What Are the Things About Faith You Can Count On? I John 5:1-12
Intro: 1. You use faith all the time. a. Faith is trust. b. You have faith when you get into a taxi, board a bus, get on a plane; you commit your lives to complete strangers! b. ILL: Truck drivers signal cars to pass them on a mountain road. 2. A popular theology today is that God gives you faith through a supernatural experience. This faith is based on emotion. 3. BUT - Rom 10:17 says that faith comes by the word of God! a. ILL: General McClellan’s trust in President Lincoln’s order. b. Can you trust God’s word as the basis of your faith? If the Bible says it, that’s good enough. The emotion comes later. 4. What are the things about faith you can count on?
I. v1-5 - Faith has a Definite Power
A. v1-3 - This power is demonstrated through our love. 1. v3 - We love God by obeying Him; His command is that we love others. 2. Demonstrations of the power of love: a. ILL: Elizabeth Elliot’s ministry to the Aucas. b. ILL: David Wilkerson’s ministry to the gangs. 3. Love is not burdensome because you have the help of the HS. Gal 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love . . . 4. The Lord said, For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. - Matt 11:30 B. v4-5 - This power can be experienced when you are tempted by the world. 1. World = secular society (apart from God). (“cosmetics”) 2. Rom 12:2 tells you to overcome the world by the renewing of your mind. 3. The Lord used God’s word when He was tempted (Matt 4:3-4,6-7,9-10). a. Man shall not live by bread alone - Deut 8:3. b. You shall not tempt the Lord your God - Deut 6:16. c. You will worship the Lord your God & Him only will you serve - Deut 6:13. 4. In Matt 4:10 Jesus said, Away from me, Satan! & Satan left Him. You have that same power!
II. v6-8 - Faith has a Definite Object
A. v6 - Lord Jesus was an historical person. He really existed! 1. He came by Water: In John’s biblical books, except for walking on water or drinking it, “water” always refers to ceremonial cleansing & baptism. His baptism began His redemptive ministry. 2. He came by Blood: The Lord’s crucifixion ended His earthly ministry & completed His earthly mission. B. v7-8 - Our faith is based on concrete evidence which is presented to us in 3 ways: 1. The Holy Spirit: Gave verbal testimony: a. At the Lord’s baptism: This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased - Matt 3:17 b. At the transfiguration: This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him - Lk 9:35 c. Before the Greeks in Jerusalem: Father, glorify your name! Then a voice came from heaven, I have glorified it, and will glorify it again. - Jn 12:28 2. The Water: The Lord’s baptism began His earthly ministry of teaching, miracles & example. 3. The Blood: The Lord’s crucifixion began His ministry of redemption, intercession & indwelling presence.
III. v9-12 - Faith has a Definite Message
A. v9 - The witness of God is superior to the witness of man. 1. The Holy Spirit: instructs you through the word & empowers you with His indwelling presence. 2. The Water: Your Christian baptism begins God’s power to transform a sinner into a saint. That’s the greatest miracle of all! 3. The Blood: The Lord’s Supper, the memorial of the crucifixion, constantly reminds you of the extent of His love - how far He was willing to go to have you. B. v10-12 - The content of the witness: eternal life comes only through the Lord Jesus! 1. We are confronted with the Lord’s statement, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. - Jn 14:6. 2. v12 - If you have accepted Lord Jesus as savior you have eternal life! 3. v10 - If you have rejected the Lord you have called God a liar! 4. II Cor 13:5 - Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you -- unless, of course, you fail the test?
Faith is very definite! You can be sure if you have it! It isn’t based on your feelings but upon the Word of God! You can’t be half saved or half lost! Faith means surrendering to His lordship!
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