1. First John Lesson 14: The Overcomer Antioch Christian Fellowship Spring 2012 Rev. Christopher J. Respass

2. The Overcomer (1 John 5:1-5) What are some biblical names or terms used to describe believers in Jesus? Children of Light Friends of Jesus Christ Children of PromiseSons of the Day Sons of the KingdomAmbassadors for Christ BrethrenSheep SoldiersWitnesses ChristiansLight of World Saints Fellow Citizens

3. The Overcomer (1 John 5:1-5) The term that John uses in this passage of scripture to describe the Believer is: Overcomer Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:1-5)

4. The Overcomer (1 John 5:1-5) I.Overcomers are Victorious. A. In Christ, overcomers are Invincible (Rom.8:37-39). B. Victorious over Satan and his servants (1 John 2:13-14, Rev. 12:10-11, 1 John 4:1-4). C. Victorious over Death (1 Cor. 15:50- 57).

5. The Overcomer (1 John 5:1-5) How do you recognize an Overcomer?

6. The Overcomer (1 John 5:1-5) II.Recognizing Overcomers. A. Faith in the Truth (v.1a, 4-5). 1. Believe that Jesus is Messiah. a) the anointed or chosen 2. Believe that Jesus is the son of God (“born of God”). a) second member of the Trinity.

7. The Overcomer (1 John 5:1-5) b) born to die and rise to save sinners. 3. Only those who believe that Jesus is the Christ are born of God. a) Only those born of God are overcomers. b) Therefore, to be an overcomer, a person must believe Jesus is the son of God (v.4, Acts 4:12).

8. The Overcomer (1 John 5:1-5) 4. Their perseverance in the faith is the evidence of true belief. “... saving faith is not intellectual knowledge of gospel facts, but involves a wholehearted, permanent commitment to Jesus as Lord, Savior, Messiah and God incarnate.” (John MacArthur)

9. The Overcomer (1 John 5:1-5) Q: Who is an “overcomer”? Ans: The one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God (v.5).

10. The Overcomer (1 John 5:1-5) B. Love for God and Others (v.1b). 1. Their love for God is genuine and is a manifest desire to honor, please and obey God (John 14:21, 1 Sam. 15:22-23). 2. Their love for others is a love of the will or a love by choice to sacrificially meet the needs of others (1 Cor. 13:4-7).

11. The Overcomer (1 John 5:1-5) C. Obedience to the Word (v.2-3). 1. Obedience to God’s commandments is the best expression of one’s love for God (v.3). 2. God seriously expects his people to live obediently to his word. a) Lot’s Wife (Gen. 19:17-26) b) Uzzah & Ark (2 Sam. 6:3-8) c) Mediums (Lev. 19:31)

12. The Overcomer (1 John 5:1-5) 3. “Emotive love” (feelings) or “religious/ritualistic love” without obedience is inadequate and incomplete. (1 Sam. 15:22, Isa. 29:13). 4. To say that you love God, but you consistently fail to follow his word is to misrepresent or misunderstand your relationship with God. God expects your heart.

13. The Overcomer (1 John 5:1-5) 5. God’s yoke is easy and his burden is light! (v.3c). a) God’s commandments are not burdensome (Matt. 11:28-30). b) All that God asks is to love him through obedience and to love others through sacrifice. He enables you to do all that he asks through Jesus (Phil 4:13).

14. The Overcomer (1 John 5:1-5) The Benefits of Being an Overcomer

15. The Overcomer (1 John 5:1-5) III.God’s Promises to the Overcomer A. Eat of the Tree of Life in the Paradise of God (Rev. 2:7). ---live in heaven forever. B. The Second Death has no effect (Rev. 2:11). ---no spiritual death.

16. The Overcomer (1 John 5:1-5) C. Hidden Manna & White Stone (Rev. 2:17). 1. God will provide forever 2. They are welcome at the victory celebration in heaven. D. Authority over nations & the Morning Star (Rev. 2:26-28; Rev. 22:16). 1. Will exercise delegated authority from Jesus over the nations during the Millennial Reign. 2. Will have the fullness of Christ.

17. The Overcomer (1 John 5:1-5) E. Clothed in White, Name is Never Blotted Out, Jesus’ Endorsement before the Father (Rev. 3:5). 1. Purified of Your Sin. 2. Your name will remain in the book of life—Jesus saves to the uttermost. 3. Jesus will affirm that you belong to him.

18. The Overcomer (1 John 5:1-5) F. Pillar in the Temple & Name of God and New Jerusalem written on them (Rev. 3:12). 1. Permanent part of God’s temple 2. Will be a permanent resident of Heaven and always belonging to God.

19. The Overcomer (1 John 5:1-5) G. Share Christ’s throne(Rev. 3:21). 1. Believers who suffer with Christ even to the point of death will share in the honor of Christ’s exalted position.