The Source of Life
1 John 5:1-12
May 30, 2004
1 John 5:1 (NIV)
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.
Born of God
Requires belief
Completing trusting
Complete surrender
Love for other believers
Reflection of our status as a child of God
Testifies of discipleship – John 13:35
John 13:35 (NIV)
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another
1 John 5:2-3 (NIV)
This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.
Obedience
We obey because of our love for God
By obedience we will naturally love others
Actions bear out words of love
God’s commands are not meant to be a burden, but instead bring freedom.
1 John 5:4-5
For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
The Power of Faith
Overcomes the world
Opposing values
Turmoil of life
Without Jesus there is no power
Our faith is grounded in Christ
1 John 5:6-8 (NIV)
This is the one who came by water and blood-Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and the three are in agreement.
Blood & Water
Baptism – affirmation of the humanity and divinity of Jesus
Matthew 3:13-17
Matthew 3:13-17 (NIV)
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Blood & Water
Baptism – affirmation of the humanity and divinity of Jesus
Matthew 3:13-17
Blood – affirmation of the saving divinity of Jesus
John 12:27-30
John 12:27-30 (NIV)
“Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ No, it was for this very reason I cam to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine.”
1 John 5:9-12 (NIV)
We accept man’s testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. Anyone who believers in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
The Testimony of the Spirit
The Holy Spirit implants the truths of God upon our hearts
God has given us eternal life
Given only through Jesus
Without Jesus there is no life
**Powerpoint available on request
