WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.400 As you're getting settled, if you have a Bible, please turn with me to 1 John 5. 00:00:09.759 --> 00:00:17.600 As was mentioned earlier, Matthew is away this week, and we have finished up Judges, 00:00:17.719 --> 00:00:22.300 and today we're going to finish up 1 John as well, which I'm very excited for. 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:28.539 This is God's Word. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.560 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, 00:00:34.880 --> 00:00:37.340 that you may know that you have eternal life. 00:00:38.039 --> 00:00:41.200 And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, 00:00:41.519 --> 00:00:45.140 that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 00:00:45.700 --> 00:00:48.760 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, 00:00:48.900 --> 00:00:52.179 we know that we have the request that we have asked of Him. 00:00:53.120 --> 00:00:56.780 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin, not leading to death, 00:00:56.939 --> 00:00:59.359 he shall ask, and God will give him life. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:05.799 To those who commit sins that do not lead to death, there is a sin that leads to death. 00:01:06.299 --> 00:01:08.739 I do not say that one should pray for that. 00:01:08.879 --> 00:01:10.359 All wrongdoing is sin. 00:01:10.819 --> 00:01:13.840 But there is sin that does not lead to death. 00:01:14.560 --> 00:01:19.840 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning. 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:24.719 But he who is born of God protects Him, and the evil one does not touch Him. 00:01:25.359 --> 00:01:29.520 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 00:01:30.060 --> 00:01:33.859 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, 00:01:34.260 --> 00:01:36.980 so that we know Him who is true. 00:01:37.520 --> 00:01:41.800 We are in Him who is true in His Son, Jesus Christ. 00:01:42.219 --> 00:01:44.620 He is the true God in eternal life. 00:01:44.620 --> 00:01:48.040 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 00:01:48.400 --> 00:01:49.060 Let's pray. 00:01:49.640 --> 00:01:51.880 Almighty God, we are thankful for Your Word. 00:01:52.460 --> 00:01:54.439 For it is by Your Word that we have life. 00:01:55.580 --> 00:01:57.980 And it's by Your Word that You correct Your children. 00:01:58.900 --> 00:02:02.060 And it's by Your Word that You comfort us. 00:02:02.420 --> 00:02:05.080 We pray that You would do those things this morning. 00:02:05.300 --> 00:02:06.719 In Christ's name, amen. 00:02:06.719 --> 00:02:15.139 Early in the fall of 1797, the American Daily Advertiser published an article. 00:02:15.900 --> 00:02:17.500 Really, I don't even know if it was an article. 00:02:17.699 --> 00:02:19.300 It's 32 pages long. 00:02:19.659 --> 00:02:26.120 And in that article, President George Washington wrote a letter to the American people. 00:02:26.740 --> 00:02:27.960 It really wasn't him, though. 00:02:28.240 --> 00:02:31.840 It was a letter that was revised by Alexander Hamilton 00:02:31.840 --> 00:02:36.120 that was written by James Madison with a little tweaks by the president. 00:02:36.120 --> 00:02:41.800 And in that letter, if you know history, you kind of know the contents of this letter. 00:02:41.920 --> 00:02:47.819 And even if you don't know history, if you know pop culture and you've seen or heard the musical Hamilton, 00:02:48.200 --> 00:02:50.879 this is detailed in that work. 00:02:51.620 --> 00:02:57.379 But what George Washington wanted to convey to the American people is a couple things. 00:02:57.520 --> 00:03:02.099 He wanted to summarize and give a farewell speech to all of his supporters 00:03:02.099 --> 00:03:04.800 and address some of his detractors. 00:03:04.800 --> 00:03:07.780 But he also wanted to chart a vision for the future 00:03:07.780 --> 00:03:13.900 and to leave the American people with a vision of what America could become 00:03:13.900 --> 00:03:15.700 because it was still kind of in question. 00:03:16.300 --> 00:03:20.320 And when he did that, all these people were clamoring for a third term. 00:03:20.420 --> 00:03:22.080 He kind of put all that to rest and said, 00:03:22.540 --> 00:03:23.740 this is what's going to happen. 00:03:24.480 --> 00:03:28.840 It was so moving, or maybe kind of even so long, it was 32 pages, 00:03:28.840 --> 00:03:36.539 that no president after him had a farewell letter or speech until 40 years later with Andrew Jackson. 00:03:37.539 --> 00:03:41.120 But in that, something's come about. 00:03:41.300 --> 00:03:44.719 We have this staple of the American presidency where there's a farewell speech, 00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:47.240 and some have used it to vindicate their actions. 00:03:47.859 --> 00:03:51.639 Some have used it to introduce new policies. 00:03:51.900 --> 00:03:57.120 Some have used it in much more moving ways, like Washington so many years before, 00:03:57.439 --> 00:04:02.180 to chart a vision for the future, to conclude their time together. 00:04:02.180 --> 00:04:07.219 In this final section of 1 John, we have a farewell speech. 00:04:08.439 --> 00:04:10.060 It's pretty moving as well. 00:04:10.280 --> 00:04:14.159 It's not like when we just ended Judges last week, right? 00:04:14.200 --> 00:04:16.340 You're kind of left with this, wah, wah, wah. 00:04:17.560 --> 00:04:20.980 And now what do we do, right? 00:04:22.040 --> 00:04:23.480 What are we waiting? 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:24.379 We're still waiting. 00:04:25.160 --> 00:04:26.139 Israel's a mess. 00:04:26.139 --> 00:04:30.099 Israel's sad and spiraling out of control. 00:04:30.219 --> 00:04:35.259 But here, we have this focused, like almost football coach-like speech. 00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:41.099 It's an exhortation for Christians of any time, of any age, 00:04:41.180 --> 00:04:46.339 with this important message, this message that John has repeated over and over and over again 00:04:46.339 --> 00:04:53.039 for five chapters, that we can be assured because of what Christ has done. 00:04:53.040 --> 00:04:57.460 And if we look at our own lives, we can see God is at work. 00:04:58.439 --> 00:05:02.140 And we can be confident because it's not secured by us, 00:05:02.220 --> 00:05:04.600 even though we look at our lives and see all this work. 00:05:05.920 --> 00:05:07.800 But it's secured by Christ. 00:05:08.400 --> 00:05:13.180 So this morning, we're going to look very practically at four different arenas 00:05:13.180 --> 00:05:18.240 in which we can see that God is at work, that we know God is at work. 00:05:18.560 --> 00:05:19.879 The first one is prayer. 00:05:20.600 --> 00:05:21.820 The second one is holiness. 00:05:21.819 --> 00:05:25.800 The third one is in real spiritual battle. 00:05:26.420 --> 00:05:29.060 And the final one is an understanding. 00:05:29.959 --> 00:05:33.500 So prayer, holiness, spiritual battle, and understanding. 00:05:35.560 --> 00:05:40.060 These four ideas are the real-life application of what we read in verse 13. 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:41.100 Just to remind you, 00:05:41.639 --> 00:05:45.480 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God 00:05:45.480 --> 00:05:49.100 that you may know that you have eternal life. 00:05:49.100 --> 00:05:52.540 That's that summary statement of all of 1 John, 00:05:52.700 --> 00:05:55.080 that you may know that you have eternal life. 00:05:55.340 --> 00:05:58.200 And if you've been worshiping at Shine Mountain for any amount of time, 00:05:58.400 --> 00:06:01.060 you've known that we're marching through books. 00:06:01.260 --> 00:06:02.280 We march through judges. 00:06:02.720 --> 00:06:04.500 I've been marching through 1 John. 00:06:04.580 --> 00:06:06.520 It's taken me a stinking long time. 00:06:06.519 --> 00:06:10.500 And thankfully, we've spread that out a little bit, 00:06:10.560 --> 00:06:12.759 because there's one message in 1 John, 00:06:12.899 --> 00:06:15.299 that you know that you have eternal life. 00:06:16.659 --> 00:06:20.979 That is the one-sentence thesis statement, kids, 00:06:21.099 --> 00:06:23.000 for on summer break of 1 John, 00:06:23.299 --> 00:06:25.659 that we know we have eternal life. 00:06:25.660 --> 00:06:27.980 But really, it's this idea of certainty. 00:06:28.320 --> 00:06:29.200 How do we know? 00:06:29.980 --> 00:06:32.120 How do we know that we have eternal life? 00:06:32.400 --> 00:06:36.320 Can I really be sure that the gospel is true? 00:06:36.680 --> 00:06:40.140 Can I really be sure that John is talking on behalf of God? 00:06:40.400 --> 00:06:41.720 How do I know John's right? 00:06:43.100 --> 00:06:45.180 How do I know that I'm in the faith? 00:06:46.240 --> 00:06:48.980 Those are questions that we all kind of still struggle with. 00:06:49.120 --> 00:06:49.980 If you think about it, 00:06:50.580 --> 00:06:52.820 at different points in our lives, 00:06:52.819 --> 00:06:54.740 we've probably had these questions, 00:06:54.879 --> 00:06:55.800 and that's okay. 00:06:56.480 --> 00:06:58.480 How do I know that the gospel is true? 00:06:59.399 --> 00:07:01.079 How do I know that I'm a Christian, 00:07:01.339 --> 00:07:02.719 and I'm supposed to be righteous, 00:07:02.959 --> 00:07:04.300 and supposed to be without sin, 00:07:04.379 --> 00:07:05.800 but if I look at my own life, 00:07:05.860 --> 00:07:07.120 I still see sin? 00:07:07.459 --> 00:07:08.480 What do I do with that? 00:07:09.680 --> 00:07:11.079 Am I really a Christian, 00:07:11.360 --> 00:07:13.180 because I think these things, 00:07:13.240 --> 00:07:14.339 and do these things? 00:07:17.539 --> 00:07:20.219 Or I heard my neighbor say this, 00:07:20.220 --> 00:07:23.080 but I know that the Bible says this. 00:07:23.160 --> 00:07:24.420 What do I do with those things? 00:07:24.500 --> 00:07:25.600 Maybe it's not my neighbor. 00:07:26.140 --> 00:07:27.040 Maybe it's a friend. 00:07:27.460 --> 00:07:29.120 Maybe it's somebody in my class, 00:07:29.420 --> 00:07:31.720 or maybe somebody I heard on the radio, 00:07:32.620 --> 00:07:36.980 or even a YouTube commentator said this. 00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:39.300 But it doesn't square with what I see in Scripture. 00:07:39.660 --> 00:07:41.100 So what do I do with that? 00:07:41.380 --> 00:07:42.080 Who's right? 00:07:42.440 --> 00:07:43.600 Is it the guy on the internet, 00:07:44.060 --> 00:07:45.820 or is it God's word? 00:07:47.100 --> 00:07:48.200 What do I do? 00:07:48.579 --> 00:07:50.899 John is reminding us that we have to take 00:07:50.899 --> 00:07:54.920 this very clear, hard look at our theology. 00:07:55.579 --> 00:07:57.079 What we think about God. 00:07:57.159 --> 00:07:58.379 That seems really big, 00:07:58.759 --> 00:07:59.519 but all it is, 00:07:59.560 --> 00:08:01.000 is what does God's word say, 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:02.039 and what do I think, 00:08:02.099 --> 00:08:03.099 and what do I believe? 00:08:03.459 --> 00:08:04.779 And then our ethics. 00:08:05.219 --> 00:08:07.779 How do I live in light of that theology? 00:08:08.860 --> 00:08:10.639 And kind of a subcategory of that 00:08:10.639 --> 00:08:12.959 is how do I love those around me? 00:08:13.339 --> 00:08:14.139 Our relationships. 00:08:14.939 --> 00:08:16.139 So what do I think about God? 00:08:16.139 --> 00:08:17.659 How do I live? 00:08:18.060 --> 00:08:19.219 And how do I love? 00:08:21.560 --> 00:08:23.839 You see, assurance is for the Christian. 00:08:24.740 --> 00:08:28.000 For the one who has faith in Jesus as the Son of God. 00:08:28.240 --> 00:08:29.680 And this farewell speech 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:33.080 is not narrowly for the Christian, 00:08:33.299 --> 00:08:35.960 but it's focused on someone that has faith in Christ. 00:08:36.059 --> 00:08:37.740 There's implications for the skeptic. 00:08:37.740 --> 00:08:42.320 It raises questions even if implicitly. 00:08:43.620 --> 00:08:46.720 But they're not meant to be gotcha questions for the Christians. 00:08:46.919 --> 00:08:50.200 Like, ha, you're not as holy as you think, 00:08:50.419 --> 00:08:52.460 so therefore you must not be a Christian. 00:08:53.200 --> 00:08:55.840 Or, yeah, you don't really love in this area. 00:08:56.919 --> 00:08:58.419 You must not truly be a Christian. 00:08:58.419 --> 00:09:00.159 John's not doing that. 00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:01.759 He's saying, look at your life, 00:09:01.860 --> 00:09:03.079 look at the sum of your life 00:09:03.079 --> 00:09:06.279 from you becoming a Christian until now, 00:09:06.479 --> 00:09:07.939 and do you see growth? 00:09:09.079 --> 00:09:11.319 If at any amount. 00:09:12.419 --> 00:09:14.759 And we know that God is at work 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:17.199 because you would be way worse off. 00:09:17.860 --> 00:09:19.339 You would be back where you were. 00:09:19.959 --> 00:09:23.519 And that's how we know that God is at work. 00:09:24.279 --> 00:09:26.519 And that's how we have confidence. 00:09:27.039 --> 00:09:29.519 So that first category is prayer. 00:09:31.019 --> 00:09:33.699 This is the most lengthy one, to be honest. 00:09:34.319 --> 00:09:36.199 And it's the most confusing of the bunch 00:09:36.199 --> 00:09:38.480 if you've been following along as I've been reading. 00:09:39.079 --> 00:09:41.419 It starts in verse 14 where he says, 00:09:41.419 --> 00:09:44.159 and this is the confidence that we have towards him 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:46.679 that if we ask anything according to his will, 00:09:46.779 --> 00:09:47.759 he hears us. 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:49.919 That first component is confidence. 00:09:50.360 --> 00:09:52.220 Confidence before the throne of God, 00:09:52.220 --> 00:09:53.980 big and scary, right? 00:09:55.160 --> 00:09:58.980 Confidence because of the person and work of Jesus. 00:09:59.139 --> 00:10:00.779 Not confidence in Andy, 00:10:01.660 --> 00:10:04.940 but confident because of what Christ has done. 00:10:05.980 --> 00:10:07.720 And that's applied to me. 00:10:08.180 --> 00:10:09.899 Confidence because of his merits. 00:10:10.080 --> 00:10:12.960 Not me, not you, not the work of the elders, 00:10:13.500 --> 00:10:15.379 not the work of our church, 00:10:15.700 --> 00:10:18.379 but confident because of Jesus. 00:10:18.379 --> 00:10:21.620 And that extends to prayer. 00:10:23.659 --> 00:10:26.419 Prayer and asking for things, as John says, 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:28.100 according to his will. 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:32.500 Whenever I see that, I'm like, gosh, what does that mean? 00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:34.360 Makes me a little nervous. 00:10:35.539 --> 00:10:39.299 Am I asking for things that are outside his will? 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:42.240 John's saying, no, we're just asking for things 00:10:42.240 --> 00:10:43.980 in submission to his will. 00:10:43.980 --> 00:10:47.860 Not just our own, not my own desires, 00:10:47.980 --> 00:10:49.300 although that plays a role. 00:10:50.159 --> 00:10:52.000 It's kind of like what we just prayed for 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:52.800 in the Lord's prayer. 00:10:53.580 --> 00:10:54.800 Your will be done. 00:10:55.800 --> 00:10:57.360 It's not a robotic thing. 00:10:58.080 --> 00:11:00.279 It's not a very narrow thing. 00:11:00.539 --> 00:11:02.420 It's pleading with God 00:11:02.420 --> 00:11:05.680 for things to be done according to his will, 00:11:05.779 --> 00:11:07.519 for even his kingdom to come, 00:11:07.920 --> 00:11:10.440 for his reign even now to be present. 00:11:10.440 --> 00:11:13.160 Not things that are just willy-nilly. 00:11:15.540 --> 00:11:18.360 But as we have confidence in approaching the throne 00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:20.260 and praying for things that we know 00:11:20.260 --> 00:11:21.480 are according to his will, 00:11:21.700 --> 00:11:24.100 we have to come with the expectation 00:11:24.100 --> 00:11:25.220 that we are heard. 00:11:27.140 --> 00:11:28.880 In prayer, there's a confidence, 00:11:29.640 --> 00:11:32.760 but there's an anticipation that we are heard. 00:11:32.860 --> 00:11:34.280 Look at verse 15 with me. 00:11:35.440 --> 00:11:38.460 And if we know that he hears us whenever we ask, 00:11:38.460 --> 00:11:40.420 we know that we have the request 00:11:40.420 --> 00:11:42.320 that we have asked of him. 00:11:43.620 --> 00:11:45.639 This is a result of the confidence 00:11:45.639 --> 00:11:47.280 that we have in eternal life 00:11:47.280 --> 00:11:49.840 because it rests on Jesus and not me, 00:11:50.379 --> 00:11:52.960 but it's also flowing out into our asking 00:11:52.960 --> 00:11:54.920 as we go before the throne. 00:11:56.200 --> 00:11:59.540 It's not asking these careful and very narrow prayers 00:11:59.540 --> 00:12:02.320 because I'm scared that I don't want to ask 00:12:02.320 --> 00:12:04.100 these things that are outside of his will. 00:12:04.540 --> 00:12:07.400 No, very practically, we're asking for big things. 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:09.179 We're asking for God to move. 00:12:09.299 --> 00:12:12.259 We're asking for God to do things that only he can do 00:12:12.259 --> 00:12:15.500 or through other means. 00:12:17.699 --> 00:12:20.980 But God is not hemmed in by the rules of this world. 00:12:21.319 --> 00:12:23.659 No, he's gonna do great and amazing things. 00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:25.000 And as we approach his throne, 00:12:25.179 --> 00:12:26.860 we should be expectant. 00:12:27.899 --> 00:12:29.759 We should anticipate that he is. 00:12:29.759 --> 00:12:33.840 We gotta remember that this is the way 00:12:33.840 --> 00:12:35.399 in which we commune with God. 00:12:35.539 --> 00:12:37.639 That's the really fancy way of saying, 00:12:37.899 --> 00:12:39.480 I have a relationship with God. 00:12:40.419 --> 00:12:43.100 And one of those ways in which we engage with him 00:12:43.100 --> 00:12:43.840 is through prayer. 00:12:46.039 --> 00:12:48.120 Because that veil has been torn 00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:52.000 and we now enter in to the holy of holies. 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:56.080 As the writer of Hebrews reminds us of this, 00:12:57.500 --> 00:13:01.600 we have boldness to enter into the holiest of places 00:13:01.600 --> 00:13:04.100 because of Christ, because of Jesus. 00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:07.360 What a great privilege that is in prayer. 00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:12.200 And as we reorient ourselves in prayer 00:13:12.200 --> 00:13:14.299 and it goes from this duty or this thing 00:13:14.299 --> 00:13:16.960 that I kind of stink at and I avoid it 00:13:16.960 --> 00:13:18.480 because I'm not really good at it 00:13:18.480 --> 00:13:19.840 or I don't make time for it, 00:13:19.960 --> 00:13:22.960 we have to have this grander vision of who God is 00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:25.740 and our ability to have relationship with him 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:28.019 and realizing this is one of the avenues 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:29.220 in which that happens. 00:13:30.139 --> 00:13:31.899 What a great privilege that is. 00:13:32.700 --> 00:13:34.620 If we have a bigger vision of God, 00:13:35.680 --> 00:13:39.680 then prayer becomes a delight and not a duty. 00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:42.180 But then we have this problem 00:13:42.180 --> 00:13:45.860 of this real life example in 1 John. 00:13:46.560 --> 00:13:48.460 Look at verses 16 and 17. 00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:52.960 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin 00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:55.120 not leading to death, he shall ask 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:56.840 and God will give him life. 00:13:57.420 --> 00:13:59.800 To those who commit sins that do not lead to death, 00:13:59.899 --> 00:14:01.320 there is a sin that leads to death. 00:14:01.800 --> 00:14:03.860 I do not say that one should pray for that. 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:05.560 All wrongdoing is sin, 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:08.440 but there is a sin that does not lead to death. 00:14:09.560 --> 00:14:11.320 What in the world is he talking about? 00:14:12.300 --> 00:14:14.700 This is pretty stinging tough, I'm not gonna lie, okay? 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:18.220 There's a lot of ink shed over different views of this, 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:19.580 but if you start breaking it down, 00:14:19.980 --> 00:14:20.800 it kind of makes sense. 00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:22.580 John's drawing the distinction 00:14:22.580 --> 00:14:24.259 between the sin of a believer 00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:26.379 and the sin of an unbeliever. 00:14:26.980 --> 00:14:29.080 Everybody has sin, we know that, right? 00:14:30.019 --> 00:14:33.160 But the sin of the Christian is different, right? 00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:36.100 Kind of yes, kind of no, all right? 00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:38.279 Yes, it still warrants death. 00:14:38.460 --> 00:14:39.920 Yes, it still needs to be punished. 00:14:40.600 --> 00:14:42.399 It needs to be atoned for, 00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:44.600 but it is atoned for by Christ. 00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:48.720 But the sin of the unbeliever is not. 00:14:49.720 --> 00:14:51.560 John reminds us of this 00:14:51.560 --> 00:14:53.040 in the first chapter of this letter. 00:14:53.860 --> 00:14:54.379 He says, 00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:56.860 The blood of Jesus cleanses all sin. 00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:58.899 If we say we have no sin, 00:14:58.980 --> 00:14:59.980 we deceive ourselves, 00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:01.860 and the truth is not in us. 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:03.419 If we confess our sin, 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:05.399 he is faithful and just 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:06.799 to forgive us our sin 00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:09.419 and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:11.659 The Christian is admitting he has sin, 00:15:11.820 --> 00:15:12.939 and that he has a problem, 00:15:13.059 --> 00:15:15.580 and he can't do anything about it. 00:15:16.460 --> 00:15:17.659 That sin is forgiven. 00:15:17.919 --> 00:15:19.379 That sin is atoned for. 00:15:20.379 --> 00:15:22.000 But what about this guy right here? 00:15:22.659 --> 00:15:23.240 This gal? 00:15:24.840 --> 00:15:26.379 There's sin that leads to death 00:15:26.379 --> 00:15:28.240 because this sin is not paid for, 00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:30.120 and it leads to the death 00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:31.379 of this unbeliever. 00:15:32.379 --> 00:15:33.620 Remember the context here. 00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:34.759 This letter is written 00:15:34.759 --> 00:15:36.120 to a group of people, 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:36.939 to a church, 00:15:37.279 --> 00:15:39.080 where there's different ideas 00:15:39.080 --> 00:15:39.899 being thrown around. 00:15:40.019 --> 00:15:41.200 There's deviation away 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:42.340 from the true gospel 00:15:42.340 --> 00:15:44.860 and from what John has taught them. 00:15:45.539 --> 00:15:46.440 What they know. 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:48.320 And there's people that have walked away 00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:48.759 that are saying, 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:50.259 Jesus is not fully God. 00:15:50.779 --> 00:15:51.960 He's not fully man. 00:15:53.279 --> 00:15:54.759 And John's reminding them 00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:56.519 that this deviation, 00:15:56.899 --> 00:15:58.299 this wayward stepping, 00:15:59.220 --> 00:16:00.220 is sin. 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:03.379 And they're presenting a false gospel. 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:06.679 So this person that's an unbeliever 00:16:06.679 --> 00:16:08.039 that has once known, 00:16:08.159 --> 00:16:09.960 that says they've confessed these things, 00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:11.919 now thinks something very different. 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:12.879 And John is saying, 00:16:13.259 --> 00:16:14.899 don't pray for this person 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:16.299 to be saved 00:16:16.299 --> 00:16:18.279 in spite of the gospel. 00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:22.740 He's not saying for us, 00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:25.659 for our unbelieving parent 00:16:25.659 --> 00:16:27.399 or spouse or child, 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:29.200 save them, 00:16:29.319 --> 00:16:30.819 I don't care what your word says. 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:32.200 He's saying, 00:16:32.419 --> 00:16:33.120 save them, 00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:35.179 draw them back to yourself, 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:37.080 draw them back to the truth, 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:39.779 so that they might be forgiven. 00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:41.299 Does that make sense? 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:42.819 Those are two different ideas 00:16:42.819 --> 00:16:44.480 and two different ways 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:47.019 in which sin is to be prayed for. 00:16:47.919 --> 00:16:49.699 We're to walk away from this 00:16:49.699 --> 00:16:53.559 with this bigger vision of prayer. 00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:54.919 There's confidence, 00:16:55.139 --> 00:16:56.100 there's expectation, 00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:57.279 there's anticipation 00:16:57.279 --> 00:16:58.840 that he's gonna do this 00:16:58.840 --> 00:17:00.519 if we pray according to his will. 00:17:01.559 --> 00:17:02.319 But oftentimes, 00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:03.480 as a Christian, 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:06.259 your prayer life looks a lot like 00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:08.299 Little League baseball players. 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:10.339 There's two kind of hitters 00:17:10.339 --> 00:17:11.180 in Little League baseball. 00:17:11.579 --> 00:17:12.220 For those that, 00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:13.159 it's been a minute, 00:17:13.599 --> 00:17:14.819 I've spent a lot of time 00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:16.480 watching Little League baseball recently. 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:18.639 And there is one hitter 00:17:18.639 --> 00:17:20.159 that comes into the box, 00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:21.059 the batter's box, 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:22.440 and he's practiced, 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:23.559 he's trained, 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:25.079 he knows how to hit. 00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:27.700 He's just waiting for his pitch, 00:17:28.759 --> 00:17:29.919 which in Little League baseball, 00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:30.740 you can be waiting a while, 00:17:30.879 --> 00:17:31.500 just to be honest. 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:33.740 There's no pitch timer, 00:17:34.140 --> 00:17:35.839 and a lot of those pitches are balls. 00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:38.220 But then there's one type of hitter 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:39.599 that comes into the box, 00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:41.819 and I'm not sure he actually wants 00:17:41.819 --> 00:17:42.519 to hit the ball. 00:17:43.619 --> 00:17:44.859 He's a little nervous, 00:17:45.400 --> 00:17:47.900 and he's just waiting everybody out. 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:50.039 As he waits everybody out, 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:51.180 he's hoping, 00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:52.559 he's wishing 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:54.180 that there's four balls 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:55.640 and he can go to first base. 00:17:55.640 --> 00:17:57.259 And so he doesn't even have to 00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:58.380 think about hitting. 00:18:00.580 --> 00:18:01.440 I think oftentimes 00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:02.800 we approach prayer 00:18:02.800 --> 00:18:04.880 like that second Little League hitter. 00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:07.259 We're not confident. 00:18:07.940 --> 00:18:09.280 We don't really believe 00:18:09.280 --> 00:18:10.120 it does anything. 00:18:10.380 --> 00:18:10.980 We just know 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:12.220 that we kind of have to do this, 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:12.900 or I feel guilty 00:18:12.900 --> 00:18:13.880 when I don't do this. 00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:17.340 We don't approach God's throne 00:18:17.340 --> 00:18:20.860 with the confidence of Christ. 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:22.860 We don't approach God's throne 00:18:22.860 --> 00:18:23.900 with anticipation 00:18:23.900 --> 00:18:25.240 that I am going to hit the ball. 00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:26.860 That it's going to do anything. 00:18:30.580 --> 00:18:31.020 Christian, 00:18:31.180 --> 00:18:32.560 we are called to pray. 00:18:32.860 --> 00:18:34.160 We are called to do so 00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:35.480 because of that confidence 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:37.400 of our relationship with Jesus. 00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:40.140 We're to do it with anticipation 00:18:40.140 --> 00:18:42.480 and do it according to his will. 00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:44.640 But maybe you need help. 00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:47.100 I need help. 00:18:47.600 --> 00:18:49.140 Probably most of us need help. 00:18:49.620 --> 00:18:51.840 But we need a bigger vision of God 00:18:51.840 --> 00:18:53.720 and what prayer does 00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:55.100 and communing with him 00:18:55.099 --> 00:18:57.139 and that's our first step. 00:18:57.719 --> 00:18:59.179 Maybe we need practical help. 00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:01.539 There's well-trodden paths 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.959 of prayer warriors 00:19:02.959 --> 00:19:04.219 of years gone by 00:19:04.219 --> 00:19:04.939 and they're printed 00:19:04.939 --> 00:19:06.059 and that's great. 00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:07.219 Use them. 00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:08.379 Jump start 00:19:08.379 --> 00:19:10.219 how you pray. 00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:12.139 There's also the Psalter, 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:13.219 the Psalms, right? 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:15.200 where they have every emotion 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:17.819 and all those emotions 00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:18.620 that are poured out 00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:19.500 before the throne 00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:21.980 are enshrined in Scripture 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:23.440 and they're a lot more raw 00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:24.299 than we think so. 00:19:24.880 --> 00:19:25.900 So that whole praying 00:19:25.900 --> 00:19:27.039 according to God's will, 00:19:28.120 --> 00:19:28.559 remember, 00:19:29.140 --> 00:19:30.559 David is just pouring out 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:31.940 his heart most often 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:33.920 even when he sins. 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:35.920 That's our model of prayer. 00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:38.940 We need to get to that point. 00:19:38.940 --> 00:19:41.600 The second application 00:19:41.600 --> 00:19:42.559 of Christian assurance 00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:43.220 is holiness. 00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:45.960 Look at verse 18 with me. 00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:47.140 We know that everyone 00:19:47.140 --> 00:19:48.279 who has been born of God 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:49.900 does not keep on sinning 00:19:49.900 --> 00:19:52.340 but he who is born of God 00:19:52.340 --> 00:19:53.160 protects him 00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:54.360 and the evil one 00:19:54.360 --> 00:19:55.320 does not touch him. 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:57.019 This is not a new idea. 00:19:57.340 --> 00:19:57.600 Again, 00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:59.120 John is just recirculating 00:19:59.120 --> 00:19:59.960 all these ideas 00:19:59.960 --> 00:20:01.799 and he's giving us them 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:02.980 in his farewell speech. 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:03.820 This idea, 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:04.759 he unpacks 00:20:04.759 --> 00:20:06.279 and turns it around 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:06.799 like a dime 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:08.339 and looking at every aspect 00:20:08.339 --> 00:20:10.299 in chapter 3. 00:20:11.640 --> 00:20:13.140 He writes something like this, 00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:14.599 whoever practices righteousness 00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:15.920 is righteous 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:18.220 as Jesus is righteous. 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:20.140 Then he says further, 00:20:20.299 --> 00:20:22.460 no one born of God 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:23.759 makes a practice of sinning 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:25.519 for God's seed abides in him. 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:26.279 In fact, 00:20:26.319 --> 00:20:27.299 he can't keep sinning 00:20:27.299 --> 00:20:28.940 because he's been born of God. 00:20:30.140 --> 00:20:31.900 We see this in 18, 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:33.339 this idea again 00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:35.220 that there's this call 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:35.879 to holiness, 00:20:36.199 --> 00:20:37.439 this call to righteousness 00:20:37.439 --> 00:20:39.740 and what do we do with sin? 00:20:40.379 --> 00:20:41.240 But it's tied 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:42.519 to being born of God. 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:44.480 Even further back 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:45.199 in chapter 2, 00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:46.779 he says practicing righteousness 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:47.720 is connected 00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:49.859 to those who have been born again 00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:50.819 very clearly 00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:53.139 and now here in chapter 5, 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:54.939 John's reminding all of them 00:20:54.939 --> 00:20:57.319 that it's tied, 00:20:58.079 --> 00:20:59.539 that not sinning, 00:20:59.619 --> 00:21:00.259 that righteousness 00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:01.899 is tied to being born again 00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:04.080 and that active component 00:21:04.080 --> 00:21:05.220 of the original language 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:06.060 is here, right? 00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:06.860 It's not, 00:21:07.320 --> 00:21:07.460 hey, 00:21:07.540 --> 00:21:08.480 I'm going to be 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:09.500 an unbridled, 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:10.580 unchallenged, 00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:11.360 unchecked, 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:12.300 keep on sinning. 00:21:13.120 --> 00:21:14.340 It's not that sense. 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.820 But yet we know 00:21:16.820 --> 00:21:17.680 Christian sin. 00:21:17.840 --> 00:21:19.340 Yet I know I sin. 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:20.800 But there's that change 00:21:20.800 --> 00:21:21.540 in relationship 00:21:21.540 --> 00:21:22.759 that we saw in prayer. 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.680 There's a desire 00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:25.420 for holiness. 00:21:25.820 --> 00:21:26.080 Yes, 00:21:26.080 --> 00:21:26.900 it might wax 00:21:26.900 --> 00:21:27.580 and wane 00:21:27.580 --> 00:21:29.060 over the years 00:21:29.060 --> 00:21:30.920 or the minutes. 00:21:32.300 --> 00:21:34.780 There's not the same love of sin 00:21:34.780 --> 00:21:36.720 that there's always been 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:39.300 because they've been born again. 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.460 If you remember, 00:21:41.100 --> 00:21:41.759 the Christian 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:43.040 is supposed to strive 00:21:43.040 --> 00:21:43.880 after holiness 00:21:43.880 --> 00:21:45.080 and fleeing from sin 00:21:45.080 --> 00:21:47.300 because they've been born again 00:21:47.300 --> 00:21:49.340 and they're being kept 00:21:49.340 --> 00:21:50.759 from the evil one. 00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:53.220 And this shift 00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:54.780 in your own heart 00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:56.259 is cause for assurance. 00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:57.200 But again, 00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:58.819 it's tied to what Nicodemus 00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.980 and Jesus talked about 00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:01.359 in the Gospel of John. 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:03.039 Nicodemus comes up to him, 00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:04.319 he's supposed to be a wise guy 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:04.740 and says, 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:06.099 how can this be? 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:08.259 And Jesus says, 00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:09.660 you can't even see the kingdom 00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:11.079 unless you've been born again. 00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:13.200 And now here in 1 John, 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:14.220 John is saying, 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:15.819 you can't even be righteous 00:22:15.819 --> 00:22:17.819 unless you've been born again. 00:22:18.899 --> 00:22:19.960 But it's not like 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:21.519 we're changed into children, 00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:22.359 we're new babies 00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:23.539 and then we're turned out 00:22:23.539 --> 00:22:24.099 to pasture 00:22:24.099 --> 00:22:25.199 with no oversight. 00:22:25.859 --> 00:22:26.959 Kids with no parents 00:22:26.959 --> 00:22:27.639 on the playground 00:22:27.639 --> 00:22:29.119 and mayhem ensues. 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:31.279 No, 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:33.299 God preserves them. 00:22:34.399 --> 00:22:35.719 He keeps them. 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:38.859 You might be thinking, 00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:39.219 yes, 00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:40.839 that's all well and good. 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:42.119 Yes, 00:22:42.159 --> 00:22:43.459 a Christian is called to pray 00:22:43.459 --> 00:22:45.179 and see some kind of 00:22:45.179 --> 00:22:46.019 fruit of holiness 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:49.159 and God's calling each of us 00:22:49.159 --> 00:22:50.119 out of our sin 00:22:50.119 --> 00:22:51.480 and to himself. 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:54.660 But what if I don't believe that? 00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:55.620 What if I don't see 00:22:55.620 --> 00:22:57.279 those things in my life? 00:22:58.279 --> 00:22:58.480 Well, 00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:59.440 God is very clearly 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:00.900 calling each of us 00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:02.460 to deal with the message 00:23:02.460 --> 00:23:03.160 of the gospel. 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:05.980 We're called away from sin 00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:07.400 because it warrants death 00:23:07.400 --> 00:23:08.360 as we confessed. 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:11.019 Away from sin 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:11.819 and to him 00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:12.779 and put our faith 00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:14.059 and trust in Jesus. 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:17.319 and unless we've done that, 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:18.419 we're not going to see 00:23:18.419 --> 00:23:19.399 this growth in holiness. 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:20.579 We're not going to see 00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:21.940 any shred of desire 00:23:21.940 --> 00:23:22.419 to pray. 00:23:23.639 --> 00:23:24.940 Maybe we will for a time, 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:26.000 but it won't endure 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:26.799 for a season. 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:29.940 And so if you have 00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:30.899 none of these markers, 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:32.440 you shouldn't be assured. 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:34.759 And you have to come back 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:36.500 to that simple message 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:37.099 of the gospel. 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:38.200 Have you done that? 00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:41.240 That's kind of the implicit thing 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:42.240 that John is asking 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:44.180 and that we have to deal with 00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:44.919 this morning. 00:23:47.919 --> 00:23:49.519 But year over year, 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:51.619 do we realize 00:23:51.619 --> 00:23:52.379 that we're growing 00:23:52.379 --> 00:23:53.079 in righteousness? 00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:54.119 Can we look back 00:23:54.119 --> 00:23:55.139 over five years 00:23:55.140 --> 00:23:56.640 and see how we're not 00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:58.220 struggling in the same way 00:23:58.220 --> 00:23:59.160 or maybe even 00:23:59.160 --> 00:24:00.140 with the same sin? 00:24:01.900 --> 00:24:04.080 Do we see God at work? 00:24:05.320 --> 00:24:06.880 Are we pursuing lives 00:24:06.880 --> 00:24:08.300 in which that happens 00:24:08.300 --> 00:24:09.480 or are we so busy 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:10.800 and so myopic 00:24:10.800 --> 00:24:12.560 that we don't even have time 00:24:12.560 --> 00:24:14.160 for something like 00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:15.520 robust community 00:24:15.520 --> 00:24:17.520 where other people 00:24:17.520 --> 00:24:19.320 are speaking into our life 00:24:19.320 --> 00:24:19.740 and saying, 00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:21.320 hey, I have seen this 00:24:21.320 --> 00:24:22.440 or hey, what's up 00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:22.920 with that, dude? 00:24:25.140 --> 00:24:26.759 There's also 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:28.940 a real spiritual battle. 00:24:29.520 --> 00:24:30.740 Assurance reminds us 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:31.840 of this fact. 00:24:33.060 --> 00:24:34.540 It's an individual battle, 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:36.020 but it's in a campaign 00:24:36.020 --> 00:24:38.060 of much larger warfare. 00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:40.140 Look at verse 19 with me. 00:24:40.800 --> 00:24:42.020 We know that we are from God 00:24:42.020 --> 00:24:43.040 and the whole world 00:24:43.040 --> 00:24:44.660 lies in the power 00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:46.000 of the evil one. 00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:49.300 It's less direct 00:24:49.300 --> 00:24:49.960 in application. 00:24:50.180 --> 00:24:51.100 It's almost just like, 00:24:51.400 --> 00:24:52.840 hey, this is a billboard reminder. 00:24:53.280 --> 00:24:54.640 This is what you're up against. 00:24:54.640 --> 00:24:57.960 Just so you don't forget, 00:24:58.120 --> 00:24:58.759 John is saying, 00:24:58.880 --> 00:24:59.840 there's a real battle 00:24:59.840 --> 00:25:00.720 going on between 00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:03.080 real spiritual forces. 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:05.500 It's not just a nicety 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:06.040 to say, 00:25:06.340 --> 00:25:07.240 I've accepted Jesus 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:08.140 into my heart. 00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:09.400 He's accepted, 00:25:10.860 --> 00:25:11.780 we've accepted 00:25:11.780 --> 00:25:13.940 that we're to go to war. 00:25:15.780 --> 00:25:17.520 And this world lies 00:25:17.520 --> 00:25:18.200 in the power 00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:19.220 of the evil one. 00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:21.280 He preserves them 00:25:21.280 --> 00:25:22.080 and their safety 00:25:22.080 --> 00:25:23.460 in this cosmic battle. 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:25.039 This is really the point 00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:25.700 at which Christians 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.940 start to sound crazy. 00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:28.079 All right? 00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:29.160 Because a nice, 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:30.200 modern conversation, 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:31.360 we can talk about 00:25:31.360 --> 00:25:32.700 the good the church has done, 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:32.920 you know, 00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:33.880 helping homeless people, 00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:34.740 things like that. 00:25:35.380 --> 00:25:36.620 But when it comes 00:25:36.620 --> 00:25:37.400 to this stuff, 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:38.200 it's like, 00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:40.079 we're in the modern age, 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:40.519 right? 00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:41.759 We don't talk about this 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.400 in nice, 00:25:42.840 --> 00:25:43.579 among nice, 00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:44.180 polite, 00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:45.900 empirical people. 00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:45.960 evil. 00:25:46.700 --> 00:25:49.220 But God's word reminds us 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:51.340 that that is a deception 00:25:51.340 --> 00:25:52.360 in and of itself, 00:25:52.360 --> 00:25:53.420 that we are engaged 00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:54.480 day by day 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:56.180 in a real battle. 00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:59.980 And if we can't see it 00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:00.600 on display, 00:26:00.780 --> 00:26:01.700 we kid ourselves. 00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:03.980 We must be reminded 00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:05.600 from God's word 00:26:05.600 --> 00:26:08.019 that the whole world 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:09.220 lies in the power 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:10.180 of the evil one. 00:26:10.180 --> 00:26:12.820 But we shouldn't be scared 00:26:12.820 --> 00:26:14.700 because we have the power 00:26:14.700 --> 00:26:15.500 inside of us. 00:26:15.600 --> 00:26:16.660 We have the Holy Spirit 00:26:16.660 --> 00:26:18.519 and we are kept by him. 00:26:20.100 --> 00:26:21.680 But it's real 00:26:21.680 --> 00:26:23.299 and we should be ready. 00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:25.539 In the army, 00:26:25.779 --> 00:26:27.900 there's this list of rules 00:26:27.900 --> 00:26:29.759 sometimes when you learn 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:31.880 as a young lieutenant 00:26:31.880 --> 00:26:34.080 and one of them is this. 00:26:34.400 --> 00:26:35.380 Have your musket 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:36.380 clean as a whistle, 00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:37.720 hatchet scoured, 00:26:38.180 --> 00:26:40.060 60 rounds powder and ball, 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:41.360 and be ready to march 00:26:41.360 --> 00:26:42.420 at a minute's warning. 00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:44.380 There's a famous list 00:26:44.380 --> 00:26:45.920 of these standing rules 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:48.360 from a British American officer 00:26:48.360 --> 00:26:49.640 that have endured 00:26:49.640 --> 00:26:50.799 the test of time. 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:51.880 Yes, we don't fight 00:26:51.880 --> 00:26:52.480 with muskets 00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:53.820 or hatchets anymore. 00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:56.820 But the principle 00:26:56.820 --> 00:26:58.200 is to be ready 00:26:58.200 --> 00:27:01.000 no matter what you think 00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:01.920 is going on. 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:03.440 No matter if we think 00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:05.080 that this is a spiritual battle 00:27:05.080 --> 00:27:06.279 or not. 00:27:06.360 --> 00:27:07.200 It is 00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:08.740 and we need to be ready. 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:11.759 These principles 00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:13.720 that still influence 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.740 the modern military 00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:17.079 because they transcend time, 00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:18.839 because it's still happening. 00:27:19.319 --> 00:27:20.480 This spiritual battle 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:21.359 is not a thing 00:27:21.359 --> 00:27:22.400 of John's time 00:27:22.400 --> 00:27:23.019 or a thing 00:27:23.019 --> 00:27:23.920 of the Old Testament. 00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:25.480 This is still happening. 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:27.400 This is still a thing. 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:29.480 So we need to be ready. 00:27:30.819 --> 00:27:31.859 And if a soldier 00:27:31.859 --> 00:27:32.839 is ready to fight, 00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:34.620 we would be wise 00:27:34.620 --> 00:27:35.579 to prepare ourselves 00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:36.140 for battle. 00:27:36.140 --> 00:27:38.660 We can't let our guard down 00:27:38.660 --> 00:27:39.460 because the battle 00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:40.480 is in our own home. 00:27:40.820 --> 00:27:41.560 It's for the hearts 00:27:41.560 --> 00:27:42.259 of our children. 00:27:42.780 --> 00:27:43.780 It's in schools. 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:45.600 It's in the cubicle at work. 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:47.620 It's in HR policies. 00:27:50.060 --> 00:27:51.100 It's everywhere. 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:56.180 The fourth and final application 00:27:56.180 --> 00:27:56.720 of assurance 00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:57.820 is understanding. 00:27:58.400 --> 00:27:59.800 I don't mean understanding 00:27:59.800 --> 00:28:01.840 and live in an understanding way, 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:03.940 but it means something like this. 00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:05.560 Look at verses 20 and following. 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:06.779 And we know 00:28:06.779 --> 00:28:07.899 that the Son of God 00:28:07.899 --> 00:28:08.859 has come 00:28:08.859 --> 00:28:10.119 and has given us understanding 00:28:10.119 --> 00:28:11.419 so that we may know 00:28:11.419 --> 00:28:12.319 Him who is true. 00:28:12.899 --> 00:28:14.940 And we are in Him 00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:16.200 who is true. 00:28:16.339 --> 00:28:17.839 In His Son, Jesus Christ. 00:28:18.119 --> 00:28:19.819 He is the true God 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:22.059 and eternal life. 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:24.000 Little children, 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:25.359 keep yourselves from idols. 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:29.200 When we realize 00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:30.879 the truth of the gospel message, 00:28:30.940 --> 00:28:31.940 as good as it is, 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:33.539 it seems eminently logical, 00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:34.440 people, right? 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:36.700 But people refuse to believe it 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:37.700 because the Spirit 00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:38.920 is the one that comes 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:40.420 and invades our hearts 00:28:40.420 --> 00:28:41.799 and opens our eyes. 00:28:42.700 --> 00:28:44.059 The Spirit is the one 00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:45.379 that gives understanding 00:28:45.379 --> 00:28:47.799 of who Jesus was, 00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:49.839 the fact that He was fully God 00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:50.940 and fully man, 00:28:51.599 --> 00:28:53.299 that He paid for sin. 00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:55.980 Logically, that seems so good, 00:28:56.359 --> 00:28:58.359 but why do so few people believe it? 00:28:58.359 --> 00:29:00.399 Because it's the Spirit 00:29:00.399 --> 00:29:02.379 that works in people 00:29:02.379 --> 00:29:04.419 to open their eyes. 00:29:05.179 --> 00:29:06.219 This last statement 00:29:06.219 --> 00:29:07.039 is the essence 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:08.079 of this whole letter. 00:29:08.479 --> 00:29:09.599 He's referring back 00:29:09.599 --> 00:29:10.740 to Jesus Christ, 00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:11.500 His Son. 00:29:11.819 --> 00:29:13.179 He is true God. 00:29:15.459 --> 00:29:16.159 John is leaving 00:29:16.159 --> 00:29:17.399 this farewell speech, 00:29:17.479 --> 00:29:18.819 he's leaving his readers 00:29:18.819 --> 00:29:21.479 with this theological truth. 00:29:21.559 --> 00:29:22.479 He's pointing it back 00:29:22.479 --> 00:29:23.279 from application 00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:24.639 all the way back 00:29:24.639 --> 00:29:25.719 to this bigger vision 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:27.319 of what Jesus has done 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:28.460 and who He is. 00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:30.200 He's saying, 00:29:30.640 --> 00:29:31.380 look to Christ 00:29:31.380 --> 00:29:32.460 who's the true God. 00:29:33.880 --> 00:29:34.680 And so all these 00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:35.860 practical outworkings 00:29:35.860 --> 00:29:37.039 of how we should pray, 00:29:38.019 --> 00:29:39.759 how we should pursue holiness, 00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:42.620 how we are righteous, 00:29:43.460 --> 00:29:45.000 this real spiritual battle, 00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:46.600 the fact that God 00:29:46.600 --> 00:29:47.480 lifts the veil 00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:48.360 from our faces 00:29:48.360 --> 00:29:50.000 so that we can see Him 00:29:50.000 --> 00:29:51.180 as He truly is, 00:29:51.620 --> 00:29:52.960 that's all because 00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:54.200 of God's work. 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.960 because Christ 00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:57.779 is at the center 00:29:57.779 --> 00:29:58.940 of it all, 00:29:59.559 --> 00:30:01.480 that we may know 00:30:01.480 --> 00:30:02.299 and be certain. 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:03.819 That's what John 00:30:03.819 --> 00:30:04.759 is reminding us 00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:06.220 even today. 00:30:06.640 --> 00:30:07.200 Let's pray. 00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:10.220 Almighty God, 00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:10.660 we're thankful 00:30:10.660 --> 00:30:13.079 for this keen reminder 00:30:13.079 --> 00:30:14.860 of certainty in life 00:30:14.860 --> 00:30:15.700 that's drawn 00:30:15.700 --> 00:30:16.500 from your word, 00:30:16.860 --> 00:30:17.440 that's drawn 00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:18.539 from who you are 00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:19.720 and what you have done. 00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:21.319 We pray that you would 00:30:21.319 --> 00:30:22.759 remind us even today 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:24.880 of how this plays out 00:30:24.880 --> 00:30:25.920 in our daily lives 00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:28.280 that there is real battle 00:30:28.280 --> 00:30:29.440 for the hearts 00:30:29.440 --> 00:30:30.540 and minds of men. 00:30:31.180 --> 00:30:32.180 And may we fight 00:30:32.180 --> 00:30:35.460 with the weapons 00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:36.700 in which you have given us. 00:30:36.860 --> 00:30:37.240 Prayer, 00:30:38.020 --> 00:30:38.800 your spirit, 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:41.220 and we ask these things 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:41.940 in Christ's name. 00:30:42.300 --> 00:30:42.520 Amen.