June 02, 2019 AM
Dr. Michael Catt - 1898
#4 in series
Check Your Heart - The World is Watching Us
1 John 3:1-10
OVERVIEW
No letter in the New Testament demands a close examination of our hearts like 1 John. This beloved disciple of Jesus focuses on the essentials of the faith and how we can know that we have eternal life. All the evidences of salvation are present tense. This is not about a “hope so” salvation or a decision you made in the past that you can't recall – this is a look in the mirror to check your heart. In the last message, we examined the lies of false teachers and how we can “test the spirits” and be discerning in this age. The Word of truth breaks the chains of slavery and deception. When we are controlled by the Spiirt, our minds will know and understand truth, our hearts will love, and our wills will obey.
For further study, this series is available online at sherwoodbaptist.net/messages.
I. NEW POSITION
“An unbeliever who sins is a creature sinning against his Creator. A Christian who sins is a child sinning against his Father. The unbeliever sins against law; the believer sins against love.” – Warren Wiersbe
There is no mistaken identity in determining who the children of God are. They are twice born. They make right living a habit.
God has reserved some surprises for glory:
Several implications:
II. NEW PRACTICES
What is sin? The Bible gives us clear teachings:
- Whatever is not of faith is sin. (Romans 14:23)
- Foolishness is sin. (Proverbs 24)
- Knowing the right thing to do and not doing it is sin. (James 4:17)
- All unrighteousness is sin. (1 John 5:17)
“We know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.” – 1 John 2:3
“...we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” – 1 John 3:22
“...we love God and keep His commandments.” – 1 John 5:2
III. NEW POWER
The Bible teaches us there is a devil, known by many names:
- Satan
- Adversary
- Enemy
- Devil
- Accuser
- Prince of this world
His #1 goal is to oppose Christ and His children. John gives us a contrast between Christ who has no sin (1 John 3:5) and the devil who can do nothing but sin.
- James says I need to look in the spiritual mirror daily and examine myself and see if there is anything I need to work on, pray about, confess.
- Paul says we are to “make no provision for the flesh, in regard to its lusts” (Romans 13:14).
- John says I am to confess my sins and seek God’s forgiveness (1:9).