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The Walk in the Light
(1 John 1:7)
What does this walk in the light look like? We know that it does not mean moral perfection. It does not mean you'll never experience temptation. And it is not some unattainable life only a select few real saints ever achieve.
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Proclaim The True Jesus
(1 John 1:1-2)
For John, it was simple. He wanted everyone to know the real Jesus, even those who got Jesus wrong. John knew about Jesus like no one else still alive in his time. He had been with Jesus when He wept in the Garden of Gethsemane, had watched Jesus raise Lazarus and others, and had stood at the foot of Jesus' cross with Mary. He had leaned on Jesus during the Last Supper, had run to Jesus' empty tomb with Peter, and had eaten with Jesus after his resurrection.
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A Healthy Heart Before God – Results Of A Heart Free Of Condemnation (1 John 3:21-22)
Archival Post
Last week we spent some time thinking about how to deal with a condemned heart. And now John moves on to recount some of the results of a heart free of condemnation. Here, he assumes we've gone through the work of getting our hearts set on God. So, now, our heart does not condemn us (21).
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What Assurance Produces - A Fitting Conclusion
(1 John 5:21)
John has warned throughout his whole letter of the danger of following the spirit of the antichrist. He's told us Jesus is God the Son who came in the flesh, died in the flesh, and rose in the flesh. He is the true God and shows us the way to the true God. (2 Minutes/400 Words)
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What Assurance Produces - Conviction
(1 John 5:18-20)
In the final stretch of his letter, John used the phrase "we know" a few times to recap everything he's taught up to this point. There's John again, certain and confident and sure to the very end. Notice with me the three convictions John thinks will come from this letter. (3 Minutes/700 Words)
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What Assurance Produces - Prayer
(1 John 5:14-17)
Good doctrine leads to healthy action, and John believed his teaching would lead his audience to a life of confidence before God. And this is how he approached the end of his letter, explaining to them what that confidence should produce. First, prayer. Second, specific convictions. This week and next, as we draw near to the closeout or study of this letter, we will look at both. (12 Minutes/3000 Words)
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Outworkings and Witnesses of the Gospel’s Truthfulness – Three Witnesses
(1 John 5:6–12)
Last week, John told us of three outworkings of the gospel in our lives -- love, obedience and belief. Today, John will give us three witnesses to the gospel's truthfulness. (6 Minutes/1500 Words)
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Outworkings and Witnesses of the Gospel’s Truthfulness – Three Outworkings
(1 John 5:1–5)
John knew the truthfulness of the gospel message and watched Jesus' life, and heard His teaching. He witnessed Jesus' death and resurrection and had seen the gospel flood the world after Jesus' ascension. And, over time, John had discovered what the gospel does inside a believer. He knew the gospel message is true, but had also come to discover some of its outworkings. (9 Minutes/2400 Words)
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How God’s Love Is Perfected in You – Agree With God About How Love Works
(1 John 4:19–21)
First, we must recognize all our love is a response to His. We love because He first loved us (19). So God's love comes first to us before it goes anywhere else. He is the great initiator. (5 Minutes/1400 Words)
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How God’s Love Is Perfected in You – Let Love Have Its Perfect Work in You
(1 John 4:17–18)
In this section of 1 John, we are learning to let God's love have its perfect work in us (1 John 4:13-21). Last week we considered the importance of growing in an understanding of God's love (4:13-16). Today, John will explain to us how God's love is perfected in us (4:17-18). (5 Minutes/1400 Words)
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