WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.440 1 John 5, verses 1-12 00:00:05.440 --> 00:00:21.760 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, 00:00:22.260 --> 00:00:26.780 and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of Him. 00:00:26.780 --> 00:00:33.600 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey His commandments. 00:00:34.439 --> 00:00:40.579 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome. 00:00:41.600 --> 00:00:44.920 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. 00:00:45.840 --> 00:00:52.719 And this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith. 00:00:52.719 --> 00:00:58.939 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 00:01:00.719 --> 00:01:04.319 And this is He who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ. 00:01:05.299 --> 00:01:08.799 Not by the water only, but by the water and the blood. 00:01:09.500 --> 00:01:14.460 And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 00:01:14.459 --> 00:01:21.599 For there are three that testify, the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree. 00:01:22.519 --> 00:01:27.359 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater. 00:01:28.299 --> 00:01:32.079 For this is the testimony of God that He has born concerning His Son. 00:01:33.539 --> 00:01:37.219 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. 00:01:37.219 --> 00:01:45.459 Whoever does not believe, God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God is born concerning His Son. 00:01:46.680 --> 00:01:52.400 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 00:01:52.939 --> 00:01:54.840 Whoever has the Son has life. 00:01:55.379 --> 00:01:58.780 Whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 00:01:59.599 --> 00:02:02.039 This is God's holy and authoritative word. 00:02:02.040 --> 00:02:13.120 I read a Christianity Today article recently that noted that online evangelism ministries, 00:02:13.280 --> 00:02:17.520 like the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Global Media Outreach, and Crew, 00:02:18.780 --> 00:02:23.920 that they account normally for about 200 million gospel presentations on the internet per year. 00:02:24.099 --> 00:02:31.500 But they have recently, since the onset of the pandemic, have seen an explosion of clicks on search engines. 00:02:32.039 --> 00:02:38.120 For their ads about finding hope, overcoming fear, such things. 00:02:39.159 --> 00:02:45.959 And they say that they've seen a 170% increase in their web traffic. 00:02:46.959 --> 00:02:55.579 And that's because fear, which is a spiritual malady, spreads even more virulently than the virus itself. 00:02:55.580 --> 00:03:03.920 And this presents a great opportunity for us as Christians to offer the hope of eternal life found in Jesus Christ alone. 00:03:03.919 --> 00:03:11.379 And we as Christians do not fear suffering, because Christ our champion has already suffered. 00:03:12.159 --> 00:03:20.479 We as Christians do not suffer death, do not fear death, because Christ our champion has already overcome death. 00:03:20.479 --> 00:03:28.120 And because Christ suffered and died, but was raised from the dead in victory on Resurrection Sunday, 00:03:28.120 --> 00:03:33.000 we have assurance that our suffering and our death will not end in defeat, 00:03:34.359 --> 00:03:38.959 but it will end in victory and eternal resurrection life. 00:03:38.960 --> 00:03:43.800 And this passage we just read in 1 John chapter 5 reminds us of this truth, 00:03:43.939 --> 00:03:51.780 that those who overcome the world by their faith in Jesus Christ can be assured of their new birth and eternal life. 00:03:52.319 --> 00:03:55.600 So first we're going to talk about the new birth in verses 1 to 5, 00:03:56.020 --> 00:03:59.480 and about eternal life in verses 6 to 12. 00:04:00.020 --> 00:04:03.319 John begins with a reassuring statement in verse 1. 00:04:03.319 --> 00:04:19.420 So if you've been with us through this short series in 1 John, 00:04:19.980 --> 00:04:24.639 you know that John has been emphasizing throughout the letter that faith in Jesus Christ 00:04:24.639 --> 00:04:28.939 and love for our brothers and sisters in Christ are the twin test, 00:04:28.939 --> 00:04:33.579 kind of two-pronged tests of whether or not our conversion is genuine, 00:04:33.660 --> 00:04:36.639 whether or not we really belong to God and are born of God. 00:04:36.959 --> 00:04:39.360 And here he is referencing those two things again. 00:04:40.019 --> 00:04:44.279 First, everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. 00:04:44.519 --> 00:04:45.699 So this is the first test. 00:04:46.579 --> 00:04:52.079 Christ is not Jesus' last name, but it's his title, which means anointed one, 00:04:52.560 --> 00:04:55.459 referring to the fact that he is the messianic king, 00:04:55.459 --> 00:04:58.339 the prophesied king that was to come to deliver his people. 00:04:59.600 --> 00:05:04.699 And if you believe that Jesus is this king, the son of God, Jesus is the Christ, 00:05:04.860 --> 00:05:08.180 then you have been born again into God's family. 00:05:09.079 --> 00:05:10.800 And there is no exception to this. 00:05:10.939 --> 00:05:16.379 Everyone who believes this truth, that Jesus is the Christ, has been born of God. 00:05:16.459 --> 00:05:19.560 This is the first part of that twin test of genuine conversion. 00:05:20.459 --> 00:05:23.560 And those who have been born of God love their heavenly father, 00:05:24.180 --> 00:05:25.500 because that's their father. 00:05:25.500 --> 00:05:30.120 And so in the second clause, John refers to Christians as those who love the father, 00:05:30.339 --> 00:05:33.720 and then gives the second part of the twin test of genuine conversion. 00:05:34.480 --> 00:05:39.019 Everyone who loves the father loves whoever has been born of him. 00:05:39.019 --> 00:05:45.279 The word father in verse one of our translation, the English standard version, 00:05:45.399 --> 00:05:48.000 actually isn't there in the original Greek. 00:05:48.319 --> 00:05:51.719 The word that is there literally means the one who begets, 00:05:52.299 --> 00:05:54.680 which of course is a reference to the father. 00:05:55.060 --> 00:05:58.719 But this literal rendering highlights the tight connection between the one who begets 00:05:58.719 --> 00:06:00.240 and the one who is begotten. 00:06:00.240 --> 00:06:06.699 He's saying everyone who loves the one who begets loves whoever has been begotten of him. 00:06:07.740 --> 00:06:13.819 And since John already told us in that first clause that it's those who believe that Jesus is the Christ 00:06:13.819 --> 00:06:15.420 are the ones who are born of God. 00:06:16.079 --> 00:06:20.920 Those who have been born of him that he's referencing here are fellow believers. 00:06:21.340 --> 00:06:23.360 Those who believe that Jesus is the Christ. 00:06:24.060 --> 00:06:26.560 And this is how we know this is the second part of the test, 00:06:26.639 --> 00:06:30.100 how we know that we are genuinely born of God and love our heavenly father, 00:06:30.240 --> 00:06:33.379 it's that we love our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:06:34.740 --> 00:06:40.000 I'm blessed to pastor a church that loves me and my family really well. 00:06:40.900 --> 00:06:48.199 And one of the ways that your love for me is evident is the way you love and care for my children. 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:53.579 Serving them in children's ministry, smiling at them, taking interest in them, 00:06:54.340 --> 00:06:57.960 patiently bearing with them when we are over at your house or when you're over at my house. 00:06:57.959 --> 00:07:06.779 And that means a lot to me because I know that your love for our kids is an expression of your love for me and Hannah. 00:07:07.739 --> 00:07:10.719 And in the same way, John is saying here, 00:07:10.720 --> 00:07:19.600 How can you claim to love the father yet hate his children? 00:07:20.720 --> 00:07:26.840 How can your love for your father not express itself naturally in your love for his children, 00:07:26.980 --> 00:07:28.420 your brothers and sisters in Christ? 00:07:28.420 --> 00:07:34.120 And so then how are we to know that we are indeed loving those who are born of God? 00:07:34.319 --> 00:07:36.040 How do we know that we are loving one another? 00:07:36.600 --> 00:07:38.180 Verses 2 to 3 answer that question. 00:07:38.280 --> 00:07:40.920 By this we know that we love the children of God. 00:07:41.319 --> 00:07:45.160 When we love God and obey his commandments. 00:07:46.139 --> 00:07:49.560 For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments. 00:07:49.560 --> 00:07:56.300 Now John's statement here is surprising because he reverses his usual pattern of exhortation, 00:07:56.399 --> 00:07:59.740 saying that we know that we love God by the way we love one another. 00:07:59.899 --> 00:08:01.100 You see how that's reversed here? 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:07.300 And this time he says that we know we love one another when we love God and obey his commandments. 00:08:07.720 --> 00:08:14.519 So at first glance, then his argument seems perfectly circular, which is a logical fallacy. 00:08:15.220 --> 00:08:17.060 But that's not what is going on here. 00:08:17.060 --> 00:08:20.600 John is actually adding a new wrinkle to his argumentation. 00:08:21.379 --> 00:08:28.540 He's adding that our genuine love for one another is evidence not merely in a human affinity, 00:08:29.480 --> 00:08:34.840 a social bond that every human being, whether he is a Christian or not, 00:08:35.240 --> 00:08:38.000 craves and creates naturally in life, 00:08:38.620 --> 00:08:43.480 but by a love that is rooted in love for God and obedience to his commands. 00:08:43.480 --> 00:08:50.240 In other words, it is a spiritually minded, God-oriented love. 00:08:51.460 --> 00:08:55.480 The love for one another that proves that we belong to God's family 00:08:55.480 --> 00:08:58.700 is not a love for men apart from God, 00:08:59.259 --> 00:09:04.539 but a love for our brothers and sisters that is centered around the love of God. 00:09:04.539 --> 00:09:11.299 And some people indeed join a church simply because they like the relational connections 00:09:11.299 --> 00:09:16.799 and social engagements in much the same way that non-Christians join country clubs. 00:09:17.740 --> 00:09:21.339 But that is no evidence that we are truly born of God. 00:09:22.519 --> 00:09:29.559 Christian love is not a temporal human fraternity where the other people are the focal point of the relationship. 00:09:29.559 --> 00:09:39.459 It's rather an eternal spiritual fraternity where God is the focal point of the relationship. 00:09:40.619 --> 00:09:45.199 It's only when we are consumed and driven by our love for God 00:09:45.199 --> 00:09:50.799 that we can rightly love one another in accordance with his purposes and priorities. 00:09:50.799 --> 00:09:53.659 So let's ask ourselves, 00:09:53.659 --> 00:09:59.699 is God the center of gravity in our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ? 00:10:01.379 --> 00:10:03.859 Or are we actually drawn by something else? 00:10:04.759 --> 00:10:05.699 Someone else? 00:10:07.479 --> 00:10:10.219 By this we know that we love the children of God 00:10:10.219 --> 00:10:12.679 when we love God and obey his commandments. 00:10:13.459 --> 00:10:18.859 Then John explains why he ties obedience to God's command so closely with love for God. 00:10:19.439 --> 00:10:19.919 He says, 00:10:19.919 --> 00:10:22.139 For this is the love of God, 00:10:22.439 --> 00:10:24.259 that we keep his commandments. 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:28.000 This echoes what Jesus said in John 14 verse 21, 00:10:28.459 --> 00:10:31.279 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, 00:10:31.639 --> 00:10:33.539 he it is who loves me. 00:10:34.339 --> 00:10:37.059 And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, 00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:40.259 and I will love him and manifest myself to him. 00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:44.139 Note that this is a statement, not a suggestion. 00:10:45.399 --> 00:10:46.240 John doesn't say, 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:47.480 If you love God, 00:10:47.939 --> 00:10:49.279 you should keep his commandments. 00:10:49.919 --> 00:10:54.719 He says that the love of God consists in keeping his commandments. 00:10:56.000 --> 00:10:57.259 They're inseparable. 00:10:58.299 --> 00:11:03.079 Genuine love for God unfailingly finds its expression in obedience to his commands. 00:11:03.240 --> 00:11:05.299 That's because love always shows. 00:11:05.299 --> 00:11:10.059 It shows in the care and interest you take in another person's well-being. 00:11:11.059 --> 00:11:12.279 Love always shows. 00:11:12.379 --> 00:11:14.740 It shows in your desire to please that person. 00:11:14.740 --> 00:11:19.019 It shows in the words you say and the things you do. 00:11:19.019 --> 00:11:23.860 Likewise, those who truly love God obey his commandments. 00:11:24.600 --> 00:11:28.139 That's why it's a fallacy to say that Christianity is about love 00:11:28.139 --> 00:11:31.559 and that we don't need to worry so much about the do's and don'ts of Scripture. 00:11:31.559 --> 00:11:34.619 That's like telling a husband, 00:11:34.619 --> 00:11:37.379 Hey, your marriage is all about love. 00:11:37.539 --> 00:11:39.479 So don't worry about pleasing your wife. 00:11:40.019 --> 00:11:42.500 No need to pay attention to her desires and preferences. 00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:44.479 Don't worry about what she tells you. 00:11:44.599 --> 00:11:45.799 It's just about love. 00:11:46.599 --> 00:11:47.879 It makes no sense. 00:11:47.879 --> 00:11:54.980 How can you love someone without being interested in pleasing that person? 00:11:56.320 --> 00:12:01.779 The love of God and the love of God's children cannot be near our hearts 00:12:01.779 --> 00:12:07.360 when the concerns and commands of God are far from our hearts. 00:12:10.279 --> 00:12:13.139 Surely at this point, some people will groan and say, 00:12:13.299 --> 00:12:17.860 Well, so then Christianity does come down to a list of do's and don'ts, doesn't it? 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:20.200 How burdensome. 00:12:21.580 --> 00:12:22.639 How painful. 00:12:24.299 --> 00:12:27.580 But John anticipates that objection at the end of verse 3. 00:12:29.100 --> 00:12:32.580 And his commandments are not burdensome. 00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:36.419 And he gives the reason in verses 4 to 5. 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:41.220 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. 00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:45.600 And this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith. 00:12:46.420 --> 00:12:51.180 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 00:12:52.040 --> 00:12:55.460 Notice that John keeps making these comprehensive, sweeping statements 00:12:55.460 --> 00:12:57.639 that describe every Christian without exception. 00:12:58.100 --> 00:13:00.600 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. 00:13:00.659 --> 00:13:03.700 And everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of Him. 00:13:03.740 --> 00:13:07.980 And now again, everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. 00:13:07.980 --> 00:13:13.039 This is descriptive, not prescriptive. 00:13:13.800 --> 00:13:16.420 It's not what Christians should do. 00:13:16.700 --> 00:13:19.300 It's what all Christians do do. 00:13:19.299 --> 00:13:25.219 Everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. 00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:30.979 And by the world, John is alluding to his description of the world earlier in chapter 2, verse 16. 00:13:31.099 --> 00:13:35.159 The desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life. 00:13:35.159 --> 00:13:37.339 These are the things that are in the world. 00:13:37.339 --> 00:13:43.759 The cravings for sinful, fleshly pleasure and covetousness, love of money, materialism. 00:13:44.539 --> 00:13:49.079 But everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. 00:13:50.019 --> 00:13:52.500 This does not mean that Christians never sin. 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:55.439 John made that clear in chapter 1, verse 8. 00:13:55.440 --> 00:14:00.680 And the combat words that John uses, such as overcome and victory, 00:14:00.880 --> 00:14:03.300 imply that there is a battle being waged. 00:14:03.520 --> 00:14:05.440 There's a struggle, an ongoing struggle. 00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:09.580 However, when a person is born of God through faith in Jesus, 00:14:09.880 --> 00:14:13.680 there is a fundamental shift in his allegiances. 00:14:14.220 --> 00:14:16.940 And the believer is no longer under the dominion of sin. 00:14:17.780 --> 00:14:19.880 He's no longer enslaved to sin. 00:14:20.260 --> 00:14:23.040 Because he's now under the lordship of Jesus Christ, 00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:27.019 who has overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. 00:14:27.879 --> 00:14:32.459 This is what Paul speaks of in Romans chapter 6, verses 1 to 4. 00:14:32.740 --> 00:14:35.299 After having spoken of the fact that, you know, 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:38.179 whenever sin increases in the life of the believer, 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:42.919 that God's grace abounds all the more to meet the need 00:14:42.919 --> 00:14:44.799 and to be sufficient for all of us, 00:14:45.199 --> 00:14:46.919 he then anticipates this question. 00:14:47.079 --> 00:14:48.199 What shall we say then? 00:14:48.620 --> 00:14:51.459 Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 00:14:53.039 --> 00:14:54.939 That's a good question, isn't it? 00:14:55.719 --> 00:14:57.179 If all of my sins are forgiven, 00:14:57.639 --> 00:15:00.919 and every one of my sins magnify God's grace all the more, 00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:02.339 because whenever my sin increases, 00:15:02.419 --> 00:15:03.659 God's grace abounds all the more, 00:15:03.959 --> 00:15:06.399 then shouldn't I just enjoy life, 00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:08.259 indulge in all the pleasures and sins, 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:09.539 sinful desires of this world, 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:11.939 and let God's grace increase? 00:15:13.159 --> 00:15:15.740 But Paul answers this way in Romans 6, 00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:17.060 by no means. 00:15:18.060 --> 00:15:20.159 How can we, who died to sin, 00:15:20.560 --> 00:15:21.620 still live in it? 00:15:22.899 --> 00:15:24.560 Do you not know that all of us 00:15:24.560 --> 00:15:26.340 who have been baptized into Christ Jesus 00:15:26.340 --> 00:15:28.100 were baptized into His death? 00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:30.779 We were buried, therefore, with Him 00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:32.139 by baptism into death, 00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:33.180 in order that, 00:15:33.539 --> 00:15:35.620 just as Christ was raised from the dead 00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:37.019 by the glory of the Father, 00:15:37.240 --> 00:15:40.240 we too might walk in newness of life. 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:44.460 This is a really important doctrine. 00:15:45.419 --> 00:15:46.460 Paul doesn't say, 00:15:46.820 --> 00:15:48.960 well, you can keep on sinning, 00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:51.159 but you shouldn't. 00:15:51.960 --> 00:15:53.200 Paul doesn't say that. 00:15:54.039 --> 00:15:54.680 He says, 00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:57.799 we can't keep on sinning 00:15:57.799 --> 00:15:59.840 because we have died to sin. 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:04.259 The true Christian never thinks to himself, 00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:06.779 well, I wonder how much sin I can get away with 00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:08.259 without jeopardizing my salvation. 00:16:10.939 --> 00:16:12.860 The true Christian never says to himself, 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:14.620 I want to keep on sinning 00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:17.000 because to be a Christian 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:18.279 is to renounce oneself 00:16:18.279 --> 00:16:19.519 and repent of one's sins, 00:16:19.579 --> 00:16:20.639 to turn from one's sins, 00:16:20.759 --> 00:16:23.699 and to put one's entire trust and faith in Jesus 00:16:23.699 --> 00:16:25.019 and follow Him. 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:31.459 We will have the privilege of baptizing Ivy 00:16:31.459 --> 00:16:32.299 later this morning 00:16:32.299 --> 00:16:35.480 and baptism in water, 00:16:35.480 --> 00:16:37.159 which is the initiatory rite 00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:38.340 of becoming a Christian, 00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:41.980 signifies and seals our union with Christ 00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:43.180 in His death and resurrection. 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:46.320 Our submission in water 00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:48.060 signifies our death to sin 00:16:48.060 --> 00:16:50.019 and our emergence from water 00:16:50.019 --> 00:16:52.460 signifies new life in Jesus Christ. 00:16:53.080 --> 00:16:56.180 So the thought of continuing in sin 00:16:56.180 --> 00:16:59.100 and presuming on God's grace 00:16:59.100 --> 00:17:01.500 is totally foreign to the Christian. 00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:05.880 And this radical transfer of allegiances 00:17:05.880 --> 00:17:07.380 is what John has in view 00:17:07.380 --> 00:17:07.859 when he says, 00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:10.359 for everyone who has been born of God 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:12.160 overcomes the world. 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:14.480 It's for this reason 00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:15.420 that God's commandments 00:17:15.420 --> 00:17:17.400 are not burdensome. 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:21.599 Christian author Dane Ortlund 00:17:21.599 --> 00:17:23.640 puts it this way in his book, 00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:24.880 A New Inner Relish. 00:17:24.880 --> 00:17:26.880 Immoral people 00:17:26.880 --> 00:17:28.460 don't want to obey, 00:17:28.680 --> 00:17:29.820 so they don't. 00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:32.220 Moral people 00:17:32.220 --> 00:17:33.860 don't want to obey, 00:17:34.140 --> 00:17:34.700 but they do. 00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:36.980 Christians 00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:38.660 want to obey. 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:42.960 To the Christian who overcomes the world, 00:17:44.320 --> 00:17:46.120 his deepest desire 00:17:46.120 --> 00:17:47.700 is to do the will of God. 00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:49.720 God's commandments, 00:17:50.320 --> 00:17:50.480 therefore, 00:17:50.640 --> 00:17:52.260 are not burdensome. 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:54.579 And verse 5 tells us 00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:55.799 that those who overcome the world 00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:56.799 are those who believe 00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:58.680 that Jesus is the Son of God. 00:18:00.180 --> 00:18:01.180 And this is because 00:18:01.180 --> 00:18:02.539 Jesus is the one who said 00:18:02.539 --> 00:18:04.539 in John 16, verse 33, 00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:05.319 Take heart, 00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:07.619 for I have overcome the world. 00:18:08.119 --> 00:18:09.779 In the second half of our passage, 00:18:09.900 --> 00:18:10.779 verses 6 to 12, 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:12.640 John then goes into more detail 00:18:12.640 --> 00:18:14.279 about the identity of Jesus Christ 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:15.559 and teaches us 00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:16.799 that those who overcome the world 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:17.700 by their faith in Him 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:19.400 can be assured of eternal life. 00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:21.259 He says in verse 6, 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:22.460 This is He who came 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:23.859 by water and blood, 00:18:24.400 --> 00:18:25.099 Jesus Christ. 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:27.440 Not by the water only, 00:18:27.920 --> 00:18:30.079 but by the water and the blood. 00:18:31.359 --> 00:18:33.960 It's difficult to ascertain 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:35.019 what John means here 00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:36.180 by water and blood. 00:18:37.640 --> 00:18:40.599 There's two most likely options. 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:42.960 The first option is that 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:44.980 water represents Jesus' baptism 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:47.160 when He was baptized 00:18:47.160 --> 00:18:48.160 by John the Baptist. 00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:49.640 And the Holy Spirit 00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:50.519 descended upon Him 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:52.080 and the Father spoke from heaven 00:18:52.080 --> 00:18:52.340 saying, 00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:53.440 This is my beloved Son 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:54.680 in whom I am well pleased. 00:18:55.700 --> 00:18:58.519 And blood represents 00:18:58.519 --> 00:19:00.100 Jesus' crucifixion. 00:19:00.360 --> 00:19:01.380 This is the first option. 00:19:01.460 --> 00:19:02.300 In this interpretation, 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:03.519 the water represents 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:04.420 the beginning of Jesus' 00:19:04.640 --> 00:19:05.300 earthly ministry 00:19:05.300 --> 00:19:06.759 and blood represents 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:07.660 the end of Jesus' 00:19:07.840 --> 00:19:08.700 earthly ministry. 00:19:08.920 --> 00:19:11.180 It's a neat, appealing option. 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:13.440 The second option 00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:15.700 is that the water represents 00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:17.080 the life-giving water 00:19:17.080 --> 00:19:17.840 of the Spirit 00:19:17.840 --> 00:19:19.500 that flows from Jesus. 00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:22.840 And that blood represents 00:19:22.840 --> 00:19:24.500 the sin-cleansing blood 00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:25.840 poured out by Jesus. 00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:28.360 I'm not sure 00:19:28.360 --> 00:19:29.460 which one is right, 00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:30.660 but I think option two 00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:31.880 is more likely 00:19:31.880 --> 00:19:32.819 for several reasons. 00:19:33.600 --> 00:19:34.900 First is that 00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:35.700 John's gospel 00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:37.100 is the only gospel 00:19:37.100 --> 00:19:37.720 of the four 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:39.380 that does not include 00:19:39.380 --> 00:19:40.059 the account of 00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:40.920 John the Baptist 00:19:40.920 --> 00:19:42.380 baptizing Jesus with water. 00:19:42.380 --> 00:19:44.440 So it would seem odd 00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:45.120 for John to make 00:19:45.120 --> 00:19:45.740 such a big deal 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:46.880 of that water baptism 00:19:46.880 --> 00:19:48.240 and to call it water 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:49.020 if he's, 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:50.580 that's what he's referring to. 00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:51.600 Secondly, 00:19:51.760 --> 00:19:52.500 John's gospel, 00:19:52.780 --> 00:19:53.200 however, 00:19:53.380 --> 00:19:55.200 uses the image of water 00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:56.260 far more than 00:19:56.260 --> 00:19:57.340 any other gospels. 00:19:58.200 --> 00:20:00.500 And it usually refers 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:01.600 to Jesus' 00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:03.700 spirit-imparting ministry, 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:05.780 not his baptism. 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:06.700 So for example, 00:20:06.780 --> 00:20:07.680 in John chapter 4, 00:20:07.820 --> 00:20:08.460 Jesus tells 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:09.400 the Samaritan woman 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:09.960 at the well, 00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:11.120 whoever drinks 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:11.979 of the water 00:20:11.979 --> 00:20:13.539 that I will give him 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:15.199 will never be thirsty again. 00:20:15.899 --> 00:20:17.479 The water that I will give him 00:20:17.479 --> 00:20:18.139 will become in him 00:20:18.139 --> 00:20:19.119 a spring of water 00:20:19.119 --> 00:20:20.719 walling up to eternal life. 00:20:21.579 --> 00:20:22.139 And again, 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:22.939 Jesus says 00:20:22.939 --> 00:20:24.000 in John chapter 7, 00:20:24.059 --> 00:20:24.579 verse 38, 00:20:24.679 --> 00:20:25.739 whoever believes in me 00:20:25.739 --> 00:20:27.339 as the scripture has said, 00:20:27.719 --> 00:20:28.559 out of his heart 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:30.019 will flow rivers 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:31.439 of living water. 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.099 Right? 00:20:32.679 --> 00:20:33.739 So then water 00:20:33.739 --> 00:20:35.500 in this second option 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:36.199 is a reference 00:20:36.199 --> 00:20:36.679 to Jesus' 00:20:36.919 --> 00:20:37.759 life-giving, 00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:39.379 spirit-imparting ministry, 00:20:39.380 --> 00:20:40.580 and blood 00:20:40.580 --> 00:20:41.700 is a reference 00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:42.200 to Jesus' 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.500 sin-cleansing, 00:20:43.800 --> 00:20:45.140 sacrificial ministry. 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:46.820 And I think 00:20:46.820 --> 00:20:47.500 this is why 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:48.700 in his gospel account 00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:49.580 of Jesus' death 00:20:49.580 --> 00:20:51.380 in John chapter 19, 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:51.980 verse 34, 00:20:52.520 --> 00:20:53.580 he notes specifically 00:20:53.580 --> 00:20:54.880 that when one of the soldiers 00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:55.800 pierced Jesus 00:20:55.800 --> 00:20:56.600 after his death 00:20:56.600 --> 00:20:57.400 in his side 00:20:57.400 --> 00:20:57.960 with a spear, 00:20:58.520 --> 00:20:59.800 at once there came out 00:20:59.800 --> 00:21:01.280 blood and water. 00:21:02.800 --> 00:21:04.420 John is the only gospel writer 00:21:04.420 --> 00:21:05.080 of the four 00:21:05.080 --> 00:21:06.220 that includes that detail. 00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:08.299 So then notice 00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:09.460 how John emphasizes 00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:10.640 that Jesus came 00:21:10.640 --> 00:21:12.880 not by the water only, 00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:14.799 but by the water 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:16.000 and the blood. 00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:18.299 John seems to be addressing 00:21:18.299 --> 00:21:19.579 the counterclaims 00:21:19.579 --> 00:21:20.799 of the secessionists. 00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:22.100 If you've been with us 00:21:22.100 --> 00:21:23.279 throughout the series, 00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:23.880 you know that 00:21:23.880 --> 00:21:24.380 in this letter, 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:25.160 John is writing 00:21:25.160 --> 00:21:26.000 to encourage 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:27.519 and assure early Christians 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.299 of their faith 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:30.240 because they were rattled 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:31.240 by some 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:32.620 who used to be 00:21:32.620 --> 00:21:33.319 among their number 00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:35.299 that denied Jesus Christ 00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:37.119 and separated themselves 00:21:37.119 --> 00:21:37.759 from the church. 00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:40.299 And earlier in chapter 4, 00:21:40.379 --> 00:21:41.220 verses 2 to 3, 00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:42.779 John specifically warned 00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:44.659 the people of God 00:21:44.659 --> 00:21:46.359 that warned them 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:46.980 about those 00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:47.619 who denied 00:21:47.619 --> 00:21:48.859 that Jesus Christ 00:21:48.859 --> 00:21:49.519 has come 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:50.559 in the flesh. 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:53.980 And later in 2 John, 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:56.000 chapter 1, verse 7, 00:21:56.099 --> 00:21:56.859 he says again 00:21:56.859 --> 00:21:58.359 that many deceivers 00:21:58.359 --> 00:21:58.939 have gone out 00:21:58.939 --> 00:21:59.599 into the world, 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:00.599 those who do not 00:22:00.599 --> 00:22:01.439 confess the coming 00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:02.240 of Jesus Christ 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:03.519 in the flesh. 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:06.019 So we can infer 00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:07.799 from these verses 00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:09.680 that these secessionists 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:10.460 were denying 00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:11.340 the humanity 00:22:11.340 --> 00:22:12.340 of Jesus, 00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:14.200 denying the death 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:15.080 of Jesus. 00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:17.600 The doctrine 00:22:17.600 --> 00:22:18.840 that the Son of God, 00:22:18.920 --> 00:22:19.420 the Christ, 00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:20.480 the Savior of the world 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.799 became fully man 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:22.779 and died 00:22:22.779 --> 00:22:24.039 a human death 00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:25.059 was a point 00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:25.740 of embarrassment 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:26.779 for some 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.820 in the first century 00:22:27.820 --> 00:22:28.640 and it sparked 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:29.700 several heresies. 00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:31.720 For example, 00:22:31.860 --> 00:22:32.319 a prominent 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:33.460 first century heretic 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:34.680 named Serinthus 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:35.799 claimed that 00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:36.500 while the Spirit 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.039 of Christ 00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:38.039 descended upon Jesus 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:38.759 at his baptism 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.500 and dwelt with him 00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:40.319 throughout his ministry, 00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:42.019 but the Spirit 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:42.720 left him 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:44.039 before his death 00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:44.819 so that the Christ 00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:45.580 never died, 00:22:45.660 --> 00:22:47.240 only human Jesus did. 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:51.340 And these people, 00:22:51.600 --> 00:22:52.779 so then these people 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:54.500 affirmed the water 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:56.620 but not the blood. 00:22:56.619 --> 00:22:59.239 they denied 00:22:59.239 --> 00:22:59.759 that Christ 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.159 had come 00:23:00.159 --> 00:23:01.159 in the flesh. 00:23:02.539 --> 00:23:03.519 And these heretical 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.399 beliefs may also 00:23:04.399 --> 00:23:05.199 have been influenced 00:23:05.199 --> 00:23:05.839 by the fact 00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:07.099 that in Greek mythology 00:23:07.099 --> 00:23:08.579 the deities 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:09.559 have a watery 00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:10.199 substance 00:23:10.199 --> 00:23:11.279 instead of blood. 00:23:12.679 --> 00:23:13.819 It's only the 00:23:13.819 --> 00:23:14.599 half-gods 00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:15.379 or demigods 00:23:15.379 --> 00:23:15.959 that have both 00:23:15.959 --> 00:23:16.679 blood and water. 00:23:17.559 --> 00:23:18.159 And so this 00:23:18.159 --> 00:23:18.699 would have been 00:23:18.699 --> 00:23:19.599 a point of embarrassment 00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:20.559 for some people 00:23:20.559 --> 00:23:22.039 who didn't want 00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:22.379 to believe 00:23:22.379 --> 00:23:23.179 in Jesus' humanity. 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:24.119 But John here 00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:24.759 insists 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:26.579 that Jesus came. 00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:28.640 Jesus Christ came 00:23:28.640 --> 00:23:30.379 not by the water 00:23:30.379 --> 00:23:30.960 only 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:32.339 but by the water 00:23:32.339 --> 00:23:33.599 and the blood. 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:36.000 Jesus not only 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:37.079 lived and ministered 00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:37.480 by the power 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:38.000 of the Holy Spirit, 00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:39.160 he also died 00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:40.180 and shed 00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:40.859 and poured out 00:23:40.859 --> 00:23:41.319 his blood 00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:42.500 as a human being. 00:23:44.819 --> 00:23:45.879 The life-giving 00:23:45.879 --> 00:23:46.779 water of the Spirit 00:23:46.779 --> 00:23:47.720 flowed from Jesus 00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:49.339 and the sin-cleansing 00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:50.200 blood of Jesus 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:51.160 also poured out 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:51.519 from him. 00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:54.639 There's a great hymn, 00:23:54.839 --> 00:23:55.960 an 18th century hymn 00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:57.500 entitled Rock of Ages 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:59.400 that puts this eloquently. 00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:00.420 It says, 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.460 Rock of Ages 00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:02.680 cleft for me. 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:04.819 Let me hide myself 00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:05.379 in thee. 00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:06.920 Let the water 00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:07.879 and the blood 00:24:07.879 --> 00:24:09.359 from thy 00:24:09.359 --> 00:24:10.319 riven side 00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:11.259 which flowed 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:12.819 be of sin 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:13.980 the double cure 00:24:13.980 --> 00:24:15.960 save from wrath 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:17.379 and make me pure. 00:24:17.380 --> 00:24:20.060 Not only did Jesus 00:24:20.060 --> 00:24:21.080 come by the water 00:24:21.080 --> 00:24:22.480 and the blood, 00:24:23.540 --> 00:24:24.040 John adds 00:24:24.040 --> 00:24:25.080 a third witness. 00:24:25.580 --> 00:24:25.820 He says, 00:24:25.900 --> 00:24:26.460 The Spirit 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:27.740 is the one 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:28.840 who testifies 00:24:28.840 --> 00:24:29.720 because the Spirit 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:30.620 is the truth. 00:24:31.600 --> 00:24:33.060 In three different places 00:24:33.060 --> 00:24:33.980 in the Gospel of John, 00:24:34.100 --> 00:24:34.920 Jesus promises 00:24:34.920 --> 00:24:36.040 that after his resurrection 00:24:36.040 --> 00:24:36.820 and ascension 00:24:36.820 --> 00:24:38.040 that he would send 00:24:38.040 --> 00:24:39.400 the Spirit of truth 00:24:39.400 --> 00:24:41.040 to his followers 00:24:41.040 --> 00:24:43.860 and that after being 00:24:43.860 --> 00:24:44.860 empowered by the Spirit 00:24:44.860 --> 00:24:45.200 of truth 00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:46.160 and guided by the Spirit 00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:46.440 of truth 00:24:46.440 --> 00:24:47.140 that the disciples 00:24:47.140 --> 00:24:47.559 of Jesus 00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:48.559 will then bear witness 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:49.440 about Jesus. 00:24:50.380 --> 00:24:50.900 Now, 00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:52.360 this Spirit of truth 00:24:52.360 --> 00:24:53.779 also testifies, 00:24:54.860 --> 00:24:55.559 bears witness 00:24:55.559 --> 00:24:56.340 about Jesus. 00:24:57.360 --> 00:24:57.860 For, 00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:58.600 John continues 00:24:58.600 --> 00:24:59.519 in verse 7 to 8, 00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:00.680 There are three 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:01.440 that testify, 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:02.240 the Spirit 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:03.440 and the water 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:04.539 and the blood 00:25:04.539 --> 00:25:06.519 and these three agree. 00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.039 So then, 00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:09.519 intertwined with the water, 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.600 blood and Spirit 00:25:10.600 --> 00:25:11.799 is Jesus' life, 00:25:12.299 --> 00:25:12.660 death 00:25:12.660 --> 00:25:13.759 and resurrection 00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:14.320 and ascension 00:25:14.320 --> 00:25:14.920 respectively. 00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:17.259 Jesus' life-giving ministry, 00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:18.640 his sin-cleansing death 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:20.660 and the Christ-testifying Spirit. 00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:22.259 All three bear 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:23.000 united, 00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:24.279 concerted witness 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:25.140 to the identity 00:25:25.140 --> 00:25:26.019 of Jesus Christ 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:27.100 as the Son of God 00:25:27.100 --> 00:25:28.039 and Son of Man, 00:25:28.380 --> 00:25:29.519 the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:25:29.600 --> 00:25:30.759 the Savior of the world. 00:25:32.120 --> 00:25:33.039 And in both 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:34.420 the Old and New Testaments, 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:35.580 a judgment 00:25:35.580 --> 00:25:36.279 or verdict 00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:37.720 could be upheld 00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:39.060 only by the testimony 00:25:39.060 --> 00:25:40.420 of two or three witnesses. 00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:42.720 So John's telling us here 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.279 that there are 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:44.220 three witnesses 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:45.180 that testify 00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:46.740 concerning Jesus 00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:48.080 and that therefore 00:25:48.080 --> 00:25:48.779 this testimony 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:50.700 is dependable, 00:25:50.840 --> 00:25:51.380 reliable. 00:25:51.600 --> 00:25:52.380 We should believe 00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:53.160 this testimony. 00:25:54.820 --> 00:25:56.019 And this testimony, 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:57.300 the testimony of these three 00:25:57.300 --> 00:25:58.180 should be believed 00:25:58.180 --> 00:25:59.240 all the more 00:25:59.240 --> 00:25:59.800 because 00:25:59.800 --> 00:26:01.500 they are the testimony 00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:02.400 of God. 00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:04.779 John writes 00:26:04.779 --> 00:26:05.380 in verse 9, 00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:06.300 If we receive 00:26:06.300 --> 00:26:06.960 the testimony 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:07.800 of men, 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:09.260 the testimony 00:26:09.260 --> 00:26:10.020 of God 00:26:10.020 --> 00:26:10.940 is greater 00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:12.300 for this 00:26:12.300 --> 00:26:13.120 is the testimony 00:26:13.120 --> 00:26:13.700 of God 00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.740 that he has borne 00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:15.880 concerning his Son. 00:26:17.180 --> 00:26:18.140 In our courts, 00:26:18.340 --> 00:26:19.340 we believe 00:26:19.340 --> 00:26:19.960 the testimony 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:21.080 of sinful men 00:26:21.080 --> 00:26:21.540 and women 00:26:21.540 --> 00:26:22.740 who frequently 00:26:22.740 --> 00:26:23.900 lie even under oath. 00:26:25.120 --> 00:26:26.020 But then, 00:26:26.120 --> 00:26:26.920 if that's the case, 00:26:27.040 --> 00:26:27.820 how much more 00:26:27.820 --> 00:26:28.680 should we believe 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:29.260 the testimony 00:26:29.260 --> 00:26:30.040 of God 00:26:30.040 --> 00:26:31.500 who never lies? 00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:34.480 God who can't 00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:35.040 not lie. 00:26:36.120 --> 00:26:37.020 bears witness 00:26:37.020 --> 00:26:38.340 regarding his Son 00:26:38.340 --> 00:26:39.560 through the water, 00:26:40.060 --> 00:26:40.380 blood, 00:26:40.520 --> 00:26:41.280 and the Spirit. 00:26:42.980 --> 00:26:44.040 And John continues 00:26:44.040 --> 00:26:44.640 in verse 10, 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:45.620 Whoever believes 00:26:45.620 --> 00:26:46.400 in the Son of God 00:26:46.400 --> 00:26:47.280 has the testimony 00:26:47.280 --> 00:26:48.080 in himself. 00:26:48.800 --> 00:26:49.860 Whoever does not believe 00:26:49.860 --> 00:26:50.820 God has made him 00:26:50.820 --> 00:26:51.460 a liar 00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:52.680 because he has not 00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:53.880 believed in the testimony 00:26:53.880 --> 00:26:55.560 that God has borne 00:26:55.560 --> 00:26:56.600 concerning his Son. 00:26:57.640 --> 00:26:58.580 To deny 00:26:58.580 --> 00:26:59.760 the divine testimony 00:26:59.760 --> 00:27:00.500 through water, 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:00.920 blood, 00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:01.480 and Spirit 00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:03.100 is to make God 00:27:03.100 --> 00:27:04.220 out to be a liar. 00:27:05.380 --> 00:27:07.660 Then, 00:27:07.880 --> 00:27:08.540 in verses 00:27:08.540 --> 00:27:10.460 11 to 12, 00:27:10.600 --> 00:27:11.300 John returns 00:27:11.300 --> 00:27:12.000 to what it is 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:12.520 that God 00:27:12.520 --> 00:27:13.160 has testified 00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:14.140 concerning his Son. 00:27:14.940 --> 00:27:15.340 He says, 00:27:15.480 --> 00:27:16.620 This is the testimony 00:27:16.620 --> 00:27:17.980 that God gave us 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:18.840 eternal life 00:27:18.840 --> 00:27:19.780 and this life 00:27:19.780 --> 00:27:21.300 is in his Son. 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:23.220 Whoever has the Son 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:23.940 has life. 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.260 Whoever does not 00:27:25.260 --> 00:27:26.080 have the Son of God 00:27:26.080 --> 00:27:27.240 does not have life. 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:29.660 Have you ever wondered 00:27:29.660 --> 00:27:31.059 why all these Christians 00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:32.420 who claim to have 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:33.099 eternal life 00:27:33.099 --> 00:27:35.079 and offer eternal life 00:27:35.079 --> 00:27:36.640 keep dying? 00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:38.660 Right. 00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:42.759 Well, it's because 00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:44.079 when Scripture speaks 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:45.180 of eternal life, 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:47.380 it is not referring 00:27:47.380 --> 00:27:49.259 to an unending extension 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:51.059 of life as we know it. 00:27:53.140 --> 00:27:54.359 Actually, if you think about it, 00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:55.620 it's such an interminable life 00:27:55.619 --> 00:27:56.819 in this sinful world, 00:27:56.919 --> 00:27:58.899 in our broken flesh, 00:27:58.899 --> 00:28:00.619 would not be desirable 00:28:00.619 --> 00:28:01.119 at all. 00:28:02.979 --> 00:28:03.519 Rather, 00:28:03.639 --> 00:28:04.219 John says, 00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:05.579 This eternal life 00:28:05.579 --> 00:28:07.439 is in his Son. 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:09.899 Whoever has the Son 00:28:09.899 --> 00:28:11.219 has life. 00:28:11.979 --> 00:28:12.539 This is why 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:13.479 later in verse 20 00:28:13.479 --> 00:28:14.439 of this same chapter, 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:15.099 John says that 00:28:15.099 --> 00:28:15.879 God's Son, 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:16.759 Jesus Christ, 00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:17.979 is the true God 00:28:17.979 --> 00:28:20.139 and eternal life. 00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:22.439 Jesus is 00:28:22.439 --> 00:28:23.519 the eternal life. 00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:25.519 To possess him 00:28:25.519 --> 00:28:26.779 is to possess 00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:28.359 eternal life. 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.559 This is why 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.200 Jesus says 00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:32.440 in John 11, 25, 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:34.160 I am the resurrection 00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:35.279 and the life. 00:28:35.920 --> 00:28:37.279 Whoever believes in me, 00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:38.180 though he die, 00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:40.079 yet shall he live. 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:43.099 Our mortality 00:28:43.099 --> 00:28:44.639 is a consequence of sin. 00:28:46.220 --> 00:28:47.180 Physical death 00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:48.259 is merely a symptom 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:50.440 of our underlying 00:28:50.440 --> 00:28:51.420 spiritual death. 00:28:51.420 --> 00:28:51.500 death. 00:28:52.300 --> 00:28:53.480 We are all 00:28:53.480 --> 00:28:54.820 by nature 00:28:54.820 --> 00:28:56.620 objects of God's wrath 00:28:56.620 --> 00:28:58.279 under the sentence 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.380 of eternal death. 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:01.080 And that is why 00:29:01.080 --> 00:29:01.759 God the Father 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:02.660 sent his Son 00:29:02.660 --> 00:29:03.980 to be the propitiation 00:29:03.980 --> 00:29:04.740 for our sins. 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.500 Jesus gave up 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.420 his breath 00:29:07.420 --> 00:29:08.700 on the cross 00:29:08.700 --> 00:29:09.920 as the atoning 00:29:09.920 --> 00:29:10.759 sacrifice 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:12.279 for our sins. 00:29:12.360 --> 00:29:13.860 He took upon himself 00:29:13.860 --> 00:29:15.480 our sentence of death. 00:29:16.100 --> 00:29:17.000 The Son of God, 00:29:17.120 --> 00:29:18.060 eternal life. 00:29:18.140 --> 00:29:18.600 Think about that. 00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:19.420 Eternal life, 00:29:19.420 --> 00:29:20.840 the word of life 00:29:20.840 --> 00:29:21.620 descended 00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:22.900 to the dead. 00:29:24.580 --> 00:29:25.779 But the life 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:26.400 of the Son 00:29:26.400 --> 00:29:27.800 could not be bottled up 00:29:27.800 --> 00:29:28.320 in a tomb. 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:29.620 God the Father 00:29:29.620 --> 00:29:31.039 raised him from the dead 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:31.980 so that whoever 00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:33.539 believes in Jesus, 00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:34.519 though he die, 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:36.620 yet may live. 00:29:38.060 --> 00:29:38.500 This 00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:40.120 is why Christians 00:29:40.120 --> 00:29:41.000 do not fear death. 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:44.660 Resurrection Sunday 00:29:44.660 --> 00:29:45.480 reminds us 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:45.980 that death 00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:46.860 does not have 00:29:46.860 --> 00:29:47.980 the final say 00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:48.519 in our lives. 00:29:51.140 --> 00:29:51.880 In his 00:29:51.880 --> 00:29:53.000 brilliant book, 00:29:53.579 --> 00:29:54.559 The Screwtape Letters, 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:55.500 many of you have read, 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:56.500 C.S. Lewis 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:58.259 writes imaginatively 00:29:58.259 --> 00:29:59.259 of a series 00:29:59.259 --> 00:30:00.319 of correspondences 00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:00.880 between 00:30:00.880 --> 00:30:02.079 Uncle Screwtape, 00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:02.740 who is a 00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.559 senior devil, 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:04.660 and 00:30:04.660 --> 00:30:05.700 Nephew Wormwood, 00:30:05.920 --> 00:30:06.759 a junior devil. 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:09.380 And in these letters 00:30:09.380 --> 00:30:10.180 between them, 00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:10.900 Screwtape 00:30:10.900 --> 00:30:12.339 offers Wormwood 00:30:12.339 --> 00:30:13.740 all kinds of 00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:15.059 evil, 00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:16.120 devilish advice 00:30:16.119 --> 00:30:17.119 to make sure 00:30:17.119 --> 00:30:18.259 that his nephew 00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:18.719 Wormwood 00:30:18.719 --> 00:30:20.139 successfully ensnares 00:30:20.139 --> 00:30:21.419 his human subject 00:30:21.419 --> 00:30:22.519 that they call 00:30:22.519 --> 00:30:23.319 patient. 00:30:24.939 --> 00:30:26.179 And the goal 00:30:26.179 --> 00:30:27.019 is to lure 00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:27.879 their patient 00:30:27.879 --> 00:30:28.339 to hell. 00:30:28.899 --> 00:30:29.479 And in one 00:30:29.479 --> 00:30:30.159 of these letters, 00:30:30.379 --> 00:30:31.319 Screwtape rebukes 00:30:31.319 --> 00:30:32.059 Wormwood for 00:30:32.059 --> 00:30:33.179 his novice 00:30:33.179 --> 00:30:34.599 preoccupation 00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:35.159 with death. 00:30:35.160 --> 00:30:37.620 And he says 00:30:37.620 --> 00:30:38.380 this to Wormwood, 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:40.160 When I told you 00:30:40.160 --> 00:30:40.820 not to fill 00:30:40.820 --> 00:30:41.300 your letters 00:30:41.300 --> 00:30:41.940 with rubbish 00:30:41.940 --> 00:30:42.620 about the war, 00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:43.340 I meant, 00:30:43.460 --> 00:30:43.820 of course, 00:30:43.900 --> 00:30:44.480 that I did not 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:45.259 want to have 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:45.980 your rather 00:30:45.980 --> 00:30:46.820 infantile 00:30:46.820 --> 00:30:47.400 rhapsodies 00:30:47.400 --> 00:30:48.140 about the death 00:30:48.140 --> 00:30:48.580 of men 00:30:48.580 --> 00:30:49.220 and the destruction 00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:49.759 of cities. 00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:52.240 Insofar as 00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:52.620 the war 00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:53.560 really concerns 00:30:53.560 --> 00:30:54.259 the spiritual 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:54.940 state of the 00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:55.279 patient, 00:30:55.820 --> 00:30:56.560 I naturally 00:30:56.560 --> 00:30:57.580 won full reports. 00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:59.420 And on this 00:30:59.420 --> 00:30:59.900 aspect, 00:31:00.060 --> 00:31:00.480 you seem 00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:01.220 singularly 00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:01.720 obtuse. 00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:02.740 Thus, 00:31:02.800 --> 00:31:03.240 you tell me 00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:03.740 with glee 00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:04.240 that there is 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:04.640 reason to 00:31:04.640 --> 00:31:05.400 expect heavy 00:31:05.400 --> 00:31:06.000 air raids 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:06.539 on the town 00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:06.880 where the 00:31:06.880 --> 00:31:07.599 creature lives. 00:31:08.339 --> 00:31:09.000 This is a 00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:09.839 crying example 00:31:09.839 --> 00:31:10.240 of something 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:10.500 I have 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:11.160 complained about 00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:11.559 already. 00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:12.599 Your readiness 00:31:12.599 --> 00:31:13.180 to forget 00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:13.980 the main point 00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:14.279 in your 00:31:14.279 --> 00:31:14.640 immediate 00:31:14.640 --> 00:31:15.160 enjoyment 00:31:15.160 --> 00:31:15.599 of human 00:31:15.599 --> 00:31:16.039 suffering. 00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:17.299 Do you 00:31:17.299 --> 00:31:18.019 not know 00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:18.680 that bombs 00:31:18.680 --> 00:31:19.420 kill men? 00:31:20.039 --> 00:31:20.640 Or do you 00:31:20.640 --> 00:31:21.460 not realize 00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:21.759 that the 00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:22.279 patient's 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:22.779 death at 00:31:22.779 --> 00:31:23.440 this moment 00:31:23.440 --> 00:31:24.940 is precisely 00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:25.480 what we 00:31:25.480 --> 00:31:25.859 want to 00:31:25.859 --> 00:31:26.180 avoid? 00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:27.880 He has 00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:28.779 escaped the 00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:29.079 worldly 00:31:29.079 --> 00:31:29.759 friends with 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:30.059 whom you 00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:30.539 try to 00:31:30.539 --> 00:31:31.339 entangle him. 00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:32.220 He has 00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:32.759 fallen in 00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.180 love with 00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:33.500 a very 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:34.000 Christian 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.880 woman and 00:31:34.880 --> 00:31:35.600 is temporarily 00:31:35.600 --> 00:31:36.519 immune from 00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:37.180 your attacks 00:31:37.180 --> 00:31:37.580 on his 00:31:37.580 --> 00:31:38.120 chastity. 00:31:38.460 --> 00:31:38.759 And the 00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:39.500 various methods 00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:40.160 of corrupting 00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:40.680 his spiritual 00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:41.480 life which we 00:31:41.480 --> 00:31:41.779 have been 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.759 trying are 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.279 so far 00:31:43.279 --> 00:31:44.100 unsuccessful. 00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:45.000 At the 00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:45.620 present moment 00:31:45.620 --> 00:31:45.960 as the 00:31:45.960 --> 00:31:46.640 full impact 00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:47.180 of the war 00:31:47.180 --> 00:31:48.160 draws nearer 00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:48.880 and his 00:31:48.880 --> 00:31:49.360 worldly 00:31:49.360 --> 00:31:50.519 hopes take 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:51.320 a proportionally 00:31:51.320 --> 00:31:52.180 lower place 00:31:52.180 --> 00:31:52.460 in his 00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:53.860 mind and 00:31:53.860 --> 00:31:56.400 daily increasing 00:31:56.400 --> 00:31:57.240 in conscious 00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:58.420 dependence on 00:31:58.420 --> 00:31:59.019 the enemy, 00:31:59.420 --> 00:32:00.000 which is God 00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:00.480 for them, 00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:02.220 he will almost 00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:02.960 certainly be 00:32:02.960 --> 00:32:03.579 lost to us 00:32:03.579 --> 00:32:03.980 if he is 00:32:03.980 --> 00:32:04.620 killed tonight. 00:32:06.120 --> 00:32:06.740 This is so 00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:07.400 obvious that 00:32:07.400 --> 00:32:07.940 I am ashamed 00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:08.519 to write it. 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:09.620 I sometimes 00:32:09.620 --> 00:32:10.279 wonder if you 00:32:10.279 --> 00:32:11.120 young fiends 00:32:11.120 --> 00:32:11.819 are not kept 00:32:11.819 --> 00:32:12.200 out on 00:32:12.200 --> 00:32:12.960 temptation duty 00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:13.519 too long at 00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:13.920 a time, 00:32:14.360 --> 00:32:14.779 if you are 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:15.579 not in some 00:32:15.579 --> 00:32:16.259 danger of 00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:17.220 becoming infected 00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:17.720 by the 00:32:17.720 --> 00:32:18.460 sentiments and 00:32:18.460 --> 00:32:19.579 values of the 00:32:19.579 --> 00:32:20.319 humans among 00:32:20.319 --> 00:32:21.059 whom you work. 00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:22.740 They, of 00:32:22.740 --> 00:32:23.420 course, do 00:32:23.420 --> 00:32:24.299 tend to regard 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:25.160 death as the 00:32:25.160 --> 00:32:26.519 prime evil and 00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:27.740 survival as the 00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:28.420 greatest good. 00:32:28.420 --> 00:32:28.460 good. 00:32:29.100 --> 00:32:29.759 But that is 00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:30.680 because we 00:32:30.680 --> 00:32:31.480 have taught 00:32:31.480 --> 00:32:32.080 them to do 00:32:32.080 --> 00:32:32.400 so. 00:32:33.259 --> 00:32:34.080 Do not let 00:32:34.080 --> 00:32:35.039 us be infected 00:32:35.039 --> 00:32:36.259 by our own 00:32:36.259 --> 00:32:37.039 propaganda. 00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:42.600 Those who 00:32:42.600 --> 00:32:43.380 overcome the 00:32:43.380 --> 00:32:44.240 world by their 00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:45.039 faith in Jesus 00:32:45.039 --> 00:32:47.220 Christ can be 00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:48.240 assured of 00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:48.700 their new 00:32:48.700 --> 00:32:49.800 birth and 00:32:49.800 --> 00:32:50.640 eternal life. 00:32:50.640 --> 00:32:54.380 in this 00:32:54.380 --> 00:32:55.080 pandemic, it's 00:32:55.080 --> 00:32:56.740 so easy to 00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:57.680 be preoccupied 00:32:57.680 --> 00:32:58.540 anxiously with 00:32:58.540 --> 00:32:59.300 our survival, 00:33:00.180 --> 00:33:03.180 to get caught 00:33:03.180 --> 00:33:03.740 up in the 00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:04.440 fear of death. 00:33:06.960 --> 00:33:08.100 But in the 00:33:08.100 --> 00:33:08.840 ultimate state 00:33:08.840 --> 00:33:09.880 of things, it 00:33:09.880 --> 00:33:10.620 is not physical 00:33:10.620 --> 00:33:11.820 death that is 00:33:11.820 --> 00:33:12.259 ultimate. 00:33:13.660 --> 00:33:14.800 It is spiritual 00:33:14.800 --> 00:33:15.800 death that is 00:33:15.800 --> 00:33:16.140 ultimate. 00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:17.620 And if we are 00:33:17.620 --> 00:33:19.420 saved, if we 00:33:19.420 --> 00:33:20.080 have eternal 00:33:20.080 --> 00:33:20.580 life, 00:33:20.640 --> 00:33:21.360 if we have 00:33:21.360 --> 00:33:22.040 the Son, 00:33:23.560 --> 00:33:24.100 then there is 00:33:24.100 --> 00:33:24.900 nothing for us 00:33:24.900 --> 00:33:25.340 to fear. 00:33:27.480 --> 00:33:28.120 Because we 00:33:28.120 --> 00:33:28.680 have been united 00:33:28.680 --> 00:33:29.740 by faith with 00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:30.300 the one who 00:33:30.300 --> 00:33:31.000 was raised from 00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:31.400 the dead. 00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:32.340 And that 00:33:32.340 --> 00:33:33.380 assures us that 00:33:33.380 --> 00:33:34.560 even though our 00:33:34.560 --> 00:33:35.480 bodies die, 00:33:36.600 --> 00:33:37.460 they will too 00:33:37.460 --> 00:33:38.259 be resurrected 00:33:38.259 --> 00:33:39.240 at Christ's 00:33:39.240 --> 00:33:39.600 return. 00:33:41.480 --> 00:33:42.420 As 1 Corinthians 00:33:42.420 --> 00:33:44.360 15 taunts, 00:33:44.980 --> 00:33:45.880 death is 00:33:45.880 --> 00:33:46.680 swallowed up in 00:33:46.680 --> 00:33:47.060 victory. 00:33:47.920 --> 00:33:49.340 Death, where 00:33:49.340 --> 00:33:49.780 is your 00:33:49.780 --> 00:33:50.200 victory? 00:33:50.640 --> 00:33:51.460 O death, 00:33:51.620 --> 00:33:52.380 where is 00:33:52.380 --> 00:33:53.500 your sting? 00:33:54.160 --> 00:33:55.060 The sting of 00:33:55.060 --> 00:33:55.880 death is sin 00:33:55.880 --> 00:33:56.560 and the power 00:33:56.560 --> 00:33:57.300 of sin is the 00:33:57.300 --> 00:33:57.620 law. 00:33:58.080 --> 00:33:59.000 But thanks be to 00:33:59.000 --> 00:34:00.000 God who gives 00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:00.840 us the victory 00:34:00.840 --> 00:34:01.759 through our 00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:02.800 Lord Jesus 00:34:02.800 --> 00:34:03.280 Christ. 00:34:03.280 --> 00:34:05.100 Amen.