HOW TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE
1 John 5:11-21
How can we be sure that we have eternal life?
People actively participate in many world religions, seeking the answer to that question.
They want some way to be SURE that they’re O.K. with God; that they’re safe.
Even people who aren’t especially interested in heaven,
and who don’t really want to come face to face with God,
seek some way to be sure that they aren’t going to have to spend an eternity in hell,
suffering for their sin.
So, how can we be SURE, that we have eternal life?
How can we be sure we’re right with God?
John wrote his letter for people who aren’t enjoying life very much.
They’re actively involved in church.
But they’re miserable.
He writes to tell us how we can enjoy genuine fellowship with God,
and with one another.
When we have the real thing, we’ll enjoy life more!
So he reveals through this letter the secret for getting more out of life.
The book demonstrates that if we want to enjoy fellowship with God,
we must be going the same way he is–We must be like Him.
John presents three characteristics of God.
If we want to enjoy fellowship with Him,
these three traits must be true in our life also.
GOD’S HOLINESS 1:5-3:10
God is holy. 1:5
To enjoy fellowship with a God Who is holy, we must be holy!
“You be holy, for I am holy.”
GOD’S LOVE 3:11-5:10
God is love. 4:8
To enjoy fellowship with a God who IS love, we must love one another.
John 13:34-35
GOD’S LIFE 5:11-21
God (Jesus) is life. 5:20
To enjoy fellowship with a God Who IS life, we must have life.
Those who would enjoy fellowship with God must abide in Him.
Through Him we receive eternal life.
This week we want to consider what John tells us about the importance of LIFE.
John assumes that his readers already know Him and have life.
But just in case, . . .
He warns us, if we want to enjoy fellowship with God, we must have life!
THE SOURCE OF LIFE 5:11
(God’s Son) Jesus is the source of life.
Eternal life is in God’s Son!
It’s in Jesus!
THE WAY TO LIFE 5:12-13
People who have the Son, who trust Jesus, have life (12).
People who don’t have the Son, who don’t trust Jesus, don’t have life.
v. 13 indicates that to have God’s Son
is the same as to TRUST God’s Son!
If we’re trusting Jesus, we can know that we have eternal life. 13
Based on our trust in Christ, we can know we have eternal life.
Not like the legalist’s list => never sure you’ve done enough!
[J.W. encounter in Molino de las Flores]
THE ASSURANCE THAT ACCOMPANIES LIFE 5:14-17
What can we be sure of? 14-15
When we trust Jesus, we have confidence to ask for things we need–when they’re consistent with His will–knowing that He will give them to us. (Lit., He has already given them to us!)
This is the assurance we have before Him:
When we ask anything according to His will,
[What’s the significance of “according to His will?]
He hears us.
[What are the implications of God’s response: “He hears us?”]
What does this kind of hearing mean?
This is much more than just listening to our cry!
He hears and he responds to our cry.
When we know that He hears anything we ask,
we can also be sure that we HAVE the petitions we have asked for!
[Significance of present tense?]
Present tense–it’s a sure thing!
– It’s already been granted–we can count on the reality of it!
In no area is this more true than in our intercession for others. 16-17
[How does this assurance work itself out in our prayer for others?]
When we pray for the restoration of others, God answers.
When we pray for the restoration of others,
we may be instruments of restoration and life.
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin which doesn’t lead to death,
He shall ask and he shall give him life
–that is to those sinning sin which doesn’t lead to death.
Some sin leads to death.
In that case, I’m not saying that he should ask on their behalf.
All wrongdoing is sin;
but there is sin which doesn’t lead to death.
[If “the wages of sin is death, . . . ” doesn’t any/all sin lead to death?
What’s the difference between “a sin that leads to death” and a common, ordinary sin?
How do you recognize the difference when you see it?]
If the offense is likely to harm God’s testimony, God may judge the individual with physical death for His name’s sake.
Even the intercession of faithful people will be ineffective
in the case of those whose sin damages God’s reputation.
4 clear examples in NT (MANY in OT)
1 Cor. 11:27-34; Acts 5:1-11; Heb. 10:26-31; James 5:19-20
In that case, even intercession by a faithful brother won’t avail.
(Ezek. 14:13-20; Jer. 15:1 ff.,
Peter’s dealing with Ananias and Sapphira;
Paul’s dealing with the brethren at Corinth;
Pastor from Guate.,
Heart attack warning in Tucson;
[Brother in Guyana (?).]
What’s the difference in how you pray in each case?
How should this truth change the way we pray?
What does John want us to do when we see a brother sinning?
What does John want us to do when we see such a brother sinning,
but believe this may be a “sin unto death”?
What should WE learn from implied warning in this word of assurance?
14-15 + 16-17How do these come together?
Remember the “according to His will?!!”
We start by seeking to determine GOD’S WILL in this situation.
It’s not about OUR wishful thinking–one way or the other–it’s about His will!
THE VICTORY WHICH ACCOMPANIES LIFE 5:18-20
John focuses on the result of Christ’s life-giving work as he concludes.
Three things we know: 18
1. God protects those who have eternal life from continuous sin.
We know that
everyone who is born from God doesn’t continually sin
But that which has been born of God keeps him
And the evil one can’t touch him.
People born of God receive a nature born of God, which keeps them from continual sin.
[#2–2nd thing we know:] 19
2. We belong to God;
but the world is under the control of the evil one.
Therefore, we are free from the power of the evil one
who controls the world.
He doesn’t control us!
We know that
WE are of God
And the whole world lies in [the control of] the evil one.
The world does! WE don’t!
[#3–3rd thing we know:] 20
3. The Son of God has come.
Therefore, we can know God and enjoy fellowship with Him,
if we abide in Christ, the One Who IS God Himself and eternal life.
What are the results of His coming?
And we know that
The Son of God has come and He has given us understanding
That we might know the One who is true
[What are the results of His coming?]
We KNOW Him
And we are IN the One who is true
We are IN Him
In His Son Jesus Christ
This One is the True God and Eternal Life!
We know Him.
We are in Him.
What lessons are there for us in this promise of victory?
We can enjoy assurance! We are secure!
CONCLUDING WARNING AGAINST IDOLATRY 5:21
John concludes with a warning about a significant contemporary danger:
Keep away from idols.
What’s the danger he’s warning about? For them? For us?
How does this warning apply to our life today?
Some see this as an “add-on.”
Two things catch our attention in the context:
1. They are surrounded by idols.
Everywhere they look!
Their neighbors participate in the gods’ celebrations.
John’s listeners aren’t enjoying life
–if they’d join in the pagan parties, they’d have a lot more fun!
2. Jesus is the true God!
If we want to get more out of life, we’ll find it by abiding in Him,
NOT by celebrating the idols!
Stay away from the idols!
Abide in Jesus! Follow Jesus!
You’ll enjoy fellowship with God.
You’ll experience true joy.
WHAT DIFFERENCE SHOULD THIS PASSAGE MAKE IN OUR LIFE this week?
What should we DO about it?
If we want to be sure that we have eternal life,
we must know what we’re trusting in!
Life is found in God’s Son.
Are we trusting Him?
Are we trusting ourselves?
Are we trusting something else?
Somebody’s rules?
How good is good enough?
God says LIFE IS FOUND IN HIS SON!
Are you trusting Him?
SUMMARY OF 1 JOHN
Addressed to people who really aren’t enjoying their walk with God.
If you really want to enjoy life (in fellowship with God),
Keep an eye on these three areas:
Holiness + Love + Life => True Joy!
Are YOU enjoying life?
Take a look at these three areas of your life.
Are you going the same way God is going?