1 John 5:11-15 "That You May Know"

1 John 5:11-15 “That you may Know”

We live in a world of trust but if trust is broken the questions can be debilitating. Is the car on the other side of the road going to stay in their lane? Is the driver texting, drunk, or otherwise distracted? Will Social Security be there when I retire? Does my teenage looking Dr. really know how to treat my illness?

God does not want us to have a question about His love for us or our eternal security. It is with that confidence that we can truly be free. It is with that confidence that we can share our faith with people whose lives a plagued with doubts.

1.       GOD WANTS YOU TO KNOW

a.       Vs 13 so that you may know

b.      John 20:30&31

c.       1 thess 4:13

2.       HOW DO WE KNOW
a. John 3:16

b. Rom 5:8&9

c. 2 Cor 5:5-10

d. 1 Peter 1:3&4

3. LIVE BOLDLY FOR JESUS
a. Rom 12:1&2
b. Rom 1:16
c. Phil 1:6

You have information and knowledge that can change the life of a friend, change the life of a family member, or change the life of a coworker. Will you dare to live boldly for Jesus. Will you believe enough to take a risk tell someone about Jesus? “These thing have been written that you may know that you have eternal life.” And that others may know also.

1 John 4:7-12 “What are they looking at”

1 John 4:7-12 “What are they looking at”

1874 Eads Bridge was the first steel bridge, the longest bridge, and no one trusted it. The bridge spanned the Mississippi river at St. Louis, with two rail tracks on the lower level and 4 lanes on the top. The designer Mr. Eads wanted to prove the bridge so he led an elephant across it while 14 locomotives crossed back and forth below. People believed an elephant would not cross a structure that would not hold their weight. The bridge is still in use today.

When it comes to faith and churches people are skeptical. So many denominations, church fights, phony people, and self-righteousness. People are watching and waiting for some kind of proof about the love of God. This passage has a lot to say about this need for proof.

Read vs 7-12

Love is the proof
                the one who loves others is born of God
                the one who does not love is not born of God
                Not just any kind of love
                vs 9-10
                We are called to love as Jesus loved

They are looking at what you will do
                like the people of St. Louis watching the elephant
                Condemn them, judge them, ignore them, listen to them, understand them, walk with them, or even carry them? Will give up on them when they make mistakes or sin?

Steve Camp “don’t tell them Jesus loves them until you’re ready to love them to, with a heart full of compassion for the pain they are going through.”

Love them: those who look like you and those who are not so much
                James 2:1-4
                Matthew 5:43-48

Look around you and see them, ask God to show them to you
identify what is standing in your way, what wall is in your mind or heart
How could you make one positive step to break it down, just one step.

Two weeks from now I will start a series on the Gospel of John. Knowing Jesus, the Jesus you know and the Jesus you don’t. It will be a great place to bring a new person to.

Who is out there that needs you to love them as Jesus did?
What is one step you could take to reach them?

1John 3:1-3

Today is father’s day. We celebrate men who take care of their families, teach their children, protect them, love them and provide for them. Perhaps your father was much like mine. Dad went to war in World War 2 to protect our way of life. Dad took us to church every Sunday 4^th pew on the right directly in front of the pulpit. He taught us respect for authority. Dad taught us about love, sacrifice, and responsibility when we took in my 4 cousins and made them part of our family. That is what I celebrate today. This passage reminds us of the Fathers love for us and our need to respond to it.

1.       How great a love

a.       Lavished upon us, pour out, nothing held back, crazy, ridiculous love

b.      The cat with a crystal bowl and diamond collar

c.       Jesus left the splendor of heaven for earth

d.      Suffered and died on the cross for us

e.      Brought us in as adopted children

f.        Heals our wounds, restores our spirits, forgives our sin, and lavishes us with love.

 

2.       The world does not know us or Jesus

a.       Vs 1 The world does not know us or Jesus

b.      1 Cor 2:14 spiritually

c.       Vs 3 purifies himself (to be the best reflection of Jesus you can be)

 

3.       Great expectations

a.       Go into all the world

b.      Teach them every thing

c.       Make them followers of Me

d.      You will be my witnesses

 

Everything we do, every choice we make, and everything we say, is telling the world about our Heavenly Father, and our savior Jesus. It is only through you that they will get a glimpse of the love the Father has lavished on us, that we may be called children of God.