Seventh Sunday Of Easter
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series IV
The church is living between Jesus' departure and the coming
of the Spirit. The time has come to fill the vacancy caused by
Judas' suicide. The one to be chosen as a replacement is to be
one who shared the experience with Jesus from the time of his
baptism to his ascension and one who can witness to the
resurrection. Two men met the qualifications: Joseph and
Matthias. God and not the church elected Matthias. The church
merely asked the ascended Lord which of the two he had chosen.
After prayer, Matthias was chosen to be one of the apostles. The
church's leadership ranks were now filled and ready for the
Spirit's coming.
Lesson 2: 1 John 5:9-13 (C); 1 John 5:9-15 (E)
Shall we or shall we not believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the
very Son of God who died for our sins and rose for our eternal
life? How can we be sure that Jesus is the Christ? John closes
his first letter by referring us to witnesses to the truth about
Jesus. The prime witness is God himself who testifies that Jesus
is his Son, the source of eternal life. Not to accept God's
witness is to make him a liar. The truth is that God gave his Son
that we might have eternal life now by believing in him.
Gospel: John 17:16-19 (C); John 17:11-19 (RC); John 17:11b-19 (E,
L)
In this high priestly prayer, Jesus is aware that he is going
to leave the world and his disciples in a hostile world. Think of
what the world did to him! Will not the disciples face the same
opposition and fate? Naturally, the disciples would be afraid.
Thus, Jesus prays for his followers, not that they should be
taken out of the world as he is about to do, but that they should
be protected from Satan. He prays that they may be one as he and
the Father are one. They are to be made holy in his word. As he
was sent into the world, he sends them into the world for the
same purpose he was sent.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 1 (C) -- "The way of the wicked will perish." (v. 6.)
Psalm 47 (L); Psalm 68:1-20 (E)
Prayer Of The Day
"Almighty and eternal God, your Son our Savior is with you in
eternal glory. Give us faith to see that, true to his promise, he
is among us still, and will be with us to the end of time."
Hymn Of The Day
"Have No Fear, Little Flock"
Theme Of The Day: The Church Prepares For Ministry In The World
Gospel -- Jesus prays that the church may be in but not of the
world.
Lesson 1 -- The church prepares for ministry by filling a
leadership vacancy.
Lesson 2 -- The church is assured of eternal life in Christ.
This past Thursday we celebrated Jesus' ascension. The church
is now on her own and her ministry in the world is soon to begin.
The apostles are waiting and praying for the Spirit. Today's
lections deal with the church's preparation for this ministry,
the work of carrying
on the ministry of Jesus: preaching, teaching and healing. So we
find Jesus in the Gospel praying for his followers to be in but
not of the world. Judas' death left a vacancy in the roster of
apostles. Before the church can begin her ministry, the vacancy
needs to be filled. Before the church goes into the world, she
needs to be assured that Jesus is the Son of God whom to know is
eternal life. The Psalm agrees that the godly live and the wicked
perish. The Prayer refers to Jesus' leaving earth for heaven and
pleads for a realization that Christ will be with his followers.
As God's people go into the world in ministry, the Hymn
admonishes them, "Have no fear, little flock."
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: John 17:6-19
1. One (v. 11). Is Christian unity an impossible ideal? Jesus
prays for the unity of his church, for he knows what can happen
when he leaves. When he was with them, they argued among
themselves which was the greatest and one of them even betrayed
him. Paul refers to factions in his churches. Throughout her
history, the church has been split into various hostile groups.
To this day schisms are occurring. Here we see that unity is not
a human achievement but a divine gift to those who remain in
God's name. An example of unity for the church is the oneness
existing between the Father and the Son.
2. Lost (v. 12). It is a word we hesitate to say. Is any
person really lost? Jesus, in his prayer, refers to Judas as
"lost." Jesus calls him "a son of perdition." It reminds us that
the "saved" can become the "lost." Judas was "saved," for he was
chosen as a top leader in Christ's kingdom. This lostness is
self-chosen. Judas elected to turn against Jesus. He separated
himself from the Son and the Father. To reject and despise the
source of life, love and truth is to choose the horror of
separation from God -- lostness.
3. Not out of but into (vv. 15, 18). Jesus intends for his
followers to be in the world but not of the world. He asks the
Father not to take his men out of the world as he is about to
leave the world. Rather Jesus sends them into the world. Here is
a problem and a challenge. How can we be in the world and not be
of the world? James, in his letter, speaks of true religion as
keeping oneself unspotted from the world. A Christian is to be
like it was said of a Yankee in the South: "For years he lived
among us, but was not one of us." The Christian lives in the
tension of being in not being a part of the world. That person
cannot identify with the world lest he become one with the sin of
the world. Yet, a Christian is sent into the world to witness,
serve and save the world.
Lesson 1: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
1. Fulfilled (v. 16). For biblical people, nothing happened by
accident. Peter explained to the 120 followers of Jesus that what
happened to Jesus was promised of old in the scriptures. He sees
the betrayal of Jesus and the fate of Judas as having been
prophesied by the Holy Spirit through David. For Peter and the
others, God is in complete control of their lives and destiny.
God has planned it all, and thus what happened to Jesus had to
happen. In today's world, there is chance, luck and accident. In
the Bible things just do not happen by coincidence. God is in all
and over all.
2. One (v. 21). Who will be the one to succeed Judas as an
apostle? Who is qualified for that high office? Peter says he
must be one who knows Jesus, who was with Jesus from the time of
his baptism through the resurrection. He must be one who lived
with Jesus when he was on earth and one who lives with him now.
He can then be a witness to the resurrection. Note the importance
of the resurrection to the apostles. The new apostle is not
expected to witness to Jesus' teachings, miracles, life nor
death. It is the resurrection that is paramount. A person today
qualifies as a follower of Jesus because he knows and lives with
Jesus.
3. Chose (v. 24). Matthias was not elected by the 120 but he
was chosen by Christ. The group prayed to Jesus to learn which
one he had chosen. This was not a popularity contest.
165
Matthias was not the better campaigner. He did not have a PR man
to direct his election. Church leaders are not to be elected to
office on the basis of heritage, personality or popularity. The
one to be installed in office must be Christ's choice. But the
choice is made known through the Spirit-led and praying people of
the church.
Lesson 2: 1 John 5:9-13
1. Witness (v. 9). A witness gives a testimony of what was
seen and/or heard. The question humanity faces, who is Jesus? Is
he really God's Son? the Christ? To get the answer, we call on
witnesses to tell their story about Jesus. We can call on human
witnesses: John the Baptist, Peter at Caesarea Philippi, a Roman
soldier at the cross. These witness to the truth that Jesus is
the Christ. Since humans are subject to error, we may doubt these
witnesses. But, John in this passage calls upon God to witness.
His testimony is that Jesus is his Son and in him there is
eternal life. If God says it, enough said!
2. Liar (v. 10). A witness at court swears on a Bible to tell
the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Not to do so makes the
witness a liar and guilty of perjury. If God says Jesus is the
Christ and we do not accept it, we are saying that God is a liar!
We reject his testimony because we do not believe he is telling
the truth. Is a human calling God a liar? Is not God a God of
truth? Can God lie? Truth is God's nature and thus he cannot lie.
Since God says Jesus is his Son with whom he is pleased, we need
to accept God's Word eagerly and gladly.
3. Have (v. 13). In this little word, there is tremendous
truth concerning eternal life. John writes that the person who
has Christ has eternal life. Christ is life, and to have him by
faith living in you is to have eternal life. The emphasis is not
upon "eternal" but upon "life." "Eternal" separates life in
Christ from earthly life. Physical life ends in death. Spiritual
life, found in Christ, never dies. This life begins here and now,
not upon physical death, but upon acceptance of Christ by faith
as Lord and Savior. Heaven for a Christian begins now, not after
physical death.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES Can The Church Get Along Without Jesus?
Need: Can you imagine the fright and concern of the disciples
when they realized they were without their leader after the
ascension? His presence for three years gave them guideance,
support and courage. If there were problems or needs, they knew
to whom to go and they always had their needs met and questions
answered. On this Sunday after the ascension the disciples were
alone to face a hostile world. Can the church get along without
Jesus? This sermon is needed to convince and inspire the people
to measure up to their responsibility and opportunity to carry on
Jesus' mission without his physical presence.
Outline: The church can get along without the physical Jesus
because --
a. The church has Jesus' prayers -- Gospel.
b. The church is guided by the ascended Lord -- Lesson 1.
c. The church is assured of eternal life in Christ -- Lesson
2.
Gospel: John 17:11b-19
1. Jesus is praying for you! 17:11b-19
Need: Often we ask people to pray for us. Why not ask Jesus to
pray for us? He prayed for his disciples before he was arrested.
He prayed for them because he was soon to leave them alone in a
hostile world. Are we not also in the same kind of world and
Jesus is not with us physically? Are we living up to the prayer
he prayed?
Outline: Jesus is praying for you --
a. To be one with each other -- v. 11.
b. To have his joy -- v. 13.
c. To be protected from evil -- v. 15.
d. To be sanctified in truth -- v. 17.
2. All one body we? 17:11b
Need: This is Jesus' praying for the oneness of his church, a
oneness the church has never had. Today it is called "ecumenism."
Among the disciples there was no unity as they fought for
positions of glory. In Paul's churches there were schisms.
Throughout history Christians have separated from each other. In
our decade mainline denominations have split: Lutherans,
Episcopalians and Presbyterians. Within a congregation there are
parties and divisions. There is need to answer Jesus' prayer that
all of us Christians might be one.
Outline: In this prayer we have --
a. Jesus' desire -- "that they may be one."
b. The key to attaining unity -- "keep them in thy name."
c. An example to follow -- "as we are one."
3. The world and the Christian. 17:14-18
Need: A Christian is a citizen of two worlds: heaven and
earth. How can he live in both? If the world is sinful and
hostile to the Christian, how can a Christian deal with the world
and live in it without succumbing to it? In this passage Jesus
suggests three options. Of these three he prays that this
followers will take the right one. Which is it? How is this
related to today's Christians? A pastor often hears a member say
how difficult or impossible it is to be a Christian in today's
world.
Outline: A Christian has several options in dealing with the
world.
a. Out of the world -- v. 15. A Christian can be out of the
world by withdrawal or asceticism.
b. Of the world -- v. 16. A Christian identifies with the
world to the point he is worldly.
c. In the world -- v. 18. A Christian is in the world to
carry out Christ's mission.
Lesson 1: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
1. No vacancy! 1:15-26
Need: During busy seasons, one often sees a sign outside a
motel, "No Vacancy." In the early church a vacancy occurred in
her leadership by the self-inflicted death of Judas. Today the
church faces vacancies: A leader dies, or a family is transferred
out of town, or a resignation is tendered because of ill-will or
ill-health. For the church to do its best work, every vacancy
needs to be filled. In the apostolic church someone was needed to
fill Judas' place in the apostleship. Filling the vacancy was a
part of the preparation for Pentecost. Are there any vacant
leadership positions in your church?
Outline: To fill a vacancy in the church --
a. Be aware of the existence of the vacancy -- vv. 15-20.
b. Secure candidates for the vacancy -- vv. 21-23.
c. Use proper methods to fill the vacancy -- vv. 24-26.
2. Who is worthy to lead? 1:21-26
Need: How is a Christian leader chosen? Who is worthy of high
office? When a Protestant leader's term of office expires, who
should be elected to fill his place? What was criteria for
election? Before the church was born, it had to face this
question. In a local congregation, the members face the same
question in choosing leaders. Our text shows how the first
Christians went about it.
Outline: Are you the one to lead?
a. You must live with Jesus -- v. 21.
b. You must witness to the resurrection -- v. 22.
c. You must be chosen by Christ through the church -- v. 26.
Lesson 2: 1 John 5:9-13
1. Is God a liar? 5:10
Need: It is a shocking thought: "Is God a liar?" Can it be
that God would lie to us about Jesus or anything else for that
matter? If God is truth, how can he be false? John claims
167
in our text that if we do not accept what God says about Jesus,
we make him a liar. If you think God always speaks the truth, how
can you refuse to accept Jesus for what God says he is? What does
God testify concerning Jesus?
Outline: God's testimony concerning Jesus --
a. Jesus is his Son -- "This is my beloved Son." (Matthew
17:5)
b. Jesus is the Savior -- "Unto you is born this day in the
city of David a Savior ...." (Luke 2:11)
c. Jesus is life -- "Whoever believes in him should not
perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
2. You can have life now. 5:12-13
Need: Many of us have existence but not life. We live but life
for some is not worth living. Over 25,000 people annually do not
think so, for they either attempt or commit suicide. For many
life is a bore and a drudge. Consequently, we try to escape the
humdrum and tribulation of life through alcohol, drugs and sex.
God offers us life and hereafter in Christ who came that we might
have abundant life. To have Christ is to have life -- a quality,
a richness of life which has no ending.
Outline: To have Christ is to have life --
a. Christ is holy: to have him is to overcome sin.
b. Christ is love: to have him is to conquer hatred.
c. Christ is life: to have him is to defeat death.
of the Spirit. The time has come to fill the vacancy caused by
Judas' suicide. The one to be chosen as a replacement is to be
one who shared the experience with Jesus from the time of his
baptism to his ascension and one who can witness to the
resurrection. Two men met the qualifications: Joseph and
Matthias. God and not the church elected Matthias. The church
merely asked the ascended Lord which of the two he had chosen.
After prayer, Matthias was chosen to be one of the apostles. The
church's leadership ranks were now filled and ready for the
Spirit's coming.
Lesson 2: 1 John 5:9-13 (C); 1 John 5:9-15 (E)
Shall we or shall we not believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the
very Son of God who died for our sins and rose for our eternal
life? How can we be sure that Jesus is the Christ? John closes
his first letter by referring us to witnesses to the truth about
Jesus. The prime witness is God himself who testifies that Jesus
is his Son, the source of eternal life. Not to accept God's
witness is to make him a liar. The truth is that God gave his Son
that we might have eternal life now by believing in him.
Gospel: John 17:16-19 (C); John 17:11-19 (RC); John 17:11b-19 (E,
L)
In this high priestly prayer, Jesus is aware that he is going
to leave the world and his disciples in a hostile world. Think of
what the world did to him! Will not the disciples face the same
opposition and fate? Naturally, the disciples would be afraid.
Thus, Jesus prays for his followers, not that they should be
taken out of the world as he is about to do, but that they should
be protected from Satan. He prays that they may be one as he and
the Father are one. They are to be made holy in his word. As he
was sent into the world, he sends them into the world for the
same purpose he was sent.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 1 (C) -- "The way of the wicked will perish." (v. 6.)
Psalm 47 (L); Psalm 68:1-20 (E)
Prayer Of The Day
"Almighty and eternal God, your Son our Savior is with you in
eternal glory. Give us faith to see that, true to his promise, he
is among us still, and will be with us to the end of time."
Hymn Of The Day
"Have No Fear, Little Flock"
Theme Of The Day: The Church Prepares For Ministry In The World
Gospel -- Jesus prays that the church may be in but not of the
world.
Lesson 1 -- The church prepares for ministry by filling a
leadership vacancy.
Lesson 2 -- The church is assured of eternal life in Christ.
This past Thursday we celebrated Jesus' ascension. The church
is now on her own and her ministry in the world is soon to begin.
The apostles are waiting and praying for the Spirit. Today's
lections deal with the church's preparation for this ministry,
the work of carrying
on the ministry of Jesus: preaching, teaching and healing. So we
find Jesus in the Gospel praying for his followers to be in but
not of the world. Judas' death left a vacancy in the roster of
apostles. Before the church can begin her ministry, the vacancy
needs to be filled. Before the church goes into the world, she
needs to be assured that Jesus is the Son of God whom to know is
eternal life. The Psalm agrees that the godly live and the wicked
perish. The Prayer refers to Jesus' leaving earth for heaven and
pleads for a realization that Christ will be with his followers.
As God's people go into the world in ministry, the Hymn
admonishes them, "Have no fear, little flock."
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: John 17:6-19
1. One (v. 11). Is Christian unity an impossible ideal? Jesus
prays for the unity of his church, for he knows what can happen
when he leaves. When he was with them, they argued among
themselves which was the greatest and one of them even betrayed
him. Paul refers to factions in his churches. Throughout her
history, the church has been split into various hostile groups.
To this day schisms are occurring. Here we see that unity is not
a human achievement but a divine gift to those who remain in
God's name. An example of unity for the church is the oneness
existing between the Father and the Son.
2. Lost (v. 12). It is a word we hesitate to say. Is any
person really lost? Jesus, in his prayer, refers to Judas as
"lost." Jesus calls him "a son of perdition." It reminds us that
the "saved" can become the "lost." Judas was "saved," for he was
chosen as a top leader in Christ's kingdom. This lostness is
self-chosen. Judas elected to turn against Jesus. He separated
himself from the Son and the Father. To reject and despise the
source of life, love and truth is to choose the horror of
separation from God -- lostness.
3. Not out of but into (vv. 15, 18). Jesus intends for his
followers to be in the world but not of the world. He asks the
Father not to take his men out of the world as he is about to
leave the world. Rather Jesus sends them into the world. Here is
a problem and a challenge. How can we be in the world and not be
of the world? James, in his letter, speaks of true religion as
keeping oneself unspotted from the world. A Christian is to be
like it was said of a Yankee in the South: "For years he lived
among us, but was not one of us." The Christian lives in the
tension of being in not being a part of the world. That person
cannot identify with the world lest he become one with the sin of
the world. Yet, a Christian is sent into the world to witness,
serve and save the world.
Lesson 1: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
1. Fulfilled (v. 16). For biblical people, nothing happened by
accident. Peter explained to the 120 followers of Jesus that what
happened to Jesus was promised of old in the scriptures. He sees
the betrayal of Jesus and the fate of Judas as having been
prophesied by the Holy Spirit through David. For Peter and the
others, God is in complete control of their lives and destiny.
God has planned it all, and thus what happened to Jesus had to
happen. In today's world, there is chance, luck and accident. In
the Bible things just do not happen by coincidence. God is in all
and over all.
2. One (v. 21). Who will be the one to succeed Judas as an
apostle? Who is qualified for that high office? Peter says he
must be one who knows Jesus, who was with Jesus from the time of
his baptism through the resurrection. He must be one who lived
with Jesus when he was on earth and one who lives with him now.
He can then be a witness to the resurrection. Note the importance
of the resurrection to the apostles. The new apostle is not
expected to witness to Jesus' teachings, miracles, life nor
death. It is the resurrection that is paramount. A person today
qualifies as a follower of Jesus because he knows and lives with
Jesus.
3. Chose (v. 24). Matthias was not elected by the 120 but he
was chosen by Christ. The group prayed to Jesus to learn which
one he had chosen. This was not a popularity contest.
165
Matthias was not the better campaigner. He did not have a PR man
to direct his election. Church leaders are not to be elected to
office on the basis of heritage, personality or popularity. The
one to be installed in office must be Christ's choice. But the
choice is made known through the Spirit-led and praying people of
the church.
Lesson 2: 1 John 5:9-13
1. Witness (v. 9). A witness gives a testimony of what was
seen and/or heard. The question humanity faces, who is Jesus? Is
he really God's Son? the Christ? To get the answer, we call on
witnesses to tell their story about Jesus. We can call on human
witnesses: John the Baptist, Peter at Caesarea Philippi, a Roman
soldier at the cross. These witness to the truth that Jesus is
the Christ. Since humans are subject to error, we may doubt these
witnesses. But, John in this passage calls upon God to witness.
His testimony is that Jesus is his Son and in him there is
eternal life. If God says it, enough said!
2. Liar (v. 10). A witness at court swears on a Bible to tell
the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Not to do so makes the
witness a liar and guilty of perjury. If God says Jesus is the
Christ and we do not accept it, we are saying that God is a liar!
We reject his testimony because we do not believe he is telling
the truth. Is a human calling God a liar? Is not God a God of
truth? Can God lie? Truth is God's nature and thus he cannot lie.
Since God says Jesus is his Son with whom he is pleased, we need
to accept God's Word eagerly and gladly.
3. Have (v. 13). In this little word, there is tremendous
truth concerning eternal life. John writes that the person who
has Christ has eternal life. Christ is life, and to have him by
faith living in you is to have eternal life. The emphasis is not
upon "eternal" but upon "life." "Eternal" separates life in
Christ from earthly life. Physical life ends in death. Spiritual
life, found in Christ, never dies. This life begins here and now,
not upon physical death, but upon acceptance of Christ by faith
as Lord and Savior. Heaven for a Christian begins now, not after
physical death.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES Can The Church Get Along Without Jesus?
Need: Can you imagine the fright and concern of the disciples
when they realized they were without their leader after the
ascension? His presence for three years gave them guideance,
support and courage. If there were problems or needs, they knew
to whom to go and they always had their needs met and questions
answered. On this Sunday after the ascension the disciples were
alone to face a hostile world. Can the church get along without
Jesus? This sermon is needed to convince and inspire the people
to measure up to their responsibility and opportunity to carry on
Jesus' mission without his physical presence.
Outline: The church can get along without the physical Jesus
because --
a. The church has Jesus' prayers -- Gospel.
b. The church is guided by the ascended Lord -- Lesson 1.
c. The church is assured of eternal life in Christ -- Lesson
2.
Gospel: John 17:11b-19
1. Jesus is praying for you! 17:11b-19
Need: Often we ask people to pray for us. Why not ask Jesus to
pray for us? He prayed for his disciples before he was arrested.
He prayed for them because he was soon to leave them alone in a
hostile world. Are we not also in the same kind of world and
Jesus is not with us physically? Are we living up to the prayer
he prayed?
Outline: Jesus is praying for you --
a. To be one with each other -- v. 11.
b. To have his joy -- v. 13.
c. To be protected from evil -- v. 15.
d. To be sanctified in truth -- v. 17.
2. All one body we? 17:11b
Need: This is Jesus' praying for the oneness of his church, a
oneness the church has never had. Today it is called "ecumenism."
Among the disciples there was no unity as they fought for
positions of glory. In Paul's churches there were schisms.
Throughout history Christians have separated from each other. In
our decade mainline denominations have split: Lutherans,
Episcopalians and Presbyterians. Within a congregation there are
parties and divisions. There is need to answer Jesus' prayer that
all of us Christians might be one.
Outline: In this prayer we have --
a. Jesus' desire -- "that they may be one."
b. The key to attaining unity -- "keep them in thy name."
c. An example to follow -- "as we are one."
3. The world and the Christian. 17:14-18
Need: A Christian is a citizen of two worlds: heaven and
earth. How can he live in both? If the world is sinful and
hostile to the Christian, how can a Christian deal with the world
and live in it without succumbing to it? In this passage Jesus
suggests three options. Of these three he prays that this
followers will take the right one. Which is it? How is this
related to today's Christians? A pastor often hears a member say
how difficult or impossible it is to be a Christian in today's
world.
Outline: A Christian has several options in dealing with the
world.
a. Out of the world -- v. 15. A Christian can be out of the
world by withdrawal or asceticism.
b. Of the world -- v. 16. A Christian identifies with the
world to the point he is worldly.
c. In the world -- v. 18. A Christian is in the world to
carry out Christ's mission.
Lesson 1: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
1. No vacancy! 1:15-26
Need: During busy seasons, one often sees a sign outside a
motel, "No Vacancy." In the early church a vacancy occurred in
her leadership by the self-inflicted death of Judas. Today the
church faces vacancies: A leader dies, or a family is transferred
out of town, or a resignation is tendered because of ill-will or
ill-health. For the church to do its best work, every vacancy
needs to be filled. In the apostolic church someone was needed to
fill Judas' place in the apostleship. Filling the vacancy was a
part of the preparation for Pentecost. Are there any vacant
leadership positions in your church?
Outline: To fill a vacancy in the church --
a. Be aware of the existence of the vacancy -- vv. 15-20.
b. Secure candidates for the vacancy -- vv. 21-23.
c. Use proper methods to fill the vacancy -- vv. 24-26.
2. Who is worthy to lead? 1:21-26
Need: How is a Christian leader chosen? Who is worthy of high
office? When a Protestant leader's term of office expires, who
should be elected to fill his place? What was criteria for
election? Before the church was born, it had to face this
question. In a local congregation, the members face the same
question in choosing leaders. Our text shows how the first
Christians went about it.
Outline: Are you the one to lead?
a. You must live with Jesus -- v. 21.
b. You must witness to the resurrection -- v. 22.
c. You must be chosen by Christ through the church -- v. 26.
Lesson 2: 1 John 5:9-13
1. Is God a liar? 5:10
Need: It is a shocking thought: "Is God a liar?" Can it be
that God would lie to us about Jesus or anything else for that
matter? If God is truth, how can he be false? John claims
167
in our text that if we do not accept what God says about Jesus,
we make him a liar. If you think God always speaks the truth, how
can you refuse to accept Jesus for what God says he is? What does
God testify concerning Jesus?
Outline: God's testimony concerning Jesus --
a. Jesus is his Son -- "This is my beloved Son." (Matthew
17:5)
b. Jesus is the Savior -- "Unto you is born this day in the
city of David a Savior ...." (Luke 2:11)
c. Jesus is life -- "Whoever believes in him should not
perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
2. You can have life now. 5:12-13
Need: Many of us have existence but not life. We live but life
for some is not worth living. Over 25,000 people annually do not
think so, for they either attempt or commit suicide. For many
life is a bore and a drudge. Consequently, we try to escape the
humdrum and tribulation of life through alcohol, drugs and sex.
God offers us life and hereafter in Christ who came that we might
have abundant life. To have Christ is to have life -- a quality,
a richness of life which has no ending.
Outline: To have Christ is to have life --
a. Christ is holy: to have him is to overcome sin.
b. Christ is love: to have him is to conquer hatred.
c. Christ is life: to have him is to defeat death.
