A REVIEW OF 1 JOHN’S TESTS

A REVIEW OF 1 JOHN’S TESTS

Tests of Salvation

  1. Affirmation of the proper view of Christ (1:3)
  2. Affirmatrion of Sin’s reality (1:5-2:2)
  3. Obedience to God’s commands (2:3-6)
  4. Love of the “bretheren” (2:7-11)

Tests  & Characteristics of Antichrists

  1. Depart from the faithful (2:19)
  2. Deny the faith (2:22,23)
  3. They deceive the faithful (2:2:26) (1 Tim 4:1-3)

Tests & Characteristics of Genuine Christians

  1. Anointing of the Holy Spirit (2:27)
  2. Holy Spirit guides the believer into knowing all things (2:20-21) (John 14:26, 16:13)

Tests of a Believers Hope (The return of Christ)

  1. Abiding in Christ, ie persevering in the faith of salvation (2:27-3:3) (John 15:1-6)
  2. Practicing Righteousness (Holiness; purity; uprightness, the state of being right with God) (2:29) (1 Pet 1:3, 13-16)
  3. A sense of wonder in God’s love in what he did for us (3:1)
  4. When Christ returns, he will conform every believer to his image (3:2)
  5. Living in the reality of Christ’s return makes a difference in a Christian’s behavior (3:3)

Tests Why Christians Can’t Practice Sin

  1. Sin is incompatable with the law of God which they love (3:4, Ps 119:34, 77,97, Rom 7:12,22)
  2. Becauise it is incompatable with the work of Christ.  Christ died to sanctify (make holy) the believer (3:5,2 Cor 5:21, Eph 5::25-27, Rom 6:1-15) 
  3. Because Christ came to destroy the works of the arch-sinner, Satan (3:8)
  4. Because it is incompatible with the ministry of the Holy Spirit, who has imparted a new nature to the believer (3:9, John 3:5-8)

Tests For Behaviors Of The Devil’s Children

  1. Murder (3:15, Gen 4:5)
  2. Hatred (3:15)
  3. Indifference toward other’s needs

Tests of  a True Teacher

  1. Acknowledge and proclaim that Jesus is God incarnate in human flesh (4:2)
  2. They speak God’s word following apostolic doctrine (4:5-6)  The OT and NT are the only

A difficult thing to do in these troubled times!

A difficult thing to do, in these troubled times. Lord, may we seek a quiet place, that we might hear your voice clearly, to discern what is right. May whatever we do, help to advance your kingdom, through your Gospel Word.

Amen

How are we similar to John the Baptist, as Followers of Jesus

John was that voice crying in the wilderness preparing the way for the coming Messiah

“A voice is calling, “Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭3‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/isa.40.3.NASB1995

We are in the wilderness of a thirsty and dry land, desiring something more than man’s wisdom, yet lacking any Hope. We as believers, are here to prepare the way, for the one who has now come, and gives hope. His name is Jesus. The hope is “Good News” to the one who believes in Faith.

“Now in those days John the Baptist *came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight!’ ””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.3.1-2.NASB1995

“As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way; The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight.’ ””
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/mrk.1.2-3.NASB1995

Matt 3:3 ; Mark 1:2-3 ; Luke 3:3-6

We are a voice, crying out to a lost and dying world that there is hope, both now and for an eternal future, to ALL who believe, JUST AS YOU ARE, not by anything we can do but accept his word, but by everything that HE DID FOR US.

May we be like John the Baptist, that many will be pointed to Jesus, by both our WORDS and our DEEDS.

Sermon Quotes

Source: Lord I cannot. But you can.

This is not a suggestion by God, but a direct command, and sometimes, I find it difficult to do. Forgive me Lord, when I fail in this area.

Taken from: Expose the Secret Plots of the Enemy by NatashaBrown Watson

Our Father, King of Heaven’s Armies, I approach you in the name and by the blood of Jesus, interceding for our country, your people, and your plans. Lord, thank you for revealing hidden things that have been disguised by deception, flattery, lies, and wolves in sheep’s clothing. I speak to every system of wickedness and pull it down in the name of Jesus. I command every corrupt politician, church leader, and business leader to repent and yield to the Holy Spirit. Father God, if they refuse, I pray that you will shine your light upon them and expose their evil ways. Holy Spirit, help God’s intercessors arise, pray without ceasing, and listen for your instructions so that we do not miscarry the vision and victories of God. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, and HE will lift us Up!

Don’t lose Heart, for God, does not give up on us!

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“Christmas and Easter, is Good News, to All who Believe”

A light to the World, to open our eyes to our own darkness, to remove the chains of bondage.  Our part……..Believe and walk in faith in Jesus, who did what we could not. 

“I am the Lord, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations, To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭42‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NASB

A Summary of the Gospel of Mark. What do you think?

www.bible.com/reading-plans/22273/day/250