August 30, 2009, 1 John 5:6-12
August 30... 1 John 5:6-12
Icebreaker: Has an insurance company ever come through for you? Explain.
You can be either unsure, or assured by your insurance It is a very painful experience to be unsure of a person's love for us. Toward the end of his letter, John assures us of the great love of God for those who are His. He also shows us how we can know we're loved.
1 John 5:6-12 6This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
7For there are three that testify: 8the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. 10The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 11And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.
The incarnation was a definite historical event. In this passage water and blood are important. Why?
Consider who bore witness at Jesus' baptism, and the culmination of Jesus' purpose on earth. 1 Peter3:21, Titus 3:5, Ephesians 5:25-27
V7 - The three are in agreement - of what? How would you summarize it? Hebrews 12:2, Matthew 19:28,29
V10 - Testify, or testimony, is used nine times in this passage. How would you describe the testimony described in verses 6-9 as compared to verses 10-12?
Is it possible that the church presents God as a liar, perhaps even without knowing it, in what ways could this happen? Consider the word testimony.
Are there changes that you need to make in order to be a better testimony to God? Consider forgiveness, giving of your time, talent, and resources to God