#368 1 John Series# 9, You Must Know This!

#368 1 John Series# 9, You Must Know This!
By: Pastor D. Karl Thomas

The Bible was not written to you but it was written for you.
This was a personal letter written to very specific people 2000 years ago.
Written by John the Apostle. Must be held in context.

“This is not a prescription for Christian living, this is a description of what happens when you get placed in Christ.” Zach Sloane

ILLUSTRATION — John is describing a life that is aligned with Christ. Born from above! It looks like something!!! What is under here … let me describe it.

John is calling for a quality of life that is the result of an abiding relationship and not the reward for rigid personal disciplines.

These are not conditions or tests to determine if your a child of God.
2:9 “He who hates his brother is in darkness.”
3:8 “He who sins is of the devil.”
3:14 “He who does not love his brother abides in death.”
These are calls to express your fellowship.

I John 3:23“And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.”
This is not done in our own power. Not behaviour modification.
Fruit produced by the Spirit does not command a performance.

John 15:1-6“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit … Abide in Me, and I in you …If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out …”

“takes away”(Airo) :— to raise up, elevate, lift up, to raise from the ground, take up,to raise upwards, elevate, to take upon one’s self and carry what has been raised up…
“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He lifts from dirt …”Elevatesturns your face to Him.

Mark 2:11“I say to you, arise, take up (Airo) your bed, and go to your house.”

When you have made decision to accept Him you abide in Him.
If you are fruitful He will make you more fruitful.
If you are fruitless He will LIFT YOU UP … make you fruitful.

********** PICTURE *************

JOKE.-A man jumps out of an airplane with a parachute on his back. As he’s falling, he realizes his chute is broken. He doesn’t know anything about parachutes, but as the earth rapidly approaches, he realizes his options are limited; he takes off the parachute and tries to fix it himself on the way down. The wind is ripping past his face, he’s dropping like a rock, and at 5000 feet, another man goes shooting up past him. In desperation, the man with the chute looks up and yells, “Hey do you know anything about parachutes?!”

The guy flying up looks down and yells, “No, do you know anything about gas stoves?!”
1 John 5:13“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.”

6 Things He Wants You To Know
1. Know You Have Eternal Life
A relationship with your Heavenly Father NOW and forever.
Not just long life but the awesome God kind of life right NOW. Intimacy with God Now.
Gods testimony of you!

1 John 5:14-15“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

2. Know Your Prayers Get Answered

Prayer is not telling God stuff He doesn’t know and getting Him to do what He doesn’t want to do.
Prayer is:
1. Confidence— He hears
2. Conversation— receive His will and gain His understanding

Four Ways He Answer Prayer:
1. No
2. Go
3. Grow
4. Slow
You don’t pray to change his will you pray to engage his will.

John 14:14“If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
Asking things that promote Gods glory and the good of others.
How you can know that:
1. Scripture
2. Wise Counsel
3. Voice of Spirit
4. Peace Of God

1 John 5:16-17 “If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.”

3. Know To Care For Others
We have the responsibility and privilege of praying for people caught in bad situations.
Communication that is not wrapped in redemptive prayer is only going to foster strife and more frustration. Prayer gossip sessions.

“There is a sin leading to death.” John knew what he meant by that. I don’t know for sure.
1. Could be not embracing that Jesus alone is our Saviour.
2. Communion — “For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and manysleep.” 1Cor 11:30

1 John 5:18-19“We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.”

4. Know Your Righteousness Is Secure
Not a better version of you and not moral self improvement. A brand new you! You are “Born of God.”
A brand new creation with a His Divine nature that is focused on righteousness.

You can change what you do because he changed who you are!
Galatians 2:20“…it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;”

“Jesus changed everything!” Joanne Chaisson
2 Questions:
1. When you came to Jesus what changed?
2. How is the Holy Spirit leading you right now?

1 John 5:20“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, 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.”

5. Know You’re Fixed In (Truth) Jesus.
You are firmly established in Jesus and He is truth.
Your understanding of this abiding relationship will continue to grow.
You are secure in your ever expanding relationship!

1 John 5:21 “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”
Attention grabbing climax. The final word. The mic drop.

6. Know Your Responsibility
You have the lead role in determining your realities. God will not force Himself on you.
In a culture of victimization and blame you need to take responsibility.

Matthew 4:10“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan!’ For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”

Romans 1:25 “…exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”

Idolatry is worship misdirected.
Something or someone that fills your heart other than God.
Idols promise things that only God can deliver
When you put God first you will not get disappointed.

Am I Free From Idolatry?:
Who or what do you love most?
What do you fear?
Who’s your functional saviour?
What do you sacrifice for or give your time to?
What do you pursue for peace at all cost?

“Love God and do as you please.” Augustine Of Hippo

Worship Jesus and everything else will fall in line!!!

368 1 John Series# 9, You Must Know This!, PowerPoint Slides