Bible Study PH

I John 5:14-21

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Life in God

  • What we SEE …
    • 1st – TWO words…
      • The word KNOW – comes from TWO different GREEK words…
      • KNOW [γινώσκω] 25x in I John – indicates a relation – knowing a person…
      • KNOW [εἴδω] 17x in I John – speaks of observing something with our eyes!
    • 2nd – To SEE…
      • The word KNOW [εἴδω] is used 6x in – I John 5
      • We noted last week – we SEE – we have eternal life by FAITH in Jesus – I John 5:13
      • We will note today – FIVE additional things we SEE – that define our LIFE in God!
  • 1st – God HEARS… vs. 14
    • 1st – Our CONFIDENCE… vs. 14
      • Now this is the confidence that we have in Him:
      • The FIRST thing we SEE [εἴδω] – is that God HEARS us – I John 5:15
      • Because He HEARS – we have CONFIDENCE [παρρησία] – fearless – boldness!
      • Those who are LOST in the WORLD – do NOT know if God is real…
      • Even if He is real – they do NOT know if He will LISTEN to them…
      • But we are CONFIDENT – Jesus is REAL – and we can go to Him ANYTIME in PRAYER…
      • We can BOLDLY walk into His throne room – and find HELP whenever we need it!
      • Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us therefore come BOLDLY [παρρησία] to the Throne of Grace…”
    • 2nd – His WILL… vs. 14
      • If we ask anything according to His will – He hears us!
      • There is a CONDITION to God HEARING our prayers…
      • IF [subjunctive] we ASK [αἰτέω] for something – that is according to His WILL [θέλημα]!
      • James 4:3 – “You ask and do not receive – because you ask amiss…”
      • If we ASK God for SELFISH things – SILENCE will be His ONLY reply…
      • ONLY as we LIVE for Jesus – can ASK for anything – and God WILL give it…
      • Because we are going to be asking for the things that God knows are best!
      • John 15:7 – “If you abide in Me – and My words abide in you – you will ask what you desire – and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified – that you bear much fruit.”
  • 2nd – God Answers… vs. 15-17
    • 1st – If we ASK…
      • SINCE we KNOW that He hears us – whatever we ask [in His will]
      • We KNOW that we have the [REQUESTS] we have asked of Him!
      • The SECOND thing we SEE [εἴδω] – is God will ANSWER us…
      • IF [subjunctive] we ASK [αἰτέω] – we will get whatever we REQUEST [αἴτημα]!
      • Life can have a tendency to throw challenges – problems our way…
      • We tend to spend a LOT of time WORRYING about these problems…
      • The problem is WORRYING about our problems does not help – it makes things worse!
      • Proverbs 12:25 – “Worry weighs a person down…”
      • WORRY is the opposite of TRUST – we are WORRIED because we are not TRUSTING God…
      • Instead of worrying we should come to the LORD who LISTENS…
      • Because when we ASK God – we find our WORRIES disappear…
      • Our perspective changes – we see our circumstances in a new light…
      • We no longer see our problems – instead our God who is greater than ANY problem!
      • Philippians 4:6 – “Do not WORRY about anything – instead ASK God about everything… [and] let your REQUESTS [αἴτημα] be made known to Him.” [my translation]
    • 2nd – What to ASK for… vs. 16
      • If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death…
      • He will ask – and [God] will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death!
      • Do NOT miss this – we are told WHAT the WILL of God is that we are to ASK [αἰτέω] for…
      • If [subjunctive] we see a believer [ἀδελφός] who is LIVING [present] in SIN [ἁμαρτάνω]
      • We are to ASK [αἰτέω] God to SAVE them – and He will give that person LIFE…
      • So that their SIN [ἁμαρτάνω] – will not LEAD to DEATH!
      • There is a tendency in our culture – to avoid confrontation…
      • If someone does something wrong – the accepted response it to IGNORE it…
      • We can even EXCUSE it and say – God will deal with it – we do NOT need to!
      • Ignoring SIN – is NOT the solution for SIN – we are CALLED to HELP…
      • When we see a brother or sister caught up in the world – not living for Jesus…
      • It is our responsibility to come alongside them to see if we can encourage them…
      • If they want to continue in SIN – we pray God CONVICTS them…
      • If they are overwhelmed by their SIN – we can help to carry their burden!
      • Galatians 6:1-2 – “If a man is overtaken in any trespass – you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness… Bear one another burdens – and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
    • 3rd – Unforgivable SIN… vs. 16
      • There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that!
        • This is where things get HEAVY – there is a SIN that leads to DEATH…
        • If someone is committing this SIN – we are NOT [subjunctive] to PRAY [ἐρωτάω] for them…
        • The obvious question is – what is the SIN that leads to DEATH!
        • Matthew 12:31 – “Every sin… will be forgiven men – but the blasphemy against the Spirit will NOT be forgiven men.”
        • When we SIN – it is the SPIRIT who tugs at our heart to REPENT – John 16:8
        • At which point we have a CHOICE – if we CONTINUE to sin – we start to HARDEN…
        • We AVOID anything that reminds us of God – CHURCH – BIBLE – FELLOWSHIP – PRAYER…
        • The danger is we can end up preferring to live in SIN – and REJECT God – Hebrews 3:12
        • For that PERSON – who has so HARDENED their heart – they do NOT want God…
        • There is NO HOPE of salvation – because there is only ONE way to heaven…
        • The unforgivable sin is to die having REJECTED Jesus as our Savior!
        • Hebrews 10:26 – “If we sin [present] willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth – there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.”
      • When should we STOP asking…
        • ONLY God sees the heart – He is the ONLY one who knows – I Samuel 16:7
        • Meaning we NEVER stop asking for God to SAVE someone from their SIN!
      • Have we COMMITTED the SIN…
        • The simple answer is NO – not if we are ASKING…
        • Because the person who ASKS – is still thinking about the LORD…
        • Someone who has COMMITTED the SIN that leads to DEATH – does not CARE…
        • They are so hardened to God – they no longer even think about Him!
    • 4th – All other SIN… vs. 17
      • All unrighteousness is sin – and there is sin not leading to death!
      • ALL [πᾶς] – every KIND of UNRIGHTEOUSNESS [ἀδικία] – to BREAK the LAW of God…
      • Is SIN [ἁμαρτάνω] – to wander away from God…
      • Every time we BREAK the LAW of God – we have SINNED and wandered away from God!
      • There are no LEVELS of SIN when it comes to God – venial or moral…
      • It is no different if we tell a white LIE – or if we murder…
      • How many SINS does it take to make us a SINNER – just one!
      • James 2:10 – “For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of Gods law.” [NLT]
      • We can agree the LAW of God is good – and even desire LIVE it – Romans 7:12
      • But it is NOT possible for us to live a HOLY life on our own…
      • No matter how hard we try – we are doomed to FAIL – we will WANDER…
      • We are not SINNERS because we SIN – we SIN because we are SINNERS…
      • But that is why Jesus came to DIE – so we could be FORGIVEN…
      • And all we have to do is REPENT – and our SIN will NOT lead to DEATH!
      • I John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins [ἁμαρτάνω] – He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [ἀδικία].”
  • 3rd – No SIN… vs. 18
    • 1st – Born of God…
      • We know that whoever is born of God does not sin!
      • The THIRD thing we SEE [εἴδω] – is we STOP sinning…
      • This is NOT talking about theology – this is practical – what we actually SEE…
      • We SEE [perfect] – ANYONE [πᾶς] who is BORN again – does not LIVE [present] in sin!
      • I John 3:9 – “Whoever has been born of God does not sin – for [Jesus abides] in him – and he cannot sin because he has been born of God.”
      • When by FAITH we receive the LOVE of the Father – and Jesus comes to ABIDE in us…
      • We are BORN again – giving us a NEW life – that is free from SIN…
      • Not only do we have no SIN [noun]– we are forgiven through Jesus – Hebrews 10:17
      • Being BORN again – means we no longer have the POWER [δύναμαι] to LIVE in SIN [verb]
      • Because we have Jesus LIVING in us – and He will NOT let us LIVE [present] in sin!

    • 2nd – Untouchable…
      • He who has been born of God GUARDS himself – and the wicked one does not touch him!
      • Those who are BORN again – constantly [present] are on GUARD…
      • Because they do not want to give an OPPORTUNITY for the WICKED one…
      • THE [definite article] WICKED [πονηρός] – a reference to our enemy – Satan…
      • Who wants to TOUCH [ἅπτομαι] – to CLING to someone!
      • Genesis 4:7 – “If you do not do well – sin lies at the door…”
      • When the offering of Cain was rejected by God – the Lord encouraged him…
      • He needed to do GOOD – be on GUARD – because SIN was at his DOOR…
      • And it wanted to CLING to him – RULE over him!
      • Satan would love nothing more than CLING to us – RULE over us…
      • But with God on our side – he cannot TOUCH us – Romans 8:31
      • Yet Satan is smart – he knows we are SAFE so long as we ABIDE in Jesus…
      • So he tries to get us to COMPROMISE our walk with the Lord…
      • If satan can trip us up with SIN – he can get us to walk AWAY from the protection of God!
  • 4th – Two teams… vs. 19
    • 1st – Team God…
      • We know that we are of God!
      • The FOURTH thing we SEE [εἴδω] – is that we BELONG [ἐκ] to God…
      • I LOVE football – where I was raised it was the main SPORT…
      • Unfortunately – the TEAM from the area I grew up – has NEVER been very good…
      • So because I have the wrong TEAM – I never seem to WIN…
      • You would think I would just CHOSE a better team – but it is HARD to CHANGE!
      • There are only TWO teams we can belong to – TEAM God – and TEAM satan…
      • We came into this world belonging to the LOSING team… 
      • Before we received the LOVE of God – we were the CHILDREN of Satan – I John 3:10
      • But now we SEE – since we are BORN again – that we have CHANGED…
      • We have been ADOPTED into TEAM God – and have VICTORY over our ENEMY!
      • I John 2:13 – “You have overcome the wicked one.”
    • 2nd – Team satan…
      • The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one!
      • We also SEE [εἴδω] – the ENTIRE world [κόσμος] – STANDS [κεῖμαι] with satan…
      • The words – under the sway – are in italics meaning they are not in the original text…
      • But it is a GOOD addition – because everyone who is not on TEAM God – is still on TEAM satan…
      • He is the god of this AGE who blinds the minds of those who do not believe – II Corinthians 4:4
      • He is the prince of the power of the AIR – who deceives the world – Ephesians 2:2
      • It is no accident that TV and WIFI are transmitted through the AIR…
      • Because satan certainly is the power behind the MEDIA…
      • We turn on the TV and see advertising showing all the things you NEED to buy…
      • We see add of people in scantily clad clothing – telling us how to look – what to look at…
      • Satan uses it all to twist and pervert minds – keep them in bondage to his TEAM!

Which is why we can say with John – GUARD against anything but the TRUTH – AMEN!

5th – The Truth… vs. 20-21

1st – We have Understanding… vs. 20

We know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding!

The FIFTH thing we SEE [εἴδω] – is the TRUTH…

We SEE [perfect] that Jesus – the SON of God – became a MAN – Isaiah 7:14

So that He could give [perfect] us UNDERSTANDING [διάνοια]!

People have had ALL kinds of ideas about WHO God is – and WHAT He wants…

But the ONLY one who actually KNOWS God – and KNOWS His desires – is Jesus…

Therefore Jesus came to so we could SEE – WHO God is – and WHAT God wants!

Ephesians 1:18 – “The eyes of our understanding [διάνοια] being [opened] – that we may know what is the hope of His calling – what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”

2nd – The Truth… vs. 20

We may know [THE truth] – and we are in [THE truth] – in His Son Jesus Christ. 

This is THE true God and eternal life!

What does God want us to UNDERSTAND – He wants to KNOW the TRUTH…

KNOW [γινώσκω] – to have a RELATIONSHIP [subjunctive] with…

THE [definite article] – TRUTH [ἀληθινός] 

Because TRUTH is NOT an idea – it is a PERSON – it is Jesus Christ!

John 14:6 – “Jesus said… I am the way – the truth [ἀληθινός] – and the life.”

When we have a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus – we also KNOW the TRUTH…

The TRUTH is that Jesus Christ is the TRUE God…

And only when we are in Jesus – who is God – do we have eternal LIFE! 

John 17:3 – “This is eternal life – that they may know You – the only true [ἀληθινός] God – and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

3rd – False gods… vs. 21

Little children – keep yourselves from idols. Amen!

Since Jesus is the TRUE God – and the only way to have eternal LIFE…

Little CHILDREN – [τεκνίον] – 7x in I John – a term used by teachers for their disciples…

GUARD yourself from putting our TRUST in IDOLS [εἴδωλον] – FALSE gods!

IDOLS have NO power – they are neither harmful nor helpful…

Therefore it is foolish to TRUST in them or PRAY to them!

Jeremiah 5:10 – “Do not be afraid of them – they cannot do evil of good…”

CANNOT save…

Isaiah 44:19-20 – “The person who made the idol never stops to reflect – Why it is just a block of wood! I burned half of it for heat and used it to… roast my meat. How can the rest of it be a god. Should I bow down to worship a chunk of wood!” [NLT]

We might LAUGH at the idea of putting our TRUST in an IDOL…

But we tend to forget what our money is made of – paper is a WOOD product…

We look to Roxas [P100] – Aquino [P500] – Santos [P1000] – to SAVE us!

Make us DUMB…

Psalms 115:8 – “Those who make them – [become] like them.”

If we are trusting in something FALSE – then we are not looking to the TRUTH…

Where God has the power to save us – this WORLD can do nothing…

So if we are trusting in IDOLS rather than Jesus – we do NOT have LIFE..

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