August 11, 2013
Evening Service

1 Jn. 5

 

This evening we conclude our study of 1Jn.  John has shown us that if we are born of God, or have been born again, we will love our brother as we love God.  This morning we saw how that only when we possess the Spirit of God, can we do this.  We looked at three scriptures that tells us how, and that we have the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Only by him abiding can we love the way God wants us too.

 

Let’s finish this letter:

 

1Jn 5:1-3  Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.  (2)  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.  (3)  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

·         And the commandment that John has been reminded us of is where Jesus said;  Joh 15:12  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

 

1Jn 5:4-5  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  (5)  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 

·         To speak from experience;  When the Lord called me from a life in the world to serve Him, that was my greatest desire.  It was overwhelming.  But I had to learn what it meant to overcome the world.  And actually it happened automatically.  My desires changed.  I no longer got satisfaction from the things of the world, the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.  My heart desire was to read the Bible, attend church, and forsake the places that once allured me.

·         I read my Bible all the time.  I attended church whenever the doors were open.  I saturated my life with the things of God.  THIS IS HOW YOU OVERCOME THE WORLD.

 

1Jn 5:6-21  This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 

·         There are many different opinions on what this scripture means.  So I have my opinion also. 

·         Joh 19:34  But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.  Joh 19:35  And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

·         Another popular view is that it is referring to Jesus’ baptism, and death on Calvary, where He shed His life’s blood for mankind.

·         The Spirit bore witness in many ways in Jesus life, and in death.

·         In His life, at the waters of baptism.  Speaking at the transfiguration.  The many wonderful works, and miracles He did.  THE SPIRIT BORE WITNESS THAT JESUS WAS THE VERY SON OF GOD.

·         In His death, by His praying for those who were killing Him, a witness to the soldier that pierced His side, and then to His resurrection, and ascension.

All these things makes sense to me.

 

(7)  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 

·         This is one of the Scriptures that Trinitarians use to support their doctrine of the Trinity.

(8)  And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 

·         John is saying that these three witnesses testify to Jesus being the Son of God, the Messiah.

(9)  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 is saying that these expressions of understanding are from God Almighty, and they are greater than that of man.

(10)  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.  (11)  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 

·         Joh 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

·         Joh 17:2  As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.  Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

John’s Gospel is full of these kinds of witnesses to the fact that Jesus is of divinity.

(12)  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 

·         Having the Son just means that we have accepted Him as our Lord, and Savior, and are doing our best to keep His teachings.

(13)  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 

·         This is an all important Scripture because it tells us that we have a know so salvation. 

·         So if I believe, and have obeyed the Gospel, which is H.B.R.C.B, unto the receiving of the Holy Spirit, I can rest assured that I am in a saved condition.  Even through all my faults, and weaknesses, I can be assured that I am saved.

(14)  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:  (15)  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 

·         The key here of course is that we ask according to His will.  So we need to know what His will is.

(16)  If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. 

·         Another highly controversial passage of Scripture.

·         Jesus said this;  Mat 12:31  Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

He also said this:

Mat 18:21-22  Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?  (22)  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Jesus teaches us that we should always pray for anyone, and everyone, so this is what I will do, not thinking I know what the sin to death really is.  I’ll pray, and let God decide.

 

(17)  All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.  (18)  We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 

·         And again, the idea being is that someone that is serving the Lord does not practice sinning.  We have concluded earlier in our study of this book that Christians will commit sins, but we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  Don’t wrestle this to your destruction.

(19)  And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.  (20)  And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.  (21)  Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

 

Almighty God help us to continue the fight to overcome the world, and thank you for eternal life.