Sermons About The-word
LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST: THRU OUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST (1 John 1:1-4 * Message #1/14) 10-04-09
NOTE: To receive these Sermon notes below in an outline form (which is easier to read), please email your request to Pastor Marcus Johnson (efcamarcus@sbcglobal.net). INTRODUCTION TO 1ST JOHN (& the Letters of John): 1) AUTHOR: THE APOSTLE JOHN (who wrote the Gospel of John, 2nd & 3rd John, & Revelation). Early church sources acknowledge John’s authorship, as does internal testimony (comparing 1st John to the Gospel of John, etc). 2) DATE AND RECIPIENTS: A.D. 70-90?; --> To a Congregation near Ephesus? (northwest of Israel); --> A Church suffering Turmoil within (This congregation is possibly approaching its last hour: Some within the congregation were undermining John’s theology (i.e. his Gospel), living in sin & spiritual pride, not loving each other, and there was a group that had already left the church). 3) PURPOSE FOR WRITING: FOR FELLOWSHIP & JOY (that the believers would walk in Christ-centered fellowship and the joy that comes with it). At the same time, John is responding to the various problems listed above. --> Fellowship: “John did not want a church that was orthodox [believing right] but unloving, any more than he wanted a church that misrepresented Jesus Christ. He wanted both –sound doctrine and vibrant community – and he refused to settle for less.” (Gary M. Burge, "Letters of John"). --> Joy: “He has the heart of a pastor which cannot be completely happy so long as some of those for whom he feels responsible are not experiencing the full blessings of the gospel” (I. Howard Marshall, "The Epistles of John"). 4) MAJOR THEMES IN JOHN’S LETTERS (see the Theme at the top of the page): --> Knowing God thru the Person of Christ (God is light and God is love); --> Experiencing the Joy-filled Fellowship of Christ (with the Father, the Son, and each other); --> Living in the Victory of Christ (Overcoming sin, the world, and the devil); --> Abiding by Faith in Christ (by Practicing righteousness, Loving each other, Turning from sin, thru the Testimony of the Spirit, by Believing Jesus is God's Son); --> Loving One Another in Christ (as God has loved us, by sharing what we have and by laying down our lives for each other); --> Walking in the Truth of Christ (by Knowing Jesus Christ, thru the Teaching of the Holy Spirit, thru Obedience to God's Word, by Standing against false teachers, and by Supporting ministers of the Gospel). KNOWING GOD REVEALED THRU THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST (vs1-2). --> Believe in Jesus Christ: (as the Word of Life/the Eternal Life); --> Believe in the Incarnation: (God the Son becomes a Man); --> Believe in the historical Jesus: (this is Foundational to our Christian Faith); --> Believe in the Apostolic Witness: (recognize the Importance of Eye-witness Testimony). TAKING JOHN’S WORD TO HEART (vs3-4) John’s Gospel-driven Purpose: --> Living Christ-centered Fellowship; --> John’s Pastoral-driven Goal: Experiencing Christ-centered Joy.
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Three Mistakes of the Would-Be Sower
Our job as Christians is to sow the word. Here are three ways NOT to do our job.
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Epic
We all need a challenge in our lives. Something to live up to, something to live for. The apostle Paul, shortly before his death delivered a life sized challenge to young Timothy and to us. The challenge is to preach the word of God relentlessly (in season and out of season). May we live up to the challenge to preach and live in response to the Word of God.
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A Tale of Two Churches
Today's message is a tale of two churches. It is a story about a church that destroys and a church that builds up. We are to be a light to the world. How can we shine light when we are darkness? Are we going to be churches that destroy or build up?
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Continuing in His Word
If we are to be Jesus' disciples and become fully devoted followers then we must continue in His word. When we do this we will know the truth and the truth will make us free.
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The Integrity of The Word
This sermon examines the integrity of God's word and how God operates using His Word.
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