WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:22.260 Hi, and welcome to the Willow Ridge Church weekly podcast. 00:00:22.780 --> 00:00:25.880 This is where you can find audio for our current and past sermons. 00:00:26.080 --> 00:00:30.420 We hope that you enjoy this week's installment, and be sure to check back next week to hear 00:00:30.420 --> 00:00:31.260 the latest message. 00:00:31.680 --> 00:00:32.460 Thanks for listening. 00:00:45.360 --> 00:00:46.260 Well, good morning. 00:00:47.300 --> 00:00:50.800 If you would, take your Bible, turn to 1 John chapter 5. 00:00:51.580 --> 00:00:53.300 We're going to be starting at verse 13. 00:00:53.300 --> 00:00:55.720 We're going to be wrapping up 1 John today. 00:00:55.900 --> 00:01:01.640 Pastor Bo, next Sunday we'll begin 2 John as we continue our study of 1, 2, and 3 John. 00:01:05.120 --> 00:01:07.880 As you're turning there, if you would, let's pray together. 00:01:11.780 --> 00:01:15.400 Father, we give you thanks for the day that we've had just to come and to worship you. 00:01:16.360 --> 00:01:24.220 And Lord, we just ask now that you would just speak to us through your word, through our eyes 00:01:24.220 --> 00:01:28.060 as we see your word, and through our ears as we hear your word spoken. 00:01:29.240 --> 00:01:34.400 Lord, may it do in us, Lord, may it do in us what you have and what you desire for it to do in our hearts. 00:01:35.580 --> 00:01:42.380 May we carry it out in obedience as you speak to us on how to apply these scriptures to our life today. 00:01:43.040 --> 00:01:45.500 Lord, we love you and we thank you and we ask this prayer in your name. 00:01:46.180 --> 00:01:46.500 Amen. 00:01:47.980 --> 00:01:57.100 In this last part of John's, the 1 John chapter 5, it looks like John is cramming a lot in these last few verses. 00:01:57.580 --> 00:01:59.340 Starting there in verse 13. 00:02:00.440 --> 00:02:04.940 It's kind of like those moments as a parent when you send your child out for the first time. 00:02:05.040 --> 00:02:10.160 Maybe you're sending your child out to spend the night with somebody or to go hang out with friends 00:02:10.160 --> 00:02:12.720 and you're giving them that final instructions. 00:02:13.200 --> 00:02:17.640 You've laid out all these things as they've been growing up and now you're giving them these final instructions 00:02:17.640 --> 00:02:20.840 as you're sending them out on that first time to go out. 00:02:21.480 --> 00:02:24.000 And you want them to realize who they are. 00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:27.800 You want them to realize what they've been taught and what they know. 00:02:28.980 --> 00:02:34.700 Trisha and I used to use a phrase with our sons that our good friend and my mentor used in a message one day 00:02:34.700 --> 00:02:35.560 about his kids. 00:02:36.760 --> 00:02:39.740 We said to them, when you go out and you're going to spend the night with somebody, 00:02:39.840 --> 00:02:40.800 you need to know this. 00:02:41.180 --> 00:02:43.860 Know who you are and know whose you are. 00:02:44.500 --> 00:02:47.860 Know that you're an island, but more importantly, know that you're a follower of Christ. 00:02:48.580 --> 00:02:50.500 And I think that's what John is doing here. 00:02:50.500 --> 00:02:57.160 39 times in this short letter that John writes, he uses the word know. 00:02:57.420 --> 00:02:58.560 Know these things. 00:02:59.220 --> 00:03:04.620 In these last few verses that we look at together, eight times he uses that word know. 00:03:04.700 --> 00:03:08.800 So if you would, look at verse 13 as we begin to read together. 00:03:08.800 --> 00:03:14.540 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know 00:03:14.540 --> 00:03:15.940 that you have eternal life. 00:03:16.640 --> 00:03:22.320 And this is the confidence that we have towards him, that if we ask anything according to his 00:03:22.320 --> 00:03:23.620 will, he hears us. 00:03:24.180 --> 00:03:30.240 And if we know that he hears us and whatever we ask, we know that we have the request that 00:03:30.240 --> 00:03:31.580 we have asked of him. 00:03:32.920 --> 00:03:38.680 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God 00:03:38.680 --> 00:03:43.300 will give him life to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. 00:03:43.980 --> 00:03:45.900 There is sin that leads to death. 00:03:45.980 --> 00:03:48.200 I do not say that one should pray for that. 00:03:48.880 --> 00:03:53.500 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death. 00:03:54.300 --> 00:04:00.260 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was 00:04:00.260 --> 00:04:04.000 born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. 00:04:05.180 --> 00:04:10.200 We know that we are from God and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 00:04:10.780 --> 00:04:14.940 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may 00:04:14.940 --> 00:04:16.420 know him who is true. 00:04:17.240 --> 00:04:21.600 And we are in him who is true, in his Son, Jesus Christ. 00:04:22.180 --> 00:04:24.340 He is the true God in eternal life. 00:04:25.260 --> 00:04:28.360 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 00:04:29.400 --> 00:04:31.880 Knowing, that's a big deal for us, isn't it? 00:04:32.280 --> 00:04:33.600 We want to know. 00:04:34.340 --> 00:04:37.020 We don't want to live in that fear of missing out. 00:04:37.220 --> 00:04:42.380 You know, we're so involved in wanting to know all things about life. 00:04:42.860 --> 00:04:45.080 We want to know the answers to life questions. 00:04:45.800 --> 00:04:49.080 We want to know all the costs and fees associated with buying a home. 00:04:49.580 --> 00:04:51.920 We want to know why we feel the way that we do. 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:56.500 We want to know why so-and-so made the decision that they made in life. 00:04:57.500 --> 00:04:59.440 We want to know how to relate to God. 00:05:00.380 --> 00:05:02.320 We want to know what happens when we die. 00:05:03.160 --> 00:05:05.680 We want to know what heaven will be like. 00:05:06.600 --> 00:05:10.500 These are just a few things you and I want to know about, and the list goes on and on and 00:05:10.500 --> 00:05:13.880 on of the things that we want to know about this life. 00:05:15.080 --> 00:05:19.800 In these last few verses, John gives us some more things to know, just like he did all 00:05:19.800 --> 00:05:21.860 the other verses leading up to this point. 00:05:22.860 --> 00:05:28.000 One thing that John wants us to know is this, know that you have eternal life. 00:05:28.860 --> 00:05:32.540 Verse 13 says, I write these things to you. 00:05:32.800 --> 00:05:37.720 All these things I've written to you from the very first verse in this letter all the way 00:05:37.720 --> 00:05:38.520 up to this point. 00:05:38.520 --> 00:05:44.380 All these things and everything following, I write these things to you who believe in 00:05:44.380 --> 00:05:45.440 the name of the Son of God. 00:05:46.160 --> 00:05:47.620 It's so important that we see that. 00:05:47.680 --> 00:05:49.420 It says that who believes. 00:05:49.560 --> 00:05:57.160 So John is writing this letter to those who call themselves believers, who believe in the 00:05:57.160 --> 00:05:58.220 name of the Son of God. 00:05:58.440 --> 00:05:59.720 That you may know. 00:05:59.800 --> 00:06:01.420 That's the first one that we see. 00:06:01.520 --> 00:06:06.180 We'll see that phrase over and over again in these last few verses, that you may know 00:06:06.180 --> 00:06:08.120 that you have eternal life. 00:06:09.400 --> 00:06:14.780 You see, you may know it points us to the fact of eternal life for your life and for my life. 00:06:15.520 --> 00:06:21.380 The question that you and I have to ask though when we see this word believe is this, do you 00:06:21.380 --> 00:06:24.660 and I believe in the name of the Son of God? 00:06:24.940 --> 00:06:30.080 Have you had that time in your life where you professed your faith and trust in God? 00:06:30.640 --> 00:06:35.740 Did you repent of your sin and ask forgiveness of your sin and place that trust in Him? 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:37.640 It has to start with there. 00:06:38.240 --> 00:06:41.780 It has to start with your belief in the Son of God. 00:06:41.900 --> 00:06:42.860 So do you believe? 00:06:44.160 --> 00:06:51.120 The next thing that we see in these verses is this, know that God hears and responds to 00:06:51.120 --> 00:06:51.780 your prayers. 00:06:52.760 --> 00:06:56.140 Know that God hears and responds to your prayers. 00:06:56.780 --> 00:06:59.400 You know, there's times in our lives when we think God's not listening to us. 00:06:59.860 --> 00:07:00.840 Have you ever had that moment? 00:07:01.500 --> 00:07:04.600 Have you ever prayed over something and said, God, are you listening to me? 00:07:04.920 --> 00:07:06.320 God, do you hear my cry? 00:07:06.440 --> 00:07:08.060 God, do you hear my voice? 00:07:08.240 --> 00:07:09.300 Am I silent? 00:07:10.300 --> 00:07:16.060 But we understand and we see in this that God does hear us and that God does respond. 00:07:17.320 --> 00:07:20.340 Verse 14 says, and this is the confidence. 00:07:21.920 --> 00:07:22.360 Confidence. 00:07:22.880 --> 00:07:23.980 That's a big word. 00:07:25.160 --> 00:07:28.260 That's telling you and I that we have faith, that we have trust. 00:07:28.660 --> 00:07:36.800 We can believe, we can trust and go into God in prayer because we have confidence that we have toward Him. 00:07:37.860 --> 00:07:40.200 Confidence in your relationship with God. 00:07:40.520 --> 00:07:42.200 I'm confident that I know God. 00:07:42.280 --> 00:07:43.820 I'm confident that God knows me. 00:07:44.320 --> 00:07:45.940 I'm confident in my trust in God. 00:07:46.020 --> 00:07:50.100 I'm confident that my relationship with God is alive and active. 00:07:51.060 --> 00:07:56.280 This confidence feeds into the confidence of your prayer life and my prayer life. 00:07:57.520 --> 00:08:04.860 He goes on to say that if we ask anything according to His, meaning God's will, that God hears us. 00:08:06.860 --> 00:08:09.520 Not only that, but you go on down a little ways. 00:08:09.580 --> 00:08:13.040 It says, hears us in whatever we ask. 00:08:13.780 --> 00:08:15.200 Look at those two words there. 00:08:15.320 --> 00:08:17.500 Ask anything in whatever we ask. 00:08:17.500 --> 00:08:21.500 That has nothing to do with yours or my wants. 00:08:21.780 --> 00:08:22.720 Nothing to do with that. 00:08:23.340 --> 00:08:28.500 It's not about that we can go to God and ask Him for anything that we want and that we're going to get it. 00:08:29.120 --> 00:08:36.840 Sure, I would like to have a nice GMC 2500 power truck. 00:08:37.260 --> 00:08:38.600 I would love to have that. 00:08:39.860 --> 00:08:40.760 That's not a need. 00:08:41.080 --> 00:08:42.300 The truck I have is nice. 00:08:42.300 --> 00:08:47.180 The truck gets me from here to home and wherever else I need to go. 00:08:47.500 --> 00:08:56.880 The whole purpose behind what John is saying here that what we ask for has to be asked inside the will of God. 00:08:58.440 --> 00:09:00.100 Sometimes that's hard to understand. 00:09:00.740 --> 00:09:03.040 My wife and I used to have this conversation a good bit. 00:09:03.380 --> 00:09:05.740 What does it mean to have the will of God? 00:09:06.060 --> 00:09:07.680 What does it mean to be in the will of God? 00:09:08.280 --> 00:09:17.280 A lot of times we associate the will of God with the job that we have to do, the occupation that we have, but it has nothing to do with that. 00:09:18.560 --> 00:09:21.040 The will of God is found in His Word. 00:09:21.220 --> 00:09:23.440 That's where we find and discover the will of God. 00:09:24.460 --> 00:09:26.680 There's God's will for your relationships. 00:09:27.440 --> 00:09:28.720 Look at it in God's Word. 00:09:29.720 --> 00:09:31.600 What is God's will for your life decision? 00:09:31.900 --> 00:09:33.040 It's right there in Scripture. 00:09:34.140 --> 00:09:36.440 What is God's will for your parenting? 00:09:36.760 --> 00:09:38.180 It's right there in God's Word. 00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:40.380 What is God's will for your marriage? 00:09:40.640 --> 00:09:42.200 It's right there in God's Word. 00:09:43.420 --> 00:09:47.040 All life decisions that we have, the things that we go through in life, 00:09:47.460 --> 00:09:52.700 the will of God for you and I who believe in the Son of God is found in God's Word. 00:09:54.300 --> 00:09:57.240 I read this this week from the Life Application Commentary. 00:09:57.340 --> 00:10:04.040 It said this, when it talks about our praying in God's will when we're seeking God, 00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:07.020 it says, turn the commands of God's Word into request. 00:10:08.100 --> 00:10:10.440 Make the prayers found in God's Word your own. 00:10:11.640 --> 00:10:13.380 Pray God's promises back to Him. 00:10:13.500 --> 00:10:16.900 By using the Scripture as the basis for your prayer life, 00:10:17.320 --> 00:10:20.780 you will be sure to pray in a way that honors God. 00:10:23.060 --> 00:10:28.040 Twice we see in here where it says, He hears us and we have the request. 00:10:28.140 --> 00:10:29.720 So not only does God hear us, 00:10:30.200 --> 00:10:35.100 but it guarantees us that we have the request when we pray according to God's will. 00:10:36.680 --> 00:10:41.700 The understanding and the original of the Word here in this part says this, 00:10:42.280 --> 00:10:44.280 to be heard favorably. 00:10:45.060 --> 00:10:47.040 To be heard favorably. 00:10:47.720 --> 00:10:53.960 So you and I as believers in Christ, when we are praying, God hears us favorably. 00:10:54.180 --> 00:10:58.100 He is looking on us with favor and wants to answer our request. 00:10:59.520 --> 00:11:03.840 He fulfills your request because you have prayed within His will. 00:11:04.700 --> 00:11:07.020 What does the majority of your prayers center on? 00:11:08.620 --> 00:11:11.440 What does the majority of your prayers center on? 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:13.320 Are they selfish? 00:11:13.980 --> 00:11:15.340 Is it all about you? 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:20.300 Or do your prayers consist of praying on behalf of others? 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:25.640 You see, that's what we see in this next part that John tells us about. 00:11:26.740 --> 00:11:31.260 Know that it's your responsibility to pray for your sister and brother in Christ. 00:11:31.660 --> 00:11:33.600 But it gets really specific here. 00:11:34.840 --> 00:11:38.340 Not just praying for their needs and the things that they're going through. 00:11:38.740 --> 00:11:43.240 But John says here that you and I are to pray for our sisters and brother in Christ who are sinning. 00:11:44.820 --> 00:11:47.880 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin. 00:11:48.720 --> 00:11:50.380 He says, you and I see that. 00:11:51.460 --> 00:11:57.160 If we witness that ourselves, our brother and sister in Christ sinning. 00:11:59.000 --> 00:12:00.260 Not leading to death. 00:12:00.320 --> 00:12:02.240 Now we see that phrase over and over again. 00:12:02.320 --> 00:12:03.240 Not leading to death. 00:12:03.340 --> 00:12:03.920 Leading to death. 00:12:04.520 --> 00:12:07.520 That might be one of the things your eyes jump to the most. 00:12:08.120 --> 00:12:09.920 What in the world does that mean? 00:12:10.280 --> 00:12:11.360 That leads to death. 00:12:12.800 --> 00:12:15.680 Well, theologians can't agree on what that means. 00:12:16.360 --> 00:12:20.680 John doesn't even give us an insight of what he's giving specifically to. 00:12:21.760 --> 00:12:28.360 So what I want us to focus on is the fact that he mentions sin so often in this passage of Scripture. 00:12:29.480 --> 00:12:33.820 And he wants you and I to realize that's what the focus is. 00:12:34.160 --> 00:12:40.160 You and I, as a follower of Christ, when we see sin in our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, 00:12:40.220 --> 00:12:42.480 you and I are to bring that request to God. 00:12:43.640 --> 00:12:46.640 You see, John used the word sin five times in this passage. 00:12:47.120 --> 00:12:47.880 What is sin? 00:12:48.660 --> 00:12:51.240 He says it right there within that. 00:12:51.320 --> 00:12:52.080 It's wrongdoing. 00:12:52.540 --> 00:12:55.180 It's when you and I disobey the word of God. 00:12:55.240 --> 00:13:00.220 And he's saying, so when you see another brother or sister in Christ disobeying the word of God, 00:13:00.360 --> 00:13:01.700 God, do what? 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:03.220 Pray. 00:13:04.320 --> 00:13:05.020 Nothing else. 00:13:05.260 --> 00:13:06.500 He doesn't say anything else. 00:13:06.760 --> 00:13:09.020 But a lot of times that's the last thing we do, don't we? 00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:15.460 Maybe we mull it over in our mind or maybe we begin to talk to another believer or a friend that said, 00:13:15.540 --> 00:13:17.100 you know, do you see so and so? 00:13:17.780 --> 00:13:19.700 It's not what God calls you and I to do. 00:13:20.540 --> 00:13:24.860 God calls you and I to intercede on behalf of each other in Christ. 00:13:25.820 --> 00:13:27.280 And that's what John is saying here. 00:13:27.880 --> 00:13:29.820 He's instructing you and I to pray. 00:13:31.060 --> 00:13:32.340 So what do we pray for? 00:13:32.800 --> 00:13:36.000 When we seek the face of God on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Christ, 00:13:36.380 --> 00:13:38.280 what do we pray for when we see them sinning? 00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:42.200 Pray that Satan won't get a foothold on their life. 00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:51.020 Anytime Satan can get a foothold, he starts to weave and wedge in order to distract us from our relationship with the Lord. 00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:53.960 Pray that the sin won't overtake them. 00:13:55.140 --> 00:13:57.280 Pray that they will recognize the sin in their life. 00:13:57.500 --> 00:13:59.640 Pray that they will confess the sin in their life. 00:14:00.800 --> 00:14:05.820 Pray that God will set them free from the sin that so easily entangles them. 00:14:08.040 --> 00:14:11.160 Do you intercede on behalf of your brothers and sisters in Christ? 00:14:12.420 --> 00:14:16.460 When you think about the relationships that you have with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, 00:14:16.820 --> 00:14:19.460 whether it be within the family of God here at Willow Ridge, 00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:22.560 or whether it be co-workers that you know are believers in Christ, 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:24.000 you have a relationship with them. 00:14:25.200 --> 00:14:27.820 Do you intercede on their behalf? 00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:30.740 You see, God calls us to do that. 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:33.160 God calls us to lift one another up. 00:14:33.520 --> 00:14:35.440 God calls us to encourage each other. 00:14:35.440 --> 00:14:38.280 And here John says, you need to pray for one another, 00:14:38.380 --> 00:14:40.700 specifically when you see each other sinning. 00:14:41.640 --> 00:14:42.200 intercede. 00:14:42.200 --> 00:14:42.840 Intercede. 00:14:43.420 --> 00:14:46.100 James 5, verse 16 tells you and I this, 00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:52.960 the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 00:14:53.840 --> 00:15:01.240 That's you and I as believers in Christ in right standing with God. 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:03.560 That is the righteousness. 00:15:04.900 --> 00:15:11.000 And that when we pray, it produces great power, it produces wonderful results. 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:11.860 Think about that. 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:19.780 You have the ability because of what God has done in your life to have such a prayer life 00:15:19.780 --> 00:15:25.820 that affects the outcome, not only of your life, but those that you intercede on behalf of. 00:15:26.900 --> 00:15:31.680 But again, the key is you and I being in right relationship with the Lord. 00:15:31.680 --> 00:15:35.140 Our fellowship is consistent with the Lord. 00:15:35.940 --> 00:15:41.980 Another thing that John points out here is that know that Jesus is protecting you from the assault of Satan. 00:15:44.180 --> 00:15:51.300 We see Satan quite often in the scriptures, but sometimes I think we forget the reality of who he is. 00:15:52.340 --> 00:15:56.820 You see, we see in the New Testament that Satan is described as a thief. 00:15:57.940 --> 00:16:00.580 A thief who is there to steal, kill, and destroy. 00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:02.500 Those aren't comforting words, are they? 00:16:03.560 --> 00:16:07.660 That Satan wants to steal from you, that Satan wants to destroy you, 00:16:07.760 --> 00:16:13.940 that ultimately he wants to kill you, kill your testimony, kill who you are in the relationship with the Lord. 00:16:15.160 --> 00:16:21.940 It also says in scripture that he roars around like a lion looking for who he can devour. 00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:28.140 See, in verse 18, we see this that John writes us to warn us. 00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:34.840 It says, we know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning. 00:16:35.560 --> 00:16:40.880 So you and I, in our relationship with the Lord, we don't live a lifestyle of sin. 00:16:41.780 --> 00:16:43.280 Will there be times in our life where we sin? 00:16:43.640 --> 00:16:44.000 Absolutely. 00:16:44.920 --> 00:16:46.780 But we don't dive into it. 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:49.000 We don't make it consistent in our life. 00:16:49.440 --> 00:16:50.420 And that's what John is saying. 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:53.520 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning. 00:16:53.520 --> 00:16:59.000 But he, Jesus, who was born of God, protects him. 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:01.420 Protects you, protects me. 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:07.900 And the evil one, Satan, Jesus does not allow him to touch you and I. 00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:12.220 He doesn't allow Satan to have his way with you and I. 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:25.580 One of the things that was mentioned quite often in John's letter to the believers, 16 times in the first four chapters, was the word abide. 00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:32.640 You see, you and I, in order for us to have that relationship with the Lord, we have to abide in that relationship. 00:17:32.780 --> 00:17:34.280 We have to remain in that relationship. 00:17:34.600 --> 00:17:36.560 We have to be connected in that relationship. 00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:40.400 That's you and I doing what we are called to do as believers. 00:17:40.880 --> 00:17:45.060 John gave all these instructions in these first four verses, four chapters. 00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:57.900 Listen to what the words of David in Psalm 32 talk about, his understanding of sin and talking about his understanding of the power of God. 00:17:59.360 --> 00:18:04.600 Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 00:18:05.620 --> 00:18:11.880 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and whose spirit is no deceit. 00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:17.380 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 00:18:18.340 --> 00:18:20.540 For day and night your hand was heavy on me. 00:18:20.620 --> 00:18:23.280 My strength was sapped as in the heat of the summer. 00:18:23.760 --> 00:18:27.300 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. 00:18:27.360 --> 00:18:30.480 I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord. 00:18:32.060 --> 00:18:34.140 And you forgave the guilt of my sin. 00:18:35.040 --> 00:18:38.420 Therefore, let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found. 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:42.200 Surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach me. 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:43.920 You are my hiding place. 00:18:44.040 --> 00:18:49.300 You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. 00:18:50.460 --> 00:18:55.500 I, talking about the Lord, will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. 00:18:55.860 --> 00:18:58.460 I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. 00:18:58.820 --> 00:19:02.100 Do not be like the horse or the mule which have no understanding, 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:06.540 but must be controlled by bit and bridle, or they will not come to you. 00:19:07.300 --> 00:19:11.520 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the one who 00:19:11.520 --> 00:19:12.420 We trust in him. 00:19:13.420 --> 00:19:15.900 Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous. 00:19:16.900 --> 00:19:19.880 Sing all you who are upright in heart. 00:19:21.160 --> 00:19:25.560 David understood what sin could do, but David, more importantly, 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:29.800 understood the power and protection of God on his life. 00:19:31.420 --> 00:19:37.140 Listen to what Jesus said when he's praying to God on your behalf and my behalf. 00:19:37.140 --> 00:19:41.040 In John chapter 17, starting at verse 12, it says, 00:19:41.520 --> 00:19:45.900 During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. 00:19:45.900 --> 00:19:53.480 I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the scriptures foretold. 00:19:54.320 --> 00:19:55.560 Now I am coming to you. 00:19:55.660 --> 00:20:01.040 I told them many things while I was with them in this world, so they would be filled with my joy. 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:09.340 I have given them your word, and the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 00:20:09.860 --> 00:20:16.040 I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 00:20:16.600 --> 00:20:25.280 That is Jesus' words to God the Father in prayer on not only the disciples and them then, but also for you and for me. 00:20:26.080 --> 00:20:32.620 Jesus, praying on your behalf and my behalf for the protection against Satan 00:20:32.620 --> 00:20:38.780 and the desire to destroy and destruct our testimony and our relationship with the Lord. 00:20:39.780 --> 00:20:44.440 Another thing that John points out in verse 19 is that know that you belong to God. 00:20:44.820 --> 00:20:49.880 It's just his reminder to say, listen, you belong to God the Father, your creator. 00:20:50.900 --> 00:20:58.680 Verse 19, we know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 00:20:59.600 --> 00:21:06.040 John's reminding them, listen, the world that you live in is controlled and operated by Satan. 00:21:06.660 --> 00:21:07.900 You've got to understand that. 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:08.960 You've got to know that. 00:21:09.320 --> 00:21:14.260 But also know that you're from God, and you can't be defeated. 00:21:14.640 --> 00:21:15.600 You are set apart. 00:21:16.560 --> 00:21:22.340 That's why folks don't understand sometimes why you and I as believers make the decisions that we make in life. 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:28.440 Because they're not in line with who God is and what God desires for your life and for my life. 00:21:29.460 --> 00:21:31.980 The other thing that John points out is this. 00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.460 Know what is true. 00:21:34.640 --> 00:21:39.000 He's starting to wrap this up with them, and he's saying, listen, know what is true. 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:40.680 I've shared all these things. 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:42.060 I've just talked about it in my letter. 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.100 Know this. 00:21:44.860 --> 00:21:50.420 Verse 20, and we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding. 00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:57.500 Jesus, in his earthly ministry, and as he continues, as the Holy Spirit writes out the scriptures for you and I, 00:21:57.860 --> 00:22:01.840 is there to give you and I understanding of this life and the life to come. 00:22:02.640 --> 00:22:09.900 We're not here not knowing how God operates, how God designed us, and how God's working in and through our life. 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:13.440 No, he's given us his Son to give us understanding. 00:22:14.760 --> 00:22:19.700 And once again, we see those words, so that we may know him who is true. 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:21.660 Speaking of Jesus. 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:25.340 And we are in him who is true. 00:22:25.840 --> 00:22:28.040 You and I in relationship with the Lord. 00:22:28.660 --> 00:22:29.940 In his Son, Jesus Christ. 00:22:30.300 --> 00:22:34.360 He is the true God and eternal life. 00:22:34.580 --> 00:22:37.820 Bringing it back full circle from where he started in verse 13. 00:22:37.820 --> 00:22:43.000 That you and I who believe in the name of the Son of God, we will have eternal life. 00:22:43.360 --> 00:22:48.860 And now he is saying, he is, Jesus is the true God and eternal life. 00:22:50.300 --> 00:22:53.600 You see, there's a whole lot of falsehood that you and I see in this life. 00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:57.260 And you and I have to be reminded of what is true. 00:22:58.680 --> 00:23:01.120 And John says, Jesus is true. 00:23:02.260 --> 00:23:06.900 If you have a relationship with God and are doing your part to maintain that relationship, 00:23:07.740 --> 00:23:13.020 then you are being given understanding of the things of God and the things of this life, which is truth. 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:17.700 If you know Jesus Christ, the Son of God, then you know truth. 00:23:18.820 --> 00:23:21.420 Jesus said of himself in John 14, 6. 00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:26.560 Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. 00:23:27.280 --> 00:23:29.880 No one comes to the Father except through me. 00:23:30.320 --> 00:23:31.800 I am the truth. 00:23:33.080 --> 00:23:35.500 I mean, we're in this world, we seek truth, don't we? 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:37.900 We want to know truth. 00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:40.360 We hear so many lies. 00:23:40.800 --> 00:23:45.400 We see so many decisions that are made in life we don't understand. 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:47.660 We just want truth. 00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:49.220 We want to seek truth. 00:23:50.660 --> 00:23:52.180 I know that sounds simple. 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:56.240 But very few want to live in that reality. 00:23:57.380 --> 00:24:02.520 There's been times when I've sat down with folks in a guidance and counseling situation, 00:24:03.160 --> 00:24:07.440 and I will simply say to them, you need to live in your reality. 00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:10.020 You need to face your reality. 00:24:10.580 --> 00:24:12.680 But that's not the answer that they want. 00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:18.020 They want another way of getting around the problem or the situation. 00:24:19.020 --> 00:24:21.820 But God says to you and I, we've got to face up to the reality. 00:24:22.120 --> 00:24:26.260 We've got to look at whatever it is we're going through in life and deal with that. 00:24:26.840 --> 00:24:28.680 Deal with that with the truth. 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:30.740 The truth of God's word. 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:34.300 We say we want to hear the truth in our life, 00:24:34.300 --> 00:24:38.980 but our actions, our words display the reality of whether or not we really mean it. 00:24:39.860 --> 00:24:44.140 But seek after God, and you will find the truth for your life. 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:48.740 There's things you're going on through in your relationship with your spouse 00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:52.560 or a relationship with a friend or a relationship with a child. 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:56.540 Whatever the situation is, seek the truth of God's word, 00:24:57.140 --> 00:25:00.740 and God will guide you through what that is that you're going through. 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:05.160 John wraps it up by saying this. 00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:06.660 Know what is false. 00:25:08.340 --> 00:25:10.800 It kind of looks like he's separated, but it's not. 00:25:11.620 --> 00:25:13.620 He's just told you and I what is true. 00:25:13.620 --> 00:25:18.280 And now he says in verse 21, little children, he's reminding them, listen, 00:25:19.320 --> 00:25:24.240 John has had an eternal effect on their relationship with the Lord, 00:25:24.520 --> 00:25:28.080 this relationship that John has with those he's written this letter to. 00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:33.280 And he says, little children, keep yourself from idols. 00:25:33.920 --> 00:25:39.800 That was something they were accustomed to following, something they were accustomed to looking at. 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:43.060 And John says, you've got to keep yourself from the idols. 00:25:44.420 --> 00:25:47.780 Now you and I, the day and time that we live today, 00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:51.720 we don't look at the same type of idols that they looked at when John was writing them. 00:25:52.520 --> 00:25:54.140 But the message is true today. 00:25:54.140 --> 00:25:56.620 You and I need to keep ourselves from idols. 00:25:57.300 --> 00:25:59.380 We have all kinds of idols in our lives. 00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:01.200 Sometimes we idol our spouse. 00:26:01.660 --> 00:26:02.940 God doesn't want us to do that. 00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:05.380 Sometimes we idol our occupation. 00:26:05.600 --> 00:26:06.940 God doesn't want us to do that. 00:26:07.800 --> 00:26:11.820 Sometimes we idol other things that are special or important in our life, 00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:13.800 and God doesn't want us to do that. 00:26:14.800 --> 00:26:18.920 Because any time we worship an idol, we are not worshiping God. 00:26:19.520 --> 00:26:24.440 Any time we are investing all our time and energy in something other than who God is 00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:28.500 and our relationship with Him, it has become an idol to us. 00:26:31.040 --> 00:26:34.620 God desires for us to worship Him and Him alone. 00:26:34.620 --> 00:26:37.520 Do you have any idols in your life? 00:26:39.080 --> 00:26:41.740 Something or someone that has all your attention? 00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:45.680 Something or someone that pushes God out of your life? 00:26:47.900 --> 00:26:52.960 John has written, 1 John, full of things that you and I are to know as believers. 00:26:54.280 --> 00:26:59.040 I would encourage you to even go back and through and read for all of 1 John again. 00:26:59.440 --> 00:27:00.740 Read it in one setting. 00:27:01.140 --> 00:27:03.340 See how it completely flows together. 00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:07.980 And allow God through His Holy Spirit to speak to you and point out to you 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:12.000 the things in your life that God wants you to know. 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:19.420 As I was thinking about how to wrap up this message, something kept coming back to me. 00:27:19.560 --> 00:27:22.300 It was the phrase, fix your eyes on Jesus. 00:27:23.760 --> 00:27:26.700 Anytime I begin to have struggles or sin in my life, 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:31.340 I recite that phrase back to myself, fix my eyes on Jesus. 00:27:32.540 --> 00:27:38.140 Because anytime I'm going through something in my life, this is what my focus is doing. 00:27:38.380 --> 00:27:40.760 You know, I'm looking at every direction. 00:27:40.760 --> 00:27:46.580 But when I quote that simple phrase in Scripture, fix my eyes on Jesus, 00:27:46.820 --> 00:27:50.120 my attention, my mind goes to Christ. 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:54.460 And everything else begins to become out of focus. 00:27:55.040 --> 00:28:00.140 That's what God desires for our lives as believers, to fix our eyes on Him. 00:28:01.140 --> 00:28:03.860 Hebrews 12, 1-3 says these words. 00:28:03.860 --> 00:28:08.540 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 00:28:09.280 --> 00:28:13.960 let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:18.580 And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 00:28:19.800 --> 00:28:20.460 Verse 2. 00:28:20.800 --> 00:28:26.720 Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. 00:28:27.560 --> 00:28:30.380 For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:34.840 scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:39.560 Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, 00:28:40.280 --> 00:28:43.160 so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 00:28:44.280 --> 00:28:46.820 John has given us a lot of no's to know. 00:28:47.900 --> 00:28:50.400 And God has given His word to you and I 00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:54.680 as guidance, direction, and counsel for us to follow. 00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:56.840 Let's pray together. 00:28:59.600 --> 00:29:04.800 Lord, thank you so much for your scriptures. 00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:09.580 For they're there for us, not just have enjoyable reading, 00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:16.080 but they're there for your word to be alive and active in our life. 00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:20.440 Cutting away the things that don't need to be in our lives, 00:29:21.380 --> 00:29:24.000 and presenting those things that need to be in our lives, 00:29:24.180 --> 00:29:26.680 making them and revealing them to us. 00:29:31.160 --> 00:29:34.400 Lord, help us to take what we've heard and apply it to our lives. 00:29:35.880 --> 00:29:38.300 May it not become just knowledge that we hear, 00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:40.740 but may it become instruction from you 00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:44.780 and how to navigate through this life. 00:29:47.020 --> 00:29:48.000 Lord, we love you. 00:29:48.060 --> 00:29:51.320 We thank you for the gift that you have given us in your word. 00:29:53.060 --> 00:29:55.060 That is your letter to each of us. 00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:58.120 We love you. 00:29:58.260 --> 00:29:59.460 We thank you for your guidance. 00:30:00.740 --> 00:30:02.320 We ask this prayer in your name. 00:30:02.780 --> 00:30:03.140 Amen. 00:30:04.600 --> 00:30:19.780 Thanks again for listening to the Willow Ridge Church weekly podcast. 00:30:20.340 --> 00:30:22.600 We hope that you enjoyed listening to this week's message. 00:30:23.080 --> 00:30:24.980 If you'd like to learn more about who we are 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:26.640 or explore additional resources, 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:31.640 visit us online at www.willowridgechurch.com 00:30:31.640 --> 00:30:35.200 or by searching for Willow Ridge Church on Facebook and Instagram.