God or Man?

Who are you going to believe?

As John’s letter draws to a close, the question is who are you going to believe God or man? I think this is very relevant to all of us this morning. The world is very loud and in your face isn’t it? You are not left to wonder what the world thinks about any cultural issue do you? Gender, sexuality, mission, the gospel.

Why should we seek the Lord in His Word and make sure we are siding with Him and not the World?

In a recent poll, only 37% of pastors have a biblical world view.p

Let’s dig into our text and find out. Turn with me to first John chapter 5 look at verse 9

1 John 5:9 ESV

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.

Do you remember how important witnesses are from last week?

Why are witnesses important? They help us determine the truth right? So what rule did God set in place to help us establish the truth from human witnesses?

Deuteronomy 17:6 ESV

6 On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.

According to God’s law, you need at least two witnesses to establish the truth but three is better.

So as we examine verse 9 what is John saying?

1 John 5:9 ESV

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.

Do you see John’s argument?

If we establish truth from 2 or 3 human witnesses how much greater is God’s testimony? Look with me at Hebrews chapter 6

Hebrews 6:13–18 ESV

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. 16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

How awesome is that? Has your fellow man ever lied to you? Has you fellow man ever let you down? Of course we have all been lied to and we have all been let down by people not keeping their word why is this so important? Was does the character of God matter?

Because you are here this morning because God is faithful you are here this morning because God’s promises are sure. Remember the promise of God?

Deuteronomy 31:6–8 ESV

6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” 7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. 8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

or how about the words of Jesus

John 10:27–28 ESV

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

If you believe the testimony of God concerning His Son what is your reward?

Eternal life and who can snatch you out of His hand?

NO ONE Amen?

1 John 5:10 ESV

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.

We see John reiterating the mysterious truth again If you believe you have the testimony living in you what is the testimony that lives in? The Holy Spirit right? You just need to make sure you are feeding Him with time In the Word of God and prayer right? And then He will lead you and guide you and convict you and when you don’t know what to pray He will intercede for you right?

Romans 8:26–27 ESV

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

What power you have at work in you this morning! Are you using it?

So John says that if we don’t believe God’s testimony we make God a liar and as we looked at earlier is that possible? No so it is foolish for us to resist God or deny what He has said in Hid Word why? Because God does not and can not lie! Satan is the liar

John 8:44 ESV

44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Stop and think about this when you are tempted to stretch the truth or hide the truth or flat out lie who are you serving?

John closes this section by telling us what this testimony is he is talking about.

1 John 5:11–12 ESV

11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

The gospel does not get any clearer than this? Do you have the Son? Do you believe everything that God revealed about Himself in His Word do you believe all God’s testimony about His Son. Do you love His Word Do you love His commands

Psalm 1:2 ESV

2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Did you catch how to test your heart, how you know if you delight in His law?

The Psalmist says that if you delight in the law of the Lord than you will meditate on it day and night.

Are you living in this book? If you want our neighborhood to change you must live in this book if you want our country to change you must live in this book.

Don’t resist the Holy Spirit this morning fall in love with His Word!

The gospel is simple believe the testimony of God about His son and what will God give us

1 John 5:11 ESV

11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

John tells us in verse 13 why did he write this letter?

1 John 5:13 ESV

13 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.

John wants us to know that if we genuinely believe you will have eternal life and know one can snatch you out of God’s hand but don’t forget all of John’s prior warnings.