CONFIDENCE IN A CHAOTIC WORLD
(On Christ the Solid Rock - October 10, 2021)
Series Big Idea: "Close fellowship with Christ silence the destructive beliefs and behaviors of this world"
Sermon Big Idea: "Real Christian faith is founded on God's testimony to the person of Jesus Christ"
Key Scripture (1 John 5:6-13)
Most people in the world today claim that Christianity is simply physiological and is easy to explain in natural terms. So, in this process of thinking, Christianity is built on feelings and emotions. The argument is that Christianity is one of many ways to God and one of many religions, so go with whatever makes you feel good. But don’t expect me to believe Christianity is the only way to God.
The argument that Jesus will change your life is no longer tolerated by most people. They have heard and believed some very influential people say that Jesus isn't the only thing that can change your life. Tom Cruise says Scientology changed his life. Several other influential sports stars and actors say Buddhism changed their life. If you're looking for changed lives, there are other religions that claim they have the truth and claim they have the changed lives to prove it.
As a Christian, how do you challenge that? There is truth to the idea of the inner assurance of our salvation that the Holy Spirit gives us hope and assurance, but Christians need more than just head knowledge and a feel good experience. That is why John has been telling his readers throughout this Book that faith in Christ is about more than feelings. In his letter John has been giving facts about seeing, hearing, and touching Christ in the flesh. That is what he is doing in this passage today. He is coming back to the objective witness with which he began his letter. Real Christian Faith is founded on God's testimony to the person of Jesus Christ.
(1 John 5:5-13)
6 Jesus Christ—He is the One who came by water and blood, not by water only, but by water and by blood. And the Spirit is the One who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood —and these three are in agreement. 9 If we accept the testimony of men, God’s testimony is greater, because it is God’s testimony that He has given about His Son. 10 (The one who believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him. The one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony God has given about His Son.) 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 The one who has the Son has life. The one who doesn’t have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
In these verses John gives us three Advantages of believing God's testimony to His Son and one disadvantage if we don’t.
The First Advantage is that He gives us an inner Peace and Assurance
When a person believes that Jesus is the Son of God, then he has the testimony of this in his heart. This is the witness of the Holy Spirit about Jesus Christ. You have become a new creation in Him. You were blind to the truth of God's Word, and now you see.
But, what if someone asks you to prove to them that Jesus is the Son of God and then they will believe? He is doing much more than just tearing a check to pieces. He is calling God a liar. He is spitting on the gift God has gave. God has given a thousand times more testimony to His Son Jesus than we would ever need to believe. So, remember, John says if we accept this gift we have this inner testimony but if we don’t believe, we don’t have that testimony.
The Second Advantage is that He gives us Eternal Life
Eternal Life is a gift from God. There is nothing we could ever do or have ever done to earn this gift. But we do have to know about it and receive it. It is not a gift if you earn it.
God's Gift is Eternal Life. Wow! What a gift! We were dead in our sin and separated from God and God gives us His own life. (John 11:25-26) Jesus promised that if we believe in Him we will never die. That same promise is there for everyone who believes. Physical death is only the beginning of eternal life.
Jesus Christ is everything. Someone once said "Christianity is Christ!" All of God's promises are YES in Him (2 Corinthians 1:20). Jesus is our solid foundation. Jesus once asked His disciples, "Who do you say I am?" (Matthew 16:15). And Peter said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." (Matthew 16:16). If you believe this testimony about Christ like Peter did, then you have eternal life. If you don’t, you don’t have eternal life.
The Third Advantage is that He gives us a Solid Foundation to know we have Eternal Life
John told his readers he didn’t want them just to hope so, he wanted them to know so! Faith in God has to be founded in His Son Jesus Christ alone! Faith can't be in anything or anyone else. If you are "born again" the Holy Spirit is going to be continually convincing you that you are a child of God. So, you have proof in your life He has changed your heart. Now that you believe Him you will obey Him and love Him and others.
"But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name." (John 20:31)
CONCLUSION
You need to KNOW you have eternal life. This is the most important decision for every person on this side of eternity. If you are not sure, begin reading the four Gospels in the NT and soon you will see how God's Holy Spirit gave testimony to the life of Jesus in His life, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension. God's testimony to Jesus there is core of our faith. Christianity is not just head knowledge, it is a solid witness! So you must not just know but believe this testimony about Jesus.
If you are just straddling the line here, repent of your unbelief now. Accept His testimony to His Son and receive this gift of eternal life that only God can give.
Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideals for this message, are inspired by:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
English Standard Version Bible
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Christian Standard Bible
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