Historical Posts
What Lies Ahead?
What lies ahead for us?
What is our ultimate fate? Is there anything beyond this realm? The answers depend on who is asked! Which are correct?
Some argue what lies ahead is reincarnation!
Buddhism and Hinduism teach that each of us had innumerable human or animal lives in the past and will be reborn into innumerable future lives unless we escape this vicious cycle through moral living and spiritual awakening.
Others profess belief what lies ahead is annihilation.
This is best summarized in the statement: “When we die we are like Rover, dead all over!” Some cling to the notion that only the unrighteous are annihilated! The righteous will live in a spiritual state of one kind or another.
Universalists believe in a spiritual afterlife for everyone.
They reason that God’s love is such that no one could possibly be lost.
Latter-day-Saints (Mormons) argue for three lives:
First, a pre-existence where each person acquired a spirit body as the literal offspring of the Father God and the Mother in Heaven. Second, our life on earth. Third, is a place in a four tiered future life determined by our performance in this life. (The end result is that men become gods!)
Then there is the Biblical teaching that we live this life in preparation for what lies beyond – Heaven or Hell!
We, not God, make the determination in this life as to what lies ahead and where we will be for eternity! Man is depicted in the Bible as a dual creature with a body and spirit (Hebrews 4:12). The body is destined to return to dust and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7). The spirit, being eternal, will either enjoy eternal bliss or eternal damnation, dependent on the choices made in this life (John 5:28-29). This is completely consistent with what we learn about the nature of God in the Scriptures (Romans 11:22)!
What lies ahead is up to us. The choices are heaven or hell. Yes, only two choices. Which one we chose is determined by our response to Jesus Christ and the life we live as His disciples. Those who are at His side in heaven will be those who have walked in His steps here. Have you made the right choice? What lies ahead for you based on your life and choices? You can change if you don’t like the answer.
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Are You Ready to Die?
“And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
Approximately every twenty-two seconds someone in this country dies. In the time it will take you to read this brief message more than two hundred deaths will have occurred worldwide.
Death is one appointment we will all keep – we will all die.
There will be no cancellations. We’re going to die, and it could happen at any time. It could be soon, or it could be years away, but one thing is sure, there will be no escape! Yet, most of us live as though death will always be something that happens to others, but never us. Death is not just a possibility, it is a certainty. Our preparation for it should be the highest priority of life. As a matter of fact, we cannot really begin to live until we are ready to die.
However, there are skeptics who would have us believe that this life is all there is.
Their philosophy of “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die” is followed by millions. They bow at the altar of evolution and worship the god’s of humanism and modernism. They would have us believe that this is it. “You only go around once, so you better grab all the gusto you can get!” Those who subscribe to this philosophy live for themselves and they die without hope.
Jesus Christ came to offer something better.
He came that “we might have life” and that we “might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). He came to show us the way to God (John 14:6). He came to tell us that there is life after life, that God’s gift is eternal life through Him (Romans 6:23). He offers salvation to all them that obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). He gives us a reason to live, and hope in death. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
Are you ready to die?
Death is certain, but so is eternal, life for all who are ready to die (2 John 2:25). Study God’s word! Believe it! Obey it! Live it every day!
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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You Ought to Know
Two Things You Ought to Know
“There is something you ought to know…” Have you ever heard those words before? Perhaps important information needed to be given to you so you could make a better decision. Perhaps you have also heard, “If only I knew then what I know now…” What if it were possible to know something so you can make a good decision? Well, it is! There are many resources available to do research on a lot of things to help make better decisions. There are at least two things we all ought to know, and we have the resources to know them.
First, we ought to know the truth. Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32).” By knowing and obeying the truth, we can be made free from sin! Jesus even told us Himself what is true: Himself (John 14:6), His Father (John 17:3), and His Word (John 17:17). If Jesus said or did it, it’s true! God, His Father, is the only true God! The Bible, the inspired Word of God, is all true!
Second, we ought to know we can have eternal life. John wrote, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God (1 John 5:13).” There should not be any doubt that a Christian has eternal life! Earlier, John stated that eternal life is in God’s Son (1 John 5:11). Thus, if one is baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27), he has access to all spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3), including the hope of eternal life.
The truth can be known! We can know we have eternal life! These are things you ought to know…
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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Life and Death
The Bible Sheds Light on Life and Death
Hebrews 9:27 reads, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Sooner or later, every human being experiences death. Death is the inevitable end of life. Whenever someone we love dies, we are vividly reminded of our own mortality, and of the fact that we shall die also, unless we are alive when the Lord returns to the Earth (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Life on Earth is overcast by the looming shadow of death (Psalm 23:4), and many live in abject terror of facing the end of life. We all face life and death.
What is death? It may surprise you to know that doctors, lawyers and philosophers find that a very difficult question to answer. Is death the cessation of the beating of one’s heart? Not necessarily. The definitions of life and death can be difficult. Some life-saving surgical procedures require the patient’s heart to be stopped for long periods of time. Some people’s hearts have stopped beating for several minutes at a time, only to be restarted by doctors. Is death the cessation of respiratory function? Not necessarily. The human body can survive for several minutes at a time without breathing, under certain conditions. There are many documented cases of people who were fully revived, even after their breathing had stopped for much longer than anyone had ever thought possible. Is death the cessation of brain function? Not necessarily. There are cases of people whose brain functions ceased for months, or even years at a time, and yet they were able to completely recover. Questions like these, about life and death, are debated in our courts, halls of medicine, and halls of academia, with no easy answers forthcoming.
Can the Bible shed some light on questions about the definition of death? As a matter of fact, the Bible offers us its own definition of death, in James 2:26. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Some have argued that the word, “spirit” ought to be translated, “breath,” since that is the primary meaning of the Greek word, in the text. But, the secondary meaning is “spirit,” and that is the translation that is called for, in the context (as in John 4:24). Besides, we have already pointed out that, just because someone has stopped breathing, it does not necessarily mean that they are dead.
Once the spirit leaves the body, the body begins to decay (Ecclesiastes 12:7). Only God can restore life to such a dead body (John 3:2). Only God has made something living out of something that is not living (Genesis 2:7). People who are truly dead (according to the Biblical definition) cannot be brought back to life by any natural means. This is why I am convinced that people who claim to have died and come back to life probably did not, in reality, experience the death that they claim to have experienced.
For most people, life and death are a great mystery. People speculate about life and death and whether there is any such thing as life after death. Some argue that, in death, the souls sleeps until it is awakened by resurrection. Others say that, in death, one simply ceases to exist. But, the Bible says that, while death may be the end of life on Earth, it is not the end of life, altogether. In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus gives us the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, demonstrating life and death. Both of these men died, and both of them continued to live on, after physical death. The rich man experienced the best that life had to offer, in this world, but he then experienced the worst that life has to offer, in eternity. Lazarus’ experience was just the opposite of the rich man. From this parable, we learn many things; not the least of which is that, faithfulness to God, in this life, results in an eternal reward, in Heaven (Luke 16:25).
When we think of life and death, we often think of death as being final, and absolute. But, the truth of the matter is that death is not a permanent condition. Instead, death is a transition from life in this physical world to life in the spiritual world. The time is coming, when death shall no longer exist (1 Corinthians 15:24-26). When God shall destroy this world and we shall exist only the spirit world, where death has no dominion (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). At that time, death shall be destroyed, and the faithful shall live eternally – without the shadow of death looming (Revelation 20:14).
Now is the time for us to prepare ourselves for what lies beyond life in this world. We all ought to learn from death that we shall not live in this world forever (Hebrews 9:27). Here and now is the only time and place to prepare for what lies beyond (2 Corinthians 6:2)!
Content by Russell Kline
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Right to the Tree of Life
Do you want the right to the Tree of Life?
The tree of life was in the midst of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9). Adam and Eve had the right to eat of it, but lost that right when they sinned (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:17-24). The tree is pure, able to provide eternal life to those worthy to partake of it. However, because of sin, one loses the right to partake of the tree (1 Corinthians 15:21-22).
Because of its pure nature, the tree of life is used symbolically in the book of Proverbs. Wisdom is located there (Proverbs 3:18); fruit of righteousness is a tree of life (Proverbs 11:30); fulfilled desire is a tree of life (Proverbs 13:12); a wholesome [healing] tongue is a tree of life (Proverbs 15:4). The author says that if we possess these pure characteristics, we may be on our way to obtaining the tree of life.
The book of Revelation tells us how we can have a right to the tree. The Lord says, “…To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God (Revelation 2:7).” Later John tells us what he sees in the vision: the tree of life is on either side of the river of water of life, bearing twelve fruits; the leaves are for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:4). Then John leaves us one reminder: “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates of the city (Revelation 22:14).”
Do you want the right to the Tree of Life? Have your sins washed away, keep the commandments of God, and overcome the trials and tribulations of this world through Christ!
Content by Richard Dillon
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1 John 05:18-21 – Certainties of the Christian Faith – audio
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Text: 1 John 5:18-21
Introduction
1. In this last section of John’s epistle, we find him summarizing three facts or “certainties” that his readers should have learned – 1 John 5:18-21
2. These certainties of the Christian Faith relate to sin, the evil one, and the truth concerning fellowship with God and Jesus Christ
3. Each of these certainties is introduced by the words we know, and as we consider these three facts we shall begin each section in the same way
Body
I. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THOSE BORN OF GOD AND SIN (1 John 5:18)
A. “WHOEVER IS BORN OF GOD DOES NOT SIN“
1. This statement, like the one in 1 John 3:9, can be somewhat troubling to the English reader
2. But as we noticed in the lesson on that portion of scripture
a. John has already affirmed that Christians sin – 1 John 1:8, 10
b. To say we have no sin is to lie, and to make God a liar
c. So John is talking about one who does not continuously practice sin
B. “BUT HE WHO HAS BEEN BORN OF GOD KEEPS HIMSELF“
1. John explains why the one born of God does not continuously practice sin, but it is difficult to know exactly what he means
a. Some translations have keeps him instead of keeps himself
b. This is because most translators believe he who has been born of God is a reference to Jesus
c. And yet in his epistle, the phrase born of God always has reference to the child of Christ, i.e., the Christian
2. Assuming that himself is the correct wording
a. It becomes clear that the individual bears some responsibility in keeping oneself from sinning
b. While it is true that we have help from God – 1 John 3:9
c. Our faith must cooperate with God’s power – 1Pe 1:5
d. Thus the charge to keep yourselves – 1 John 5:21; Jude 21
C. “THE WICKED ONE DOES NOT TOUCH HIM“
1. When we cooperate with God, Satan has no chance
a. When we submit to God, and resist the devil, the devil flees! – James 4:7
b. For God who is in us is certainly greater than the devil! – 1 John 4:4
2. Instrumental in our cooperation with God is allowing His word to abide in us – 1 John 2:14
3. Even as the Word was instrumental in helping Jesus overcome the temptations of Satan – “it is written…” Matthew 4:4, 7, 10
D. So the first certainty of the Christian faith is that one born of God does not treat sin lightly, and with God’s help is able to win the conflict with the wicked one.
II. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US AND THE WORLD (1 John 5:19)
A. “WE ARE OF GOD”
1. The Christian has been “born of God” – 1 John 5:1
2. The Christian is privileged to be called the “child of God” – 1 John 3:1-2a
3. Thus we are blessed to be “of God”!
B. “THE WHOLE WORLD LIES UNDER THE SWAY OF THE WICKED ONE“
1. Sadly, those in the world are not of God
2. For when one rejects Jesus Christ, they demonstrate who their father truly is – John 8:42-47
3. While they remain in their sins, they remain under the sway of Satan – 1 John 3:8, 10
C. Whose child are you?
1. Those who are in Christ have the assurance that God is their father.
2. Those not in Christ are still under the influences of Satan who has blinded them! – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
III. THE BASIS OF FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD AND ETERNAL LIFE (1 John 5:20)
A. “THE SON OF GOD HAS COME AND HAS GIVEN US UNDERSTANDING”
1. Jesus has come to give us true insight concerning God
2. As John declared in his gospel: “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” – John 1:18
B. “THAT WE MAY KNOW”
1. “…Him who is true“
a. Or as expressed in other translations: He is the true God
b. By true God [John] does not mean one who tells the truth, but him who is really God.
c. By coming in the flesh, Jesus has manifested the true God to us – John 14:7-9
2. “…and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ“
a. Jesus has also given us understanding about how we can be in God
b. It is through His Son, as we keep His words and His commandments, that we can abide in God – John 14:21,23
C. “THIS IS THE TRUE GOD AND ETERNAL LIFE“
1. Again, the expression “true God” is saying He who is “the real God“
2. With this declaration, John is also defining what eternal life truly is
a. It is to “know” Him who is true
b. It is to be “in Him” who is true, and “in His Son Jesus Christ“
3. In other words, eternal life (as defined by John) is that abundant life
a. Which comes from knowing the Father and the Son intimately
b. Which comes by having fellowship with the Father and the Son
4. So John intimated at the beginning of his epistle – 1 John 1:2-3
5. And so Jesus declared in His prayer – John 17:1-3
Conclusion
1. Here then are the certainties of the Christian Faith as summarized by John
a. “We know” the relationship between those born of God and sin
b. “We know” the difference between us and those of the world
c. “We know” the basis of fellowship with God and eternal life
2. May the First Epistle of John always serve to remind of these certainties, and may the last verse always remind us of the need for diligence: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” – 1 John 5:21
3. With his favorite term of endearment, John admonishes us to stay away from anything that would replace our devotion to the One True God
a. We may think that we are too sophisticated to succumb to idolatry
b. But as Paul pointed out time and again, anything that replaces God in our hearts is an idol – Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5
NOTE WELL: If there was no danger of being led astray, there would be no need for a warning!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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1 John 05:11-13 – Life in the Son – audio
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Text: 1 John 5:11-13
Introduction
1. We saw in this morning’s sermon that the word “witness” was used eight times in one form or another – 1 John 5:6-10
2. A form of the word is used again in 1 John 5:11-13, translated as “testimony” in the NKJV (“record” in 1 John 5:11-13 KJV)
3. In these verses, John reviews the “testimony” that God has given about His Son
a. In this case, it does not appear to be the “evidence” God has offered (that was covered in 1 John 5:6-10)
b. Rather, it is the “result” of the testimony which the evidence supports
4. What is the “result” of God’s testimony concerning His Son? What has God declared? And what does John say about these things?
Body
I. GOD HAS GIVEN US ETERNAL LIFE (1 John 5:11a)
A. ETERNAL LIFE: A PRESENT POSSESSION, OR A FUTURE HOPE?
1. John writes of “eternal life” as a present possession
a. “God has given us (not will give us) eternal life” – 1 John 5:11
b. “He who has the Son has (not will have) life” – 1 John 5:12
c. “that you may know that you have (not will have) eternal life” – 1 John 5:13
2. Yet Paul wrote of “eternal life” as a future hope
a. “who will render to each one according to his deeds: eternal life to those…” – Romans 2:6-7
b. “you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life” – Romans 6:22
c. Which then is it? A present possession, or a future hope?
B. ETERNAL LIFE: BOTH A PRESENT POSSESSION AND A FUTURE HOPE!
1. I believe it is “both”, not one or the other
2. This is a case where the same term (eternal life) is used by different authors to describe different concepts
a. Paul normally uses the term to describe that which begins after the judgment
1) The same way Jesus uses it in Matthew 25:46
2) And again in John 12:25
b. Whereas John uses the term to describe the life we now have in Christ because of the fellowship we enjoy with the Father and the Son
1) Jesus defined “eternal life” as knowing the Father and His Son – John 17:1-3
2) John defines it similarly in 1 John 5:20
3. We must be careful, therefore, and allow the immediate context to determine the proper meaning by a particular author
C. THE MEANING OF ETERNAL LIFE IN OUR TEXT
1. John began his epistle by referring to Jesus as “that eternal life” – 1 John 1:2
2. He ends his epistle by describing eternal life as knowing Him who is true and being in Him who is true (i.e., in Jesus) – 1 John 5:20
3. This leads me to conclude that John uses “eternal life” in the same way Jesus did in John 17:3
4. In other words, a quality of life that comes from having true fellowship with Deity
a. Which begins upon our conversion from “death” to “life” – 1 John 3:14-15
b. Which comes from knowing God and Jesus (the term “knowing” suggesting a close and personal relationship, not a casual awareness)
c. Because God and Jesus are “eternal life” (cf. 1 John 1:2), those in fellowship with them have life that is best described as “eternal” (in quality)
D. So the testimony of God is first this: He has given us “eternal life”, a quality of life based upon fellowship with Deity!
II. ETERNAL LIFE IS IN HIS SON (1 John 5:11b-12)
A. HE WHO HAS THE SON HAS LIFE
1. We saw where Jesus defined “eternal life” as knowing God and Himself – John 17:3
2. As confessed by Peter, only Jesus truly has “the words of eternal life” – John 6:68
3. Paul wrote that all spiritual blessings (of which eternal life is one) are found in Jesus Christ – Ephesians 1:3
4. The conclusion should be fairly obvious: it is only in Jesus that eternal life can be found, and if we wish to have eternal life, we must be in Jesus!
B. HE WHO DOES NOT HAVE THE SON OF GOD DOES NOT HAVE LIFE
1. This sounds rather exclusive, but no more so than Jesus’ own words – John 14:6
2. Peter also made it clear that salvation (life) is found only in Jesus – Acts 4:12
3. Therefore, one who remains outside of Christ has no hope for eternal life (in either sense of term)
C. Of course, it is not the will of God than any perish – 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:3-4
D. Therefore, through His Spirit He inspired John to write so we might know whether or not we have the Son.
III. WE MAY KNOW THAT WE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE (1 John 5:13)
A. JOHN HAS WRITTEN THAT WE MIGHT KNOW…
1. That has been the purpose of this particular epistle
2. His desire is that we “know” we are saved, not just hope that we are
a. “Now by this we know that we know Him…” – 1 John 2:3
b. “By this we know that we are in Him.” – 1 John 2:5b
c. “We know we have passed from death to life…” – 1 John 3:14a
d. “And by this we know that we are of the truth…” – 1 John 3:19a
e. “And by this we know that He abides in us…” – 1 John 3:24b
f. “By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us…” – 1 John 4:13a
3. Thus, throughout his epistle he has been giving us “benchmarks” by which we can know whether we have eternal life in us
B. WHEN DOES ONE “KNOW” THEY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?
1. When they keep the commandments of Jesus – 1 John 2:3-4
2. When they keep His words – 1 John 2:5
3. When they love the brethren – 1 John 3:14
4. When they believe what the Spirit has revealed about such things – 1 John 3:24; 4:13
5. When they confess Jesus to be the Son of God – 1 John 4:15
6. When they believe that Jesus is the Christ – 1 John 5:1
7. Taken together, these “benchmarks” reveal that one truly “knows” the Lord, and thereby has “eternal life” – 1 John 5:20
Conclusion
1. John’s desire was that his Christian readers would continue to believe in the name of the Son of God – 1 John 5:13c
a. That is my desire also, and I pray that in some small way that I have encouraged you to remain strong in your faith in Jesus Christ
b. If you do not yet believe, or your faith is weak, I recommend to you the Gospel of John – John 20:30-31
2. Dear friend, do you truly have “eternal life”?
a. Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who came in the flesh and died for our sins? – John 8:24
b. Are you keeping the commands of Jesus?
1) Such as His command to be baptized? – Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16
2) Which we learn from His apostles is the means by which we receive Christ? – Galatians 3:26-27
c. Do you love the brethren? – John 13:34-35
3. May this First Epistle of John encourage you to examine whether you really “know” Jesus Christ, and thereby have “eternal life” in Him!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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John 11:20-27 – I Am the Resurrection and the Life – audio
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Text: John 11:20-27
Introduction
A. Jesus has the power to raise us all from the dead.
B. Here in John 11, Lazarus was sick and later died.
1) Jesus was not there at that exact time.
2) He explained that the Son of God would be glorified through it (John 11:4).
3) That those present would believe (John 11:15).
C. He had a very important discussion with Martha.
1) Like her, we must believe His words.
Body
I. Jesus is the resurrection.
A. Jesus claimed to be the resurrection (John 11:25), and proved it by raising Lazarus (John 11:42-44).
B. Jesus later arose from the grave.
1) Those that came to the tomb learned “He is risen (Matthew 28:5-7; Mark 16:6,9; Luke 24:6; John 20:9)!”
2) The apostles affirmed His resurrection.
i. Paul declared the gospel of which he also received (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
ii. Paul reminded Timothy that Jesus was raised from the dead according to the gospel (2 timothy 2:8).
iii. Paul declared that Christ is risen from the dead, and all shall be made alive in Him (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
iv. Peter preached the resurrection of Christ, beginning on Pentecost (Acts 2:24,32; 3:15,26; 4:10; 5:30; 10:40). It is through the resurrection of Christ that we have a living hope (1 Peter 1:3).
3) God raised up Christ (see iii above), and thus Christ gives life to whom He wills (John 5:21). As He raise up Jesus, so will we be raised (1 Corinthians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 4:14).
C. Jesus said there would be a resurrection of life to those who have done good, and a resurrection of condemnation to those who have done evil (John 5:28-29).
II. Jesus is the life.
A. In Christ, we live (Acts 17:28).
B. In Christ was life (John 1:4).
C. Eternal life is in Christ (1 John 5:11-12).
D. Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, delivers us from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
III. We must believe in Christ.
A. Jesus said that though we may die, if we believe in Him, we shall live (John 11:25-26).
B. We all must die (Hebrews 9:27).
C. At the last day, Jesus will raise up those who believe in Him unto everlasting life (John 6:39-40,44).
D. Paul taught the Ephesians of God’s exceedingly great power towards the believers of Christ’s resurrection (Ephesians 1:19-20).
E. Our faith and hope are in God, who raised Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:21).
F. Christ was raised from the dead for our justification (Romans 4:24-25).
G. We must believe Christ in order to be saved (Romans 10:9-10).
H. The Spirit of God must dwell in us, in order to receive eternal life (Romans 8:9-11,13; Ephesians 3:16-17). The body is the temple of God, where His Spirit dwells (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19).
Conclusion
A. God raised Christ from the dead, and will raise us up if we believe in Him.
B. Eternal life is in Christ, and if we want to live forever we must be in Christ.
C. We do so by being baptized into Christ, and rise to walk a new life as Christ was raised from the dead (Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3-5, 8-9).
Content by Richard Dillon
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The Church in Smyrna
As Christians, we often need encouragement. A kind word, pat on the back, handshake, hug, or some other token of appreciation is needed once in a while. That is one good thing about the Lord’s church meeting not only on the first day of the week, but during the middle of the week as well. We need to “recharge our batteries” to be able to keep working during the rest of the week. Consider the Lord’s words to the church in Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11). It is easy to be encouraged as A-B-C.
Admonition.
The church in Smyrna is praised for doing good things! The Lord knows their works, tribulation, and poverty (even though they are rich). Last week we talked about being poor in the world but being rich toward Christ. Sometimes we need to be encouraged to keep doing what we’re doing, even though it may seem difficult. There were those who opposed those in Smyrna, and were called a synagogue of Satan. The Lord would reprimand them (Revelation 3:9-10), yet encourage those who were faithful.
Be faithful.
Following praise for what they have already done, those in Smyrna were encouraged to keep doing what they were doing! As they were faithful in the past, they must continue to be. Jesus said earlier, “He who endures to the end shall be saved (Matthew 24:13).” Do not worry what others may do to you; rather, be concerned about pleasing God.
Crown of life.
Finally a reward is mentioned for being faithful. Those that endure will be saved; those that are faithful until death will receive a crown of life; those that overcome shall not be hurt by the second death! It is always good to be rewarded for good behavior. That should be the last bit of encouragement! We will be rewarded for doing good!
Do you know your ABCs? Accept admonition! Be faithful! Receive the crown of life!
Content by Richard Dillon
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1 John 01:01-04 – Introduction to First John – audio
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Text: 1 John 1:1-4
Introduction
1. When Jesus to earth, He came not only to LIVE a life, but to GIVE life: I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. – John 10:10
2. The GOSPEL of John was designed to produce faith so that we might have life – John 20:30-31
3. However, it is the FIRST EPISTLE of John which discusses the nature of that life in greater detail – 1 John 3:14
4. That we might be sure to live the sort of life God offers through His Son Jesus Christ, a careful study of First John is in order
Body
I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A. THE AUTHOR
1. John is the author, the beloved disciple of Jesus
2. Similarities between this epistle and the Gospel of John certainly give us INTERNAL evidence for this conclusion
3. There is also EXTERNAL evidence that this John is the author:
a. Polycarp, a close associate of John, makes reference to this epistle at the beginning of the second century, in a letter to the Philippians
b. Irenaeus, a student of Polycarp, quoted from it and attributed it to John
B. THE RECIPIENTS
1. No one is specifically mentioned
2. John was in Ephesus at the time, and this was a general epistle to the Christians throughout Asia Minor
3. However, John’s comments in 1 John 2:20 and 1 John 2:27 suggest that John may have been addressing a particular group of Christians possessing certain spiritual gifts
C. DATE
1. Estimations range from 60 A.D. to 100 A.D.
2. Most modern scholarship places it around 95 A.D
D. PURPOSE
1. As declared by John throughout his epistle, he wrote it:
a. that your joy may be full – 1 John 1:4
b. that you may not sin – 1 John 2:1
c. that you may know that you have eternal life – 1 John 5:13a
2. While these reasons may state the positive side of John’s purpose, it appears he was also responding to errors that were prevalent at the time – 1 John 2:26
a. If not fully developed in John’s day, there was at least a precursor to Gnosticism
b. Those who came to be called Gnostics
1) Claimed to have a superior knowledge (Greek word for knowledge is gnosis)
2) Believed all matter was evil
a) Therefore God did not create or have anything to do with the material universe
b) Therefore Christ could not have come in the flesh – 1 John 4:1-3
c. Their application to everyday living took two different directions; since all matter was thought to be evil:
1) Some thought one should abstain altogether from anything that would satisfy the flesh
2) Others claimed it did not matter what one did in the flesh (it was evil anyway), and to have full knowledge it was proper to explore everything
II. JOHN’S PROLOG (1 John 1:1-4)
A. CONCERNS THE WORD OF LIFE
1. Which was from the beginning has reference to the creation of the world – John 1:1
2. This Word of life was:
a. heard
b. seen with our eyes
c. looked upon
d. handled
e. all emphasizing that this Word was in the flesh; an reference to Jesus – John 1:1, 14
B. TO DECLARE THE ETERNAL LIFE
1. Which was:
a. With the Father
b. And then manifested to the apostles, who had seen and were bearing witness
2. Again, this is an obvious reference to Jesus Christ
3. But notice the use of the NEUTER gender throughout this passage
a. The emphasis appears to be on the life which Jesus had, especially that which is eternal
b. It is this same life which we can possess if we truly believe in the name of the Son of God – 1 John 5:11-13
4. Thus John is focusing on the eternal life which Jesus offers and made possible by His coming in the flesh
C. THAT YOU MAY HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH US
1. Here is the reason for declaring the Word of life, the eternal life
2. By declaring this life (revealed by Jesus and through Jesus), fellowship is possible
a. Fellowship involves the idea of sharing, communion
b. The sharing, communion that the apostles have is with the Father and His Son
3. John wanted his readers to participate in this same sharing
a. that you also may have fellowship with us
b. In other words, that you can experience what we are experiencing!
4. Why does John desire this? Read on
D. THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL
1. It is fellowship with the Father and Son that makes the life of a Christian so full of joy!
2. And just as Jesus came to give us abundant life (John 10:10), so John now writes
a. That we may be sure to have fellowship with the Father and His Son
b. So that our joy may be full!
Conclusion
1. From 1 John 1:1-4, then, we learn that fullness of joy comes only when we are in fellowship with the Father and the Son
2. Only then do we have that eternal life, which was first manifested in the flesh by Jesus Himself, and now given only through Jesus – 1 John 5:11-13
3. In our next lesson, we shall see what John says is essential if we are to truly have fellowship with God – 1John 1:5-2:2
4. But if you are not a Christian, let me explain how such fellowship with God can begin Galatians 3:26-27
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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