable witness in heaven, and the evidence on earth bears confirmation of Jesus as the Christ as well.
We have discussed these at length already. It is important to note their witness stands in absolute agreement. There is undeniable witness in heaven, and the evidence on earth bears confirmation of Jesus as the Christ as well.
II. Christ’s Genuine Clarity (9-12) –
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.
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.
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.
In our remaining verses, John discusses the absolute clarity of Christ’s witness. It is undeniable for those who look by faith. Consider:
In our remaining verses, John discusses the absolute clarity of Christ’s witness. It is undeniable for those who look by faith. Consider:
A. The Declaration (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.
If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. John challenges the reader concerning Christ. He suggests they should not simply take his word or just believe his witness, but consider the witness of sovereign God. He also testifies of His only begotten Son as the Christ. He continues to reveal Christ as the means of salvation to the hearts of those lost in their sin.
John challenges us today concerning Christ.
John challenges the reader concerning Christ. He suggests they should not simply take his word or just believe his witness, but consider the witness of sovereign God. He also testifies of His only begotten Son as the Christ. He continues to reveal Christ as the means of salvation to the hearts of those lost in their sin.
He suggests they should not simply take a man’s word for it.
Rather, we should consider the witness of sovereign God. He also testifies of His only begotten Son as the Christ. He continues to reveal Christ as the means of salvation to the hearts of those lost in their sin.
The same holds true for us.
I am not ashamed of what Christ has done for me and I rejoice in the testimony of others.
Human witness is powerful and effective, but God’s witness is much greater.
He works within the heart in ways we cannot.
Only God can convict and convince the sinner they need the Savior.
B. The Discernment (10a) –
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.
Those who are born again have the witness within themselves, the Spirit.
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself. John encourages all believers in the faith. Those who are born again in Christ, reconciled to God through Him, have the witness we have spoken of within. God works through many ways to confirm our salvation and provide us with assurance. We are not saved by works, emotions, or feelings. We are not kept by them either. We are saved by the grace of God through faith in Christ. When we are discouraged or challenged in our faith, we have the witness of God. He is faithful as promised and He will keep His Word.
God works through many ways to confirm our salvation and provide us with assurance.
We are not saved by works, emotions, or feelings.
We are not kept by them either.
We are saved by the grace of God through faith in Christ.
However, they serve as evidences of the work God is doing.
When we are discouraged or challenged in our faith, we have the witness of God.
He is faithful as promised and He will keep His Word.
C. The Denial (10b) –
Sadly not all who hear the Gospel will receive it and believe.
Many will reject it and deny the grace of God.
This puts such rejection in its perspective.
Those who deny Christ and reject the Gospel not only reject Christ, they accuse God of being a liar.
They refuse to affirm His witness and believe His Word.
This reminds me there is no access or relationship with God apart from Christ.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
D. The Distinction (11) –
D. The Distinction (11) –
And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
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.
This reveals the amazing benefit of receiving the witness of Christ and believing in Him by faith.
This reveals the amazing benefit of receiving the witness of Christ and believing in Him by faith.
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. This reveals the great significance and benefit of receiving the witness of Christ and believing in Him by faith. We are cleansed of our sin, reconciled to God, and promised eternal life. The enmity with God is replaced with forgiveness and acceptance. You might argue this verse only speaks of eternal life and I would agree with you. However we know we are all born in sin. The wages of sin is death. In order to escape death and inherit eternal life, sin must be forgiven, cleansed in the blood of Christ. We have all in Christ. Our relationship with Him sets us apart from the world.
We are cleansed of our sin, reconciled to God, and given eternal life.
The enmity with God is replaced with forgiveness and acceptance.
We are all born with sin. Our nature is to sin and the wages of sin is death.
In order to escape death and inherit eternal life, sin must be forgiven, cleansed in the blood of Christ.
Our relationship with Him sets us apart from the world for His honor and glory.
It can’t be any clearer!
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. It doesn’t get any clearer than that. Those who have the Son, those who are born again in Christ have life; those who do not have the Son, those who remain in their sin apart from Christ, do not have life. John is speaking of life in an eternal sense. Many today are apart from Christ and live physically, but they are dead spiritually. Only the saved have the assurance of eternal life. Those who die physically without Christ will face eternal death in hell.
Those who have the Son, those who are born again in Christ have life; those who do not have the Son, those who remain in their sin apart from Christ, do not have life.
John is speaking of life in an eternal sense.
Many today are apart from Christ and live physically, but they are dead spiritually.
Only the saved have the assurance of eternal life. Those who die physically without Christ will face eternal death in hell.
There is only one source of salvation:
Christ the Lord. We either have life in Him or not. We are saved or lost and our eternal destiny depends upon that.
Those in Christ will enjoy life eternal and those apart from Christ must endure eternal death.
Conclusion:
I am truly thankful for the witness of Christ. I rejoice for that Sunday morning when The Spirit convicted me and Momma clarified the gospel and I repented and received eternal life.
I agreed with the evidence God presented and trusted Christ by faith. I saw my desperate need, repented of my sin, and received salvation.
This passage also challenges me to bear witness of Christ as well.
God desires for us to testify of the Savior also. Your personal witness may urge someone to consider the evidence God presents.
You have heard the witness of Christ today. If you are unsaved, will you accept it and believe on Christ by faith? If you are saved, will you too testify of Him before others?