Dr Tom Hover
November 6, 2022
I John 5:1–13 / Luke 7:34-35
ETERNAL LIFEÂ AUTHENTIC CHRISTIANITYÂ / JESUS THE FRIEND OF SINNERSÂ
ETERNAL LIFE
AUTHENTIC CHRISTIANITY
Reading: I John 5:1–13
Text: I John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
Introduction: The supreme distinction between a Christian and a non-Christian is the quality of life which each possesses. The Christian possesses eternal life, whereas the non-Christian knows nothing more than natural life. Christ came into the world in order that men and women might enjoy a quality of life above the common. (John 10:10) A person may be educated, cultured and even religious, yet still not have eternal life, for it comes from above: it is the very life of God made available in Christ and mediated to the believing soul through the Holy Spirit. The good news of the gospel is that men and women can possess this life because of three reasons:
I. THE AVAILABILITY OF THIS ETERNAL LIFE
I John 5:11, I John 5:6
A.) His Baptism Revealed Eternal Life!
I John 5:6, Matthew 3:15–17, I John 1:1–2 That life was manifested in terms of the fruit of the Spirit, described for us in Galatians 5:22–23.
THERE WAS:
1. The Life of Love. Eph. 5:25, John 11:5, Mark 10:21,10:14, 6:34.
2. The Life of Joy. Isa. 53:3, John 15:11, Luke 10:21
3. The Life of Peace. Psalm 37:37, Mark 4:34–41, John 14:27, Col. 1:20
4. The Life of Long-suffering. 1 Peter 2:23, Hebrews 12:3
5. The Life of Gentleness. 2 Sam. 22:36, John 8:3–11
6. The Life of Goodness. Acts 10:38, John 10:11
7. The Life of Faith Heb. 12:2, John 14:10
8. The Life of Meekness. Matt. 11:29
9. The Life of Temperance. I Cor. 9:25, John 2:4
B.) His blood released eternal life! I John 5:6
II. THE ACCEPTANCE OF THIS ETERNAL LIFE
I John 5:1-12 You cannot be a Real Christian without a Personal Experience of Christ because a Personal Experience of Christ is Christianity.
Acceptance of this life in Christ involves:
A.) Believing the Giver of Life
I John 5:10-11, John 3:16-18, John 3:36, Romans 6:23
The first step in the acceptance of life is to believe the Giver.
Note what Jesus said: John 5:24
B.) Receiving the Gift of Life I John 5:12, John 1:12
There is a difference between believing and receiving. Perhaps an illustration will help. I have a Bible in my hand. Supposing I said that I was prepared to give it to you as a gift. You believe me and thank me most warmly. But supposing that, having responded thus far, you turned on your heel and went away without the Bible. Why would you be without the gift? Not because you did not believe me, but rather because you did not stretch out your hand and receive it. God, in grace, has stretched out His hand in the gift of His Son. You believe that, I’m sure. But that is not enough. It is essential that you receive Him-personally and definitely-as God’s gift of life to you. Will you do that? “He who has the Son has life (5:12). Salvation is not a goal to achieve, but a gift to receive! (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Salvation is not a performance but a person- Jesus Christ! When I got married, I did not get the Married Religion. I got a Wife!
When I got Saved, I did not get a Religion I Got Jesus Christ.
III. THE ASSURANCE OF THIS ETERNAL LIFE
I John 5:13, I John 5:6 If genuine faith has been exercised God gives assurance, through the Scriptures and the Spirit, that you possess eternal life now.
A.) The Witness of the Holy Scriptures
I John 5:13, I John 5:12
B.) The Witness of the Holy Spirit
I John 5:6, Romans 8:16, Romans 8:17
Conclusion: Eternal life is the life of eternity lived in time.
Do you have this life? If not, stretch out the hand of faith and take the gift of life now. John 1:12
But as many as received Him, to them gave He Power to become the sons of God, even to them that Believe on His name:
PM SERVICE AT 6:00 PM
JESUS THE FRIEND OF SINNERS
Luke 7:34-35
I Our Earthly Friends: Proverbs 18:24
A.) Beware of false friends with wrong motives:
1. Money - Proverbs 19:4
2. Entertainment - (The Prodigal Son) Luke 15:13
3. Sex - Proverbs 5:3-13
4. Selfish Desires - Proverbs 19:55. Flattery - Proverbs 29:5
Note what Job said about his false friends:
1.) They scorned me - Job 16:20
2.) They forgot me - Job 19:14
3.) They abhorred me - Job 19:19
4.) They fail to pity me - Job 6:14, Job 19:21
B.) You can have true earthly friends:
a. A Real Friend Is Committed To Helping You Grow Spiritually. Proverbs 27:17
b. A Real Friend Will Tell You The Truth Even If Hurts.
Proverbs 27:6
c. A Real Friend Will Stick Close By You Regardless Of The Weather Conditions.
Proverbs 18:24
d. A Real Friend Loves You At All Times Proverbs 17:17
II. Our Divine Friend:
There Is Only One Devine Friend And That Friend Is Jesus!
A.) Jesus Is A Friend Who Gave His All John 15:13
B.) Jesus Is A Friend Who Loves All Classes Of People Luke 7:30-35
C.) Jesus Is A Friend Who Loves At All Times
Proverbs 17:17
D). Jesus Is A Friend In All States Of The Soul Proverbs 27:6, Hebrews 12:5-6,
E.) Jesus Is A Friend Who Is Needed By All
Proverbs 27:10, Proverbs 18:19
How Can I Know I Am A Friend To Jesus?
John 15:14, James 2:23
