Faith, Love, and Victory: Lessons from 1 John
Summary
In today's gathering, we delved into the final chapter of 1 John, a letter that is both encouraging and challenging. The Apostle John, known for his deep love for Jesus and people, wrote this letter to address the distorted views of God that were prevalent in Ephesus at the time. As we explored chapter 5, we were reminded of John's heart for believers to know they have eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. This chapter emphasizes the importance of love for God and one another, victory in Jesus, and the dangers of sin and idolatry.
I shared a personal testimony about my brother Thomas, who, despite not having faith initially, began his journey towards Christ during a holiday in Ephesus. This story serves as a testament to the enduring power of God's love and the importance of persistent prayer for our loved ones. As we examined the text, we were reminded that our faith in Jesus is the key to overcoming the world and its challenges. John makes it clear that belief in Jesus as the Messiah is the foundation of our salvation, not our religious practices or good deeds.
The chapter also addresses the concept of obedience as an expression of our faith. It's not about following a list of rules but about cultivating a relationship with Jesus. This relationship transforms our hearts, enabling us to love God and others genuinely. We also discussed the tricky language in verses 6-12, which speaks of Jesus coming by water and blood, and the testimony of the Spirit. This passage underscores the truth that eternal life is found in Jesus alone.
As we concluded, we reflected on the reality of sin and its potential to destroy us both spiritually and physically. However, the good news is that through the cross, we have a way out. Jesus offers us forgiveness and victory over sin. The final exhortation from John is to keep ourselves from idols, anything that replaces God in our lives. This call challenges us to examine our hearts and ensure that Jesus remains in His rightful place.
Key Takeaways:
- The Power of Persistent Prayer: The story of my brother Thomas illustrates the power of persistent prayer and God's ability to draw people to Himself in unexpected ways. Even when it seems like nothing is happening, God is at work behind the scenes, orchestrating events for His glory and our good. [42:47]
- Faith as the Foundation of Victory: Our faith in Jesus is the victory that overcomes the world. This victory is not just a future promise but a present reality. By believing in Jesus as the Messiah, we can overcome the challenges and temptations of this world. [45:10]
- Obedience as an Expression of Love: Obedience to God's commands is not about following a burdensome list of rules but about expressing our love for Him. When we love God and others, obedience naturally flows from our transformed hearts. [49:47]
- The Reality of Sin and the Hope of the Cross: Sin has the potential to destroy us both spiritually and physically, but the cross offers us hope and healing. Through Jesus, we receive forgiveness and the power to overcome sin in our lives. [59:11]
- Guarding Against Idolatry: Idolatry is anything that takes the place of God in our lives. We must continually examine our hearts and ensure that Jesus remains in His rightful place, guiding our actions and affections. [01:01:59]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to 1 John
- [02:15] - Story of Polycarp and John's Message
- [05:00] - Personal Testimony: A Journey to Ephesus
- [08:45] - The Importance of Persistent Prayer
- [12:00] - Understanding 1 John 5:1-5
- [15:30] - The Meaning of Messiah
- [18:00] - Faith as Victory Over the World
- [21:45] - Obedience as an Expression of Love
- [25:00] - The Testimony of Water and Blood
- [30:00] - The Reality of Sin and Its Consequences
- [35:00] - The Hope of the Cross
- [40:00] - Guarding Against Idolatry
- [45:00] - Closing Reflections and Communion Preparation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: 1 John Chapter 5
Bible Reading:
- 1 John 5:1-21
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Observation Questions:
1. What does John emphasize as the foundation of our salvation in 1 John 5:1-5? How does this relate to the concept of being "born of God"? [45:10]
2. In the sermon, a personal testimony was shared about the speaker's brother, Thomas. How did this story illustrate the power of persistent prayer? [42:47]
3. What are the three elements mentioned in 1 John 5:6-8 that testify to Jesus' identity, and how are they explained in the sermon? [51:35]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the phrase "keep yourself from idols" in 1 John 5:21? [01:01:59]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the relationship between faith in Jesus and overcoming the world? What does this victory look like in a believer's life? [45:10]
2. The sermon discusses obedience as an expression of love. How does this perspective change the way we view God's commandments? [49:47]
3. In the sermon, the speaker mentions the potential for sin to destroy us both spiritually and physically. How does this understanding impact our approach to sin in our lives? [59:11]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of keeping Jesus in His rightful place to guard against idolatry. What practical steps can believers take to ensure this? [01:01:59]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when persistent prayer seemed to have no immediate effect. How can the story of Thomas encourage you to continue praying for loved ones who are far from faith? [42:47]
2. The sermon emphasizes that faith in Jesus is the victory that overcomes the world. Identify a specific challenge or temptation you are facing. How can your faith in Jesus help you overcome it? [45:10]
3. Consider the idea that obedience to God's commands is an expression of love rather than a burdensome duty. How can this perspective change your daily walk with God? [49:47]
4. The sermon discusses the reality of sin and its consequences. Is there a particular sin that you struggle with? What steps can you take to seek forgiveness and healing through the cross? [59:11]
5. Reflect on the concept of idolatry as anything that replaces God in your life. Is there something in your life that has taken God's rightful place? How can you address this issue? [01:01:59]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of having a heart of flesh, as promised in Ezekiel. How can you cultivate a heart that is responsive to God's commands and the Holy Spirit's leading? [49:47]
7. The sermon concludes with a call to keep Jesus in His rightful place. What specific actions can you take this week to ensure that Jesus remains central in your life and decisions? [01:04:16]
Devotional
Day 1: The Unseen Power of Persistent Prayer
Persistent prayer is a powerful tool in the life of a believer, as it demonstrates faith in God's ability to work in ways that are beyond our understanding. The story of Thomas, who began his journey towards Christ during a holiday in Ephesus, illustrates how God can draw people to Himself in unexpected ways. Even when it seems like nothing is happening, God is at work behind the scenes, orchestrating events for His glory and our good. This encourages believers to continue praying for their loved ones, trusting that God hears and answers prayers in His perfect timing. [42:47]
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison." (Colossians 4:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you have been praying for? How can you commit to praying for them persistently this week, trusting in God's timing and plan?
Day 2: Faith as the Present Victory
Faith in Jesus is not just a future promise but a present reality that empowers believers to overcome the challenges and temptations of this world. By believing in Jesus as the Messiah, Christians are equipped with the strength to face the trials of life with confidence and hope. This victory is rooted in the assurance of eternal life and the transformative power of faith, which enables believers to live victoriously in the present. [45:10]
"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: What is a current challenge or temptation you are facing? How can your faith in Jesus help you overcome it today?
Day 3: Obedience as a Natural Outflow of Love
Obedience to God's commands is not about adhering to a burdensome list of rules but about expressing love for Him. When believers cultivate a relationship with Jesus, their hearts are transformed, enabling them to love God and others genuinely. This transformation leads to a natural outflow of obedience, as believers seek to honor God through their actions and decisions. [49:47]
"And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it." (2 John 1:6, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you express your love for God through obedience today? What specific command or teaching of Jesus can you focus on living out?
Day 4: The Hope and Healing of the Cross
Sin has the potential to destroy both spiritually and physically, but the cross offers hope and healing. Through Jesus, believers receive forgiveness and the power to overcome sin in their lives. This assurance of forgiveness and victory over sin is a central aspect of the Christian faith, providing believers with the strength to resist sin and live in the freedom that Christ offers. [59:11]
"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24, ESV)
Reflection: Is there a sin in your life that you need to bring to the cross today? How can you embrace the forgiveness and healing that Jesus offers?
Day 5: Guarding the Heart Against Idolatry
Idolatry is anything that takes the place of God in a believer's life. It is essential for Christians to continually examine their hearts and ensure that Jesus remains in His rightful place, guiding their actions and affections. This requires vigilance and a willingness to remove anything that competes with God for their devotion and love. [01:01:59]
"Little children, keep yourselves from idols." (1 John 5:21, ESV)
Reflection: What is one thing in your life that might be competing with God for your attention and devotion? How can you take steps to ensure that Jesus remains at the center of your heart and life?
Quotes
And so, if you read the Old Testament, without ever reading the New Testament, it would be clear that God was going to send the Messiah. And the word Messiah in Hebrew means the chosen one or the anointed one. And as you read through the New Testament, and the Gospels in particular, you very quickly realize that Jesus is, in fact, the Messiah. [00:46:27]
And so, we're not saved or born again because we come to church on a Sunday, or because we read our Bible every day, or because we go to prayer meetings, or even because we get baptized or become members of the church. We are born again by believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the one who came to save us. [00:47:22]
And this is what John's getting at here in the first five verses. He's saying that we should love God, and believe that Jesus is the Messiah, and we should love one another. But He adds to that by saying that if we love God, and we love one another, then we should keep His commandments. Obedience should be an expression of our faith. [00:48:29]
And John labors this point in verse 3. He says that His commands are not burdensome. He's saying it's no meant to be hard work, this work with God. It's no meant to be a grind. And very often as Christians, we can look at our lives of following Jesus as being a shift, and being hard work. And it is challenging at times. [00:49:55]
And that's not what John's meaning here. But he's not trying to say that obedience is an easy thing either. And for some of us, it's necessary to stop some of the things that I've just mentioned there for our aim and well-being. But if we have this big list of things that we can't do, then where's the freedom that Jesus offers us? [00:51:13]
And so we can begin to rip up that list if we've got one just now, and instead we just need to focus ourselves on loving God and loving one another. And so this is what John reminds us in the opening section of chapter 5. And as we move into the second section of the chapter, we come across some tricky language for us to understand. [00:52:24]
And this is the testimony. God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life. Whoever does not have the Son does not have life. And the key verse here is verse 11, that tells us again that the testimony of God is that He has given us eternal life through His Son, Jesus. [00:51:15]
Because our life in Christ begins this side of eternity. That victory for us begins right now. But how many of us actually believe that, and are living in that place right now? That the victory in Christ is eternal, but it's for us today. It's for us today in this new life. [00:52:46]
And so if we're struggling with addiction, addiction to drugs, alcohol, sex, pornography, gambling, whatever it may be, we can have victory today through faith in Jesus. Or if we're struggling with anger, with lust, with gossip, whatever that may be, then we can have victory today through Jesus. [00:53:39]
And the reality of sin in real life is that it has the potential to destroy us both spiritually and physically. Sin isn't just something that affects us morally. It's destructive, and it separates us from God. But it can also destroy us spiritually and physically. [00:58:27]
And when I think back over my life, I've lost a lot of friends and family members through falling into patterns of sin in their lives. And we know as a church that firsthand, and I'm sure everybody sitting here can think of somebody this morning. And if sin wasn't a big deal, then we wouldn't need the cross. [00:59:24]
And so that leaves us with this question, do we have anything in our lives that's replacing God or getting in the way of our worship? And as I've been preparing for this sermon, don't think I just appear here on a Sunday and preach this to you. I've been preaching this to myself all week, and I've been so challenged by it. [01:02:52]
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