Children of Light and Love

1 John was written to encourage faithful, struggling believers that they were holding on to the truth and to help them persevere while others had been taken in by false teaching. He writes to motivate followers of Jesus to hold on the truth and live out the truth as God’s beloved children. 

John’s epistles read less like other NT letters and feel more like musical compositions: John introduces themes, develops them, shifts to another idea, then returns to an earlier theme with some variation, and repeats that pattern. We will end up covering 1 John not by going through line-by-line, but by major ideas/themes that are spread throughout.  

Sermons in this series

Overcome the World
May 21, 2023Pastor:Jeff Schultz

Sermon Notes

The Bible pictures us living in a sinful world that tempts us and battles against the Father’s work and will and life. John encourages us that as God’s children we really can have victory in that fight. Join us this Sunday as we look at what it means to “Overcome the World” from 1 John 2:12-17 & 5:4-5.

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Maintain Your Confession
May 14, 2023Pastor:Nathan Kingsley

Sermon Notes

“Hold on!” John says to encourage the churches in their faith in Jesus in the midst of an uncertain world. “But how?” Let the truth that Jesus is the true Messiah abide in you. And remember the promise of life with our Father. The joy of eternal life outweighs any uncertainties we face in this life. This sermon “Maintain Your Confession” is from 1 John 2:18-25.

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Walk in the Light
May 7, 2023Pastor:Joey Woestman

Sermon Notes

Light and darkness, sin and righteousness, truth and lies–John uses all of these great contrasts to exhort us to “Walk in the Light”. His argument is clear: God is light, so his followers should reflect that light. if instead we reflect darkness, are we truly his followers? In this sermon we tackle this question and more as we explore 1st John 1:5-10!

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Live in God's Love
April 30, 2023Pastor:Joey Woestman

Sermon Notes

“Love”–it’s a great word, a wonderful idea, a heavy burden, and a huge responsibility. If God has loved us, John writes, then we ought to love each other. But how exactly has God loved us? And how do we love others like how God loved us? We’ll explore all that and more in “Live in God’s Love” from 1 John 4:7-11!

 

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Share in God's Life
April 23, 2023Pastor:Jeff Schultz

Sermon Notes

More than any other letter, 1 John talks about believers as “children of God,” often with affection and care. If we’ve come to know and share in Jesus’ resurrection life, what difference does it make in us? How do we live as children of God? Join us this Sunday as we explore what it means to “Share in God’s Life” from 1 John 1:1-4.

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