This week is the final message in our study through the book of First John. The primary purpose of this letter is to provide assurance of salvation to believers. What are the four tests found in 1 John that help to provide us with assurance of salvation?

Take a few moments to think about these four tests in regard to your personal life. Have you experienced a time in your life where it became clearly evident that your salvation is certain?

What were the circumstances surrounding that time?

What happened?

In the first point of his message, Pastor Wade focused on 1 John 5:16-18. What did he say to explain the concept of “a sin that leads to death”?

The history of the early years of the Christian church is found in the Book of Acts. Pastor Wade mentioned an example of “a sin that leads to death” from that book. To understand the context of what happened, read Acts 2:42-47. In this passage, how is the church in Jerusalem described?

What were they doing?

When were they doing it?

Where were they doing it?

In Acts 3-4, the leaders of the church were arrested for speaking the truth about Jesus. When they were taken before the religious leaders in Jerusalem, they spoke boldly as to the identity of the Messiah —Jesus Christ! The leaders charged them to speak of this no more. How did Peter and John respond to their charge (Acts 4:18-22)?

What happened next (Acts 4:23-31)?

As time passed, the people in the church at Jerusalem also continued in their close fellowship. Read Acts 4:32-37. How were these early believers caring for one another’s needs?

Pastor Wade referred to a story about Ananias and Sapphira in this week’s message. Read Acts 5:1-11. What happened to this couple?

Were they required to give 100% of their proceeds?

What was the bigger problem that Peter pointed out in verses 3-4?

What happened to Ananias and Sapphira should be a warning for our own lives. Is there something in your life that you think you’re “getting away with”?

Do you have sin in your life and need to repent?

Is there someone in your life that is not living a life that pleases God?

We have a responsibility to pray for them and gently correct their wrong behavior.

Will you commit to pray for them and for opportunity to speak to them about the way they are choosing to live?