John finishes his letter with some practical wisdom on overcoming the world and how we know we are saved from sin.
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…
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 Jesus 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 the centrality of the gospel – Jesus the Christ.
Faith is not a feeling. Faith is an abiding reality in the heart stirred by grace that guides us 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!
The Spirit testifies because the Spirit affirms the truth, 1Jn 5:6. Those who say they have the Spirit and yet consistently reject studying or applying the word of God grieve the Spirit or do not have the Spirit. John says the Spirit, water and blood testify to Christ’s truth, 1Jn 5:7, 8. Jesus was set apart by the Spirit and hence came by and through the Spirit – the power of God. He also came by water – not just through birth, but His baptism. Through His birth – born as any other human – when ‘waters break’. We also know when Jesus was pierced in the side while on the cross– ‘water and blood flowed’, but I think this is a stretch in what John says here. 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 His testimony of payment and the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom. This is why He came to the earth, Mt 26:28.
We often hear that there is ‘your truth’, ‘my truth’ and ‘the truth’. The sentiment of this statement is bound up in self will and rebellion at its core. Jesus is ‘the Truth’. We can hear the testimony of many people, but God’s word is above all. Never justify sinful behaviour or testimony from others that stand in clear opposition to God’s truth, 1Jn 5:9,10. John says, whoever “has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life”, 1Jn 5:12, 13. Jesus is ‘the logos – the Word’ and His life is both on display and given as it is read.
We have considered 1Jn 5:16 in the past when we have discussed the subject of ‘blasphemy of the Holy Spirit’. All sin leads to death, but blasphemy of the Spirit leads to eternal death. 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. Pray many are delivered from this very thing in our city.
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 and a desire to hate and forsake sin. The heart that is joined with the Holy Spirit desires to turn away from sin and convince others to do the same.
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. Pray for Esther Jacqueline and Art’s granddaughter – ear operation today
2. Pray for the gospel and this week’s message - ‘How will Jesus return to earth – Part 2”.
3. Pray for Iran and pray for the demise of the IRGC of Iran.
May the Iranian people see the prophesy of Jer 49:34-39 fulfilled over the coming weeks and months.
4. Pray for One for Israel and their witness in this time of challenge and conflict.
5. Pray for the church in Australia that it focuses on Christ, His Word and holiness.
6. Pray for our leaders in Australia that they press in closer to Christ.
7. Pray the influence of Russia and China is minimised militarily.
8. The Royal Commission that the Jewish people will feel safe in Australia.
9. Conflict zones- Israel, Iran and Ukraine
10. Pray for new people to step into ministries at CBC – eg worship, café, sound/technical, giving, podcast.
11. Reform and Revival over our city and country.
12. Finances to cover our needs
13. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. Phil and Anna had a baby girl – Hazel Grace born on Monday 2nd Mar. Praise the Lord
2. Praise God for the Lord’s blessing over our service on Sunday
3. Praise God for ministries – Life Groups, Prayer meetings, Kids@Church
4. Café team every week. Thankyou to all those who serve and bring food. Especially Fiona, Maddie and Suzy and those who supply it every week Eg Ros - Milk.
5. Worship, Admin and Technical teams – Peter, Nita, Brendon, AJ, Suzy, Maddie, Mathys, Doug.
6. Kids Church teachers – Jacqueline, Maddie, Elise, Anastacia and Fiona
7. The Lord’s faithfulness this year to CBC and all who have served in ministries
8. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Easter services – Easter Friday 3rd Apr – 9:00qm. Easter Sunday 5th Apr – 9:30am – Kids activities while the message is on.
2. Passion Play at Moogerah Dam – 28th March and Easter Weekend. Ladies and families welcome. Camping available.
3. Prayer meeting Wed 5:30pm at church. Life group begins at 6:30pm. Going through the book of Romans.
4. All Life Groups - Wednesdays.
5. Kids@Church especially our Easter program.
6. Mothers Day High tea celebration – Saturday morning, May 9th at Church.
7. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
8. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for March...
Q. 6. How could the Son of God suffer? A. Christ, the Son of God, became man that he might obey and suffer in our nature.
