1. WHAT ARE THE THINGS ABOUT FAITH YOU CAN COUNT ON?

2. I John 5:1-5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 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, 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.

3. I John 5:6-9 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. 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.

4. I John 5:10-12 Anyone who believes 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.

5. 1. Faith ( πιστεύω ) = believe in something to the point where you have trust, to entrust.

6. 2. A common theology today: faith is a gift from God given to special people.

7. But? Romans 10:17 - Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

8. So - What are the things about faith you can count on?

9. I. Faith has a Definite Power - v1-5

10. A. How is this power demonstrated? 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... - v2-3 I. Faith has a Definite Power.

11. A. How is this power demonstrated? 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... - v2-3 1. You love God by obedience & you obey Him by love. I. Faith has a Definite Power.

12. A. How is this power demonstrated? 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... - v2-3 2. His love is not burdensome because you have the help of His Holy Spirit. I. Faith has a Definite Power.

13. A. How is this power demonstrated? 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... - v2-3 2. His love is not burdensome because you have the help of His Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22 - The fruit of the Spirit is love... I. Faith has a Definite Power.

14. A. How is this power demonstrated? 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... - v2-3 Galatians 5:22 - The fruit of the Spirit is love... Matthew 11:30 - For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. I. Faith has a Definite Power.

15. B. How is this power experienced? And his commands are not burdensome, 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. -v4-5 I. Faith has a Definite Power.

16. B. How is this power experienced? And his commands are not burdensome, 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. -v4-5 1. World ( κόσμος ) = secular society apart from God, world system, “cosmetics”. I. Faith has a Definite Power.

17. B. How is this power experienced? And his commands are not burdensome, 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. -v4-5 Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. I. Faith has a Definite Power.

18. B. How is this power experienced? 1. How did the Lord use God’s word when He was tempted? I. Faith has a Definite Power.

19. B. How is this power experienced? 1. How did the Lord use God’s word when He was tempted? Matthew 4:3-4 - The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” - Deuteronomy 8:3 I. Faith has a Definite Power.

20. B. How is this power experienced? 1. How did the Lord use God’s word when He was tempted? Matthew 4:6-7 - “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: ”‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Deuteronomy 6:16 I. Faith has a Definite Power.

21. B. How is this power experienced? 1. How did the Lord use God’s word when He was tempted? Matthew 4:9-10 - “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” - Deuteronomy 6:13 I. Faith has a Definite Power.

22. B. How is this power experienced? 1. How did the Lord use God’s word when He was tempted? Matthew 4:9-10 - “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” You have that same power! I. Faith has a Definite Power.

23. I. Faith has a Definite Power - v1-5 II. Faith Has a Definite Object - v6-8

24. A. Lord Jesus was an historical person. 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. - v6 II. Faith Has a Definite Object.

25. A. Lord Jesus was an historical person. 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. - v6 II. Faith Has a Definite Object.

26. A. Lord Jesus was an historical person. 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. - v6 1. The Lord’s baptism began His earthly ministry. II. Faith Has a Definite Object.

27. A. Lord Jesus was an historical person. 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. - v6 II. Faith Has a Definite Object.

28. A. Lord Jesus was an historical person. 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. - v6 2. The Lord’s crucifixion began His redemptive mission. II. Faith Has a Definite Object.

29. B. What evidence do you have to base your faith on? For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. - v7-8 II. Faith Has a Definite Object.

30. B. What evidence do you have to base your faith on? For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. - v7-8 1. The Holy Spirit: gives verbal testimony. II. Faith Has a Definite Object.

31. B. What evidence do you have to base your faith on? For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. - v7-8 1. The Holy Spirit: gives verbal testimony. Matthew 3:17 - This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. II. Faith Has a Definite Object.

32. B. What evidence do you have to base your faith on? For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. - v7-8 1. The Holy Spirit: gives verbal testimony. Luke 9:35 - This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him. II. Faith Has a Definite Object.

33. B. What evidence do you have to base your faith on? For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. - v7-8 1. The Holy Spirit: gives verbal testimony. John 12:28 - “Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” II. Faith Has a Definite Object.

34. B. What evidence do you have to base your faith on? For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. - v7-8 2. The Water: depicts the Lord’s baptism which began His ministry of teaching, miracles & holy living. II. Faith Has a Definite Object.

35. B. What evidence do you have to base your faith on? For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. - v7-8 3. The Blood: depicts the Lord’s crucifixion which began His ministry of redemption, inter- cession & indwelling presence. II. Faith Has a Definite Object.

36. I. Faith has a Definite Power - v1-5 II. Faith Has a Definite Object - v6-8 III. Faith Has a Definite Message - v9-12

37. A. The witness of God is superior to the witness of man. 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. - v9 II. Faith Has a Definite Message.

38. A. The witness of God is superior to the witness of man. 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. - v9 1. The Holy Spirit: instructs you & empowers you. II. Faith Has a Definite Message.

39. A. The witness of God is superior to the witness of man. 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. - v9 2. The Water: baptism begins to transform a sinner into a saint! II. Faith Has a Definite Message.

40. A. The witness of God is superior to the witness of man. 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. - v9 2. The Blood: the Lord’s Supper, memorial of His crucifixion, reminds you of His love. II. Faith Has a Definite Message.

41. B. The content: eternal life comes only through Lord Jesus! 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. - v10-12 II. Faith Has a Definite Message.

42. B. The content: eternal life comes only through Lord Jesus! 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. - v10-12 John 14:6 - I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. II. Faith Has a Definite Message.

43. B. The content: eternal life comes only through Lord Jesus! 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. - v10-12 II. Faith Has a Definite Message.

44. B. The content: eternal life comes only through Lord Jesus! 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. - v10-12 II. Faith Has a Definite Message.

45. B. The content: eternal life comes only through Lord Jesus! II Corinthians 13:5-6 - Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you — unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test! II. Faith Has a Definite Message.

46. Faith is very definite. You can be sure if you have it! It isn’t based upon how you feel but on the word of God!