The Testimony of the Saints in the Fellowship of God

Transcription

1 Sunday August 18, 2013 Phone: Pastor David Miklas Message #14 Saints Fellowship with God Text: I John 5:6-13 The Testimony of the Saints in the Fellowship of God Introduction: In 1789 Benjamin Franklin wrote "nothing is certain but death and taxes." Others have said it this way, "Life is uncertain; death is sure, nothing else is certain." However, the Christian knows there are certainties. Those who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are not afraid to say, "we know." In the little Epistle of I John that we are now studying, the word "KNOW," appears 39 times. In the 5th chapter alone, the phrase "we know" is used 8 times - in verses 2, 13, 15, 18, 19, and 20. The life that is real is built on the divine certainties that are found in Jesus Christ. The world may accuse the Christian of being proud and dogmatic, but this does not keep us from saying, "we know." Listen to the words of these hymns: In times like these I have a Saviour, In times like these I have an anchor. I'M VERY SURE, I'M VERY SURE, my anchor holds And grips the solid Rock, This Rock is Jesus My HOPE is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus Name. His oath, His covenant, His blood, Support me in the whelming flood; When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my HOPE and STAY. Now in the closing verses of I John 5:6-13 we find 5 certainties that as Christians we are to build our lives upon with confidence. I will address two in this message and one in each of the last three messages from I John. Before we look at these certainties, let me point out the key word "witness" found in verses It is sometimes translated by the words "record" or "testifieth." These words are used 8 times in verses You might agree that all of us at some point have received the witness of people. For example: When we were children we believed what our parents told us. As we grew older and began our education, we believed what our school teachers told us. We read newspapers and periodicals and accepted the testimony of reporters and newsmen. We studied history, and believed the accounts laid down in our history books. We were not there, but believed the testimony of those written in the text. As a matter of fact, if we did not believe the testimony given by others we simply could not get along in this life! So we have accepted the witness of men. But there is a greater witness, and that is God himself. In verse 6-9 we have the Witness of the Holy Spirit who testifies to the certainty that Jesus is God the Son. In verses we have the Witness or the record of the Word of God which testifies to the certainty of eternal life. Certainty #1 Jesus is God, verses 6-9. Here we have the Witness of the Holy Spirit who will testify to the certainty that Jesus is God the Son. This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. (7) For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. (8) And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three Page 1

2 agree in one. (9) If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. As you read through chapter 5:1-13 you will discover emphasis being placed upon the importance of believing on the person of Jesus Christ and what results from that faith, which is life - eternal life. Verse 1, "Whosoever BELIEVETH that Jesus is the Christ is born of God..." Verse 5, "...he that BELIEVETH that Jesus is the Son of God." Verse 10, "He that BELIEVETH on the Son of God hath the witness in himself..." Verse 13, "... ye may BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God." This eternal redemption you and I need for our soul was paid by the Son of God on the cross of Calvary. Remember this: SALVATION is in SOMEONE, not in SOMETHING! Peter said in Acts 4:12, Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. To believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God is basic to our Christian experience. To believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God is basic to our Christian faith. But HOW do we know Jesus is God? In verses 6-8 we have three infallible witnesses to prove Jesus is God. First Witness, verse 6: "The Water" The water refers to Jesus baptism in the Jordan River, when the Father spoke from heaven and said in Matthew 3:13-17, "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased." Second Witness verse 6: "The Blood" The blood gave witness to the power of God at the cross, when Christ was crucified. Third Witness verse 6: "The Holy Spirit" The Holy Spirit came to bear witness of Christ. Jesus said in John 15:26, "But the comforter (the Holy Spirit) is come, whom I will send unto you from the father, even the Spirit of truth...he shall testify of me." Then in Romans 8:15 we read, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our Spirit that we are the children of God." The Holy Spirit provides our inner confidence that we belong to Christ. Now in the Old Testament, the law required two or three witnesses for a matter to be settled. Reading verse 8 we can say that Jesus is God. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. Therefore, if we can trust the witness of man, why can t we trust God? This is the first certainty, and it is foundational to the other four we shall study in this chapter. Certainty #2 The assurance of Eternal Security, verses We know that we have eternal life because of the WITNESS of the Holy Spirit within us. There is also, from without, the WITNESS of the Word of God. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. (11) And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (12) He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (13) These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. Please notice verse 10, He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. This is one of the most significant and important "assurance" verses in the New Testament. We are saved by "Believing on Jesus," and when God saves a person, He puts the witness within that person's heart, known as the Holy Spirit. There is no such thing as salvation apart from assurance, WE CAN KNOW that we are passed from death unto life; WE CAN KNOW that we have eternal life. Page 2

3 Here we read that the Holy Spirit within us testifies of our Faith, and the record of the Word of God testifies from without that God has given to us eternal life through Jesus. Please notice verse 11, And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Please take note of the words "God hath given." This phrase is in the past tense, speaking of an historical fact. In explaining this text someone wrote, "God is not going to give us eternal life at the end of our earthly sojourn, when we die or when Jesus comes again. He "hath given," means eternal life is already ours the moment we are born of the Spirit of God into Christ Jesus. Victory comes day by day, rewards in this life are earned day by day, but eternal life is not progressive. It becomes ours instantaneously, and we are not more fully redeemed at the end of 50 years than we are when we are first born into the Family of God. REDEMPTION IS SUDDEN, SURE, and COMPLETE. Let me repeat that lest it went right on by you, REDEMPTION IS SUDDEN, SURE, and COMPLETE. God does not give us eternal life conditionally. He does not give us eternal life in a measure, and then later redeem us more fully, and finally, at the end of life, give us FULL eternal life! That is not God's way of salvation. He has never done anything partially, He leaves nothing incomplete. In I John 3:2 we read, "Beloved, NOW ARE we the sons of God..." What kind of life has God given us? He has given ETERNAL LIFE! It is a forever kind of life. More than 45 times, the terms eternal life or everlasting life are used in the New Testament. For example: John 3:16 tells us "For God so loved the World that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVETH on Him should not perish, but have EVERLASTING LIFE." In John 3:36 we read, "He that BELIEVETH on the Son hath EVERLASTING LIFE; and He that BELIEVETH not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth upon him." In John 5:24 we read, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and BELIEVETH on him that sent me, hath EVERLASTING LIFE, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. In Acts 16:31 we read "BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." Holding your place in I John, please turn with me to the Gospel of John chapter 10 and notice verses 27-30, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (29) My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (30) I and my Father are one. Now the key to this verse is found in the word "ABLE." "God is ABLE to keep." Someone said, "If God can save you he can keep you, but if you believe that God can save you but NOT keep you, you are doubting the very POWER OF GOD." The only reason God would not be able to keep us is to say there is someone STRONGER than He who could snatch the believer from His hands. Since God is SOVEREIGN, and SUPREME, and OMNIPOTENT, there is no power in heaven or on earth that can rise against Him so that He would be unable to keep those who had come to Him through Jesus Christ. I want to point out three things in these verses: First: Jesus said, "I give unto them ETERNAL LIFE..." He guarantees life forever. By Jesus death and resurrection, He guaranteed eternal life for me. Second: Jesus said, "They shall never perish..." Now the word "never" is a DOUBLE NEGATIVE in the original language here. The Greek text reads "They shall never, never perish" Page 3

4 Third: Jesus said, "Neither shall any pluck them out of my hands." No man, nor devil, No circumstance or temptation, No sin or failure, Not even our own self can take us out of the hands of God. The blessed truth is we are in both the HANDS OF GOD AND CHRIST! Perhaps someone is saying, Pastor, maybe I can take myself out of His hands. Look, I don't know where you are getting your theology. You do not build doctrine on what the Bible DOES NOT SAY. Rather you build it on what the Bible DOES SAY. "IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO TRUST JESUS AS MY SAVIOUR. IT IS JESUS RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP ME." Amen! Our faith in God is based on timeless truths and changeless facts. We stand on the solid rock foundation of Jesus Christ. Even when our weary steps may falter and we fall on the rock, thank God, we will never fall off the rock. We are eternally secure in Christ, and day after day we are held in the firm grip of His grace. Someone said so very well: This is where Christianity is so radically different from the cults and other religions which come knocking on our doorstep. They offer no assurance. They leave people with no confidence in where they will be five minutes after they die! So much of what they offer depends on fate and how everything turns out in the end. A lot of it is performance related and it is down to the whim of a last minute divine appraisal. They tell us we cannot be sure of anything in this life, so how can we possibly expect to face the future with a high level of confidence in our heart and mind? We are advised that if we have it today, the chances are we might lose it tomorrow because life offers no cast-iron guarantees. I am glad to say, they are all wrong, they are all barking up the wrong tree. He went on to say: The worst thing the church can do for non-believers is to convince them that they are Christians. The best thing the church can do for true believers is to assure them of God s everlasting love. Still holding your place in I John 5, please turn to II Timothy 1:12 where we read, For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Here Paul knew not only WHAT he believed, but he knew more than that, he said "I KNOW WHOM I have believed." Christianity is not rules, regulations, covenants, or doctrines of men. CHRISTIANITY IS "CHRIST IN YOU!" Found in I Timothy 1:12, there are SIX important words you need to know: First: The Greek word for "KNOW" means "ABSOLUTE, BEYOND ANY DOUBT." Literally, GOD IS THE ONE WHO IS ABSOLUTELY DEPENDABLE. Second: The word "BELIEVED" is in the Greek tense, meaning "I have believed with the present result that my faith is firmly settled." It is like hammering a nail through a board and bending it on the other side. IT IS THERE TO STAY. Paul is saying that he knows that his FAITH IN CHRIST IS IMMOVABLE! Third: In the Greek word "PERSUADED," the meaning indicates a settled position. You can not budge it, it's immovable. Fourth: The word "ABLE" is the Greek word for power. Literally, God is the omnipotent God, who has the power in Himself to keep you. Our salvation does not rest on our strength to keep ourselves in Christ. It is all based upon HIS POWER AND HIS STRENGTH. Fifth: The word "KEEP" is a military term meaning to defend or keep watch, to place a guard over. Page 4

5 Sixth: The word "COMMITTED" means to make a deposit." I know with an absolute assurance the One in whom I have permanently placed my trust, and am absolutely settled that He has the power to guard my deposit until that day in which He comes again. Paul did not say, "I am believing, he said I HAVE BELIEVED. Paul did not say "I am committing, he said, I HAVE COMMITTED." In essence, Paul was saying "I know I am saved today, I know that I will still be saved tomorrow and as far as this matter of eternal redemption is concerned, IT STANDS SETTLED FOREVER!" Let me ask you: "Is it presumptuous to say, I know I am saved forever? No, because it is true. Again in verse 12, Paul knew WHAT he believed concerning WHOM he believed. He said, "I am persuaded that He is able to KEEP that which I have committed unto Him." Paul was persuaded that the same Christ who saved him that day on the Damascus road is able to keep him. God cannot and will not fail you. Christians may fail God, but HE NEVER FAILS HIS OWN. If you are still doubting your eternal redemption, I would encourage you to receive Christ before this service is over and make sure. Stop this very moment and ask God to save you for Jesus sake, and He will do it! Returning to I John 5 we see that God has given to us the record of the Word of God as a WITNESS. The Holy Spirit bears witness inside of us that we are a child of God. The Word of God on the outside of us also bears witness. The Word of God witnesses that those who believe on the name of the Son of God, Jesus, have ETERNAL LIFE FOREVER! The assurance rests on this, "God said it; Jesus accomplished it; the Bible records it; I believed it and that settles it. WHY put a question mark where God has put a period?" Praise God, I don't have to a faith that depends upon my FEELINGS. I don't have to a faith that depends upon my EMOTIONS. WE CAN KNOW we are saved because the Word of God declares it. The Bible says, "He that BELIEVETH on the Son has at that very moment and forever ETERNAL LIFE." I can say with the Apostle Paul, and I hope you can say it to, "...For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." I can also sing the truth written by Major Whittle. I wonder if you can too. I know not why God's wondrous grace To me He hath made known, Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love Redeemed me for His own. I know not how this saving faith To me He did impart, Nor how believing in His Word Wrought peace within my heart. I know not how the Spirit moves, Convincing men of sin, Revealing Jesus through the Word, Creating faith in Him. But "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able To keep that which I've committed Unto Him against that day. ******************************************************************* If God has spoken to your heart after reading the sermon, The TESTIMONY of the Saints in the Fellowship Page 5

6 of God, then right now talk to God about what He has spoken to you. Do you have the assurance that one day you will go to heaven? If you have no assurance that you know Jesus Christ, then I trust you will decide to accept Him as your personal Savior. The Bible tells us in Acts 16:31,...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved... Romans 10:13, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. This prayer is here for those who need to ask Jesus to be their personal Savior: I do want to go to Heaven. I know I am a sinner, and I do believe Jesus Christ died for me. I realize I cannot buy this great salvation, nor can I earn it. Knowing Jesus died on the cross and arose from the grave to pay my sin debt and to purchase my salvation, I do now trust Him as my Savior, and from this moment on I am completely depending on Him for my salvation. If you made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, please let me know. Just send an to, pdmikbbm@aol.com and I will send you some literature that will help you in your Christian life. The Weekly SERMON was sent as a ministry of Bible Baptist Ministry, 48 Alexie Rd., Hanover Township, PA Privacy policy: your address will not be sold, or shared with any third party. Copy write permission: Because the Weekly SERMON will be reproduced into other formats, PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING: The Weekly SERMON in its original form, without any changes, may be copied and re-transmitted by electronic mail, and copies may be printed for individual or ministry purposes, provided that such copying, re-transmission, printing, or other use is not for profit or other commercial purpose. Any copying, retransmission, distribution, printing, or other use of the Weekly SERMON must set forth in full the heading that is given before each Weekly SERMON. Any other request for use, please contact Bible Baptist Ministries at pastormiklas@aol.com or by phone at Page 6