July 9 Service
BLESSED ASSURANCE – A general application to John’s letter overall.
1 John could have easily been titled “Blessed Assurance.” John’s entire letter is about establishing how we are to be assured that we and others are children of God. He’s seeking to build our confidence so that we walk in the truth of who we are in Christ and who Christ is in us.
As I thought about this and our application, I remembered a couple of terms the Church has used from time to time, “preach the gospel to yourself” and “practice the gospel.” I never really understood what this meant until this week with my reflection over John’s letter to us. We need to remember daily the truth of the gospel so we stand firm in it amidst the trials, challenges, distorted truths, cultural deceptions and plain old discouragement that we find in our lives from time to time.
That you may KNOW (assurance)
That you may CONTINUE to believe (grown in confidence)
Why would John include “that you may continue to believe” as part of the reason he has written this letter?
Because he knows it is hard to do so when trials, spiritual oppression, fear, anxiety, and lies of the enemy knock at our door. The terms “preach the gospel to yourself” and “practice the gospel” are more contemporary terms that say what John says in the early chapters of this letter – “practice the truth.” This simply means “keep remembering the truth of the gospel, walk in it and apply it to your life.”
What are we to remember? Here’s John’s list.
· I believe Jesus is the Son of God.
· I am a son or daughter of THE KING. Not “A” king but the King of kings and Lord of lords.
· My sins are forgiven.
· I know Him and He knows me. I am of the Father and His seed is in me.
· I have overcome the Evil One through Christ.
· I have the Holy Spirit.
· I have eternal life.
I want to pastorally encourage and exhort us to personally remember these truths and practice them on a daily basis. We are also called to love and encourage one another, so when you see a fellow sojourner discouraged, beat down, overwhelmed by trials in a season of life, remind them, and help them practice the truth.
Reflection
How can you practice the truth (remembering the gospel) personally on a daily and weekly basis?
Who is the Holy Spirit leading you to encourage and help practice the truth this week?
1 John 5:13-21 Reflection
Pastor Don captured for us today in John’s closing thoughts four ways to have assurance and confidence. But how do we respond and tangibly apply them to our lives.? The purpose of spiritual disciplines is to help us be awake to God’s presence, work and Word so we can respond appropriately to his interaction with us. I’m providing a spiritual discipline to practice for each of the 4 ways highlighted today.
1. Confidence in the Written Word (vs. 13)
Application - Anchor in God’s Word: read, study, reflect, and respond to Gods written Word daily.
What’s one thing you can do this week to linger upon God’s written word each day?
2. Confidence in the Presence of God (vs. 14,15)
Application – Practice Solitude and Silence: slow down, get quiet and become aware of God’s sovereign and providential presence all over your life – this opens the door for authentic prayer and leads to worship and joy.
How can you incorporate some quiet for listening to God and your own soul in each day?
3. Confidence in our Intercessory Role (vs. 16, 17)
Application - Practice Prayer: prayer is about discovering God’s presence and having open and honest dialogue with God about the real issues of truth relating to heart and life (yours and others).
How is God inviting you to assume your priestly intercessory role in prayer for others? Who is he bringing to mind?
4. Confidence in the New Birth (vs 18-21)
Application - Practice Gratitude: remember you are born again, you are Justified only through Jesus Christ and you are being sanctified (spiritually formed) by the work of the Holy Spirit.
Take some time to write out a prayer of gratitude for your new birth and the fruit that is being formed in you by God’s grace. How can you practice gratitude on a regular basis?
As we finish this 1st letter by John, let’s be diligent to remind ourselves and each other of the assurance and confidence we have in Christ our Lord.
Share what God has done in your heart this week with your community group and/or friends.
Grace and peace on this journey together,
Chad Hollowell
Executive Pastor
COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION
By Don Logan
Please read I John 5:13-21. What is John trying to impress upon his readers at the end of his letter? What stands out to you?
It seems like John has been saying this through his letter: Any one area fulfilled (Ethical/Relational/Doctrinal) is not sufficient proof or authentic Chrisian faith, but absence of one is sufficient to confirm false faith. All 3 working together are sufficient proof of authentic Christian faith. Talk about this. Do you agree? What examples can you give from your life or witnessing the lives of others?
John writes, so that people can know. What does this say about the importance of the Word of God.
How seriously do you take your role as an intercessor for the brothers and sisters in Christ? God chooses to use the prayers of the church to heal and encourage reconciliation for others to Christ. Do you do this? Why or why not? What have been your “hang-ups” with prayer?
Why is it impossible to be a Christian without being “born again?” What does it mean? Have you and do you remember when or how?
Prayer and praise.