Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts

1 John 5: 16-21

Intro: Don’t you just love this time of year. The air is brisk and there is a sense of cleanliness in the air this time of year.

. Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. Tis the season to be jolly and happy.

. There is another holiday that is celebrated this time of year by many people also.

. Deer hunting holidays. Many people use vacation time and sick leave to observe these holidays.

I especially like these holidays because when they are over, there are less deer to run out in front of me while I am driving. I thank all of you deer hunters for that.

. Did you hear the story about a lawyer, a doctor, and a preacher who went hunting together. When a prize buck ran past they all fired at the exact same time and the buck dropped. The problem was that there was only one bullet hole and they didn't know which of them shot it. They decided to take it to the registration center, hoping the agent could figure out who could claim the trophy.

The agent said, “Let me look at the deer. Sometimes I can figure it out.” He asked a few questions, examined the deer carefully, and declared, “The preacher shot this buck!” Amazed, the other two asked how he knew it was the preacher. Stooping down he pointed out the wound, “See here. It went in one ear and out the other.”

. Folks, in order for us to know and to grow, we have to make sure that Scripture does not go in one ear and out the other.

. John has spent what we categorize as 5 chapters telling us about love and how we can be assured of salvation.

. In these last 6 verses in first John, He shares with us his final thoughts about our salvation and gives some encouragement, some admonishment and he leaves us with a warning.

Lets look at our scripture. 1 John 5:16-21

16If you see a Christian brother or sister sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it.

17All wicked actions are sin, but not every sin leads to death.

18We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.

19We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.

20And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.

21Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.

. The first thing we see here is John encouraging us to pray for one another.

. This is a continuation of verses 14&15 that tell us this:

. 14And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.

15And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.

. John writes that we can be confident that God will hear our prayers so if we see someone in need of prayer, especially a Christian brother or Sister, we need to pray for them.

.Look at verse 16 again.

16If you see a Christian brother or sister sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it.

. John says to pray for your Christian brothers and sisters who sin.

. I know many who believe that Christians do no t sin. I have news for you, they do.

. We live this life that we have safe and secure in our faith and do the best that we can to live a life that honors our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

. We all mess up sometimes. Even us Pastors or Deacons or leaders. John writes that we should pray for our fellow believers who mess up sometimes.

. Why would he tell his readers and us this? Shouldn’t that be the natural thing to do?

. They were probably much like us, instead of praying for and helping those that are struggling with sin, many Christians want to talk about what they have done and gossip about each other.