The Letters of John The Knowledge of Life Eternal November 29, 2015 Through the Bible in a Year Xavier Reyna, Director Ben Compere, Editor Wayman Lim, Choir Director Susan Turner, Prayer Warrior “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13

John calls on us to “test” our profession of faith by examining what we believe about Jesus, how we treat our fellow man and how we handle our failures to obey God’s commands to assure us that we possess life eternal. The “Tests of Life” Lesson “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13 The Knowledge of Life Eternal

The Purpose for John’s Letters LetterPurpose 1 JohnTo assure his “dear children” that they have eternal life in spite of what the false teachers are telling them 2 JohnTo instruct the chosen lady not to provide “hospitality” to heretical missionaries 3 JohnTo call attention to Diotrephes’ malicious works Purpose “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13

Summary of John’s Letters 1 John – John writes to a congregation of his “dear children” and repeatedly explains three “tests of life” concerning (1) the believers’ relationship to sin, (2) the believers’ relationship to each other (love) and (3) the true believers’ conviction that Jesus the man is the Christ. He reviews these tests not only to refute false teachers but also to reassure his “dear children” of their possession of eternal life. Summary “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13 2 John – John writes to the “chosen lady” to walk in love and to be on the lookout for deceivers who deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. He urges her not to provide hospitality to these false teachers. 3 John – John writes to his friend Gaius to commend him for his adherence to the truth and his love and hospitality towards the fellow believers. He warns Gaius about the troublesome Diotrephes who is spreading malicious rumors about John and is refusing hospitality to John’s people. He also commends Demetrius.

John’s Three “Tests of Life” 1.Sin: relationship between sin and being God’s children (1:5-2:6; 2:29-3:10;3:23-24;5:4-21) 2.Loving one another: treat your fellow believers as Jesus treats you (2:7-10; 3:10-24; 4:7-5:3) 3.Correct Christology: believe that Jesus is the Christ come in the flesh (2:18-28; 3:23-4:6; 4:14-15; 5:1-15) “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13 Tests of Life

Do You Pass the Tests of Life? Application “ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13 TestQuestionGrade What type of life do we live? Sin Love Jesus Do we love other believers? Do we believe the correct teaching about Jesus?