Block Diagram and Outline of 1 John 4:7-11

Because we are begotten of God and Beloved of God

 

Block Diagram and Outline of 1 John 4:12-21

1 JOHN 4:12-21 “PERFECT LOVE”

Block Diagram and Outline of 1 John 5:1-5

“We are Overcomers” – 1 John 5:1-5

"A Child of God can keep the Commandments of God because he is a Conqueror of God."

Block Diagram and Outline of 1 John 5:6-13

 “Life is in His Son”

Believe in the Son for the Eternal Life

Block Diagram and Outline of 1 John 5:14-21

“Christian Confidence – What are we sure of” 

Christians can be certain of their prayers answered, sins pardoned, power over sin, deliverance from the power of Satan, and eternal life in the person of Christ, because they are born of God from the day they have heard and received the gospel. 

Block Diagram and Outline: 1 John 1:1-4

"Knowing Jesus – the Joy of Fellowship"

One must understand the nature of Christ and the nature of this fellowship to have this joy.

 

Block Diagram and Outline: 1 John 1:5-2:2

“The Life in the Light”

God cleanses us from sin to have fellowship with Him
1. Pursue Sanctification (Holiness), 2. Confess Sins, 3. Trust Jesus's Work

 

Block Diagram and Outline: 1 John 2:3-11

“The Assurance in Obedience”

Three Enemies (Challenges) of Obedience: 1. Mere Profession over Serious Reflection, 2. Complacency over Consistency, 3. Unlovely Fellow Christians

 

Gospel Relationship in Ministry

"So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us."

– 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Exposition:

        Relationship is an important word in the ministry of the gospel, vertically (with God) and horizontally (with one another). I fear that many have been more careful to please man than to please God. We must remember that the relationship with God is the first commandment, and the relationship with one another is the second commandment. Actually, if one has a healthy relationship with God, it will reflect on one's relationship with one another. We must never put the cart before the horse. The ministry of Paul described in 1Thessalonians is a fitting model for us.

        Paul didn't manipulate people to like his ministry nor did he develop a skin-deep relationship for his gain. He laboured for the approval of God. He recognised the centrality of the gospel and prioritised to preach it, no matter how offensive it was. He would preach nothing else but the gospel. However, Paul did so as a mother to her child, gently and affectionately. He preached because he cared for them, unlike the prophet Jonah who wanted his hearers to perish. Not only did he preach the gospel, but he demonstrated for them how to live a gospel-filled life. He sacrificed his rights, preferences, and comforts for his listener’s growth.

        In this verse, we see the priority of the gospel as well as the importance of gentle shepherding. Paul cared for them, neither to be liked by them in return, nor to be well spoken by them or others, he never lived to please man. He cared for them that they may live a life that glorifies God. He exhorted, comforted, and charged them as a father (not only as a gentle mother). Gospel ministry without an authentic relationship and a ministry without accurate teaching are fragile as houses upon the sand.

Personal Reflection:

• As much as I’ve made an effort for my hearers to understand the teachings of Scripture, have I made the same effort to show them in my life!? 

Personal Commitment:

• To implement not only servant leadership, but also parental shepherding in a pastoral ministry.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for the exemplary ministry of Paul. Help me to love your people as family members, Amen!

Block Diagram and Outline: 1 John 2:12-14

“Believer’s Relation to the World”

I. Do not let your heart be troubled
Because 1. Your sins are forgiven, 2. You have a relationship with God, 3. You have overcome the wicked one.

 

Block Diagram and Outline of 1John 2:15-17

“Believer’s Relation to the World”

II. Do not love the world
Because 1. It doesn't love God, 2. It doesn't come from God, 3. It doesn't last forever.

 

Block Diagram and Outline of 1 John 2:18-27

Antichrists and Christians: The Abiding of a Christian

Three distinguish characteristics between Christians (3A: Affirm, Abide, Aided) and Antichrists (3D: Depart, Deny, Deceive)

Block Diagram and Outline of 1 John 2:28-3:3

“The Hope of God’s Children: We shall be like Him”

Live a life of holiness anticipating the return of Christ
5 Characteristics of Anticipation

Block Diagram and Outline of 1 John 3:4-10

"The Sinlessness of God's Children"

Look at Christ to overcome sins
God’s children should not sin and cannot sin because they are in Him and He is in them. Rather they should be righteous just as He is and Jesus is.

Block Diagram and Outline: 1 John 3:11-18

 "True Christians Love One Another Truly"

Two Truths that will help you love one another: 1. By knowing who your Father is - God, not Serpent, 2. By knowing who your Captain is - Christ, not Cain

Hopeful Living in a Worsening World

 “And with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” – 2Thessalonians2:10-12

        Sometimes we feel that the world is getting better, other times we feel it is getting worse, which is truer between these two perceptions? God created a good world, but then, upon the entrance of sin, God cursed the world, and one day the world will be annihilated. Sin (depravity) is getting worse day by day. And the Scriptures prophesy that Satan will grow to be very powerful just before the end. Oh! Then, what hope do we have for the present and the future? This passage reveals how we can live in hope and be rich in good works even when the present world looks defeating (you may read v9-17 for the context).

        First, Satan has power only over the non-believers. He can only deceive the perishing ones. Sure, his schemes can trouble us physically and even emotionally; but our faith, our hope, and our salvation have been established by Jesus. Nobody can snatch us, nor separate us from the love of Christ. We will not be shaken.

        Second, the destruction of the wicked along with Satan is sure. Those claiming to be wise, ridiculing us to be fools, are actually the real fools, being deceived by Satan. And their deception will increase because God allowed them for their destruction. We will be vindicated by God’s righteous condemnation of the wicked.

        Third, the very persistent nature of Satan should challenge us to be not complacent in good works or in rescuing the perishing. Satan never slumbers, is never discouraged, and is never satisfied. He hunts for his prey prowling the earth to and fro. Satan and the anti-Christ come to deceive the non-believers that they may be condemned eternally. Jesus comes to save the believers that they may live before God forever.

        Is it not comforting to realize these truths that God is preserving us in all situations? Has not our Lord himself promised that His church will prevail no matter what? Let us then live not as the world without hope, but rejoice for the gift of faith and His salvation, and anticipate His return!

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Block Diagram and Outline of 1John 3:19-24

"Confidence before God"

Three Truths about God that will guarantee Confidence before God: 1. God Affirms Our Obedience – Keep Loving, 2.  God Answers Our Prayers – Keep Praying, 3. God Abides in Us – Keep Living by the Spirit.

Block Diagram and Outline: 1 John 4:1-6

"Discerning False Prophets"

Discernment fosters Assurance. 3 Layers of commitment to foster discernment: 1. Be Cautious of Teachers (Fair-minded, not open-minded), 2. Be Clinging to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, 3. Be Coming to Church (Keep listening to sound teaching) 

 

Not to be Popular

 “Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.”

– John 6:15

John 6 is about bread offered by Jesus Christ. When He offered the physical bread, many wanted him to be a king; He refused and walked away. Then He offered the spiritual bread, which is Himself; they refused and walked away. In verse 15, they wanted Jesus to be king after seeing His miracle of feeding about five thousand people. In fact, the narrative says that they'd force Him to be a king. Jesus wasn’t interested and ran away.

The true King of the Universe refused to be a king! And how many of us want to be a king, president, CEO, officers, and any position of leadership? Or to ask more accurately, “How many of us want to be popular?” Well, position and popularity in themselves are neither bad nor to be rejected bluntly. It just means that the mission (job, work) is more important than any position, popularity, or reputation. A position is given to fulfill a specific role. Popularity comes from being good at what one does.

Jesus was focused on His mission. He came into the world to die like a criminal, not to be crowned as king. We are criminals before God, we have violated all His laws. Jesus died for us, that we the real criminals may live as princes and princesses in the kingdom to come. In fact, at His crucifixion, He was crowned king again, but not in admiration, but in mockery – a crown of thorn. Jesus is the true King and the only King. He reigns in the heart of Christians now. He sustains and rules the universe invisibly. He will come back to earth again, and the whole world will confess (and rightly so) that He is King; because on that day, He comes not to die for sinners, but to judge sinners (unbelievers).

Sometimes, we are tempted to wish God to raise up famous pastors who are popular as Justin Bieber or Cristiano Ronaldo. And we would like to volunteer if a call is made. We thought that if they were popular as them, wouldn’t they be influencing much for the cause of the Kingdom? Actually, God doesn’t call pastors to be popular. If it were so, I’m sure, pastors would be the most popular people in the world. As a pastor, I am glad that the sorts of Bieber and Ronaldo are very popular to remind pastors that our calling is not to be popular, and we will never be popular as them. 

Our calling as a pastor is not to build a name or a kingdom for ourselves. Let Alexander do that. Let Justin Bieber be the crush of everyone. Let Ronaldo have his CR7 brands. And let Obama have million Twitter followers. Our job and mission is similar to our Lord Jesus Christ – to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God, which is offensive to the world in that we can become so unpopular to the point of persecution. Having said that, I admit, "It's difficult!" Therefore, in God, seeking, both for mercy and obedience! Amen!

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Are you truly Saved?

"Your election by God. For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance."

– 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

Exposition:

        Are you truly saved? If we believe the gospel, we are saved. Most of us with Christian parents growing up in a Christian community know what John 3:16 is, which is a very clear gospel message. We can recite it by heart and even profess to believe it, but are we saved? If you ask around, the answer will be mostly "No" or "I don't know." In this verse, we see Paul explaining how Thessalonians are truly saved.

        Salvation is the work of God. The preacher only proclaims the gospel, but the faith in the gospel (the kind of faith that saves us) is wrought unto us only by the Holy Spirit. Gospel is necessary for us to be saved, but we need more than the gospel, we need the work of the Spirit. That's why though many know and believe John 3:16 they are not saved. If salvation comes merely by hearing the gospel, almost everyone would have been saved by now because almost everyone has heard the gospel. That's why we see in the gospel narratives that most of the hearers even of our Lord Jesus Christ were not saved. Oh! How we depend on the Holy Spirit for the gospel to bring salvation.

        When you hear a sermon and when you read the Bible, are you convicted of your sins? Do you tremble before God and ask for forgiveness? Do you see your need for an advocate, Jesus, to save you? Do you cling to Him? Do you find deliverance in Him? Those are the works of the Holy Spirit. Then, you can say the gospel comes not only in word, but also in power. Paul thanked God because he had seen this true work of God in Thessalonians.

Personal Reflection:

• When was the last time I trembled while reading the word of God?
• As a preacher, do my sermons tickle people's ear or make them uncomfortable with their sinful disposition?

Personal Commitment:

• To beg for the work of the Holy Spirit in the reading and teaching of God's word.

Prayer:

O God, for the work of Your Spirit I pray, even as I read this devotional writing. Make me fear You and empower me by Your Spirit to live a resolved holy life, Amen!