CHAPEL ROCK
This morning we conclude our series called “Love, John” through the Apostle John’s first letter. John is writing to people he knows personally, but also – because of the Holy Spirit’s inspiration – to the broader church and therefore to us. John wants to help his beloved children in the faith live an authentically Christian life in the world. Lead Pastor Casey Scott will teach from 1 John 5:1-12 that our belief in Jesus gives us two qualities that we need to change our testimony.
Communion
Chapel Rock practices an 'open communion' meaning that if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are welcome to participate in the communion service. The elder/staff member giving the devotion will provide instructions.
Revelation 1:5-6 NIV
Chapel Rock’s Vision:
To See the Whole Community
Whole in Christ
Casey Scott
Lead Pastor
Series: Love, John
Sermon: “Dear Ones, Testify”
> 1 John 5:1-12
1 John 5:1-12 NIV
Introduction
John uses the word “testimony” 10 times in just 4 verses! This is a court-room word, and when John uses it, he’s talking about how the life of a witness is the content of their testimony. The way you live your life is a statement, the testimony of what you believe to be true.
Today’s Big Idea
When you believe in Jesus, He changes your testimony!
So, what do we need to change our testimony? In this passage, John tells us that our belief in Jesus gives us two qualities that we need to change our testimony. The first is faith.
FAITH CHANGES OUR TESTIMONY
The content of the gospel, the core of the good news about Jesus, has won a decisive victory over a culture which is hostile to God.
John tells us that if we don’t believe what God has said about his Son through His Word, and through the spoken witness of the church, we’re basically calling God a liar.
When we believe in Jesus and are baptized – we come under his testimony because his Spirit lives in us. That’s faith!
“We never know how much we really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death. It is easy to say we believe a rope to be strong as long as we are merely using it to tie up a box. But suppose we had to hang by that rope over a precipice. Wouldn't we then first discover how much we really trusted it?”
~ C.S. Lewis
> Hebrews 11:6 - “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”
Your eternity is hanging in the balance, so believe in Jesus!
Because what Scripture says about Him is true, then we must respond to our faith with obedience. That’s the second thing we need to change our testimony.
OBEDIENCE CHANGES OUR TESTIMONY
If you compare the books of James and 1st John, you’ll quickly see how much overlap there is between these two books. They come at it from different perspectives, but both of them are essentially saying, “Accepting the truth of the content of the gospel means accepting the authority of the gospel through a life of obedience to God.”
Obedience to the commands of God is not a burden, but rather an experience of victory! If you’re struggling with a particular sin, you need to lay claim to this truth and hang onto it for dear life.
> Matthew 11:28–30: “Come to me, all we who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
We should encourage each other, that’s what we mean when we talk about “sharing our story” every week in our benediction. “. . . A change to wholeness is the story we share.” What is that? It’s your testimony!
Conclusion
When we are in the witness stand, we must rest the whole weight of our life on Jesus. You must give your life to him, so that he can give His eternal life to you. You need his testimony to speak for you.