Living the Life of Authentic Christianity 1 John 5:14-21 Transformed Living the Life of Authentic Christianity 1 John 5:14-21

1 John 5:14-21 14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death.

1 John 5:18-21 18 We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 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. This is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

Big idea: True believers are to have confidence in their relationship with God

Basic “Proofs” of Authentic Christianity Do you have fellowship with other believers? (1:7) Do you confess your sin? (1:9) Do you walk as Jesus walked? (2:6) Do you keep yourself from the love of the world? (2:15) Do you practice righteousness? (2:29) Do you fix your hope on God? (3:3) Do you keep yourself from practicing sin? (3:4) Do you love your brother — in deed and truth? (3:10) Do you practice discernment? (4:1) Do you love one another? (4:7) Do you confess that Jesus is the Son of God? (4:15) Do you love God? (5:2)

RECAP John’s letter gives several marks or proofs of genuine faith. So far we’ve seen that believers must: maintain a right understanding of the historical reality of Jesus Christ, obey God’s Word, love God’s people, reject worldliness, and persevere in faith and in good works. the spiritual condition of the believer has a direct effect on his lifestyle.

Pray with Confidence (14-17) 14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. We are to have confidence as we approach God in prayer. We must come before God when we pray. “…if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us…” His will was always one with the Father (John 4:34). He always did the Father’s works (6:38-40), and He always spoke what the Father wished Him to say (3:34; 8:55; 14:10; 17:8).

Praying according to God’s Will Is my request in line with what God has revealed in Christ and the Scriptures? If God grants my request, will it draw me closer to Him? Will granting my request be the best thing for everyone? In making this request am I seeking first the kingdom of God?

Pray with Confidence (14-17) 14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. We are to have confidence as we approach God in prayer. We must come before God when we pray. “…if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us…” “…if we know that He hears us in whatever we as, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.”

Prayer “Prayer is a sovereignly designed means for the outworking of God’s will, in which believers commune with God; worshiping and submitting to Him.” “Prayer doesn’t change God, it changes me.”

Pray with Confidence (14-17) 16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death. We are to have confidence as we approach God in prayer. We must come before God when we pray. We are to pray for a sinning brother (16-17)

Sin that leads to death Nadab and Abihu, the two sons of Aaron the priest, died because they deliberately disobeyed God (Leviticus 10:1-7). Moses committed the sin leading death by striking the rock (Numbers 20:8, 12). Korah and his clan opposed God and died (Numbers 16). Achan was stoned because he disobeyed Joshua’s orders from God at Jericho (Joshua 6-7). A man named Uzzah touched the ark and God killed him (2 Samuel 6). Ananias and Sapphira lied to God about their offering, and they both died (Acts 5:1-11). Some believers at Corinth died because of the way they had acted at the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:30).

Potential Candidates for Sin that leads to death Those in high profile, leadership positions who have a wide sphere of influence (James 3:1) Those who have been blessed with a vast degree of knowledge and biblical insight (Luke 12:48) Those who are jeopardizing the gospel message (2 Timothy 2:18) Those who willfully wallow in their sin (2 Peter 2:22) Those whose sin affects the entire church (Acts 5:1-11)

Persevere with confidence (18-21) 18 We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 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. This is the true God and eternal life. Three things “we know” “We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him.” “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” “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.32 This is the true God33 and eternal life.”

Persevere with confidence (18-21) “Little children, guard yourselves from idols.” Three things “we know” Guard yourselves… An idol is anything that squeezes God out of the center position towards the margin of my life.