A message from the series “1 John ’08-09 // A Father’s Loving Words.” The one distinguishing trait of believers is this element of hope. No one else has the hope of heaven except those who belong to Jesus Christ. In this study, Pastor Jack gives us five aspects of the hope of believers and how it is to be maintained.
A message from the series “1 John ’08-09 // A Father’s Loving Words.” In contrast to the false teachers (18-19), we, the true believers, have the anointing of the Holy Spirit so that we can know and keep to the truth. Typically false teachers claim they have special insight into the mysteries of God’s Word, but Pastor Jack points out that according to John’s teaching all true believers, because of the Holy Spirit, can know and understand the truth of God’s Word. Without naming names, John teaches that anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ is a liar when it comes to their claim of knowing the truth and rest assured they do not have the Lord in them. In summary, Pastor says that God has given us two safeguards that will keep us from false teachers and their doctrine – the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.
A message from the series “1 John ’08-09 // A Father’s Loving Words.” At the close of the first century, John spoke of the last days, a period of time that has extended from John’s day until the present. In this study, Pastor Jack brings out two important issues that characterize these last days that will be under attack; doctrinal purity and perseverance. Since we are almost 2000 years past the time of John’s writing, we need to all the more pay attention to the warnings that John gave to the Early Church.
A message from the series “1 John ’08-09 // A Father’s Loving Words.” In this study, Pastor Jack looks at two important truths of God’s Word. First he looks at spiritual growth. John addresses three groups of people: little children, young men, and fathers. Regardless of where we are at in our spiritual development, we all still need to grow in our relationship with the Lord. Secondly, John addresses a kind of love that God hates: a love for the world and the things of the world. A love for this world involves the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. All three of these attributes are contrary to having a right relation with God.
A message from the series “1 John ’08-09 // A Father’s Loving Words.” In verses 7-11, Pastor Jack describes a Godly kind of love; a love that only comes from God and a love that the believer can experience flowing through his life. This love in a sense is both old and new. It is old in the sense that early on we were commanded to love God and our neighbor. It is new in the sense that the love that comes from God, this agape love, can be experienced in the life of the believer through the power of the Holy Spirit. This love becomes active moving the believer away from the darkness of the past and into the light of God’s presence.
A message from the series “1 John ’08-09 // A Father’s Loving Words.” Every believer needs assurance as to where he stands with the Lord. Thankfully, John gives us some insight on how we can know where we stand. In covering these verses, Pastor Jack looks at two evidences that vindicate where a person stands before God. First is the objective evidence, which is outward obedience by keeping God’s Word. Pastor Jack points out that when a person comes to know God, there will be a pronounced impact on his life. Second, is the internal evidence, which is the witness of the Holy Spirit within.
A message from the series “1 John ’08-09 // A Father’s Loving Words.” Without question, we all fall victim to sin at times. Thankfully Jesus is our advocate and propitiation for our sin. As believers, it should be our goal to live free from sin. In this study, Pastor Jack gives us several spiritual habits to guard ourselves from being caught up in sin.
A message from the series “1 John ’08-09 // A Father’s Loving Words.” In the concluding verses of chapter one of John’s epistle, Pastor Jack shows us from John teaching that it is possible to live two lives: a church life and the real life. Those who do, look pious on Sunday, but the rest of the week they live like they are not even Christians. Left uncorrected, people will become deceived and there will not even be the testimony of truth within to convict. But for those who do see their sin and need for forgiveness, God has a wonderful remedy – confession.
A message from the series “1 John ’08-09 // A Father’s Loving Words.” In these verses, John continues telling that Jesus came with the message that we can have fellowship with God. Unlike man-made approaches to God, which is religion, through Jesus who died for our sin, we can have fellowship with God, in whom there is no darkness. However, John will go on to say that if we continue to practice sinful habits, then we cannot have fellowship with God because God is Light. If we rely on the shed blood of Jesus, we can approach God and have fellowship with Him.
A message from the series “1 John ’08-09 // A Father’s Loving Words.” John begins his epistle by reflecting on his days with Jesus when he saw, heard, and handled Him. After many years, those memories and experiences were still fresh in John’s mind as if they had just happened. Jesus was God’s means of manifesting Himself to us in a way we can know Him and to know Him is to have fullness of joy.
