Eternal Life; Eternal Death 1 John 5 May 22, 2011

As We Read... Remember that we have one side of what was probably a dialog –Even though this does not appear to be a personal letter, as such When the writer addresses a specific issue or makes a specific statement or poses a specific question, he is likely dealing with a specific problem John had probably become aware of problems within a church and was writing to address them

Love the Father, Love the Son 1 John 5:1 – 1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. John once again re-iterates that those who believe that Jesus is God in the flesh are born of Him Those who love the Father love the Christ And also love others born of Him –Fellow believers

A New Commandment John 13:34-35 – 34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” This is how the world will recognize us If we don’t love each other, then what?

Keep the Commandments 1 John 5:2-3 – 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. What is the link between: –Loving the children of God and observing the commandments of God? –Loving God and observing the commandments?

The Greatest Commandment Mark 12:28-31 – 28 One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘H EAR, O I SRAEL ! T HE L ORD OUR G OD IS ONE L ORD ; 30 AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE L ORD YOUR G OD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ 31 “The second is this, ‘Y OU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

For Discussion What link does Mark establish between loving God and loving our neighbor? –The same one that John is making in this passage We cannot say that we love God if we do not love our neighbor 1 John 3:17 – 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? How does keeping His commandments draw us closer to Him?

Faith is the Victory 1 John 5:4-5 – 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? What is the connection between this passage and loving God and loving others? If we think that we do not have the ability to love others, think again. –Do you feel that His commands are burdensome? Our faith and belief in the one who has overcome gives the strength needed

By Water and Blood 1 John 5:6-8 – 6 This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. John again stresses that Jesus came in the flesh –Remember his situation Jesus came not only by water –Countering those who insisted that God entered the man Jesus only at his baptism

By Water and Blood (cont.) But by water and the blood –God did not leave the man Jesus prior to the crucifixion –The Son of God shed His blood and died to eliminate sin How does the Spirit provide testimony that these things are true? Those who don’t believe in the incarnate Son of God don’t have the Spirit –And therefore don’t have the testimony of that Spirit

The Testimony of God 1 John 5:9-10 – 9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. 10 The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. Which is greater: the testimony of men or the testimony of God? –Which testified to what? How could we possibly make God a liar? –Failing to acknowledge the Son

The Testimony of God (cont.) The fact is that God’s testimony is true –Jesus is His one and only Son – in the flesh 1 John 5:11-12 – 11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. The life is in the Son –Those who have the Son have life –Those who do not have the Son do not have life What is the purpose of John writing this?

That You May Know... 1 John 5:13 – 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. Life is only available through the Son Those who believe in Him have life John wants his readers to be assured and confident in their salvation –That they know that they have eternal life How confident and assured are you in your salvation?

Confidence in Prayer 1 John 5:14-15 – 14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. Do we get everything we ask for in prayer? –Why or why not? What does mean when he writes “according to His will”? –Isn’t that just a loophole for God to ignore what we ask for?

Pray for Our Brothers 1 John 5:16-17 – 16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death. How do our prayers impact our brothers? –Do we pray for those who sin? Why would John draw a line where intercession should cease?

Those Born of God... 1 John 5:18-19 – 18 We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. John returns to the theme of the sinlessness of God’s children –And protection from the evil one! The world may be under the power of the evil one, but we are of God

The True One 1 John 5:20 – 20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. John 14:6 – 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Understanding of God comes only through the Son –Jesus came so that we could know Him

Guard Yourselves John 5:21 – 21 Little children, guard yourselves from idols. What do you think John means by this? Why would he close this letter like this and so abruptly?

Questions? Next week –“Love Without the Truth; The Truth without Love” (1 John 5)