“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 1 John 5:1-21 01/11/2009 Dr “Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 1 John 5:1-21 01/11/2009 Dr. Dane Boyles

“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 The theme of this book has been “True Fellowship.” We have looked at the conditions for fellowship, conduct in fellowship, characteristics of fellowship, cautions of fellowship. Now we will see the consequences or benefits of fellowship.

“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 Love for your Brothers (1 John 5:1-3). 1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. (1 John 5:1)

“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, (1 John 5:2-3)

“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 Most people do not really know what a Christian is. God says a Christian is one who has been born again. The birthmarks of the child of God, some of which we have already observed.

“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 He practices righteousness (2:29). He doesn’t practice sin (3:9). He loves other Christians (4:7). He loves God and his brothers and sisters (5:1). He overcomes the world (5:4). He keeps himself from Satan (5:18).

“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 True tests of sonship are love, obedience, and truth. 21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” (John 14:21)

“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 Victory over the World (1 John 5:4-5). 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 5:4-5)

“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 A Christian is an “over-comer.” He overcomes the world. He overcomes the devil (2:13-14). He overcomes the false teachers (4:4). He is an over-comer by faith in Christ, not by wisdom or power.

“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 Verification of Christ’s Credentials (5:6-12). The witness of Christ (5:6).

“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 6 This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. (1 John 5:6)

“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)

“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 Verified through His baptism of death on the cross and the shedding of blood. 38 “You don't know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” (Mark 10:38)

“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 The Spirit of God witnessed to the fact that Jesus is the Son of God. 26 “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. (John 15:26)

“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 The three-fold testimony of the deity of Christ (5:7-8) 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. (1 John 5:7-8) The Trinity in heaven. The testimony on earth.

“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 The Witness of the Father. 9 We accept man’s testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. (1 John 5:9)

“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 He has testified of His Son. At His baptism (Matt. 3:17). At Christ’s transfiguration (Matt 17:5). At Christ’s crucifixion (Mk. 15:38-39).

“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 The Witness within the Believer. 10 Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. (1 John 5:10)

“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:11-12)

“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 The source: God The possessor: he that believes in the Son of God. The location: within the believer The substance: the record that God has given to us eternal life and this life is in His Son.

“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 Assurance of Eternal Life (5:13). 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13)

“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 The Assurance Given. 31 But these are written that you may[a] believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:31) The result of that assurance. Conclusion

“Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 1 John 5:1-21 01/11/2009 Dr “Benefits of True Fellowship” #1 1 John 5:1-21 01/11/2009 Dr. Dane Boyles