section six “victory through faith” 1 john 5:4-21 page 31 1

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Section Six“Victory Through Faith”

1 John 5:4-21Page 31

The First Epistle of John

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The Way to Victory-- “From Heaven to Earth and Back Again”

Victory Over the Practice of Sin

Victory Over Satan and His Angels

Victory Through Righteousness

Victory Through Love

Victory Through Faith

A Simple Outline of First John

Today’s Study

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There were many weapons that must be used against Satan’s agents in this world.

To successfully resist the vile influences of the gnostics, disciples had to stand “fast in the faith” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

Without faith in both the Father and the Son, victory over sin and the devil is impossible (Hebrews 11:6).

“Victory Through Faith”

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1. Whatever (not whoever) originated from God was intended to help them in their war against sin and Satan (“the world”) (vs. 4a).

4a “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.”

2. Our primary weapon to use in “overcoming” is our faith (vs. 4b).

4b “And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

The Origin of Faith 1 Jo

hn 5:4a

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3. Nevertheless, our “total package” of weaponry includes many other things. Hope and love, which spring from our faith, contribute to make us strong against the forces of evil.

4. Of course, the word of God is the defense against sinful things upon which all other defenses are based.

5. Everything “born of [originating with] God” should be employed in our efforts to “overcome” and to not “be overcome.”


hn 5:4a

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4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?


hn 5:4a

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1. Paul illuminated the power of faith when he declared that the gospel, “mixed with faith” (Hebrews 4:2) becomes “dynamite” (Greek--dunamis) that can blast away error and lead us to salvation (Romans 1:16,17).

“For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.” (Heb. 4:2)

The Power of Faith 1 Jo

hn 5:4b,5

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1. Paul illuminated the power of faith when he declared that the gospel, “mixed with faith” (Hebrews 4:2) becomes “dynamite” (Greek--dunamis) that can blast away error and lead us to salvation (Romans 1:16,17).

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.’” (Rom 1:16, 17)


hn 5:4b,5

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2. James stated that men can be justified if they have a living faith in Christ that is demonstrated by their works of obedience (James 2:24,26).

“You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” (Jas. 2:24) “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (Jas. 2:26)


hn 5:4b,5

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3. John says that by his faith the believer “overcomes the world” (verse 5).

5“Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”


hn 5:4b,5

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4. Faith is the great power source by which we meet all our problems.

We must always be confident that faith can “move mountains” (figuratively)!


hn 5:4b,5

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1. God’s testimony about Jesus as His Son assures us that we have embraced the correct position on this matter (verse 6b).

6 “This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.”

The Certainty of Faith1 Jo

hn 5:6-13

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2. God’s testimony employs three components: the Spirit (using the word), the water, and the blood.

Jesus “came” (was manifested) in His dual nature not only “by water” (baptism), but also by “blood” (death by crucifixion).

Jesus’ baptism and crucifixion were the two most impressive declarations of the close relationship that existed between the spiritual/physical Jesus and the spiritual Father.


hn 5:6-13

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3. God’s testimony has corroboration (verse 9).

9 “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son.”


hn 5:6-13

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4. God’s testimony is accessible through the gospel (verse 10a).

10a “He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar,…”


hn 5:6-13

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5. God’s testimony is fundamental to salvation (“life”).

Salvation is by Jesus. “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)


hn 5:6-13

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6. God’s testimony is consistent (verse 13a).

13 “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.”


hn 5:6-13

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7. God’s testimony is enduring (verse 13b).

13 “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, …that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.”


hn 5:6-13

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1. The answer to our prayers (verses 14-17).

14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.

The Rewards of Faith1 Jo

hn 5:14-21

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Our confidence as Christians is that (1) God cares enough about us to listen to our petitions,

and (2) He will give us the things we ask for (if we respect His

teaching about prayer). We can pray for our own needs (verse 15) We can pray for the needs of others (verse 16a).


hn 5:14-21

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There are sins that cannot be forgiven These are sins committed by those who reject

the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. There is no blood sacrifice available to cause their

forgiveness The gnostics had denied the dual nature of Jesus

Christ (verse 16b).


hn 5:14-21

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2. Avoiding a sinful life (verse 18a).

18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin;…”

Born-again people do not sin (keep on sinning as when they were unbelievers--Greek aorist tense--continued action). We must “keep ourselves” if we are to enjoy spiritual security.

“Keep yourselves in the love of God” (Jude 21).

The Rewards of Faith

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3. Escaping from the devil’s power. The “whole world,” except for the children of

God, is under the devil’s influence and can expect terrible consequences here and hereafter.


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4. Eternal life. (verses 13, 20).

13 “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.”

20 “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.”


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5. Avoidance of entanglement in idolatry. (verse 21).

21 “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”

Displacing the true dual-natured Jesus with the ridiculous characterization of Him by the gnostics was certainly participation in idolatry.


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Victory cannot come to one who surrenders the certainties of gospel truth in exchange for the uncertainties of false teaching. He who gives up his faith, gives up everything!!

Lesson Six:

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1. The basic defense that we have against being “overcome by the world” is our ________. John especially advised that the assaults of gnostics could be repulsed by their ______________ in ____________ ____________as the ____________of _______ ______________. (vs.4,5)

2. Gnostics taught that the “real” Christ had no enduring connection with the body He inhabited. The divine nature entered the physical body at His baptism and left the body before His death on the cross. How does John deny this by his reference to “coming by blood”? (vs. 6) (See John 19:33-35).

Question – Section 6

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3. Gnostics also denied any connection between physical behavior and spiritual welfare. How does the reference to “coming by water” deny that idea? (vs. 6) (See Matthew 3:13-17.)

4. All Three in the Godhead testify that Christ’s spirit and flesh both participated in physical obedience to please the Father (vs, 7). What did the Father say? (See Matthew 3:17.) What did the Word (Christ) say? (See Matthew 3:15; Psalm 119:172.) What did the Spirit say? (See John 19:35; 16;13.)


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5. Whose “witness” should carry the most weight with saints? What did it testify? (vs. 9,11)

6. How does verse 13b bear on the doctrine of “once saved, always saved”?

7. The relationship we have with God (through the “real” [spirit/body] Jesus) assures us that God will do what for us, especially in time of trouble? (vs. 14,15)


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8. What sins are not “unto death”? (vs. 16,17) (See Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:7,9.)

9. What were the “idols” in verse 21? How does the warning relate to the gnostic teaching that a lifestyle of sin had no bearing on one’s spiritual relationship to God? (vs.18-20)


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4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 John 5:4-5

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6 This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.

1 John 5:6-8

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9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. 10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

1 John 5:9-13

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14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.

1 John 5:14-17

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18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

1 John 5:18-21

section six “victory through faith” 1 john 5:4-21 page 31 1

Documents

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faith hebrews

origin of faith

worldour faith

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living faith

power of god

love victory