Discipling Assured Christians Who Live with Confidence
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Dear Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
What does your citizenship mean to you. This week interesting conversation with my youngest son who thinks because he is ethnically Dutch, that he’s not a Canadian citizen. The idea of citizenship doesn’t really grip his life - but 18 year old of sound mind - input, run for office - or imagine on holidays, not just pandemic but civil war - and whole special forces team - comes gets you to embassy - rescue and protect, Or imagine that get that jury duty - and your judgment and talent is needed to administer justice in a murder trial will effect safety of our community wellbeing of a grieving family! What it means to be a citizen matters, varies from country to country. And not just knowing the fact, but participating in it is what ought to be the goal.
So too, in 1 John. False teachers, denying Jesus, just religious - left now, and trying to get others to give up on Jesus, his church, pretended - but deeper knowledge and special practices - enlightenment - and John has written this letter to discouraged, confused church in danger - and do you remember his goal - he describes the life, the eternal life that He and the apostles experienced with Son who is from the the very beginning, come in the flesh, but now raised with transformed - said - not only handled and touched, - but live in fellowship and have incredible joy as participate - want you sharing in that joy. John is saying, you can both know that you have this life in Jesus Christ, and knowing that you know - not live in doubt, skepticism, I hope I’m saved, suppose one way, but full assurance participating as Citizen in Christ of God’s Kingdom!
Key Truth: The pastoral result of having life in the Son, is confidence: in relationship to God, in prayer, in spiritual protection, and in understanding of the Truth!
Key Truth: The pastoral result of having life in the Son, is confidence: in relationship to God, in prayer, in spiritual protection, and in understanding of the Truth!
And on this morning Maelyn receives the sing and seal of baptism from God, when we reflect on the meaning of our own baptisms; we are to be asking not only will Maelyn believe and be converted by the realities of Christ promised here - will she become a Christian. but also will she come into this confidence in her living, not becoming a Christian, but believing living as a Christian. The same is true for you - not only do you believe that is what the gospel is for; but do I live in this confidence.
I. Believe in the Name means confidence in having eternal life, now!
I. Believe in the Name means confidence in having eternal life, now!
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
The Name of the Son of God - incredible title = Son of God became Son of Man in the flesh so we could become Children of God., but more true God - fullest representation of the Father what He is about . This name - marked as Christ, but take my identity from Him - not just forgiven and saved, but the Risen Living Jesus - not believed merely as historical fact that saves, but as living person - raised and in heaven for my justification
Remember teaching on love - 3 words for life, one is the goods/ biological life (bios), another is Psyche (self), but the last is ZOE life from above. Greg and Rhonda you are to show this Christ, but only Spirit can grant the eyes to see and the enlivened will to chose CHRIST, - on look out for that process of belief and repentance after the Spirit grants assurance. But the discipleship not just getting mark, not just necessity of conversion, but he discipleship is - walking in that eternal life now…
And look how v.14 puts the result - not just a bunch of information, not just behavior, but relationship with the living one. Do you remember how the gospel of John begin - the Son was with God, was God, Literally Son was towards God… and how are believers described here: 1 John 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
Wow - we too become toward God people - in Christ the result is confidence! Huge word for John and the first pastoral result must disciple for - live in a culture that trumpets - doubt , insecurity, relativism, uncertainty - wonder why so much anxiety and stress.
Opposite isn’t cocksure proud self-confidence, but confidence, boldness not in ourselves but in these TRUTHS of Christ! Maelyn is to grow up hearing that though God is certainly a judge, though He is Almighty Creator and Upholder - Huge and Important - that in Christ God has moved toward her, in Christ - though only in name now, in relationship by faith - she by simple and pure and total forgiveness and Him - gain access!
Oh think of it, there is no thing more natural than to see those kids on zoom - baby, goo ggaa - see that kid say - mama or dada and then what do they do - where are they? cozies up so secure no fear - one of us - says hello may be entertained …but not same cozy - why is that - From earliest days, belong to this God? Claiming them as His children, provided a Saviour - And you and we must teach them the way of access!
Muslims, Catholics have no assurance that sins completely and totally forgiven , that they are accepted by God - not because of quality of their works - always left wondering am I saved, been good enough, will he have mercy - hope -so. But not those who know God in the Name of His SON. They can have assurance. Sure doubt in self , how strong, but come to rest in Christ - simply hold to him!
And you and I too - not just baptized, not just carry name, membership in Church - but bear the resemblance know the access in Christ, means live towards and in Him! This brings us to the next confidence that is coupled like engine and coal car- look at what that confidence results in:
II. Faith in Christ results in Confident Prayer
II. Faith in Christ results in Confident Prayer
And this is something we must disciple towards! Adolph Schlatter a German pastor and NT professor, when the schools were all rejecting that Jesus was really God, that miracles happened, that the Bible historically reliable and also supernatural word of God. He was trained in higher criticism, looking at the transmission and - trained also by Karl Barth in radical necessity of faith and God’s Word. Upheld this belief in jesus. But you know what he says: Prayer is the most direct expression of faith.”
What is truly Christian, in-Christ, prayer? The whole world even atheists in time of trouble throw up a prayer. But I don’t think we can say that registers with God without faith. What about your prayers. What about how you will teach Maelyn to pray. Look at 1 John 5:15
And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
Most of the world and those who do not pray in active faith in Jesus Christ have no confidence in their prayer - a wish thrown up - Many catholic set up a shrine to Mary, Marian shrine - light three candles - one for God, one for Jesu one for Mary. And what is most common Catholic prayer - from TV probably know it: Hail, Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.” What’s going on? They are praying to or through the saints as mediator. But if you get justification and adoption down, if you relate to God in Christ by faith, - you get confident, immediate, and unending access to God’s throne, with Jesus - right now.
For most of the world prayer is either to God as a push-over father, or personal life-coach servant - Divine butler do this or do that please God. Or he is a mean harsh parent who only gives the bare minimum, if we deserve it! And we don’t have standing, like child on parents lap to come and freely converse and ask! But look at Hebrews 4:16
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Do you pray with directness & faith - in your home - just rote prayers, and shopping list prayers. Hard work not just to pray for people, but to teach them how to pray, pray with them.
But perhaps you’re thinking they are plenty of times I’ve prayed and I didn't get what I asked for. Can you imagine praying that you passed the exam you just cheated on, or that God give you success in slandering and getting even with mean boss, or that God give you a new spouse who will cater to your wishes more - why do such prayers hit a 4 foot thick iron ceiling, and not register with our great God? 1 JOhn 5:14b
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
We can ask anything - absolutely anything - but according to his will. Prayer can be hindered by unconfessed sin, by disbelief, by wrong motives. But prayer were we learn to put our will in line with God’s will, is 100% guaranteed to reach Him and something happens, doesn't cause God’s decisions, but releases something new in our lives, our relationship with God, in our world!
This is astonishing us requesting God for what we discover to be in his will is simultaneous with God hearing and answering! This changes WHAT BELIEVING Christian PRAYER IS REALLY ALL ABOUT. It is not getting God to change his mind, to accept our will. It is God changing our mind, to discover and ask for and eagerly long for His will. Proper prayer is the means that God uses to give his people what he wants.” Takes two things then, with ourselves with our families. I. Search around Scripture what is God’s will what principles what promises - but it also takes II. Seeking out each others lives and asking that question. Pause in parenting - these reactions, these opportunities, these blessing let’s talk to God about them, let s ask for help, lets thank for blessing - let’s align our lives in prayer with His will. See that in Christ’s instruction in the Lord’s prayer, Thy will be done! see it in his example - power out his desire and wrestling with God - nevertheless not my will but thine!
Why Matthew Henry m JC Ryle - teach us how to pray Scripture. Visiting pastor - pray and then any verse calling me to pray prays it! Not saying don’t take you needs and lay them before God - Paul’s thorn in the flesh 3x earnest, sometimes delays, sometime no - but prayer pulls you in line with God’s will, And he knows God listening to everything, and answering even before we ask - according to request and wisdom and love. Delight to send answers.
You know what you realize? Prayer isn’t communicating with God to get all our asking and force God - it is communicating with most loving eager to help and wise parent and friend! Think of Moses his prayer life wasn’ awesome because he directed God’s ways, but because he talked with God life face to face intimacy!
This is what makes for more than a Christian in name: participating in the eternal life and fellowship and joy that’s in Jesus person and work, and to be communing daily life of prayer that does accomplish the answers of God.
Great Christian of medieval era, Bernard of Clarvaux puts it so powerfully: “Brothers, do not despise our prayer; for when it has gone forth from your mouths, it has been heard in heaven. And be sure either that what you have asked for will be granted us or that what has been asked for has not been beneficial.”8 God loves us, and thus he always lovingly answers our prayers. That’s the kind of expectation we are to live in confident prayer and draw fellow disciples including our children into!
But the next kind of confidence that John pastorally wants disciples living involves costly interest, concern, and involvement in your spiritual siblings lives!
III. Living by purity & love, intervening for those caught in sin.
III. Living by purity & love, intervening for those caught in sin.
As we started this series, John had startling news - Christians can’t continue in habitual sin in way that there isn’t identification, resistance, and confession. It is impossible to be born of God and still have your basic default to be sin and be alright with that. Being saved means not only forgiveness, but new life in the Holy Spirit. Though you still have a sin nature, indwelling sin, - it no longer dominates and reigns, grace and the Spirit, and life from above do. And so many of these tired, discouraged, confused Christians - like you and I from time to time - busted sin-radar. Need ongoing work of Christ cleansing power. But the other test for assurance remember wasn’t a sin radar. But what was it for the love test. Do you actually love particular brothers and sisters in Christ inhere, in real action. Self-sacrificing love thermometer. Well you combine those two realities of having life and Christ - purity and love for particular brothers, and the result is the involvement and prayer in v.16, this third confidence we are to disciples towards.
1 John 5:16a
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.
You’ve got the scenario right. John’s talking about a brother - a fellow believer, not unbelieving neighbour or family member. And they are sinning a sin, like chapter 2 says we all fall into, but its not our life habit. OK lets think about that in our lives - have a Christian brother or sister - and they are getting snared by a sin - drink, porn, materialism of shopping, of winning, gambling - bored with life, or escape pressure and bury themselves excessively in hobby. Can you picture someone in how they deal with conflict with spouse, or there children and anger . Friend who jealousy or bitterness , lack forgiveness. Got a kid, guess what they sin too.
Now what are our first reactions. Maybe none. Three screens… phone, tv, windshield. So we don’t even really see the brothers and sisters around us. Need to live closer, more connected, need to stop hiding our sins. Time of pandemic , time of social media - people at first seemed more connected, but actually more hiding, more life lived in private in bedroom, in the screen.
But if we do notice, so often our first reactions can be to talk to others, to point the finger, to judge. What does John say, a confident disciple will do. Talk to God about it first! Do you ever do that. Can you think of someone in particular needs that kind of prayer. What are you to pray? Well they are brothers and are not in danger of losing there salvation; but they are turning to their sin, like an idol - seeking life outside of God outside of His will. And John says, when you pray God will hear you - and will give/restore that personto getting ZOE life.
They are in backsliding state, they maybe have saving grace, but out of fellowship, not receiving new grace, under discipline of God. And God will hear our prayer for such.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Confessing Church, WWII Germany, says, this is the moment actually when you and I are involved in each others lives, honest enough to show our real struggle and sin, that the gospel is really put to the test. A real sinner in our midst, do we judge, do we say clean up your act, or do we pray and preach the gospel, apply the gospel to each other and Resurrection Life of Transformation, Repentance and Faith. 1 John 5:16b
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.
We need people like that don’t we. Kids will need you - or else grow up thinking Christian faith is legalism and judgment or be really moral good. Parents amazing thing when kids show you - need to live by gospel . Increasingly those whose identity cloud with gender sexual orientation issues, Joseph Bowman - need to have identity in Christ focused on that able to walk with each other in faith and repentance, in our weakness! And friends deep and wonderful friendship when can say I am struggling, or I see you tripped up by this… I am praying. At the heart of Jesus friendship isn’t that we he does for his friends, and invites us to join him.
Luke 22:31-32
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Can you say that of any one here today, anyone in your family.
John says, there are sins that lead to death - either referring to those false teachers, with a determined, i. settled opposition to Christ, the gospel and trying to sway people from him, - and he is saying that’s not the prayer I’m talking about right now for them. This then would be akin to the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. And if any fear that they committed it, proof you haven't because those who reject Jesus and His grace, hardened hearts so wouldn’t care. Or this is referring to ii. those who like in Corinth disciplined for sin in this life with death. Case of Ananias and Sapharia, This too would be impossible to tell except by the result that someone died prematurely, but cant be applied every time someone dies before full years.
John however, isn’t so concerned that these categories of sin be known by us, but that we pray with confidence about the spiritual health and life of those around us stumbling in sin. If a member of your family found your medication, but poison to them and its was hidden in … wouldn’t you point it out. John says, intervene with each other, starting with prayer to God , confident he will stop the slide to spiritual deadening , and bring back to fulness of life! This leads him to the next area that we are disciple for confidence.
IV. Disciples trained to see the evil one and his hold on this world, confidently rest in the Active Protection of Jesus
IV. Disciples trained to see the evil one and his hold on this world, confidently rest in the Active Protection of Jesus
1 John 5:18
We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.
I hope you have clear in your mind that Christian, born again of the Spirit, they do fall into sin and have to fight the fallen nature that no longer rules them. And I hope you see that kind of sinning, which is confessed and repented of, and continually fought against. That category is ongoing indwelling sin a believer fights against. But John’s point here is that in the face of a world, and unbelievers unknowingly dominated by sin, slaves to sin, and children not of God knowing Him, but deceived by Satan to think they can do life without God, John says we can know that we are from or of God now and our source of standing against evil is not in ourselves or own effort.
In the first half of the verse John is describing you and me as those who in continuous, ongoing way are born again, that’s every believer. But the end of the verse, uses a different verb tense and isn’t talking about us who are born again now. Do you see its past tense. Who was born of God in the past and now protects us? Who is God's begotten?
This is promising, that the Evil One in this world can’t touch us! Why? Because the eternally begotten Son is in and for us. It is saying the Son of God who was born of God physically, conceived in the Virgin's womb, born in the manger in Bethlehem, assuming our weak human-nature to perfect and raise it up joining it to his divine nature, the Son of God who being crucified to put the power of sin, punishment and taking the curse to nullify it and all its charges against us. And after all that, how else was Christ born of God. Do you see him in the tomb, sacrifice for our sins, and now bursting forth - rising up - he is the first born from the Dead for you and for me - He is the first fruits and he breathes his Spirit that spiritually - we rise with Him to newness of life, so that we rise to reign with him in righteousness.!
And John says, this whole world is in bondage deceived by the evil one, think in their pursuit of pleasures they can escape the bondage of this world to decay. That their lives aren’t subject to death, and their guilt and shame won’t be eternal. But Christians know as Martin Luther said: “The world is a realm of wrongdoing, and the devil is lord over it.” We live in enemy territory, and we war against invisible enemies (see Eph. 6:12), and whether we are aware of it or not, Jesus has our back. And he has our front, as well as right and left sides!
But those discipled to know Christ, know not only in his earthly ministry of service, but who his triumph now alive in heaven. Those who know Christ as King - they know they may fall into sin, they may be ordained to go through time of testing and Satan may influence them, but they know Satan can’t touch, the, can’t seize the, can’t pull them away, can't possess or rob them. God says, this far and no further!
And what is the result of kids and adults in a church that know Jesus like this? That Jesus is the strong man, that's bound Satan, and Satan is God’s Satan, and time not up yet, dangerous, accuser and attacker, but that is a ravaging lion with chains on. It means spiritually bullet-proof. It means we and our kids won’t live running away from this big bad world. It means we won’t make church a holy-huddle, wagon's circled and back to the world. It means we will love those in the world, but by not participating in it sins, but loving its people. It means discern the world system and Satanic thought behind it, but we will go into that world as salt and light. Live in every sphere of it , with the redeeming conquering Christ. That’s the picture of Christ in this world through his people today - fear not in this world you will have trouble, but I give you my peace, I have overcome this world. Faith in Christ is the victory that overcomes the world - raise our kids train each other for that kind of spiritual engagement for Christ in our culture in our politics, in our land.
And that brings us to the concluding confidence, and climax of John’s whole letter in vv.20-21
V. Disciples don’t just know God, they get confident understanding of living in Him!
V. Disciples don’t just know God, they get confident understanding of living in Him!
The false teachers, like many today say religion is about some secret knowledge , some spiritual practices , and not about the Son of God who came. But John says, if you know that Son of God who came 2000 years ago, that He has come to you by His Spirit and Word, and you are receiving him as Saviour and Lord - what does this Jesus do?
Just give some emotional high, give you deep intellectual insight. John says those who believe and receive the Christ, well the Christ has come ascended, but now comes to them them in the Word and Spirit and 1 John 5:20
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
You know your kids are going to grow up in a culture with so many life style choices, so many gender identities, so many worldviews, kind of like chose your own adventure, enslaved to individualism. Influences the church big time to so like with those false teachers - the big deal is their version of religion or their disciplines s and practices to get in a spiritual groove. And they are missing the heart of that matter who is CHRIST! Rather alarming to read The Banner a few articles that mention the Son of God or Christ, but by and large about the church, the program,s about issues - not saying don’t their place, but Christ must be at the centre. no point starting with issues if Christ is not at the centre.
John has spoke 7 times in short passage about knowing and many times - intimate personal knowing of God in Christ, as opposed to Gnostic knowing of secret teachings and practices. But now John for the first and only time says, when you got Christ - we come to anew higher understanding as gift from Christ. And we not only know Him who is true through Christ. The Father and Son and Spirit are in each other, and Jesus promises: when you know me, and this understanding comes - then We are in him who is True God, in Christ! And He is eternal life. Its not that we become the life of God, but in Christ we are touched and transformed and participate in the nature of God, in this eternal life from above that only have in part now, but will experience in fulness in the age to come!
And so John concludes with the most abrupt of all NT epistle endings. He says, those born of God, adopted by him, dear children - you are living with all these religious teachers trying to give replace this confident life - with a substitute religion that doesn’t have Christ in it, they are anti-Christs, and substitute idea for God is an idol.
1 John 5:21
Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
You live in a culture, church born in Ephesus, were 26,000 amphitheater pulled Paul isn Great is Artimis of the Ephesians. Christians tempted to compromise with the idols of their culture,. And John is saying know Christ and make him Known. With His understanding and life in him, don’t just settle for baptized as a Christian, or profess faith so name in membership, or lambs book of life for entrance into glory. Know the only main verb in that great commission is make disciples, as you go into the world - as you go about parenting, as you go about your work, as you go about church together, go making disciples - means are baptizing them and teaching them . And the promise is when Christ is at the centre like that He will be with us - and our lives will be filled with this 5 fold confidence - We will know we have His eternal life now and we will know can live toward God in direct prayer, we will confidently disciple one another in sin, we will engage this world under the influence of anti-God and evil, with purity but with love protected by our King Jesus! John says, that’s not how you are saved, but it how one born of God, lives in joy and fellowship with God and His people! Do you know you are a citizens of God’s country - do you participate in that citizenship and kingdom!
506 Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken