Certain?

so we're going to put one John to bed hopefully he's going to be a friend for life and I think

John has some really important things to say to us as we conclude today but this week a lot of

very significant things happened particularly on Wednesday can anyone tell me one significant

thing that happened on Wednesday the queen the queen became the longest serving British monarch

although I discovered also that she's actually only the 49th longest reigning monarch of all time

pretty exciting there's a guy in Swaziland who ruled for 72 years 279 days so she's got some way to go

about 13 as it happens something else big happened on Wednesday

yeah no that wasn't what I was thinking I was thinking there was an Apple launch event

and we saw the biggest iPad launched the most powerful iPhone launched we saw that television

is going to totally be revolutionized and that the Apple watch is a an accessory that all of us

will be running our lives from very very soon something else big happened on Wednesday

it was the sixth anniversary of me becoming pastor of this church

which is a testimony to your patience and God's grace and I dare say sense of humor

it also this week was the 13th anniversary of me a boy born in the south of England moving to Scotland

it was this week in 2002 that I moved up to Aberdeen so not just Scotland but real real Scotland

and I have to say after 13 years I really like it

Aberdeen was cool literally Glasgow was fun Airdrie was interesting

and Edinburgh is proving quite exciting I like Scotland I even married a Scot that's how much of a fan

I am I thought I'd get one for myself but one thing I didn't get and I still don't get is the

question that Scottish people normally ask third when you meet them what is your name what do you do

and the third question where do you stay I don't understand what you mean by where do you stay

people used to ask me in Aberdeen where do you stay and I'd say things like no I live here permanently

or no I have a room in the hall of residence I don't stay I live I live here

where do you stay and actually as we've gone through 1 John we've seen that staying

remaining abiding keeping on has been a major theme in the book he's trying to say that you can have

real confidence that you're a real Christian if you stay in three places if you stay in the apostolic

gospel if you stay in the truth about Jesus passed down and relayed by the apostles to us if you stay

believing the right things about Jesus he says you can have confidence that you're a real Christian if on top

of that you stay obeying Jesus's commands and he says you can be really confident that you're really

a Christian if you stay loving the brothers and sisters if you stay in those three places

believing the right stuff about Jesus obeying what he says and loving his people you can be very confident

that you really do know God

so even here if you turn to 1 John chapter 5 you'll see in the first three verses they're all put together

1 John 5 · chapter mention

everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God and everyone who loves the father loves his

child as well this is how that we know this is how we know that we love the children of God by loving God

and carrying out his commands in fact this is love for God to keep his commands and his commands are not

burdensome for everyone born of God overcomes the world you see they're all three there

believing that Jesus is the Christ obeying Jesus's commands which he says aren't burdensome

and particularly the command to love the brothers he says if you have these three markers you can be really

confident that you really know God but what he's going to go on to say is that if these are the three

things that mark that you're a Christian now is there any way that we can have certainty that that counts

for anything in the end can we have certainty about all the parts of Christianity that we can't see and we

don't necessarily experience the things that Jesus tells us that we have can we have certainty

about things like victory over the world can we have certainty that we really do have eternal life

can we have certainty that when we pray we're not just filling silence but God really hears us

and he really answers our prayers and so I think what John is doing at the end of his letter

he's saying to this group of believers that remain he's giving them confidence and says

no you really do know God those people that have left that have caused uncertainty they don't know

God you know God you're the real deal and then he's finishing with one great crescendo saying you can

actually have certainty that everything Jesus says that you have because of him you really do have

you can have real certainty so look with me at um 1 John chapter 5 verses 4b and 5

1 John 5 · chapter mention

John writes this this is the victory that has overcome the world even our faith who is it that

overcomes the world only the one who believes that Jesus is the son of God what he's saying is that

faith in Jesus gives victory in the end the language of overcoming is throughout 1 John

he's constantly telling us that these people through faith have overcome the world so chapter 2 verse 13

I am writing to you fathers because you know him who is from the beginning I am writing to you young men

because you have overcome the evil one or chapter 4 verse 4 you dear children are from God

and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world

he talks about overcoming all the time and here he lays it absolutely explicitly down

this is the victory that overcomes the world what is the victory our faith our faith overcomes the world

our faith in Jesus gives us victory in the end it is faith in Jesus and only faith in Jesus that means

in the end we'll stand long after this world has passed away using John's language how do we know

that to be so well what he says in 6 to 10 is that that Jesus has shown us and God has testified

to it how do we know that's really true because God has told us and Jesus has shown us

so in verses 6 to 10 this is not easy but let me read it

this is the one who came through water and blood Jesus Christ

he did not come by water only but by water and blood

and it is the spirit who testifies because the spirit is the truth

for there are three that testify the spirit the water and the blood

and the three are in agreement

we accept human testimony but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God

which he has given about his son whoever believes in the son of God accepts this testimony

whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar

because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his son

interesting there are three that testify and they all agree

but John doesn't really tell us what they're testifying about and what they agree about

but I think he he really does help us he's trying to say that these three testify that Jesus is really the son of God

and that by believing in him we can overcome and are welcomed into his victory

so the fact that he came through water speaking about his baptism

and what happens at his baptism well there's really good testimony

from God himself when he says you are my son

whom I love with you I am well pleased

how do we know that Jesus is God's son because God told us

and he is the one who went through blood

he is the one who died on a cross

but that wasn't the end he went through it and raised to life

giving us evidence

giving us verifiable testimony

that he truly is all that he said he is

that he's truly done all that he said he's done

and then the spirit

the spirit in John's gospel is always testifying to who Jesus is

John 15

when the advocate the Holy Spirit comes

whom I will send to you from the Father

the spirit of truth who goes out from the Father

he will testify about me

spirit is the one constantly shining light on Jesus

and so how can we have confidence that we've overcome the world

through our faith in Jesus the son of God

how do we know that Jesus is the son of God

because at his baptism it was said to be so

through his death it was shown to be so

and by his spirit it's relayed to us

that this is the truth about Jesus

and so in verse 9

it talks about the judicial system of the day

where he needed two or three witnesses who agree

and then that was put in to corroborate evidence

and here John is saying these aren't human witnesses

who agree this is God himself testifying

to the truth of who his son is

John ramps up the logic that if we believe human testimony

how much more should we believe God's testimony

about who his son is

and the victory we've got because of who he is

and so he finishes

God is either telling the truth or God is a liar

and because God never lies we can have absolute confidence

because of his unfailing unchanging word

that through faith in his son we have victory

whoever believes in Jesus has victory over the world

whoever does not believe in Jesus does not have victory over the world

and has made God out to be a liar

faith in Jesus gives victory

but in the end

why is John having to say this to these troubled individuals

because they don't feel very victorious

they feel like a very small boat on a very big sea

and they look at the people that have left

and the gathering they have

and they look far more victorious

they look far more impressive

they look like winners

and actually in our own lives

we don't particularly feel like winners

nobody looked at all of us streaming into church this morning

and went there's a bunch of winners

they thought pity them

but that's the truth of faith isn't it

that it's the believing in things is yet unseen

but it's not faith in the dark

it's not mindless faith

it's not leave your brain at the door and come into church

it's actually believing that what Jesus has said about his son is true

and what God has shown us through his son is true

and therefore our faith will lead to victory in the end

the cross didn't look very victorious at all

and yet it's God's profound means of saving people

that they might be welcomed into his victory

so there was a Sunday school teacher

who started their lesson like this

class

what is grey and lives in trees

nobody answered

so the teacher said

it's got a bushy tail and it jumps between branches

still no one answered

the teacher said again

it collects nuts and hibernates in a dray during winter

to which point one boy tentatively put his hand up and goes

I know the answer is Jesus

but it sure sounds like you're talking about a squirrel

how do we ultimately know

that we have victory in the end because of Jesus

that's the answer

that God told us who he is

he showed us what he's done

and therefore we have victory in the end

and if we knew this with certainty

the certainty that John is trying to give us

what a relief

what a relief and what an encouragement to live life differently

that actually because I will win in the end through Jesus

I don't have to spend all my energy winning now

I don't need to get to the top

I can sink right to the bottom

and be a servant of all

I don't have to spend my life making myself look like a winner

because in Jesus I will win

and get that victor's crown

that he's won

and fought

and was victorious in for me

how can we be certain of victory in the end because of Jesus

point number two

faith in Jesus gives life now and forevermore

verse 11

and this is the testimony

God has given us eternal life

and this life is in his son

whoever has the son has life

whoever does not have the son does not have life

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

again see it revolves around what Jesus

what God has said about his son

I have given you eternal life

and this life

is in my son Jesus

he has given it to us

because he's given us his son

the two are inextricably linked

you cannot have eternal life without Jesus

Jesus has an absolute monopoly on eternal life

there's nowhere else you will find it except Jesus

verse 12 is binary isn't it

whoever has the son has life

whoever does not have the son does not have life

you plus faith in Jesus equals eternal life

you minus faith in Jesus does not equal eternal life

how do you know you have eternal life?

by continuing to believe

that Jesus is who he says he is

has done what he says he's done

and we are because of all that he's done for us

Jesus is the dividing line of eternal life

it separates all of humanity

it separates children from parents

siblings from each other

it separates couples

it separates neighbours

and it separates eternally

whoever has Jesus has life

whoever does not have Jesus does not have life

it is that stark and that serious

I've done a few funerals

in the last six months

all of them for really marvellous godly women

and every time I go to a funeral

do a funeral

I'm reminded of one thing

there is nothing more important than eternal life

there is nothing more important than eternal life

if what John says is true

and John is saying what God says is true

then death is the terminus of all life

and Jesus is the only antidote to that death

those who have the son have life

those who do not have the son

do not have eternal life

but see this is not just pie in the sky

when you die

it is steak on the plate

well you wait

because see it's not

when you die

God will give you eternal life

it's not

if you have the son

you will have

eternal life

it's a reality for right now

whoever has the son

has life

has life now

John 17

and this is eternal life

that they know you

the only true God

and Jesus Christ

whom you have sent

that you experientially know God

that eternal life

is not just a

quantity of life

that goes on forever

it is a quality of life

lived in a relationship with God

as his adopted children

through the good news of Jesus Christ

who makes it all possible

living a life

in relationship with God

knowing his love

his forgiveness

his closeness

his care

his protection

as an adopted child

all by his grace

now and forever

and again

if we had certainty about that

how differently we would live

we would risk more

we would risk more

we would be a lot less anxious

if God

you really have taken care of eternity

I think I can trust you with tomorrow

I can even trust you

with that really difficult meeting

we would be far more generous

knowing that it's not about

what I make of my life

and accumulate for myself

in this life

because in Jesus

I've already got everything

and it would make us

far more bold

in our evangelism

if it is that stark

that those who have

the son have life

and those that don't have the son

do not have life

how can we be certain

we have eternal life

because God has said we do

and shown us that we do

in his son

and then lastly

verses 14 to 17

again this is not easy

but we will get it

or at least try

this is the confidence

we have in approaching God

that if we ask anything

according to his will

he hears us

and if we know

that he hears us

whatever we ask

we know that we have

what we asked of him

if you see any brother

or sister commit a sin

that does not lead to death

you should pray

and God will give them life

I refer to those

whose sin does not lead to death

there is a sin

that leads to death

I am not saying

that you should pray

about that

all wrongdoing is sin

and there is a sin

that does not lead to death

I read so many commentaries

this week

trying to work out

what that was saying

but again

John is basing his confidence

not on how he feels

not on what he sees

but on what God has said

and in the positive

he said great things

he says that

if we ask

according to his will

he hears and answers

what a great encouragement

to pray

that if we his children

ask

and our request

is in accordance

with his will

then he hears

and he answers

I don't know

if you're ever like me

that you pray

and you pray

and God answers

and what an encouragement

it is

because you think

I just spoke

to God

I am so small

so insignificant

I am one of over

six billion people

in the world

and God heard

what I said

and he answered

if we ask

and our request

is in accordance

with his will

he answers

but the question

behind the question

how do we know

if it's in accordance

with God's will

that's what we all

want to know

and the beautiful thing

is that God

has told us

this week

I went through

quite a lot

of my Bible

looking up

all the prayers

that God promises

to answer

and instructs us

to pray

here's a list

God wants us

to pray

that he would be

glorified above

all things

he tells us

to pray for wisdom

when we don't have any

he tells us

to pray for our enemies

he tells us

to pray to the

Lord of the harvest

for more laborers

he tells us

to pray for governments

and authorities

he prays

he tells us

to pray

that people

would know

him better

he tells us

to pray

for healing

when we see

sickness and illness

he tells us

to pray

for opportunities

to witness

to pray

for boldness

in witness

to pray

for right

motivations

in service

for strength

and persecution

that we would

not fall

into temptation

he tells us

to pray

that people

would be

conformed

to his image

more

he tells us

to pray

with thanksgiving

he tells us

to pray

for greater faith

for more

fruitfulness

and to come

to him

for grace

in times

of need

and there

are countless

countless

others

that God

has told us

what his will

is

and he says

if you pray

in accordance

to what I've

revealed

I will hear

and I will

answer

what a

privilege

we've got a

week of prayer

starting a week

on Monday

and an opportunity

for all of us

together

to pray

together

in accordance

with God's

will

trusting that

he can do

impossible things

in our lives

in our church

amongst our

friends

in our city

in our world

that was an

encouragement

to pray

if that wasn't

an encouragement

to pray

I don't know

what

will

now this whole

sin that leads

to death

thing

here's my

take on it

and I think

it's right

but we can

chat at the

door afterwards

and fight

if we need

to

he then

gives us

a worked

example

he says

if you see

a brother

or sister

commit a sin

you should

pray

and I will

give them

life

if you see

a brother

or sister

sin

you should

pray

and I will

give them

life

a sin

that doesn't

lead to

death

a sin

that can

be forgiven

what is

the only

sin

that cannot

be forgiven

it is

apostasy

it is

rejecting

the truth

about Jesus

which is

the only

means by

which we

can be

forgiven

so

if we

see a

brother

or sister

commit a

sin

we can

pray for

them

and it is

according to

God's will

that he will

forgive them

and give

them life

the only

prayer that's

not worth

praying is

for somebody

who's rejected

Jesus

because they've

forsaken

the only

means by

which they

can be

forgiven

the forgiveness

is in

Jesus

and if

they've

rejected

Jesus

there's

no hope

of

forgiveness

there's

lots of

other

things we

can pray

for them

that God

would open

their eyes

to the

gospel

that he

would bring

them to

faith in

the Lord

Jesus

that he

would surround

them with

Christians

that he

would bring

dissatisfaction

to their

life so

like the

prodigal son

they would

turn around

and come

to him

but forgiveness

is only

available in

Jesus

so if we

see a

brother or

sister

sin

who knows

and loves

the Lord

Jesus

we can pray

and they

will be

forgiven

I've never

really thought

of this

before

of praying

for forgiveness

for others

but I think

Jesus gives us

an example

as he's nailed

to a cross

father forgive

them

for they do

not know

what they do

Job at the

beginning of

the story

gives sacrifices

and praise

for forgiveness

for his

children in

case they

might have

sinned

what a thing

it would be

as if we

saw people

stumble and

fall and we

prayed for

them instead

of saying

oh do you

know what I

saw them

do

you'll never

guess what

they've gone

and done

now but we

prayed

and took it

to the Lord

sin that leads

to death

the sin of

apostasy

but anything

else let's

pray for each

other that

God would

forgive

what John

has been

telling us

in this part

of the letter

he's giving

us real

certainty about

things even

though they're

unseen

certain of

victory that

we have in

Jesus

certain we

have eternal

life through

Jesus

and certainty

we can come

before God

because of

Jesus

because God

has said it

and he

always tells

the truth

I'll tell you

a true story

of Jimmy

James

what he was

born he's

remarkably

unremarkable

true story

he lived in

Kokodi

he didn't

finish school

and he lived

at home until

he was 40

years old

he was a

very small

man

the only job

he ever had

was to be a

street cleaner

in Kokodi

which if you've

ever been to

Kokodi is a

really big job

he lived at

home with his

mum but

when he was

40 his mum

died and

his world

fell apart

and in fact

he took to

drink and

became homeless

on the streets

of Edinburgh

his life started

falling apart

dramatically

until one day

he was met

by a street

team from

YWAM

who gave him

time

who gave him

attention

who shared

the gospel

of the Lord

Jesus with

him and

he was

wonderfully

converted

following that

he started

putting his

life back

together

slowly

slowly

although

until the

day he

died

he never

kicked

the drink

eventually

he was

rehoused

back in

Kokodi

and as my

friend Neil

was doing

visitation

around the

local area

of Kokodi

Free Church

they knocked

on Jimmy's

house

and he said

he believed

in Jesus

but he'd

never been

to church

he'd never

been discipled

and so

he started

attending

Kokodi

and he was

pretty rough

and pretty

small

he didn't

really speak

by this

point

he more

just grunted

and yet

he was

loved

by them

a few

years

after attending

Kokodi

Free Church

he was

diagnosed

with terminal

throat

and mouth

cancer

and Neil

went to see

him the day

after the

diagnosis

and said

Jimmy

how do you

feel

the other

side of

that

diagnosis

and Jimmy

in his

own way

said

I am a

conqueror

I'm in

Jesus'

hands

he attended

church

all the time

until he

finally died

of cancer

in fact

he was at

church

the day

before he

died

and as the

cancer

grew and

took hold

of his

life

he could

no longer

speak

at all

and so

all people

would say

to him

is Jimmy

how are

you

and he

would just

do this

I'm a

conqueror

I'm in

Jesus'

hands

here's the

truth

you looked

at Jimmy

you did

not think

he was

a conqueror

you thought

he had

absolutely

nothing

to be

confident

about

but the

reason that

he had

certainty

that he

was a

conqueror

and that

his life

was in

Jesus'

hands

because he

believed

what God

had said

and what

God had

shown

in his

son

Jesus

Christ

1 John

is written

to give

us real

confidence

and it

gives us

real confidence

that what

God says

God means

what Jesus

has done

is for

us

and we

can have

absolute

certainty

about all

of these

things

and live

life

differently

through our

faith

in Jesus

there's some

interesting bits

at the end

of that

chapter

we can always

speak about

them at the

door

if you're

interested

let's

pray

father help

those who

know you

to trust

you

live for

you

and have

certainty

about all

they have

in your

son

that they

really do

have victory

that they

do really

have life

that they

have access

to you

and confidence

before you

father God

help those

who don't

know you

father may

they meet

you

know you

trust your

son and

receive from

him everything

that you've

said you've

done and

everything that

you know you've

done because

you've said it

and you always

tell the truth

father we pray

this in Jesus

name

amen

he

i

10

know you

good

22

VO

you

you