Believing in the Son of God

Sermon Summary

This week’s sermon at Embassy Church expounds on 1 John 5:4–15. Pastor Phill explains that while Jesus has defeated the devil, dominated death, and destroyed doubt, those who believe in Jesus will also battle, bleed, and boldly pray like Jesus.

This message underscores the importance of trusting God's Word, even when faced with discomfort, and emphasizes the need for believers to boldly pray in accordance with God's will.

In sum, this week’s sermon encourages us to embrace the challenges of discipleship, knowing that our ultimate victory is assured through Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

Sermon Outline

• 1 John 5:4–5 — Jesus defeated the devil, but those who believe in Jesus will battle like Jesus did.

• 1 John 5:6–13 — Jesus dominated death, but those who believe in Jesus will bleed like Jesus did.

• 1 John 5:14-15 — Jesus destroyed doubt, but those who believe in Jesus will boldly pray like Jesus did.

Sermon Text: 1 John 5:4 - 15

4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world.

And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. 9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.

11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

Discussion Questions

1. What prevents people from taking up their cross and following Christ, and what all does it entail for us to do so?

2. How do those born of God overcome the world, and how does 1 John 2:13-17 shed light on this overcoming in verse 4?

3. In what ways does Jesus' victory over the devil impact our daily lives, and how does our faith assist us in overcoming evil?

4. What challenges have you observed in following Jesus, and how can we overcome these difficulties?

5. How does Jesus' victory over the devil in Matthew 4 illustrate the path for us to follow from adversity to triumph?

6. How does 1 John 5:9-13 enhance our understanding of 1 John 5:6-8 regarding trusting in Jesus for eternal life?

7. How do Deuteronomy 19:15-21 and John 5:30-47 contribute to our understanding of 1 John 5:6-8?

8. How does the symbolism of Jesus' side being pierced with water and blood relate to the formation of the bride of Christ?

9. Why is it important to bear witness to Jesus Christ, and how does His death and resurrection instill confidence in His followers?