That They May Seek God By Our Witness Series

Turning to Janet, “Jan, did you turn off the stove?” Isn’t it amazing how a simple question often prompts a person to have serious doubt?

Those under the influence of Gnosticism in Asia created doubt among many of the believers. John Stott “conjectured that their secession was due probably to their failure to convert many of the church members.” (Bryson, p. 113) John, the beloved pastor, taught the church in such a manner that they could answer the questions posed by the Gnostics.

The Gnostics posed doctrinal and ethical questions:

• Was Jesus really human?

• Do you honestly believe Jesus was really the Son of God?

• Do you really have to take Christ’s commands seriously?

In the book of I John we learn how to answer these questions.

You will not find a passage that exceeds I John 4:13-5:5 on Christian certainty:

• “By this we know...” 4:13

• “So we know...” 4:16

• “That we may have confidence...” 4:17

• “By this we know...” 5:2

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ghin-oce'-ko

A prolonged form of a primary verb; to “know” (absolutely), in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as shown at left, with others not thus clearly expressed): - allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) known (-ledge), perceive, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.

Questions arise, but we can know.

• Rationalism produces doubt.

• Skepticism encourages doubt.

• Agnosticism causes one not to be sure.

• Moral permissiveness raises many questions.

• Science and technology want observable answers. (Bryson, p. 114)

• Emotional spiritualism, where personal revelation is considered above exposition of Scripture, leads to a warped self-centered theology.

Yet, John gives us a great checklist for periodically evaluating our Christian position.

People often have a prescribed standard by which they want to measure one’s spirituality. If you do not “do” spirituality the way their tradition does it, you aren’t spiritual. (e.g., traditionalism, progressivism, charismatic tradition, holiness tradition, social justice tradition, evangelical tradition etc.). Too many have confused style and form with genuine spirituality.

Under the inspiration of God Himself, John cuts through the fluff of puffed-up religious zealots and provides a basic test for knowing our position in the Lord. In our text John gives 5 characteristics we can use to make sure we are spiritually okay. I have put them in the form of 5 questions.

FIVE QUESTIONS TO GUIDE YOU TOWARD ASSURANCE AND CREDIBILITY OF CHRISTIAN WITNESS TO THE WORLD:

I. ARE YOU SENSITIVE TO THE EFFECTUAL PRESENCE OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE? 4:13

Twenty-four times in I John we read about the concept of “abiding.” This means that the believer is inhabited by Christ. The triune God takes up residency in our lives. The New Testament does not have three Gods or two Gods.

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Deuteronomy 6:4

"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Mark 12:29

Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? John 14:9

The New Testament knows God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit; yet it presents them as one. We serve a triune God. Frank Stagg, New Testament Theology, says,

One may suggest that in his transcendence he is known as Father, in his immanence (His presence in the physical world) as Holy Spirit, and in his ultimate presence and self-disclosure as Son. (p. 39)

We become sensitive to the effectual presence of God in our life when we see evidence of his work within our lives. When he is present, we will see a magnification of the spiritual gifts:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

26 Let us not become conceited, provoking, and envying each other. Galatians 5:22ff

The first characteristic for making sure you are a Christian: “We know that we live in Him and He in us.”

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

II. HAVE YOU ACKNOWLEDGED AND CONFESSED JESUS AS GOD INCARNATE?

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. 1 John 4:14-16