Accessible Gospel: Confidence and Victory in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the final chapter of 1 John, focusing on the themes of knowledge, elitism, and the true essence of the gospel. John wrote this letter to counter the Gnostic belief that only a select few had access to superior, insider knowledge. He emphasized that the gospel is not about secret knowledge but about the tangible reality of Jesus Christ, who walked the earth, was seen, touched, and heard by many. John’s message is clear: the gospel is accessible to all, and there is no superior or insider knowledge that makes one believer better than another.
We also discussed the current political climate, drawing parallels between political campaigns and the spiritual campaign for Christ. Just as political campaigns spend billions to sway voters, the church has spent immeasurable resources to spread the gospel. However, unlike political campaigns, the decision to follow Christ is deeply personal and eternal. John assures us that voting for Christ means we have already won because Jesus has already secured the victory.
John’s letter concludes with a powerful reminder of the confidence we can have in our faith. Believing in Jesus means we are born of God, and this faith enables us to overcome the world. The victory we have in Christ is not just for this life but for all eternity. John uses vivid imagery to describe the rewards for those who overcome: eating from the tree of life, receiving a white stone with a new name, and ruling with Christ. These promises are not just future hopes but present realities that give us unshakable confidence.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Gospel is Accessible to All: John emphasizes that the gospel is not about secret or superior knowledge but about the tangible reality of Jesus Christ. This message is accessible to everyone, and there is no insider knowledge that makes one believer superior to another. The gospel is for all who believe in Jesus, who walked the earth, was seen, touched, and heard by many. [25:30]
2. The Personal Decision to Follow Christ: Just as political campaigns spend billions to sway voters, the church has invested immeasurable resources to spread the gospel. However, the decision to follow Christ is deeply personal and eternal. Unlike political campaigns, where money and influence play a significant role, the decision to follow Christ is a personal vote that each individual must cast. [32:32]
3. Victory in Christ: Believing in Jesus means we are born of God, and this faith enables us to overcome the world. John assures us that voting for Christ means we have already won because Jesus has already secured the victory. This victory is not just for this life but for all eternity, giving us unshakable confidence. [36:43]
4. The Rewards for Overcomers: John uses vivid imagery to describe the rewards for those who overcome: eating from the tree of life, receiving a white stone with a new name, and ruling with Christ. These promises are not just future hopes but present realities that give us confidence and assurance in our faith. [44:00]
5. The Assurance of Eternal Life: John concludes his letter by reminding us of the confidence we can have in our faith. Believing in Jesus means we have eternal life, and this life is in His Son. This assurance is not just a future hope but a present reality that transforms our lives and gives us unshakable confidence. [56:18]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [23:44] - Introduction to 1 John
3. [24:48] - The Issue of Elitism
4. [25:30] - The Tangible Reality of Jesus
5. [26:15] - Conclusion of 1 John
6. [27:12] - Political Campaigns and Spiritual Campaigns
7. [29:19] - The Power of the Voter
8. [31:06] - The Campaign of Christ
9. [33:33] - The Two Parties: Jesus and the Devil
10. [34:15] - The Confidence in Voting for Christ
11. [35:49] - The Rewards for Overcomers
12. [36:43] - Victory in Christ
13. [40:03] - The Importance of Faith
14. [44:00] - The White Stone and New Name
15. [56:18] - Assurance of Eternal Life
16. [01:13:33] - Celebrating Communion
17. [01:23:14] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1 John 5:1-5 (ESV)
> "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does John emphasize about the nature of Jesus in 1 John 5:1-5?
2. According to the sermon, what was the main issue John was addressing in his letter? [24:48]
3. How does John describe the victory that believers have in Christ? [36:43]
4. What are some of the rewards John mentions for those who overcome? [44:00]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does John stress that the gospel is accessible to all and not based on secret knowledge? How does this counter the Gnostic beliefs? [25:30]
2. How does the analogy of political campaigns help us understand the personal decision to follow Christ? [32:32]
3. What does it mean to have unshakable confidence in our faith according to John? How does this confidence manifest in our daily lives? [56:18]
4. How do the rewards for overcomers, such as the white stone with a new name, provide assurance and motivation for believers? [44:00]
#### Application Questions
1. John emphasizes that the gospel is accessible to all. How can you ensure that your understanding and sharing of the gospel remains inclusive and not elitist? [25:30]
2. Reflect on the analogy of political campaigns. How can you make your personal decision to follow Christ more evident in your daily actions and choices? [32:32]
3. John assures us of victory in Christ. In what areas of your life do you need to remind yourself of this victory? How can this assurance change your perspective on current challenges? [36:43]
4. The sermon mentioned the significant resources spent on spreading the gospel. How can you contribute to this "campaign" in your community or church? [32:32]
5. John talks about the rewards for those who overcome. Which of these rewards resonates most with you, and how does it inspire you to live out your faith more boldly? [44:00]
6. The assurance of eternal life is a present reality that transforms our lives. How does this assurance impact your daily decisions and interactions with others? [56:18]
7. Think about the confidence John wants believers to have. What practical steps can you take this week to deepen your confidence in your faith and share it with others? [34:15]
Devotional
### Day 1: The Gospel is for Everyone
Description: The gospel of Jesus Christ is not an exclusive message reserved for a select few with superior knowledge. John wrote his letter to counter the Gnostic belief that only a few had access to insider knowledge. He emphasized that the gospel is about the tangible reality of Jesus Christ, who walked the earth, was seen, touched, and heard by many. This message is accessible to everyone who believes in Jesus. There is no secret or superior knowledge that makes one believer better than another. The gospel is for all who believe in Jesus, and it is a message of hope and salvation for everyone. [25:30]
Bible Passage: "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who may feel excluded or unworthy of the gospel. How can you share the inclusive message of Jesus with them today?
### Day 2: The Personal Decision to Follow Christ
Description: Just as political campaigns spend billions to sway voters, the church has invested immeasurable resources to spread the gospel. However, the decision to follow Christ is deeply personal and eternal. Unlike political campaigns, where money and influence play a significant role, the decision to follow Christ is a personal vote that each individual must cast. This decision is not influenced by external factors but is a heartfelt commitment to follow Jesus. It is a choice that each person must make for themselves, and it has eternal significance. [32:32]
Bible Passage: "And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your own decision to follow Christ. What influenced your choice, and how can you help others make their own personal decision to follow Him?
### Day 3: Victory in Christ
Description: Believing in Jesus means we are born of God, and this faith enables us to overcome the world. John assures us that voting for Christ means we have already won because Jesus has already secured the victory. This victory is not just for this life but for all eternity, giving us unshakable confidence. Our faith in Jesus allows us to overcome the challenges and trials of this world, knowing that we have already won through Him. This victory is a source of strength and encouragement for believers, reminding us that we are more than conquerors through Christ. [36:43]
Bible Passage: "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a current challenge or trial you are facing. How does knowing that you have victory in Christ change your perspective on this situation?
### Day 4: The Rewards for Overcomers
Description: John uses vivid imagery to describe the rewards for those who overcome: eating from the tree of life, receiving a white stone with a new name, and ruling with Christ. These promises are not just future hopes but present realities that give us confidence and assurance in our faith. The rewards for overcomers are a testament to God's faithfulness and the eternal blessings that await those who remain steadfast in their faith. These promises serve as a source of encouragement and motivation for believers to continue their walk with Christ, knowing that their faithfulness will be rewarded. [44:00]
Bible Passage: "To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it." (Revelation 2:7, 17, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on the promises God has made to those who overcome. How do these promises inspire you to remain faithful in your walk with Christ?
### Day 5: The Assurance of Eternal Life
Description: John concludes his letter by reminding us of the confidence we can have in our faith. Believing in Jesus means we have eternal life, and this life is in His Son. This assurance is not just a future hope but a present reality that transforms our lives and gives us unshakable confidence. The assurance of eternal life is a foundational truth for believers, providing a sense of security and peace in the midst of life's uncertainties. It is a reminder that our faith in Jesus secures our place in eternity and that we can live with confidence and hope because of this promise. [56:18]
Bible Passage: "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." (1 John 5:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: How does the assurance of eternal life impact your daily life and decisions? What steps can you take to live more confidently in this assurance today?
Quotes
1. "And what he was dealing with more than anything was this so-called, it wasn't so-called, this elitism that was based upon so-called individual subjective spiritual experiences that only the superior spiritual beings could possibly have. And in this subjective personal spiritual experience comes this insider knowledge that only they know. And they have what's called a group called the initiate. You haven't been initiated into it yet until you've had that experience. And you're just less than us, littler than us. Go with us. We know what's right. You don't." [24:48] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And remember how he started this letter. That which we have seen with our own eyes, that we have touched with our own hands, which we have perceived with our own eyes, which we have seen with our own minds, this we proclaim to you, okay? Not some secret knowledge, but that there was a man who literally physically walked this earth by the name of Jesus. We saw him. We heard him. We touched him. We perceived him. That's all you need to know, okay?" [25:30] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "In the last 2,000 years, do you have any idea how much God has spent on the campaign of Christ? You can't even put a dollar value on his blood. I mean, that's priceless. But just think about, seriously, how much world's wealth has been spent on the campaign of Christ. You think we've got super PACs in the Republican and Democratic Party? Let me tell you something. Ain't nothing compared to J-PAC, the Jesus Power Action Committee, called the church." [31:55] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you vote for Jesus, you win. He's already won. It's you that wins. You will not lose. Not possible. And part of what John wants to do as he ends it, is to convince the, convinced of how much confidence they could have, and to evangelize those who have yet to vote. You can change that vote. Okay? So today's big idea is, what God has declared, what God has been campaigning for, what God has been standing on, what God has been stating, what God has been advertising, his political platform, the political talking points, and the gospel is a political message." [34:15] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And this is the victory that has overcome. What is the victory? How do I have victory that overcomes the world? Faith. Faith is when you cast a vote. Faith is when you believe with mental assent, the knowledge and information you've received about Jesus, about the candidate, and you decide that I'm going to cast my vote for him. And that faith and that belief is what he said in the first verse, is what enables you to overcome the world." [40:03] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Jesus Christ did not come to make bad people good. He came to make dead people alive. Your problem is not that you're bad. It's that you're dead. This party has nothing but death. This party and its leader come to kill, rob, and destroy. I can't believe you want to be a part of that. You don't. You just didn't know you had to cast your vote. And you do. Okay? And we can have unshakable confidence because what God has testified is what we believe." [57:28] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning. And we're gonna tell you why we know that. But he, Jesus, who was born of God, protects us. Okay? God's law is a boundary of protection. It's beautiful. And it keeps us inside the community, inside the yard, inside God's will. It's the fence that keeps us close. Okay? It's not some perimeter to keep you out. And Christ is the shepherd, and Christ is the gate, and he protects his people, and a shepherd has a rod to get your attention." [01:04:00] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "We know the Son has come. We know it. Factually, historically, it would be extraordinarily, I don't know what other word to use, ignorant to proclaim that this is a fairy tale. It's way, way, way too much historical writings other than the Bible that declare Jesus of Nazareth lived, that He actually was crucified under Pontius Pilate. So, even if you don't want to believe that He raised Himself, from the dead, you got to at least shatter the illusion that He's a fairy tale." [01:08:02] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We believe that he suffered, died, and was buried. We believe that on the third day he rose again under his own power, strength, and authority. We believe that he ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. And we believe that he will come again to judge the living and the dead, and that his kingdom will know no end. we believe. That has changed everything. We love you and thank you." [01:23:14] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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