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"Through the Bible" Week 49

"Through the Bible" Week 49. The Four-Letter Words of John. When the minister takes a spill - . It's time we replace unseemly "four-letter words" with some of our own. This is what John does in his first epistle. "walk" - in the light (1:7) "walk" - as Jesus did (2:6) "sins" "obey".

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"Through the Bible" Week 49

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  1. "Through the Bible" Week 49 • The Four-Letter Words • of John

  2. When the minister takes a spill -

  3. It's time we replace unseemly "four-letter words" with some of our own. This is what John does in his first epistle. • "walk" - in the light (1:7) • "walk" - as Jesus did (2:6) • "sins" • "obey"

  4. Three most prominent four-letter words in the First John: • KNOW • LOVE • LIFE

  5. I John was written because members of the church were being drawn away from the fundamental teachings of the still young church. • "astray" in 2:26 and 3:7 • "antichrists" in 2:18-19 • "false prophets" (v.1), • and the "spirit of • falsehood" (v.6).

  6. "Gnostics" claimed that what you know can save you. This teaching taught that ideas are more important than facts, and that's why in the opening sentence John talks about what has been heard, seen, and handled. (1:1)

  7. One of the major tenets of this "gnosticism" was that matter is evil, and therefore there couldn't possibly be a virgin birth, and for them there is no bodily resurrection.

  8. "Gnostics" also taught that they alone possessed a secret knowledge, and that knowing is more important than doing. That's why John responds with "We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands." (2:3)

  9. John is called the "Apostle of Love" - the word LOVE is found more than 40 times in this letter. • John 3:16 and I John 3:16

  10. The most important four-letter word in the Epistle of John is the word "LIFE", found some 15 times scattered throughout the Epistle. • Jesus is the "Word of life" (1:1) • Believers in Jesus are promised "eternal life" (2:25) • We have "passed from death to life" (3:14)

  11. To "have the Son is to have life" (5:12) • Full life is when God lives in us by His Spirit, which happens when we simply acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God • (4:13-15)

  12. There are many different kinds of life - -

  13. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)

  14. The word for "abundant life" literally means life that is "over and above, more than is necessary." • This is the kind of life that has a perennial source, it provides a supply beyond immediate possibility of use; it is life with overflow for others, and we can also see in this, "resurrection life."

  15. Instead of stealing, killing, destroying, • Jesus . . . .

  16. What does it mean to live life to the full? • Some people think life is exciting when they: • live a life of ease • live a life filled with excitement • are involved in stiff competition • face real or artificial danger • realize a special accomplishment, fulfillment or satisfaction • enjoy stimulating conversation • realize camaraderie

  17. What does it mean to live life to the full? • Others think that life is exciting when they: • do something wrong and get away with it • win the attention of a person or group • get to hear about someone else's sin or misfortune • get close enough to a famous person

  18. The life that Jesus talked about, and that John writes about in his Epistle, is a world apart from any of these descriptions of life.

  19. The life that is offered to those who believe in Jesus is a life that will not end - a life that will ultimately be characterized by complete and perfect peace, joy and hope, and of course, love.

  20. LIFE • How do we get it? • How do we live it? • How do we give it?

  21. John leaves us with these words, • "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." (I John 5:13)

  22. Do you know that • you have • LIFE?

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