WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.120 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.540 --> 00:00:09.540 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, 00:00:09.900 --> 00:00:15.439 redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.439 --> 00:00:22.660 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.399 I am Tonya Robey. I am an elder here and I'm part of the Women Reading Women book group. 00:00:35.659 --> 00:00:42.780 Today's scripture reading is from John's first epistle, chapter 5, verses 13 to 21, as printed in the liturgy. 00:00:43.679 --> 00:00:50.799 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. 00:00:51.299 --> 00:00:58.980 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 00:00:58.979 --> 00:01:05.659 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the request that we have asked of him. 00:01:06.140 --> 00:01:13.420 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will give him life. 00:01:13.840 --> 00:01:16.719 To those who commit sins that do not lead to death. 00:01:17.420 --> 00:01:21.920 There is sin that leads to death. I do not say that one should pray for that. 00:01:22.560 --> 00:01:27.739 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death. 00:01:27.739 --> 00:01:37.819 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. 00:01:38.560 --> 00:01:44.579 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 00:01:45.019 --> 00:01:48.819 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, 00:01:48.819 --> 00:01:51.500 so that we may know him who is true. 00:01:51.759 --> 00:01:55.979 And we are in him who is true, in his Son, Jesus Christ. 00:01:56.639 --> 00:01:59.319 He is the true God and eternal life. 00:02:00.119 --> 00:02:02.879 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 00:02:03.579 --> 00:02:05.060 This is the word of the Lord. 00:02:05.839 --> 00:02:07.039 Thanks be to God. 00:02:07.040 --> 00:02:11.060 Thank you, Tonya, for that scripture reading. 00:02:11.159 --> 00:02:11.780 Good morning, everyone. 00:02:12.280 --> 00:02:12.960 My name is Andrew. 00:02:13.040 --> 00:02:16.620 I'm one of the pastors here, and I'm delighted to bring you God's word this morning. 00:02:16.680 --> 00:02:18.159 Will you join me in prayer? 00:02:20.960 --> 00:02:30.900 Father, we want to come before you with hearts softened by your Holy Spirit to receive the food of your Holy Word. 00:02:30.900 --> 00:02:36.140 Lord, we ask that in the preaching of your word, you would be lifted up, 00:02:36.439 --> 00:02:42.200 and that we would be challenged and invited to continue on in the way of Jesus, 00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:49.860 the way of life, light, and love, the way that you've laid out for us here in this letter of 1 John. 00:02:50.240 --> 00:02:53.719 So give us ears to hear, we pray, and would you change us? 00:02:53.719 --> 00:02:59.080 Would you move our hearts to live in a way that is acceptable to you, 00:02:59.080 --> 00:03:03.960 our God and our Redeemer, the one who gave his only begotten Son, 00:03:04.060 --> 00:03:06.080 that we might know your life. 00:03:06.700 --> 00:03:09.880 So be honored, Lord, in the preaching of your word, we pray in Jesus' name. 00:03:10.500 --> 00:03:10.740 Amen. 00:03:11.960 --> 00:03:14.080 All right, so today we crossed the finish line. 00:03:14.180 --> 00:03:16.900 It is my last sermon of Jonathan's sabbatical, 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:18.700 so I feel really glad for all of you. 00:03:21.040 --> 00:03:26.439 And I got to say, I was really tempted to preach, you know, a two-liner and just be done. 00:03:26.620 --> 00:03:27.520 Cross the finish line. 00:03:27.520 --> 00:03:30.020 But I think I owe you a little bit more than that. 00:03:30.120 --> 00:03:33.620 We're going to complete this letter that we've been in this whole summer, 00:03:34.060 --> 00:03:35.520 this letter of 1 John, 00:03:35.680 --> 00:03:41.000 and we're going to look at the final words of this letter to this early church community. 00:03:41.300 --> 00:03:43.920 But before we get to those last words, 00:03:43.980 --> 00:03:46.160 I did want to do a quick, maybe not so quick, 00:03:46.420 --> 00:03:50.800 overview of just everything that we've gone through this summer in this letter, 00:03:50.900 --> 00:03:54.480 in this sermon series that we've called Life, Light, and Love. 00:03:54.479 --> 00:03:54.840 All right? 00:03:55.539 --> 00:04:00.639 Now, if you remember, this was an ancient letter written to an early church that had experienced what? 00:04:00.939 --> 00:04:05.500 A traumatic exodus, right, of people from their congregation. 00:04:05.759 --> 00:04:11.299 Some people had left because they began to believe different things about Jesus and his ways. 00:04:11.459 --> 00:04:15.459 Things contrary to the teaching of Jesus and to the teaching of his apostles. 00:04:15.579 --> 00:04:19.899 And you can imagine, right, how this could shake the confidence of a community 00:04:19.899 --> 00:04:23.019 that wanted to be centered around Jesus and his ways. 00:04:23.500 --> 00:04:26.699 Like, imagine if our lead pastor, Jonathan St. Clair, came back. 00:04:26.719 --> 00:04:28.199 He's coming back in three weeks, all right? 00:04:28.419 --> 00:04:31.319 He came back after his four-month sabbatical, and he said, 00:04:31.620 --> 00:04:35.060 Hey, I've been thinking after these long four months, 00:04:35.099 --> 00:04:35.639 and you know what? 00:04:36.239 --> 00:04:39.239 I don't actually think that Jesus is the Christ anymore. 00:04:40.159 --> 00:04:42.399 I don't think he's the Messiah anymore. 00:04:42.399 --> 00:04:45.699 I don't think he actually came bodily in the flesh, 00:04:45.819 --> 00:04:50.959 and therefore, I don't think it actually matters what you do with your bodies either, 00:04:51.719 --> 00:04:53.759 in terms of obeying his commands or not. 00:04:54.299 --> 00:04:55.179 Now, can you imagine that? 00:04:55.239 --> 00:04:57.019 If Jonathan came back and said that? 00:04:57.599 --> 00:04:59.039 Well, I mean, my first question would be, 00:04:59.599 --> 00:05:01.579 we're still on the preaching rotation, though, right? 00:05:01.799 --> 00:05:02.399 Because... 00:05:02.399 --> 00:05:07.319 But no, no, it'd be absolutely devastating, right? 00:05:07.319 --> 00:05:11.899 It would be disorienting and disruptive for Christ Church East Bay. 00:05:11.980 --> 00:05:14.759 This is a pastor who's led us, taught us, ministered to us. 00:05:14.839 --> 00:05:17.620 Maybe some of you became Christians here through his ministry. 00:05:17.740 --> 00:05:18.920 Maybe he baptized some of you. 00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:20.879 Maybe he baptized some of your children. 00:05:21.040 --> 00:05:25.120 Maybe he's been a model for you to follow as you seek to follow Jesus yourselves. 00:05:25.899 --> 00:05:29.839 And then the very thing that this person once pleaded with us to devote our lives to, 00:05:29.920 --> 00:05:31.100 he's just dropped, right? 00:05:31.120 --> 00:05:32.240 And he's discarded it all. 00:05:32.800 --> 00:05:33.439 Can you imagine? 00:05:34.120 --> 00:05:36.399 Well, that's what this early church went through. 00:05:36.399 --> 00:05:38.779 This church that 1 John is writing to. 00:05:39.259 --> 00:05:43.759 People who had once belonged to this community of faith had deconstructed 00:05:43.759 --> 00:05:47.919 and wandered from what they were originally taught by Jesus and his apostles. 00:05:48.519 --> 00:05:52.060 And the rest of those stuck around, who stuck around, they were shaken, 00:05:52.239 --> 00:05:54.879 and they were confused, and they were wondering whether what they believed 00:05:54.879 --> 00:05:57.339 about, like, the most important things in all of life. 00:05:57.599 --> 00:05:59.279 You know, what is eternal life? 00:05:59.479 --> 00:06:02.199 And am I in the light, or am I in the darkness? 00:06:02.359 --> 00:06:04.519 And what is the nature and essence of love? 00:06:04.519 --> 00:06:07.000 They're confused now about all of these things. 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:12.480 So the writer opens up this letter, assuring this disrupted community that that which we heard 00:06:12.480 --> 00:06:16.720 and that which we saw as apostles from the beginning, we proclaim to you. 00:06:17.220 --> 00:06:20.839 And we want you to have fellowship with us, because our fellowship, we know for sure, 00:06:21.060 --> 00:06:24.399 is with the triune God, with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 00:06:24.600 --> 00:06:30.240 And we are writing these things to you so that our joy, God's joy, your joy, my joy, may be complete. 00:06:30.240 --> 00:06:36.620 1 John is a letter written to restore a confused and hurting people's joy in God. 00:06:37.340 --> 00:06:43.600 An inherently inclusive letter, inviting all of us to join in the joyous fellowship of the triune God. 00:06:43.660 --> 00:06:45.379 This is a good news letter, all right? 00:06:45.379 --> 00:06:50.540 But even while this is a radically inclusive letter, we also saw that, you know, seeking, 00:06:51.860 --> 00:06:58.600 as 1 John sought to complete this ultimate joy of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and all of us with them, 00:06:58.659 --> 00:07:01.699 it isn't a relativistic unity without standards. 00:07:01.800 --> 00:07:01.959 No. 00:07:02.040 --> 00:07:03.980 What is the first thing that it says about who God is? 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:05.639 It says God is light, right? 00:07:05.680 --> 00:07:06.980 As opposed to darkness. 00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:12.319 God is light as opposed to all the darkness that exists in the world and that surely exists even within each of us. 00:07:12.319 --> 00:07:16.199 But the good news is that if we confess our sins, he is, what? 00:07:16.399 --> 00:07:21.560 Faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. 00:07:21.599 --> 00:07:26.560 And this is one of my favorite passages in all of Scripture here in 1 John 1, verse 9. 00:07:27.019 --> 00:07:27.839 It could have said, right? 00:07:27.899 --> 00:07:32.399 It could have said, he is merciful and gracious to forgive us of our sins. 00:07:32.439 --> 00:07:33.219 But no, it says what? 00:07:33.740 --> 00:07:37.120 He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins. 00:07:37.500 --> 00:07:41.560 As in God bound himself to forgive us if we confess our sins. 00:07:41.560 --> 00:07:45.899 As in, it would be unjust of God not to forgive us of our sins. 00:07:46.420 --> 00:07:46.740 Why? 00:07:47.540 --> 00:07:48.980 Because he owes it to us? 00:07:49.019 --> 00:07:52.120 Because we're entitled to forgiveness if we just say the magic word, sorry? 00:07:52.839 --> 00:07:53.199 No. 00:07:54.120 --> 00:07:56.459 But because he sent his son Jesus to be what? 00:07:56.819 --> 00:07:59.019 The propitiation for our sins. 00:07:59.079 --> 00:08:00.879 That is the atonement for our sins. 00:08:01.019 --> 00:08:07.079 Satisfying the righteous demand of justice against our sins through his sacrificial death on a cross. 00:08:07.079 --> 00:08:13.399 This is the good news of God as both just and the justifier without compromise through the work of Christ. 00:08:14.439 --> 00:08:21.099 Now, the guarantee of forgiveness in Christ that's talked about here in 1 John, it is indeed a wonderful truth, right? 00:08:21.659 --> 00:08:23.899 But it was never meant to be a permissive truth. 00:08:24.599 --> 00:08:31.360 No, 1 John continues on and we saw earlier in this series that these things are written so that we may not sin. 00:08:31.360 --> 00:08:36.240 And this has been a huge theme throughout this letter, more than I preferred to preach. 00:08:36.519 --> 00:08:38.960 It's like, stop sinning, stop sinning, obey, obey, obey. 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:41.740 But this is what it said, so this is what I had to say too. 00:08:42.460 --> 00:08:43.500 That you may not sin. 00:08:43.539 --> 00:08:44.700 It's a huge theme in this letter. 00:08:44.820 --> 00:08:51.740 We cannot live in sin and darkness and hatred and be assured that we are also walking in God's life, light, and darkness. 00:08:51.860 --> 00:08:54.320 These two ways of living are incompatible. 00:08:54.320 --> 00:09:01.700 And though living rightly doesn't earn us a right relationship with God, it is evidence that we have fellowship with the living God. 00:09:01.820 --> 00:09:05.300 See, 1 John isn't a letter simply telling us to not sin. 00:09:05.700 --> 00:09:08.140 More than altering our behavior, it wants to what? 00:09:08.280 --> 00:09:10.080 It wants to reorder our hearts. 00:09:10.540 --> 00:09:13.220 It wants to reorient our very loves. 00:09:14.060 --> 00:09:20.440 Will we love Christ and what Christ loves or will we be anti-Christ and love what is toxic? 00:09:21.380 --> 00:09:23.680 It's a matter of ultimate significance here. 00:09:23.679 --> 00:09:29.500 Or another way we might put this is, are we children of our Father in heaven, loved by him without measure? 00:09:30.579 --> 00:09:35.579 Or are we children of an inferior Father whose love is limited and conditional? 00:09:35.759 --> 00:09:42.199 Are we growing into the spitting image of the Father who is love himself or after some other image? 00:09:43.079 --> 00:09:45.899 According to 1 John, love begets love. 00:09:46.399 --> 00:09:49.479 The Father begets beautiful, loving children. 00:09:49.480 --> 00:09:57.440 And 1 John wants all its readers to have this unshakable confidence of being beloved children of God. 00:09:57.740 --> 00:10:00.659 So that even when our hearts condemn us, God is what? 00:10:01.240 --> 00:10:03.259 Greater than our hearts. 00:10:03.659 --> 00:10:06.840 Greater than our hearts or any other voice who would tell us otherwise. 00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:08.659 Who would tell us that we are less than. 00:10:08.960 --> 00:10:11.980 Not worthy of love and security and joy. 00:10:11.980 --> 00:10:17.539 But the Father's love is the only kind of love that's going to overcome the world and cast out all our fears. 00:10:18.680 --> 00:10:26.240 And if we grasp this fatherly love, if we grasp it, when we let this love sink deep down into our hearts as children of God, 00:10:26.779 --> 00:10:34.740 then and only then will we ever be able to live and love in the ways of God's abundant life without burden. 00:10:34.740 --> 00:10:35.740 Without burden. 00:10:35.740 --> 00:10:36.299 Without burden. 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:41.220 When we see the all-surpassing love of the Father toward us in Jesus Christ. 00:10:41.259 --> 00:10:44.759 When we see Jesus as the propitiation for our sins. 00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:52.860 The one who has already overcome the world, not by shedding the blood of others, but by shedding his own blood in our place. 00:10:53.399 --> 00:10:57.919 When we see the impossible burden of every other yoke compared to Jesus's. 00:10:57.919 --> 00:11:06.459 Then and only then will we come under this counter-intuitively liberating yoke and know the joy of eternal life. 00:11:07.159 --> 00:11:09.799 And that is what 1 John wants for us. 00:11:09.860 --> 00:11:12.879 And that brings us to our final ending passage today. 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:16.240 1 John wants for us eternal life. 00:11:16.899 --> 00:11:18.459 An assurance of eternal life. 00:11:18.519 --> 00:11:19.959 This is the whole point of this letter. 00:11:20.059 --> 00:11:22.399 Look at our text today in verse 13. 00:11:23.279 --> 00:11:24.759 This is the whole point of the letter. 00:11:24.759 --> 00:11:33.679 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. 00:11:34.559 --> 00:11:36.259 That's the heart of God for us. 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:40.539 He wants us to have eternal life and to know that we have it. 00:11:41.319 --> 00:11:47.539 Now before we go any further, I want to pause here and talk a little bit about what eternal life is. 00:11:47.740 --> 00:11:52.460 I don't want to take for granted that we all understand this biblical notion of eternal life. 00:11:52.460 --> 00:11:57.720 And I also don't want to take for granted that eternal life is something all of us even want, right? 00:11:58.560 --> 00:12:03.980 You know, I think a lot of us understand eternal life to be something kind of abstract. 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:07.500 Maybe we just translate it as heaven in our heads, right? 00:12:07.720 --> 00:12:12.560 Like it's an alternative to hell or to eternal torment or something like that. 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:16.900 Some place or some existence that we enter into after we die. 00:12:16.899 --> 00:12:21.600 But because none of us have died, none of us have been there, and no one can really prove this, 00:12:21.679 --> 00:12:24.120 it kind of seems just like a far-off pipe dream. 00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:25.939 Not something that we can grasp. 00:12:26.340 --> 00:12:28.039 Not something that we can experience now. 00:12:28.100 --> 00:12:31.819 Not something that's particularly relevant to our life or very appealing. 00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:36.759 Why concern myself with eternal life when I can enjoy my current life? 00:12:36.759 --> 00:12:41.779 And then there are others of us who may tend to think of eternal life more like quantitatively, 00:12:42.200 --> 00:12:44.559 as simply everlasting life. 00:12:44.659 --> 00:12:51.179 Life that has no end, the prolonged extension and continuation of our consciousness and existence 00:12:51.179 --> 00:12:52.600 forever and ever and ever. 00:12:53.340 --> 00:12:56.799 And for many of us, this actually even sounds super unappealing, right? 00:12:56.819 --> 00:12:58.419 Why would I want to live forever? 00:12:59.419 --> 00:13:03.080 And I know some of us in this room struggle with suicidal thoughts. 00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:09.200 We have trouble believing that even this temporal life is worth living, let alone living forever. 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:14.759 But if we consider what Jesus had to say about eternal life, 00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:19.240 we might find that it isn't primarily about eternal and future, 00:13:19.560 --> 00:13:22.660 a future transcendent destination or about longevity. 00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:26.379 Sure, heaven and living forever are included in eternal life, 00:13:26.440 --> 00:13:29.840 but the main thing eternal life is about, according to Jesus, 00:13:30.980 --> 00:13:31.900 is a relationship. 00:13:31.899 --> 00:13:35.079 Eternal life is a relationship. 00:13:35.819 --> 00:13:40.639 In the Gospel of John, John chapter 17, Jesus praying to his Father in heaven, 00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:41.480 he says this, 00:13:41.980 --> 00:13:45.159 And this is eternal life, that they know you, 00:13:45.959 --> 00:13:50.319 the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 00:13:52.039 --> 00:13:53.120 See, according to Jesus, 00:13:53.740 --> 00:13:57.360 eternal life is not primarily about an afterlife destination 00:13:57.360 --> 00:14:00.399 or some prolonged quantity of life, 00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:05.379 but it's a quality of life lived in relationship with the living and true God. 00:14:05.899 --> 00:14:08.759 It's not mostly about where one goes after they die 00:14:08.759 --> 00:14:10.320 or how long someone lives, 00:14:10.419 --> 00:14:12.320 but it's about who one lives with, 00:14:12.800 --> 00:14:14.360 both now and forevermore. 00:14:14.360 --> 00:14:16.980 It's not something to wait to experience later, 00:14:17.620 --> 00:14:19.960 but it's something that is broken into history now 00:14:19.960 --> 00:14:21.620 and that can be experienced right now, 00:14:21.700 --> 00:14:23.500 eternal life with God in the present, 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:27.360 here and near to us in Christ and by his Spirit. 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:30.820 Notice in verses 14 and 15 of our text, 00:14:31.700 --> 00:14:32.419 how 1 John, 00:14:32.419 --> 00:14:33.919 excuse me, 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:37.259 how 1 John continues by talking about the relationship 00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:41.979 that one has when one comes into the possession of eternal life. 00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:43.839 It's a relationship of confidence. 00:14:44.479 --> 00:14:47.039 And this is the real good news of eternal life. 00:14:47.139 --> 00:14:48.059 Not that you live forever, 00:14:48.459 --> 00:14:50.439 but you can have confidence with God. 00:14:51.079 --> 00:14:51.879 Verse 14 says, 00:14:51.879 --> 00:14:54.399 And this is the confidence we have toward him, 00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:57.779 that if we ask anything according to his will, 00:14:58.360 --> 00:14:59.319 he hears us. 00:14:59.939 --> 00:15:00.519 Verse 15, 00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:03.600 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, 00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:07.639 we know that we have the request that we have asked of him. 00:15:08.199 --> 00:15:08.519 So again, 00:15:08.579 --> 00:15:11.319 eternal life is about so much more than how long we live 00:15:11.319 --> 00:15:12.379 or where we go when we die. 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:15.079 It's about access to God himself. 00:15:15.779 --> 00:15:16.860 It's about a personal, 00:15:17.419 --> 00:15:18.620 conversational, 00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:21.659 confident relationship with God, 00:15:21.860 --> 00:15:22.840 the Father Almighty, 00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:25.419 the maker of heaven and earth. 00:15:26.539 --> 00:15:27.000 Now, okay, 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:29.220 maybe even that doesn't quite excite you. 00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:32.200 Maybe you're not even sure that you believe in God. 00:15:32.259 --> 00:15:33.879 You're not even sure that there is a God 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:36.519 and that a relationship with him 00:15:36.519 --> 00:15:38.460 is something you'd even care to have. 00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:40.460 And if that's the case, 00:15:40.800 --> 00:15:42.259 if it's the case that you're not interested 00:15:42.259 --> 00:15:43.920 in this confidence that we can have 00:15:43.920 --> 00:15:46.100 through a relationship with the God of the Scriptures 00:15:46.100 --> 00:15:47.560 revealed to us in Jesus Christ, 00:15:47.800 --> 00:15:49.100 what I want to ask you is, 00:15:50.060 --> 00:15:51.340 what is the alternative confidence 00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:53.379 that you have found? 00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:56.659 What is the alternative confidence that you have found? 00:15:57.340 --> 00:15:59.559 What confidence do you have every evening 00:15:59.559 --> 00:16:01.659 when you rest your eyes to sleep 00:16:01.659 --> 00:16:03.919 and you allow yourself to be utterly helpless 00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:06.480 and defenseless to the rest of the world? 00:16:07.179 --> 00:16:08.659 What confidence do you have 00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:11.519 that your next breath won't be your last? 00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:13.480 What confidence do you have 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:15.279 that your life has meaning and purpose 00:16:15.279 --> 00:16:18.019 and will end in security and joy and peace? 00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:20.039 What confidence do you have 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:21.819 that you are being led by still waters 00:16:21.819 --> 00:16:24.079 in paths of justice and righteousness 00:16:24.079 --> 00:16:26.259 and that surely goodness and mercy 00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:29.000 will follow you all the days of your life? 00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:31.100 Verse 14, 00:16:31.179 --> 00:16:32.699 and this is the confidence that we, 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:34.860 the children of God, have toward him, 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:38.240 that if we ask anything according to his will, 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:40.059 he hears us. 00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:41.600 He hears us. 00:16:42.539 --> 00:16:44.319 I want you to think about that for a second. 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:47.159 Think about this kind of amazing confidence 00:16:47.159 --> 00:16:48.980 that is offered to us here 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:52.279 in this eternal life relationship with God. 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:56.339 See, we don't just get heaven and everlasting life. 00:16:56.439 --> 00:16:58.360 We get God's very ear. 00:16:59.159 --> 00:17:00.339 And not just his ear, 00:17:00.419 --> 00:17:03.759 but his strong right hand and his heart. 00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:06.460 For God's children, it is his delight, 00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:10.639 it is his pleasure to answer his children's requests. 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:13.200 That's amazing, isn't it? 00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:16.200 What greater confidence is there 00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:17.519 than the confidence of children 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:20.500 in right relationship with their Father in heaven, 00:17:20.580 --> 00:17:23.319 the creator and the sustainer of all things, 00:17:23.420 --> 00:17:25.940 who loves to give us good things, 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:27.259 who loves to give us good gifts. 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:29.140 Remember what Jesus said? 00:17:29.860 --> 00:17:31.500 Ask, and it will be given to you. 00:17:32.080 --> 00:17:33.059 Seek, and you will find. 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:34.720 Knock, and it will be opened to you. 00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:36.580 For everyone who asks, receives. 00:17:37.100 --> 00:17:38.539 And the one who seeks, finds. 00:17:38.620 --> 00:17:40.259 And to the one who knocks, it will be opened. 00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:44.039 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:45.140 will give him a stone? 00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:48.539 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:52.519 If you then who are evil know how to give good gifts 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:53.220 to your children, 00:17:53.879 --> 00:17:56.599 how much more will your Father who is in heaven 00:17:56.599 --> 00:17:59.400 give good things to those who ask him? 00:17:59.400 --> 00:18:03.400 This is the incredible promise of God here. 00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:06.360 Ask your perfect, loving, all-powerful, 00:18:06.620 --> 00:18:08.560 all-wise daddy for anything. 00:18:10.100 --> 00:18:11.240 And if it is his will, 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:13.440 it shall be yours. 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:15.259 He will give it to you. 00:18:15.800 --> 00:18:18.620 What could possibly inspire greater confidence, 00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:21.240 security, and assurance than this? 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:24.140 Now some of us here are like, 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:24.960 wait, hold up though. 00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:27.040 There's this huge caveat. 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:27.759 I caught it. 00:18:28.299 --> 00:18:29.740 It says, if we ask anything, what? 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:31.899 According to his will. 00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:34.099 Oh man, that ruined everything, right? 00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:36.240 According to his will, oh man, 00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:38.379 that doesn't sound so great. 00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:39.700 What about my will? 00:18:40.119 --> 00:18:41.399 What about what I want? 00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:43.639 What good is having God's ear 00:18:43.639 --> 00:18:46.619 if he only gives me what he wants to give me? 00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:48.559 Well may I ask, 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:50.279 have you ever wanted something 00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:52.539 that wasn't good and right for you? 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:55.899 I have a three-year-old and a two-year-old daughter 00:18:55.900 --> 00:18:58.820 who asked me for lollipops 10 times more 00:18:58.820 --> 00:19:00.680 than they asked me for carrot sticks, all right? 00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:03.480 Who asked me to watch Bluey and Daniel Tiger 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:07.000 100 times more than they asked me to read them books. 00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:08.360 Why? 00:19:09.019 --> 00:19:10.860 Because they have no idea what's best for them 00:19:10.860 --> 00:19:13.620 or even what is possibly harmful for them. 00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:15.640 Again, we have to remember 00:19:15.640 --> 00:19:18.680 it is precisely because God is our loving Father. 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:22.840 He sometimes does not give us what we think we want, 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:24.699 what we think we should be asking for. 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:26.339 It's because of his love. 00:19:26.419 --> 00:19:28.939 He will never give us a stone for a loaf of bread 00:19:28.939 --> 00:19:30.559 or a serpent for a fish. 00:19:30.879 --> 00:19:33.079 No matter how hard we cry out for it, 00:19:33.159 --> 00:19:34.639 he loves us too much 00:19:34.639 --> 00:19:37.619 to always give us exactly what we ask for. 00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:40.500 See, prayer is not the act 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:42.359 of bending God's will toward ours. 00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:45.819 Prayer is the act of bending our wills toward his. 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:48.339 Not my will be done, 00:19:48.439 --> 00:19:49.919 but thy will be done. 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:54.200 And so this supposed caveat in verse 14, 00:19:54.300 --> 00:19:55.120 according to his will, 00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:56.980 is really nothing but a blessing. 00:19:57.840 --> 00:19:58.880 It's the promise of God 00:19:58.880 --> 00:20:00.720 that he will either give us everything we want 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:01.500 and ask for, 00:20:01.860 --> 00:20:05.660 or he will give us everything we would have asked for 00:20:05.660 --> 00:20:06.720 and would have wanted 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:08.580 if we knew everything that he knew. 00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:10.060 Let me say that again. 00:20:10.320 --> 00:20:13.120 God will either give us everything we want and ask for, 00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:16.340 or he will give us everything we would have wanted 00:20:16.339 --> 00:20:17.679 and would have asked for 00:20:17.679 --> 00:20:20.659 if we knew all that he knew in his perfect wisdom. 00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:22.759 Now, isn't that good news? 00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:24.980 Isn't that good news for the world? 00:20:25.959 --> 00:20:27.459 So one point of application right here 00:20:27.459 --> 00:20:28.119 would be to consider, 00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:30.199 what are we asking God for? 00:20:31.079 --> 00:20:32.279 What are we asking God for? 00:20:32.339 --> 00:20:33.279 Think about that for a second, 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.639 and remember this promise 00:20:34.639 --> 00:20:36.539 and the confidence you can have 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:38.819 with your requests as children of God. 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:41.480 As one Scottish theologian that I like to listen to, 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:42.599 his name is Sinclair Ferguson, 00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:42.980 he said, 00:20:43.899 --> 00:20:45.879 I'd rather ask and have God say no 00:20:45.879 --> 00:20:48.639 than not ask and have God say, 00:20:49.099 --> 00:20:51.279 well, you never asked, right? 00:20:52.399 --> 00:20:53.399 So children of God, 00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:54.599 what are the things that you want? 00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:56.699 What are the things that are on our hearts? 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:58.159 What are the things you think 00:20:58.159 --> 00:21:01.039 your all-wise and all-loving Father wants for you? 00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:04.659 For me, one prayer that I've been bringing before the Lord, 00:21:04.879 --> 00:21:06.159 it comes from Psalm 51. 00:21:07.159 --> 00:21:09.079 Create in me a clean heart, O God, 00:21:09.659 --> 00:21:11.759 and renew a right spirit within me. 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:14.440 Cast me not away from your presence, 00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:17.180 and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:20.379 Restore unto me the joy of your salvation, 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:23.799 and lead me, uphold me with a willing spirit. 00:21:24.660 --> 00:21:26.559 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, 00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:28.839 and sinners will return to you. 00:21:28.879 --> 00:21:29.720 That's been my prayer. 00:21:30.339 --> 00:21:31.299 I love this prayer, 00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:34.000 and I also love how confidently I can pray it 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:36.440 and trust that God is gonna answer you. 00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:37.940 Yes and amen. 00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:39.779 Verse 14, 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:41.740 This is the confidence we have toward God, 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:44.700 that if we ask him anything according to his will, 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:46.119 he hears us. 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:49.740 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, 00:21:50.099 --> 00:21:52.160 we know that we have the requests 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:53.420 that we have asked of him. 00:21:54.660 --> 00:21:56.099 Now look with me at verse 16. 00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:57.899 I want us to notice how interesting it is 00:21:57.899 --> 00:22:00.259 that right after talking about this amazing promise 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:01.559 that we can have anything, 00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:03.399 anything we ask for, 00:22:03.399 --> 00:22:04.599 if it is God's will, 00:22:04.599 --> 00:22:08.559 the thing this apostle talks about asking God for 00:22:08.559 --> 00:22:13.399 is the repentance and restoration of others. 00:22:14.119 --> 00:22:15.099 It's not our own health, 00:22:15.179 --> 00:22:16.039 it's not our own safety, 00:22:16.139 --> 00:22:17.159 it's not our own success, 00:22:17.419 --> 00:22:18.959 or a whole list of other good things 00:22:18.959 --> 00:22:19.759 that might be great for us, 00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:22.399 not even our own spiritual health and vitality, 00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:26.259 but the restoration of others back to God. 00:22:27.099 --> 00:22:27.759 Verse 16, 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:30.039 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:31.220 not leading to death, 00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:32.799 he shall ask, 00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:34.599 and God will give him life. 00:22:35.119 --> 00:22:37.180 To those who commit sins that do not lead to death, 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:38.940 there is sin that leads to death. 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:40.619 I do not say that one should pray for that. 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:42.099 All wrongdoing is sin, 00:22:42.180 --> 00:22:44.700 but there is sin that does not lead to death. 00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:47.920 God wants us to pray for other people 00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:49.279 and for their restoration. 00:22:50.859 --> 00:22:52.240 Now you may be wondering, 00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:53.460 based on this verse though, 00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:55.119 you might be wondering what this is talking about, 00:22:55.119 --> 00:22:57.319 this sin that doesn't lead to death 00:22:57.319 --> 00:22:59.699 and the sin that does lead to death. 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.739 And I went back and forth 00:23:00.739 --> 00:23:01.799 whether or not I should get into this, 00:23:01.879 --> 00:23:02.619 but here we go, okay? 00:23:02.639 --> 00:23:04.500 I'm just gonna do really short, 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:05.779 and if you wanna talk about it further, 00:23:06.119 --> 00:23:06.839 in further depth, 00:23:06.959 --> 00:23:07.939 I'm happy to chat about it. 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:08.899 Send me an email, all right? 00:23:08.939 --> 00:23:10.759 Or send one of our elders an email instead, all right? 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.879 But in short, 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:16.079 the sin that leads to death 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:19.339 is the unforgivable sin that Jesus talks about. 00:23:19.859 --> 00:23:23.599 The unforgivable sin of not seeking God's forgiveness. 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:25.759 That is the sin that leads to death. 00:23:25.839 --> 00:23:27.159 That is the unforgivable sin. 00:23:27.399 --> 00:23:29.500 The sin of not seeking forgiveness, 00:23:29.699 --> 00:23:32.459 of not acknowledging one's need for God and repentance. 00:23:33.659 --> 00:23:34.599 Now then you may be wondering, 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:36.779 is this verse saying we shouldn't pray for such people? 00:23:37.699 --> 00:23:39.959 Well, honestly, we can't know actually 00:23:39.959 --> 00:23:42.359 who is committing the sin that leads to death 00:23:42.359 --> 00:23:44.959 and who is committing the sin that doesn't lead to death. 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:46.959 So really, we should pray for everyone, 00:23:47.639 --> 00:23:49.079 but with the understanding 00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:50.419 that there is a kind of prayer 00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:52.160 that cannot be answered. 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:54.200 And it is a prayer for the restoration of those 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:56.100 who don't and won't ever 00:23:56.100 --> 00:23:58.279 want to be restored to God. 00:23:59.019 --> 00:24:00.380 And I know I just may have opened up 00:24:00.380 --> 00:24:02.400 a huge can of theological worms right here. 00:24:02.820 --> 00:24:05.500 So feel free to email me or our elders to chat. 00:24:06.060 --> 00:24:08.759 But the main application question 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:10.240 I have for all of us here is, 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:11.920 do we pray for others? 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:14.160 Do we even pray for others 00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:16.680 and seek their restoration with God? 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.500 Or more particularly, 00:24:18.820 --> 00:24:21.100 do we pray for others who are living in sin, 00:24:21.600 --> 00:24:23.740 living apart from God's perfect ways for them? 00:24:24.380 --> 00:24:26.380 Are we praying that they return to God? 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:28.440 Do we pray for those 00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:30.700 who are continually dishonoring God 00:24:30.700 --> 00:24:31.860 and harming themselves 00:24:31.860 --> 00:24:33.680 and harming others with their choices 00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:34.620 and with their attitudes, 00:24:34.820 --> 00:24:35.500 with their actions, 00:24:35.620 --> 00:24:37.060 or maybe even just their inactions? 00:24:38.259 --> 00:24:40.640 Do we even have deep enough relationships 00:24:40.640 --> 00:24:41.500 in our lives 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:43.800 where we would even know about 00:24:43.800 --> 00:24:46.000 and discern the sinful habits 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:47.259 and patterns and proclivities 00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:49.240 in the lives of those around us 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:51.700 and be able to speak into them? 00:24:52.800 --> 00:24:53.820 It's hard stuff. 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:54.960 I hate doing it. 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:56.040 I just had to do it recently 00:24:56.040 --> 00:24:57.880 with a really dear friend of mine 00:24:57.880 --> 00:24:58.980 and it was awkward 00:24:58.980 --> 00:25:00.620 and the whole time I was fearing 00:25:00.620 --> 00:25:02.200 that he would think I was a self-righteous, 00:25:02.300 --> 00:25:03.520 goody-two-shoe pastor. 00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:05.900 But you have to do it. 00:25:06.620 --> 00:25:09.400 God calls us to pray for others 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:11.000 and to seek their restoration 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:12.540 back into the fold. 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:14.220 And I know this might sound 00:25:14.220 --> 00:25:15.660 so self-righteous, right? 00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:17.040 And we definitely need to be 00:25:17.040 --> 00:25:18.120 heeding Jesus' words 00:25:18.120 --> 00:25:20.240 to take the logs out of our own eyes 00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:21.580 before removing the specks 00:25:21.580 --> 00:25:23.300 out of other people's eyes. 00:25:23.400 --> 00:25:24.800 But why not do both 00:25:24.800 --> 00:25:26.480 in proper proportion? 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:28.580 I mean, think about it. 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:29.980 Think about what it means 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:32.500 to love others like God loves them. 00:25:33.380 --> 00:25:34.720 Like what if we believed 00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:37.920 that sin was the worst thing 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:39.000 in people's lives? 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:41.320 What if we actually believed 00:25:41.320 --> 00:25:43.660 that sin was the worst thing 00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:45.259 in other people's lives? 00:25:45.340 --> 00:25:46.620 How would that lead us 00:25:46.620 --> 00:25:47.800 to relate to others? 00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.580 When was the last time 00:25:49.580 --> 00:25:50.660 we prayed for the repentance 00:25:50.660 --> 00:25:51.440 and restoration 00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:53.100 of someone in our lives 00:25:53.100 --> 00:25:54.880 who is living apart from God? 00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:56.540 Don't we want them 00:25:56.540 --> 00:25:57.440 to be close with God? 00:25:58.400 --> 00:25:59.400 And what does our answer 00:25:59.400 --> 00:26:00.259 to this question reveal 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:01.960 about our hearts for God 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:03.380 and our hearts for the people 00:26:03.380 --> 00:26:05.440 who God's heart yearns for? 00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:08.019 Again, what are the things 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:09.059 that we most want? 00:26:09.619 --> 00:26:10.500 What are the things 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:12.180 that we pour out to God 00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:13.019 from our hearts? 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:15.059 And how occupied are our prayers 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:16.660 for both the things of God 00:26:16.660 --> 00:26:18.819 and for those around us? 00:26:19.619 --> 00:26:21.599 See, this is life and death stuff. 00:26:22.180 --> 00:26:22.879 It's the difference 00:26:22.879 --> 00:26:24.400 between being children of God 00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:25.940 and, as it says here, 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:27.539 vulnerable to the power of the devil. 00:26:27.619 --> 00:26:28.200 Verse 18. 00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:30.000 We know that everyone 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:31.740 who has been born of God 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:33.819 does not keep on sinning. 00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:34.740 And remember, 00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:36.319 we've seen verses like this 00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:37.080 all throughout this letter. 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:38.360 This is not about perfection, 00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:39.860 but it's about direction. 00:26:40.059 --> 00:26:41.740 It's not about stumbling into sin, 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:43.900 but it's about that perpetual walk in sin 00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:45.360 that he's speaking against. 00:26:46.319 --> 00:26:47.460 But he who is born of God, 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:48.180 it says Jesus, 00:26:48.580 --> 00:26:49.240 protects him, 00:26:49.640 --> 00:26:51.519 and the evil one does not touch him. 00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:52.880 Verse 19. 00:26:52.880 --> 00:26:55.080 We know that we are from God 00:26:55.080 --> 00:26:56.860 and the whole world lies 00:26:56.860 --> 00:26:58.540 in the power of the evil one. 00:26:59.160 --> 00:27:00.800 What 1 John is doing here 00:27:00.800 --> 00:27:02.560 is bringing everything to a head. 00:27:03.080 --> 00:27:04.400 1 John doesn't hold back at all. 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:06.040 You're either a child of God 00:27:06.040 --> 00:27:08.160 or you are under the power 00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:08.960 of the evil one. 00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:11.320 There is no neutrality. 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:13.660 I'm sorry, there is no neutrality. 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:16.080 You are united with the truth, 00:27:16.400 --> 00:27:17.900 the true God, and eternal life, 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:19.680 or you are united with falsehood 00:27:19.680 --> 00:27:22.000 and a false God and death itself. 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:23.640 And this is not to say 00:27:23.640 --> 00:27:24.000 that Christians, 00:27:24.819 --> 00:27:25.920 those who are united with Christ, 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:26.880 don't sin. 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.799 And this is not to say 00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:29.359 that those who aren't united with Christ 00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:30.259 don't do good. 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:31.980 We believe in the common grace of God. 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.819 But ultimately, 00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:36.200 this matter of life and death, 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:37.420 this matter of eternal life 00:27:37.420 --> 00:27:38.119 and eternal death 00:27:38.119 --> 00:27:38.960 is whether or not 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:40.180 we are united with the truth 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:42.019 in Christ or not. 00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:44.900 1 John ends by bringing everything 00:27:44.900 --> 00:27:46.039 full circle here. 00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:47.539 And he confronts us 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.779 with Jesus Christ. 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.519 In chapter 1, verse 1, 00:27:50.559 --> 00:27:50.819 it says, 00:27:50.819 --> 00:28:09.339 They experience the eternal life 00:28:09.339 --> 00:28:10.379 and they want to proclaim it. 00:28:11.159 --> 00:28:12.419 And the same thing happens at the end. 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:13.539 In chapter 5, verse 20, 00:28:13.539 --> 00:28:15.559 And we know that the Son of God 00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.319 has come 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:18.859 and has given us understanding 00:28:18.859 --> 00:28:20.299 so that we may know Him 00:28:20.299 --> 00:28:21.039 who is true. 00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:23.099 And we are in Him who is true 00:28:23.099 --> 00:28:24.720 in His Son, Jesus Christ. 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:26.839 He is the true God 00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:28.700 and eternal life. 00:28:29.339 --> 00:28:30.759 And the question for all of us 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:31.980 is will we trust Him? 00:28:32.619 --> 00:28:34.099 Will we believe in Him? 00:28:34.159 --> 00:28:35.480 Will we believe and receive 00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:36.680 this apostolic witness? 00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:38.740 Will we receive this eternal life, 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:40.639 a relationship with the one true God 00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:41.320 in Christ, 00:28:41.860 --> 00:28:43.460 or will we not? 00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:45.860 And 1 John ends 00:28:45.860 --> 00:28:47.180 with what seems like a random 00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:50.020 but rather abrupt ending. 00:28:50.180 --> 00:28:50.759 Verse 21, 00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:52.280 Little children, 00:28:53.040 --> 00:28:54.759 keep yourselves from idols. 00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:56.259 Little children, 00:28:56.420 --> 00:28:57.200 keep yourselves from idols. 00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:58.380 It's kind of a strange ending, right? 00:28:59.440 --> 00:28:59.900 But really, 00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:01.180 this is actually a profound 00:29:01.180 --> 00:29:03.020 and compelling summary 00:29:03.020 --> 00:29:03.920 of the whole letter. 00:29:04.640 --> 00:29:06.040 It's saying that the choice 00:29:06.040 --> 00:29:07.080 is not God 00:29:07.080 --> 00:29:08.460 versus many other 00:29:08.460 --> 00:29:09.759 possible good options. 00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:11.279 No, it's saying 00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:12.819 it is either the one true God 00:29:12.819 --> 00:29:13.940 who we trust in 00:29:13.940 --> 00:29:14.779 and unite with 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:16.299 or idols, 00:29:17.180 --> 00:29:19.039 false, counterfeit gods 00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:20.660 made by human hands. 00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:23.099 These gods that we pursue 00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:26.059 that we think can save us, 00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:27.720 that have mouths 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:29.019 but cannot speak to us, 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:30.240 that have eyes 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:31.920 but are not looking out for us, 00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:32.559 that have ears 00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:34.039 but cannot hear our prayers, 00:29:34.140 --> 00:29:34.779 that have hands 00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:36.480 but cannot lift us up, 00:29:36.619 --> 00:29:38.500 feet but will not pursue us. 00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:40.680 1 John ends 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:41.680 by confronting us 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:43.240 with these two options, 00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:45.000 the one true God 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:46.940 or all the other 00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:48.059 counterfeit gods 00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:49.059 that could possibly 00:29:49.059 --> 00:29:49.759 be out there. 00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:51.980 Will we serve 00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:52.519 and bow down 00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:53.559 to the one true God 00:29:53.559 --> 00:29:54.779 or these other gods 00:29:54.779 --> 00:29:56.079 hoping that they will save us 00:29:56.079 --> 00:29:56.740 and deliver us 00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:57.640 and rescue us 00:29:57.640 --> 00:29:58.880 and make everything right? 00:30:00.079 --> 00:30:01.039 And 1 John says, 00:30:01.200 --> 00:30:01.839 Little children, 00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:03.460 little children, 00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:04.940 don't you see? 00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:07.680 there is no one else. 00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:09.660 There is no one else 00:30:09.660 --> 00:30:10.320 but Jesus. 00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:12.120 No other God 00:30:12.120 --> 00:30:13.220 will love you like Jesus. 00:30:13.840 --> 00:30:14.559 No other God 00:30:14.559 --> 00:30:15.680 will die on a cross 00:30:15.680 --> 00:30:16.660 as the propitiation 00:30:16.660 --> 00:30:17.660 for your sins 00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:18.460 like Jesus. 00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:20.200 No other God 00:30:20.200 --> 00:30:21.039 will pave the way 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:21.779 for you to be 00:30:21.779 --> 00:30:23.039 the beloved children 00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:23.759 of God 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.500 that you were always 00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:25.360 meant to be 00:30:25.360 --> 00:30:26.299 but Jesus. 00:30:27.640 --> 00:30:29.640 Little beloved children 00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:30.799 of our Father in Heaven, 00:30:31.799 --> 00:30:32.620 keep yourselves 00:30:32.619 --> 00:30:33.719 from idols. 00:30:34.579 --> 00:30:35.419 Keep yourselves 00:30:35.419 --> 00:30:36.219 from that which 00:30:36.219 --> 00:30:37.019 does not love you, 00:30:37.659 --> 00:30:39.039 that which cannot save you, 00:30:39.479 --> 00:30:40.279 that which will not 00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:41.019 die for you, 00:30:41.419 --> 00:30:42.859 and that will only 00:30:42.859 --> 00:30:43.739 estrange you 00:30:43.739 --> 00:30:44.659 from your Father 00:30:44.659 --> 00:30:45.519 in Heaven. 00:30:46.459 --> 00:30:47.179 Keep yourself 00:30:47.179 --> 00:30:47.639 from idols, 00:30:47.739 --> 00:30:48.239 little children, 00:30:48.839 --> 00:30:49.619 and stick close 00:30:49.619 --> 00:30:50.239 to your Father 00:30:50.239 --> 00:30:51.639 for His glory 00:30:51.639 --> 00:30:52.939 and for your good. 00:30:53.659 --> 00:30:54.659 And this is the gospel. 00:30:55.339 --> 00:30:56.059 And this is the gospel, 00:30:56.159 --> 00:30:57.519 the ultimate win-win 00:30:57.519 --> 00:30:58.979 in Jesus Christ.