God's Parting Priorities In 1 John Series

God's Parting Priorities in 1 John

1 John 5:13-21

Sermon by Rick Crandall

Series: The First Epistle of John

(Prepared February 16, 2024)

BACKGROUND:

*This is the last message in our series on the first epistle of John. Most of you know that one of God's biggest priorities here is for Christians to love one another with God's kind of agape love. John mentioned this kind of love 51 times in this short letter.

*But of course, God has other priorities for us in this wonderful letter, and John stressed at least three in today's Scripture. Let's begin by reading 1 John 5:13-21, and as we read, please think about God's priorities for our lives.

MESSAGE:

*Years ago, Mary and I took a trip to Florida for our wedding anniversary. Just after we left the gate in Orlando to fly home, the pilot turned the plane around. He told us that we had to go back, because one of the fuel pumps wasn't working. That sounded important.

*It turned out that we could still fly after all, because that plane had 6 fuel pumps, and it was safe to fly with 5. But obviously, some things are more important than others. If the arm rest falls off my seat, hey, no big deal. But if the wing falls off, that plane is going down.

*Some things are a lot more important than others. And we can see three of God's greatest priorities for us in today's Scripture.

1. FIRST: GOD WANTS US TO CALL ON HIM WITH CONFIDENCE.

*We see this priority in vs. 13-15 where John said:

13. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

14. Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

15. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

*How many times does the Bible command and encourage us to pray? I don't know for sure, but I know it's a lot. One example is Jeremiah 33:3 where the LORD spoke to the prophet and said, "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know."

*I also love the Lord's promises in Matthew 7:7-11. There Jesus said:

7. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

8. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

9. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

10. Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11. If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!"

*Hebrews 4:14-16 also says this to Christians:

14. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

15. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

16. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

*Time after time, God tells us pray with confidence, because He will hear our prayers, and answer at the right time, in the right way.

[1] CALL ON GOD WITH CONFIDENCE BECAUSE OF HIS GREATNESS.

*We see His greatness in vs. 13 where John assures us that we have eternal life through Jesus Christ. There the Apostle said, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God."

*The cross of Jesus Christ is the greatest way to see God's love for us. Jesus took all the punishment for our sins when He died on the cross. Then three days later, Jesus rose again in everlasting victory over sin and death. Now our risen Savior will give His eternal life to everyone who will believe in Him, to everyone who will receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. What could be greater than that?!?

[2] CALL ON GOD WITH CONFIDENCE, BECAUSE OF HIS GREATNESS, AND BECAUSE OF HIS GOODNESS.