In Christ Alone- A Pastoral Study on 1 John 5:20-21

In& Through Christ Alone: 1 John 5:20-21

- Salvation only through Christ

1. God sent His Son

    a. Jesus took on flesh (Phil. 2:7-8; Jn. 1:14)

    b. Jesus lived a sinless life of perfect obedience to God the Father& the law (Heb.4:15; 1Pet.1:19-

        22) 

2. Jesus died on the cross

    a. He died a substitutionary, penal, vicarious, propitious, atoning death (Rom. 3:25; Gal. 3:13)

    b. He who knew no sin became sin (2 Cor. 5:21)

        1. The sins of the elect were laid upon Him (Is. 53:4-6; 1 Pet. 2:24; Heb. 9:28)

        2. He bore the wrath of the Father (Matt. 27:46; Heb. 2:17; Is. 53:10)

        3. Jesus was buried (1 Cor. 15:4; Matt. 27:57-60; Is. 53:9)

        4. Jesus was resurrected (Rom. 1:4; 4:25; 10:9; 1 Cor. 15:4; Acts 2:24; 13:30)

            a. He paid the price for sin (Col. 1:14; 1 Cor. 7:23)

            b. He defeated sin, death, and Satan (Col. 2:15)

            c. He rose from the dead, lives today, and intercedes on the behalf of His children (Rom. 8:34;

                Heb. 7:25)

       5. This was all according to the scriptures

            a. It was planned, orchestrated, and ordained by God for His glory (Acts 2:23)

            b. Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament (Lk. 24:13-27)

       

1 John 5:20-21

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols (ESV).

- One of the reasons Christ came was to give understanding

- Those who understand know him

- He is true; there are many that are false; many counterfeits

- Those who understand, who know him, are in him

- Jesus Christ is God

- Jesus Christ is eternal life

- Beware of imitations

- GUARD YOURSELF

 

Application

Is your gospel presentation Christ-centered or is the focus on something else?

Does Christ permeate every aspect of your life? Ministry? Sermons?

Do you point people to Christ or your ministry, programs, church, etc.?

Why are counterfeits and idols easier than the true God?

How do you know if you are following an idol?

   a. you lack understanding

   b. the focus is something other than Christ

   c. your relationship is dead/stagnate; there is no growth or real fruit

   d. you have no joy! No answered prayer

   e. the Spirit does not testify with your spirit/there is no communion or fellowship

   f. your “Christ” looks more like the world than the word

   g. your “Christ” needs your help; needs your strength and ability; needs to feel loved

   h. Christ, the true God, is not treasured above everything!

       1. are you willing to die for him?

       2. are you willing to lose all for him?

   i. your “Christ” is accepted by the lost world
 

   j. your “Christ” approves of your apathy, pride, and other sin

   k. you do not suffer or experience persecution for your “Christ”

With all that has been said, we are ALL IDOLATERS!

   a. we are imperfect sinners who cannot follow Christ perfectly and therefore follow after idols (at
       times)

   b. we all need to repent and beg Christ for forgiveness!

   c. we all need to to strive to know Christ better; to follow only him

   d. we need to pray for grace, mercy, Christ-likeness, and guidance

   e. we need to be in the word, studying our Christ

There absolutely cannot be idols in your heart! Repent! Pray for grace! Then repent again! Then pray for grace and repent more!