“Do I Believe God’s Testimony?”

1 John 5:6-12

September 9, 2007

Carl Palmer

Pastor-Teacher

The testimony of God (6-9)

⁶ This is the one who came by 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.

⁷ For there are three that testify: ⁸ the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.

⁹ We accept man’s testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.

The God of heaven Himself has given

a multifaceted and sufficient

testimony to His Son.

His divine testimony must be humbly received.

The response to God’s testimony (10)

¹⁰ Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son.

God has given objective, historical testimony

– testified to by reliable witnesses

and

God gives a subjective, inward testimony

– by the personal work of His Spirit in our hearts.

The purpose and results of God’s testimony (11)

¹¹ And this is the testimony: 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.

It is impossible to have life – without having the Son

and

it is impossible to have the Son – without having life.

The way to life is Christ…

the way to Christ is faith…

and the way to faith is testimony.

Going deeper with the Word…

1. Why does John begin his letter the way he does? (1 John 1:1-3) Why is it important for us to know that faith focuses on the truth of historical events?

2. Why do we sometimes find it easier to believe people – than to believe God?

3. Do you believe God’s testimony about His Son? And do you believe God has given you the Son – and life?