Christian Certainty
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Intro:
Intro:
AG:
TS: John brings his letter to a close by repeating his main point. There are things we can be sure of in our walk with the Lord. The life that is real is not built on the empty hopes—or wishes. It is built on assurance. In fact, as we have studied John’s letter we encountered the word know more than thirty times. No Christian, if he is asked whether or not he is going to heaven, needs to say “I hope so” or “I think so.” He need have no doubt whatever.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 478). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 478). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
We have been reminded of the true Christ and He has been contrasted with the anitchrist and his spirit.
RS: Satan, the father of lies, spreads lies everywhere, including in religious groups. Not everyone staniding in a pulpit and claiming to be a pastor is preaching the truth of the word of GOD. Not every group calling themselves church embrace and proclaim truth. Often, the area of these certainties we are studying today is where Satan has twisted their minds into stinking thinking.
RS:
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
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.
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.
All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.
We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.
We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
And we know 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, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
1st Certainty: Eternal Life
1st Certainty: Eternal Life
The truth of God’s word sets us free!
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
There is no certainty more freeing than the knowledge that we can KNOW we have eternal life.
IL: Years ago a traveling entertainer billed himself as “The Human Fly.” He would climb up the sides of buildings or monuments without the aid of ropes or the protection of nets. Usually the whole neighborhood would turn out to watch him.
During one performance, the Human Fly came to a point on the wall of the building and paused as though he didn’t know what to do next. Then he reached with his right arm to take hold of a piece of mortar to lift himself higher. But instead of moving higher, he fell back with a scream and was killed on the pavement below.
When the police opened his right hand, it did not contain a piece of mortar. It contained a handful of dirty cobwebs! The Fly had tried to climb on cobwebs, and it just didn’t work.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 478). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Assurance must be in the right thing!
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 478). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
EX: Assurance of eternal life is a reality for children of God.
Apparently, according to ch 2, a departure from the faith of false believers had left John’s audience shaken. GOD inspired Him to write this letter to help believers know the genuineness of their faith and reassure them of the promises of God.
Their demonstration of following the fundamentals of the faith testified of the genuineness of their conversion.
They had evidence to the reality of their faith:
a. a proper view of Christ
They believed Jesus of the gospels
John has often gone through this point.
Jesus was fully God and fully man
He lived a sinless life and died as a sacrifice for our sins
He rose again and saves all who call on Him in repentance today.
b. obedience
Their obedience also demonstrated the genuineness of their faith.
c. love
Their love for God and other people testified as well.
Eternal life is sure because God is faithful.
Once you have been born again, you have eternal life forever.
It is through a relationship with Jesus that it is guaranteed.
In Jesus’ great intercessory prayer in He said:
And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
AP: This morning, we too can be assured of our relationship with Jesus.
AP:
It is a matter of faith.
We must take God at His word.
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.
And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.
For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
John 6:37-
IL:
2nd Certainty: Answered Prayer
2nd Certainty: Answered Prayer
4
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.
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.
All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.
EX: We can know with certainty that God hears and answers prayers.
Notice what He said in
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The key to seeing God answer, and the foundation for proper understanding of prayer is “according to his will”
Contrary to popular belief, we cannot obligate God in any way.
There is nothing we can do to force God to carry out our desires.
IL: musical Aladdin
I enjoyed playing the genie of the lamp in Mexia Theater kids production of Aladdin.
I was the only adult in the play.
A genie’s life isn’t what you might think.
Power to do anything, yet a slave to their lamp and the one who rubs it.
They are compelled to obey their Master.
Why would we ever want to worship a slave?
If God couldn’t say no, how could He be God?
God works to carry out His will on Earth. He accomplishes His purpose for His glory.
To pray according to God’s will is to pray in accord with what He would want.
John had reminded us in his letter of the key to prayer: obedience to God’s commands and avoiding sin.
a. obedience to God’s commands
We know God’s word and thus know what God expects of us.
Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;
John illustrates this principle in the following verses
Praying for those in sin.
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.
All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.
God hasn’t given us control over Him and He illustrates it here.
He draws the line when someone has gone too far.
Sin has consequences.
Living in disregard to His word can eventually reach a point of no return.
Ananias and Saphira
Sold property and brought the proceeds. Lied and said they brought it all. They paid with their lives as God struck them down for their sin.
Lest we think that was isolated, Paul wrote of sin leading to death in 1 Cor.
you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.
AP:
AP:
AP: we can pray with certainty
Bring your burdens to the Lord with confidence
We are encouraged to pray by Jesus during His ministry and throughout the Scriptures.
Phillippians 4:8
Pray!
3rd Certainty: Victory over sin and Satan
3rd Certainty: Victory over sin and Satan
We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.
EX: Children of God are victorious!
God protects believers.
Satan’s power is limited
Satan cannot operate without God’s permission.
God draws the lines in which Satan must remain.
He is limited by and weaker than God
IL: The story of Job illustrates this idea
Job’s story is often remember as one of tragic loss.
Satan accused Job of only worshiping God because of God’s protection.
But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.”
God knew the genuineness of his faith and allowed Satan to take Job’s possessions, family, and then to torture him.
Satan could only do what God allowed.
Don’t forget that God is sovereign.
Look at the promise God gave us through Paul
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
AP: We can have victory over sin!
AP:
IL:
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: It’s Real! (1 John 1:1–4)
When a person is born of God through faith in Christ, God’s Spirit comes into his life to live there forever. As he has fellowship with God in reading and studying the Bible and in prayer, the Holy Spirit is able to control his mind, heart, and will. And what happens then?
A Spirit-controlled mind knows and understands truth.
A Spirit-controlled heart feels love.
A Spirit-controlled will inclines us to obedience.
4th Certainty: Belonging to God
4th Certainty: Belonging to God
4th Certainty: Belonging to God
4th Certainty: Belonging to God
We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
EX: Christians belong to God.
There are 2 types of people in the world according to John.
a. children of God
b. children of Satan
One either belongs to God or to the evil world system under Satan’s domain.
There is a sharp contrast between the two.
One cannot belong to both families at the same time.
We are born in sin and fulfill that sin nature.
When we are born again, we are made new and no longer in the world system.
That is why we are warned to avoid contamination from the world.
We are to exhibit righteous character as His children.
AP:
IL:When a person is born of God through faith in Christ, God’s Spirit comes into his life to live there forever. As he has fellowship with God in reading and studying the Bible and in prayer, the Holy Spirit is able to control his mind, heart, and will. And what happens then?
A Spirit-controlled mind knows and understands truth.
A Spirit-controlled heart feels love.
A Spirit-controlled will inclines us to obedience.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 479). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
5th Certainty: Jesus is genuinely God
5th Certainty: Jesus is genuinely God
And we know 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, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
EX: Jesus is truly God
John closes with this reassurance.
The incarnation is the greatest certainty of all.
In the next few weeks, we are in the season of Advent
We celebrate the coming of Jesus into this world.
Because we know Him and are in Him:
We love as He loved
genuinely
sacrificially
We live as He lived
serving others
meeting their needs
Introducing them to Father
Since we know and have experienced Him who is true, John closes with a reminder to shun the false:
Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
NEVER allow anything to take Christ’s place in our lives.
He is our King and Lord
Nothing and no one else should have top priority.
IL:The Pipe Behind God’s Back
IL:
The Pipe Behind God’s Back
The traveler to Pompeii, is shown in the temple of Isis the statue of the divinity through whose open lips the credulous worshippers of long ago fancied they obtained trustworthy answers to their petitions. But alongside the ruined shrine he also sees the secret staircase by which the fraudulent priest reached the back of the statue and the concealed pipe through which he murmured the responses of the oracle.
IL:
—G. G. Eckman
Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 596). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.
Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 596). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
RS: John has concluded his letter by reminding us of 5 things we can know with certainty:
We have eternal life.
God answers prayers.
We can have victory over sin.
We belong to God.
Jesus is GOD.
IS: Stand firm in the truth!