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1 John – Real Substance
The Real Thing: Real Faith (1 John 5:1-5)
Message Outline
1 John 5:1-5
1 John 5:1
Real Faith Believes in Jesus as Christ
1 John 5:1
Real Faith Loves God
1 John 5:1
Real Faith Loves His Children
1 John 5:2-3
Real Faith Obey’s God’s Commands
1 John 5:4
Real Faith Overcomes the World
1 John 5:5
Everything begins and ends with faith in Jesus.
1 John 5:13
The tension we face: Satan, Self, and Sin Seek to Sabotage our Faith.
The solution: Cling to the Truth of God’s Promises in His Word.
Going Deeper Questions
Ice Breaker Question: Did you ever buy something online that turned out to be a fake?
Review 1 John 5:1-5
Do you think it’s possible to have a real faith if some of this evidence is missing? Explain.
Real Faith Believes in Jesus as Christ
Real Faith Loves God
Real Faith Loves His Children
Real Faith Obey’s God’s Commands
Real Faith Overcomes the World
When you consider these 5 as evidence, do you see a real and genuine faith in you? Explain.
1 John 5:3 John writes, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” Why do some people perceive God’s commands as burdensome, heavy or restrictive? How can a love for God change that perspective? (Hint: see 1 John 4:17-19)
1 John 5:4-5 What does it mean in general to overcome the world through your faith in Jesus? What does it mean in a practical sense to “overcome the world” in your daily life in the challenges and temptations you face?
Satan, Self, and Sin Seek to Sabotage our Faith.
How do you see each of these things affecting your faith?
Cling to the Truth of God’s Promises in His Word.
How regularly do you spend time with the Lord in His word?
Prayer: Pray for a deeper and more real faith, and noticeable growth in each of the 5 areas mentioned – especially the areas that are most challenging for you.
The Real Thing: Real Love (1 John 4:7-21)
1 John 4:7-21
1 John 3:1
God loves you. You are loved.
If we know God’s love we will show God’s love. (1 John 4:7, 11)
Real Love SURRENDERS (1 John 4:9)
Real Love SACRIFICES (1 John 3:16)
Real Love STRETCHES (Matthew 5:43-45)
Real Love SPEAKS. (1 John 4:14)
Real Love SERVES. (1 John 3:17)
Real Love STAYS (1 John 4:13)
We can live fearlessly in Jesus’ love. (1 John 4:18)
Question: Are there relationships where you’ve allowed fear to limit your love?
Challenge: What is one step you can take to move beyond fear and show them God’s love?
Going Deeper Questions
Ice Breaker Question: Have you ever been repelling? What do you think is (or would be) the scariest part of the experience?
God loves you. You are loved. When are the times you are most confident in God’s love for you? When do you struggle to really believe it?
If we know God’s love we will show God’s love. 1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
The following statement sums up some key aspects of real love:
Real Love SURRENDERS to God’s will, SACRIFICES for others’ sake, STRETCHES when things are difficult, SPEAKS the truth in a loving way, SERVES when others are in need, STAYS or remains faithful despite the challenges.
Which aspect is the easiest for to live out? Which one is the hardest?
We can live fearlessly in Jesus’ love.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
Are there relationships where you’ve allowed fear to limit your love Who are they? What happened? What fear is holding you back?
Prayer – Pray for a heart that fearlessly loves others, and for courage to take the next step in any relationship where fear has limited your love for someone.
What is one step you can take to move beyond fear and show them God’s love?
The Real Thing: Real Truth (1 John 3:23-4:6)
1 John 3:23-4:6
There are beliefs that deny the divinity of Jesus.
There are beliefs that deny the humanity of Jesus.
There are beliefs that deny the existence of Jesus.
There are beliefs that deny the exclusivity of Jesus.
There are beliefs that deny the authority of Jesus.
1 John 3:23-24
1 John 4:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Discern the spirit behind any teaching, knowing the Holy Spirit always speaks God’s Word and upholds the truth of Jesus.
Going Deeper Questions
Ice Breaker Question: What are the most common scams out there these days, and have you been fooled by any of them?
Review 1 John 3:23-4:6
John instructs us to “test the spirits” because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1). What are some modern examples of spiritual or cultural messages that might sound appealing but actually mislead people because they contradict the core truth about Jesus Christ mentioned in verses 2-3?
The central test for distinguishing between the “Spirit of truth and the spirit of error” is one’s confession about Jesus Christ being of God and having come in the flesh (1 John 4:2-3, 6).
Why is the doctrine of Jesus’ full humanity and full divinity so essential to the Christian faith? Which of the two aspects (Jesus’ humanity vs Jesus’ divinity) is harder to grasp or believe for you?
Whenever a teaching about Jesus denies his humanity, his divinity, his existence, his exclusivity or his authority, it’s false teaching. It isn’t REAL TRUTH.
Which of these five do you think cause people the most confusion about Jesus?
Are there people you encounter in life that have belief systems which fall into one or more of these categories? Explain.
Key Idea: Discern the spirit behind any teaching, knowing the Holy Spirit always speaks God’s Word and upholds the truth of Jesus.
What are the most common conflicts with the REAL TRUTH of Jesus and God’s Word that you encounter regularly?
1 John 4:4 says “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
How does this promise of the Holy Spirit’s power help us live with confidence and overcome deception or fear in a world full of conflicting messages about Jesus?
How does acknowledging this truth shape your daily life and interactions?
Prayer – Pray for greater discernment of the truth in your life, and for the ability to help others navigate confusion and error about Jesus.
The Real Thing: Real Assurance (1 John 3:10-23)
The Real Thing: Real Righteousness (1 John 2:29-3:10
The Real Thing: Real Endurance (1 John 2:18-28)
ABIDING and ENDURING they often go hand in hand, because there will always be challenges to our faith.
Main Text: 1 John 2:18-28
1 John 2:18
Matthew 24:4-5
1 John 2:19
Psalm 55:4-5, 12-14
1 John 2:19
1 John 2:20-27
ABIDE
Intimacy
Beliefs
Decisions
Actions
Endurance
1 John 2:28
1 John 2:24-25
Going Deeper Questions
Ice Breaker Question: have you ever been betrayed or ignored by someone close to you? Share about what happened and how it felt.
Review 1 John 2:18-23
John writes about the many antichrists present in his day. What are some characteristics of those who deny Jesus is the Christ?
How can believers discern truth from deception in a world full of competing teachings about Jesus?
What does it mean when John says they “went out from us?” Does it indicate they were never truly believers, or can true believers fall away?
Do you know people personally who have “gone out from us” and fallen away from following Jesus?
How is this drastically different from “abiding” or “enduring” in Christ and His Word?
Review 1 John 2:24-28
We heard the acronym for the word ABIDE. How does each of these areas look in your life? How are you doing with staying or remaining in each area?
Intimacy (keep connect with Jesus)
Beliefs (keep clinging to the truth)
Decisions (keep making godly choices)
Actions (keep walking in the light)
Endurance (keep following Him)
How could other help you ABIDE or ENDURE in your journey in practical ways?
How can others be praying for you in these struggles?
Prayer: If you are meeting with others, pray for one another, especially in areas of struggle.
Pray that you would be able to ABIDE or ENDURE in your faith.
Pray for those who you know that have wandered off or fallen away, that they would find their way back to Jesus.
The Real Thing: Real Victory (1 John 2:12-17)
Message Outline
1 John 2:12-14 (reference)
Children: You have real victory because your sins have been forgiven, and you know the Father.
Young Men: You have real victory because you are strong in Christ through the Spirit of God in you.
Fathers: You have real victory through Jesus, your first love.
1 John 2:15-17
1 John 2:16
Our battle against sin is rooted in desire and pride.
James 1:13-15
We must end our love affair with worldly, sinful things and set our affection on Jesus.
Colossians 3:1-2
Victory is found only in Christ, and only by faith.
John 16:33, Romans 8:37, Philippians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 15:57, 2 Corinthians 2:14.
1 John 5:4
Going Deeper Questions
Ice Breaker Question: have you ever been on a team that had an obvious advantage by having the best player on it? Describe that time.
1 John 2:12-14 12I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. 13I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. 14 I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
What blessings or spiritual truths does John associate with each of these groups:
Children
Young Men
Fathers
How do John’s words encourage YOU as you strive to find real victory in Jesus?
1 John 2:15-17 15Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
What are the types of sinful/worldly things fall into each category?
Desire of the flesh (anything that brings comfort or pleasure):
Desire of the eyes (anything that makes us covet what we see):
Pride of life (whatever makes us look down on others):
From the message: We must end our love affair with worldly, sinful things and set our affection on Jesus. Is there a specific area (or a specific thing) that is a very difficult struggle for you?
Passages to consider: John 16:33, Romans 8:37, Philippians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 15:57, 2 Corinthians 2:14. Victory is found only in Christ, and only by faith. What do you think it means to rely on Christ for victory, rather than fighting in your own strength and power? How easy/difficult is that for you to do?
Prayer: Pray for victory in areas of life where you find yourself struggling with your desires and pride.
The Real Thing: Real Knowledge 1 John 2:3-11
Message Outline
1 John 2:1-11
1 John 2:3
Ginosko means to know from first-hand experience.
Real knowledge of Jesus is demonstrated when we keep His commands.
John 14:15, 21, 23, 24; John 15:10
1 John 3:11
John 15:12
The command that shows we really know Jesus is this: Love one another.
All sin is a violation of love
The evidence someone knows Jesus is NOT perfection; it’s progress.
QUESTION: Are you moving in the right direction in terms of your obedience and love?
CHALLENGE: Don’t just ALLOW Jesus to work on you however you see fit. ASK Him to work on you however He wants!
Going Deeper Questions
Ice Breaker Question: who is the most famous person you have ever met/seen in person? Who is the most famous person you actually know in a personal way?
1 John 2:3 talks about really knowing God versus knowing about God.
How would you distinguish between simply knowing facts about God and truly knowing God in a life-changing personal way? What are some modern-day examples of people who claim to know God but whose lives are characterized by disobedience?
John links knowing God with obeying His commands. How can we guard against separating knowledge of God from obedience to Him?
1 John 2:5 talks about love being perfected in us. What do you think it means for the love of God to be “perfected” or “made complete” in you through your obedience? What are the implications if our love for God is not expressed in a changed life?
1 John 2:7-8 John describes the commandment to love one another as both “old” and “new.” In what ways is this command old, and in what ways is it new? How does Jesus’s life and death give this ancient command a new meaning for Christians?
1 John 2:9-11 John uses the metaphors of light and darkness to contrast love versus hatred Who are the people easy for you to love? Who are the most difficult? How do our relationships with others act as a clear sign of our spiritual state?
John says the one who hates his brother “does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” In a practical sense, how can a lack of love lead to spiritual “stumbling” or “blindness” in a person’s life?
The evidence someone knows Jesus is NOT perfection; it’s progress.
Are you moving in the right direction in terms of your obedience and love?
Prayer: Pray for greater love and less hatred or animosity in your life. Pray you can move beyond selectively “allowing” God to work in you, instead “asking” Him to work in you!