Three Biblical Truths About Christ Series

Series: 1 John

Week: 19

Passage: 1 John 4:13-16

Title: Three Biblical Truths about Christ

Focus: Jesus Christ as God

INTRODUCTION: John has discussed the following principles numerous times. At this point we ought to have wrapped our minds around the concepts he is addressing. Therefore today we will take a step back and see how we as a church body have encompassed these biblical truths and applied them into our local biblical community. What we normally do is look at the verses, see what John says and apply those principles to our lives. Today we will take a different approach and look at the passage through a different lens to see how these truths have become real to us in an everyday setting.

There is nothing more phenomenal than the task of developing one’s personal set of biblical guidelines (doctrine). To be able to articulate what you believe using biblical truth is one of the most fulfilling and powerful tools a Christian can possess. To articulate the faith is a powerful weapon. However, to actually live out those principles is another weapon all together. When we live out what we believe, who profess who we are inside and out and where God has us going.

One of the most crucial and critical doctrines of the Christian faith is the doctrine of the deity of Jesus Christ (the God/Man). It is through this doctrine that many religious groups leave the faith, and many false ideas and teachers arise.

NOTE: If Jesus Christ is not who He claimed to be, then we are hopelessly lost and condemned as sinners (messiah/prophet/lunatic – we believe He is the Messiah). This morning our desire it to take our own constitution and combine it with the doctrine of God to demonstrate how we will continue to make Christ known near and far to illuminate the name of Jesus.

SCRIPTURE: “By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” 1 John 4:13-16

TITLE: Three Biblical Truths about Christ (1 John 4:13-16)

POINT #1: We Believe Jesus Christ Existed with God Forever (1 John 4:13-14)

• Explanation: What John says here partners with Article three, section two in our church constitution states “We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; and that these three are one God, having precisely the same homage, confidence and obedience. I John 5:7; John 1:2,14; Acts 5:3,4”

o In this statement we (CGC in association with the global church of Saints) are declaring the same truth that John declares in the first two selected verses; God (the creator) gave us His Spirit (the counselor) through Jesus (the Son) as the Savior of the world. John claims here the doctrine that Jesus was existent before His earthly conception!

• “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1

• "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am." John 8:58

• "Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed." John 17:5

• "For by him (God the Father) were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him (Jesus)." Colossians 1:16

• Since father, Son, and Spirit all existed forever, we call this the doctrine of the trinity.

• Illustration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1zZOTI6ffE - An explanation of the Trinity

• Application:

o NOTE: John’s statement in verse 14 is the only place in John’s epistles where he used the term “savior.” It also appears only once in his Gospel (John 4:42). The Church has no more effective way to testify to THE WORLD about the Saviorhood of Jesus than by the RE-DISPLAY of the Savor’s love in the fellowship of His disciples (us as believers).

• So what does this mean for the believer? Why would we claim such a truth and defend it like we do?

1. We have an Eternal Father: God the Father is not only the creator but also the Father “of” all who believe. He is sovereign over us, lives through us and manifests Himself in us!