How Do You Know That You Know
Notes
Transcript
How do You Know That You Know
How do You Know That You Know
1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,
5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:
6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
Why are you a Christian? Why do you believe the things that Christianity tells us?
If you are on a personal exploration of your faith, in a classroom or office defending your faith, or simply sharing the gospel with others...
You need a solid foundation.
That’s what I love about the Letter 1 John.
written almost like a sermon
simple truths in clear language
lays a strong foundation for our faith in Jesus.
Challenges us stand behind what we know.
How can you know what you know about our faith … Christianity?
You know the Source of salvation.
You know the Source of salvation.
1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
John is saying, “Here is why you need to know this stuff.”
John had just been saying: (chapter 1)
We were with Jesus (eye witnesses)
He IS the Christ (God in the flesh)
God is light.
The blood of Jesus cleanses our sins.
And we need that cleansing.
“I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.”
If you don’t know (or acknowledge) who Jesus is
Why would you try to life a sinless live.
Isn’t that what Paul says?
If Christ was not raised … our faith is futile (1 Cor 15:14)
Why am I telling you?
Jesus is the Christ
The consequence of sin is real.
Our command to avoid sin is then also real!
With this sovereign authority also comes sovereign grace...
“But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”
We have every reason to avoid sin in our life.
What we lack is the ability to carry it out.
That’s where grace come in.
“We have an advocate with the father … Jesus Christ.”
Jesus is our advocate!
God is light, no darkness at all.
Our sin separates us from God.
So we need an advocate to speak for us.
Jesus ALONE is our advocate!!!
Jesus is the what we are not … righteous!!!!
“None is righteous, no. not one.”
So God is light (perfectly without sin)
We are called to also be without sin
We are unable to live up to that
So because Jesus is the Christ, the righteous one,
HE is our advocate to God the Father.
You know the Means of Salvation.
You know the Means of Salvation.
2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
Not only was Jesus the only one qualified to be our advocate
HE acted on that need!
“He is the propitiation for our sins...”
Propitiation
Legal term: Take the punishment to appease the guilt of an offense.
Sacrificial of atonement : system given by God to satisfy the guilt of sin.
Jesus became that sacrifice once and for all.
He didn’t GIVE the sacrifice as a priest does.
He BECAME the sacrifice!!!
The propitiation for our sin.
Not only for the first century apostles that knew Him, and the churches they started...
HE is the only one qualified
verse 1 … Jesus Christ THE RIGHTEOUS
It wasn’t HIS sin, he didn’t have to come and die … but HE did.
“...and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”
Notice that there is no qualifier for who’s sins are able to be forgiven.
Not just bound to the Jewish people
Not to anyone who is “deserving” of it.
You can never be too bad
We have no excuse
You have the Evidence of Salvation.
You have the Evidence of Salvation.
3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
The bible warns us...
You know a tree by it’s fruit.
(Explanation…)
4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,
It is so easy to say “I am a Christian”
So many have said it when it was convenient or beneficial.
If your life doesn’t match you claim to be a Christian
scripture call you a liar.
(Contrast…)
5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:
What is your Response to your salvation?
What is your Response to your salvation?
6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.