studies in john 20

STUDIES IN FIRST, SECOND & THIRD JOHN

Lesson 20 Summary and conclusion OF FIRST JOHN
I John 5:14 - 21

A. Because of our complete trust in His promises concerning our sonship, we can also have confidence in Him who can supply our present needs. Eternity is His but NOW is no less in His power.

1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
This is the confidence - freedom of speech - that we have concerning Him. ( We know He will listen to us)
God is not the tyrannical father who demands that his children stand in subdued silence in his awesome presence.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

1 John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
According to His will - Thy will be done -
Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Mat 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

1. We can have confidence when we ask for:
a. material needs - Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
b. for lost souls - Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
c. For physical well-being -James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
d. For the spiritual well-being of the church Rom 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
Eph 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
1 Th 1:2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
e. For the spiritual well-being of an individual
Phile 1:4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

1 John 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
We know He will answer our prayers.

It is as important to know how to pray with faith as it is to know WHAT to pray for.
1 John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
This kind of confidence can only come from one who is obedient.

1 John 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
God still answers prayers for the physical restoration of the sick.

1. All sickness is NOT the result of a personal sin ( although all sickness is the result of the adamic sin. )
a. 2 Cor 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
1 Tim 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
John 9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
John 9:3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
b. Some sickness IS the result of personal sin.
1 Cor 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
Note that He says, "If any man see his brother SIN - pray for him. He did NOT say, "If you see him get sick, try to figure out if it is the result of sin......

1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

There IS a sin unto death.
Acts 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Acts 5:4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Acts 5:5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
Acts 5:6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
Acts 5:7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
Acts 5:8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
Acts 5:9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
Acts 5:10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

1 John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

One born of God does not continue to make a practice of sin. (Dog returns to vomit and hog to wallow in the mire) -
2 Pet 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
a. He watches over himself -
In relation to worldliness:
James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
In relation to the Love of God -
Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
In relation to false religions;
1 John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

1 John 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
We KNOW we are of God -- We know who we are and who the world is, and that there can never be any fellowship between the two, for we are in Christ and the whole world rests in the wicked one.

1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

We know He is coming . . .
Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
This gives meaning to all the rest. If in this life only we have hope_ _ _ 1 Cor 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Here is present assurance through future hope.

1 John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Keep yourselves from idols. Is this a present danger?
1 Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Cor 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Eph 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Next week: 2nd John