PlayStop Popout X These closing verses finally bring the epistle full circle. John began with the coming of the Word of Life (1:1-4); now he closes with the certainty that the Son of God has come. The present tense of the verb “come” in the original language indicates that Jesus has come and is still…
PlayStop Popout X The apostle John has relentlessly hammered home throughout this epistle the truth that a correct view of the Lord Jesus Christ is essential to salvation. It is valuable to remember that a personal relationship with Christ is essential to abiding in Him and walking in the Spirit. John begins chapter 5 by…
PlayStop Popout X In verse 12 John makes the simple point that if no one has seen God the Father at any time, and Jesus is no longer visibly present to manifest Him, people will not see God’s love unless believers love one another. We have not only been entrusted with the responsibility of speaking…
PlayStop Popout X Being controlled by the Holy Spirit of God allows a believer to live the victorious Christian life. This morning we want to explore the nature and character of God as it relates to love. Love is the very essence of God and therefore did not need to be created. There is no…
PlayStop Popout X The California gold rushers needed to learn the difference between real gold and iron pyrite (fools gold). Their future and their fortune depended upon knowing the difference. Spiritually speaking, Christians often find themselves in a similar position to the California gold rushers. When confronted with various doctrines and religious teachings, all of…
PlayStop Popout X God not only commands those who are in Christ to show love, He also enables them to obey that mandate by granting them the capacity to do what He requires. There is nothing original about John’s teaching that Christians are marked by love for one another. Because God loves us, true believers…
PlayStop Popout X In this passage, the apostle John reinforces the tests of faith he has already established. True believers have the Holy Spirit living within them and He will never be comfortable in sin. The Christian can grieve the Holy Spirit, quench the Holy Spirit, and resist the Holy Spirit, but He cannot deny…
PlayStop Popout X The concept of spiritual hope is similar to turning on a blazing light in a dark place. It immediately illuminates one’s outlook, uplifts the soul, and produces joy in the heart. Hope introduces life and happiness into this sin-stained and death-filled world. Yet, sadly, most people in this world know nothing of…
PlayStop Popout X In this passage, John reviews his earlier doctrinal tests (the proper evaluation of man’s sinfulness and the appropriate conclusion of Christ’s nature as the God-man) and moral tests (love for Christ and others, and obedience to God’s Word). The purpose of these tests, as stated in John 1:4, was to help his…
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