John finishes his letter with some practical wisdom on truth for the Christian.
1 John 5: Overcoming the World
1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world---our faith.
5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Testimony Concerning the Son of God
6 This is he who came by water and blood---Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one 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 these three agree.
9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son.
10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.
11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
That You May Know
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.
14 And this is the confidence that we have toward 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 that we have asked of him.
16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life---to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.
17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.
18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.
19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
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. He is the true God and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
Things to think about…
1. John continues to make his case for how a child of God is to be recognised. They know Jesus as Christ, they love everyone else who loves Christ and they love God by keeping His commandments, because the commandments are a joy and a delight to keep, 1Jn 5:1-3. What a joy it is when we see joy being expressed by the body in the light of these things. May we continue to keep these things central within the church.
2. Faith is not a feeling. Faith is an abiding reality through all life’s trials and triumphs; it is God’s gift to His children. It is the thing that will overcome all sin within and the world’s onslaught without, 1Jn 5:4,5. What a comfort for all Christians whether they are persecuted to the point of losing their lives or in prosperity to the point where materialism potentially becomes a snare, but they overcome. Our faith conquers all!
3. The Spirit testifies because the Spirit is the truth, 1Jn 5:6. Those who say they have the Spirit and yet consistently reject studying or applying the word of God may indeed have the Spirit, but John says the Spirit, water and blood testify to Christ’s truth, 1Jn 5:7, 8. Jesus was et apart by the Spirit and hence came by and through the Spirit – the power of God. He also came by water. There are many explanations for this. Was it His birth – born as any other human – when ‘waters break’. Or does it have something to do with Jesus when He was pierced in the side – ‘water and blood flowed’. I don’t think so. I think the water means He was set apart at His water Baptism by John and the blood means His crucifixion. The Spirit of God descended in the form of a dove at His baptism and a voice from heaven confirmed His ministry. His blood was poured out to complete this testimony of payment. This is why He came to the earth, Mt 26:28.
4. We often hear that there is ‘your truth’, ‘my truth’ and ‘the truth’. Our Lord Jesus is ‘the Truth’ in name and in all things. We can hear the testimony of many people, but God’s word must remain above all. Let’s never justify sinful behaviour or testimony from others that stands in clear opposition to God’s truth, 1Jn 5:9,10. As such, whoever “has the Son and has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life”, 1Jn 5:12, 13.
5. We have considered 1Jn 5:16 in the past when we have discussed the subject of ‘blasphemy of the Holy Spirit’. All sin of course leads to death, but blasphemy of the Spirit leads to death no matter what. But we are those who restore our brothers and sisters if they are in danger of falling into sin that does not lead to death – if they repent. We know if someone has blasphemed or grieved the Spirit which leads to eternal death it is because they are not given the ability to repent of sin and be restored back to the Lord. It is grieving to witness a hardened heart in this condition. Let’s pray many are delivered from this very thing in the cities of Brisbane and Ipswich.
6. John says if we keep sinning, we are not “born of God”,1Jn 5:18. We are all sinners, but God through the action of the Holy Spirit gives a repentant heart a desire to hate sin in any event.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer Points
1. Leaders’ meetings this week. Year planning goals/events/services.
2. The right choice for a full time Youth and Young Adults Pastor.
3. New contacts remain engaged and connected into the church.
4. Our One for Israel ministry.
5. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
6. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Youth Pastor motion agreed to set aside 3 days for the role and Jarrod Christian starts today. Everyone will meet him on Sunday if they haven’t already.
2. Ministry Leaders being set apart.
3. Thankyou to those who have supported the church and youth and young adults role - $49. 640 raised thus far.
4. New folk becoming members of CBC
5. Those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
6. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
