Category: 1 John

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Talk over with someone else what it means today to deny that Jesus is the Christ. Can you give examples from our society in Australia today? In John’s day these were people who were inside the perimeter of the Church.

SJA Notes

* Mighty God, giver of life and of all good things. Please bless us today with Your word written on our hearts.

“Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son hast eh Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.”

John has a clear picture of the One True God in Three Persons – And he continues to point us to the reality of what this means.

No one who denies the Son has the Father.

Have you ever met anyone who believes that Jesus might have been someone important, but that He is not God?

John is writing to God’s people to warn them of this false teaching, this deception.

And it is a very confronting truth that John speaks here, that those who deny the Son do not have the Father, and are not in Him.

For those people who believe that Jesus is not God, then this word is for them. A hard word. But true.

For us who know this truth, we are to stand guard against this terrible lie, and to point those who believe the lie to Jesus.

Because Jesus is the answer. He always is.

* God Almighty,

Thank You for this letter from John. May You teach us from it today.

Please help us to stand for Your truth each day, to be found rooted and steadfast in You.

Help us please Lord God to clearly confess You, to confess the Son and abide in the Father.

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Notice that obedience to Jesus and to His word or command is inescapable for the Christian. This is how God’s love is made complete in us. When you apply God’s Word to your life, be practical. Ask yourself how, when and who!

SJA Notes

* Dear God, please teach us today, write Your word on our hearts, that we might not sin against You.

“Do not love the world or the things in the world.”

Where is our love?

We God’s people live in the world. We are journeying through this place. Our lives here are the narrow road that winds through this world.

We live in the world.

But we are not be _of_ the world.

“Do not love the world or the things in the world.”

Where is our love?

God’s word tells us that where our treasure is, there is our heart. Our love.

Jesus is to be our treasure. Our love. Our desire to be Christ’s disciples in this life, and in the next to be with Him.

He is our treasure.

And nothing else.

Do not let the world into our hearts.

* God of Love and Light,

You are the one who created all things, You sustain all things, You are the one who brings and gives life.

Please help us today Lord God to bear Your Name well, to be Your kingdom people, to walk under and go about Your sovereign and holy will.

May our love today be true for You, our eye singular in devotion, faithful and true – As You are faithful and true.

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

John begins his letter in a manner similar to the beginning of his Gospel. It is easy to pretend to others and yourself that you don’t sin, that you are a good person. Why is it important to confess our sins to God and not pretend to Him or to ourselves?

SJA Notes

* Dear Lord, please continue to plant Your word in us and grow it, that we might be good soil and bear much fruit.

“… That God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

Here is a deep fundamental truth that must resonate through our thoughts, our views, our words and deeds.

GOD IS LIGHT!

We are to be people living in God’s light. God’s light within us (His Spirit at work), shining to those around us.

Do we keep the light under a bushel? No!

It is not our light, we do not generated it. This light comes from God.

But it is shown to those around us, through us. That is why the way we walk in this light is so important.

And John points us to a critical element of living in the light, in having fellowship with God – That we confess our sin, to acknowledge that we are sinners.

We can have fellowship, as we confess, because of what Jesus has done – His blood shed cleanses us from our sin.

John’s words here are both encouragement and exhortation, rebuke and confirmation.

Let us walk in God’s light today and onwards!

* God Above,

You are light. In You is no darkness at all.

Thank You that Jesus’ blood cleanses us from our sin.

Thank You that we can walk in Your light.

Please help us to shine bright with Your light.

Amen.