First Irving Sermons

Main Idea. Believers can know with certainty that they have eternal life and belong to God.

Driving Question. If we believe in the Son of God, what can we know for certain?

1. We know we have eternal life (13)

2. We know God hears us (14–17)

Application.

Intercede for those caught in sin.

Trust that God restores His people.

3. We know God keeps us (18–21)

Takeaways from 1 John.

Keep trusting Christ.

Keep pursuing holiness.

Keep confessing sin.

Keep loving one another.

Keep away from idols.

God keeps you; remember that.

Main Point: The testimony of Jesus produces new life in us by faith.

Driving Question: “What role does faith have in bringing about this life?”

The result of faith (v.1-3)

The object of faith (v.4-10)

The Reward of Faith (v.11-12)

Takeaways:

If you are born of God, give praise and thanks to God (Father, Son, and Spirit) for His merciful grace to you.

If you are born of God, let’s commit to love one another - and we look to be earnest and sincere in it.

If you are born of God, remember “This is the testimony that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.”

Main Idea. God’s love in Christ removes our fear of judgment and frees us to love one another.

Driving Question. Why don’t Christians need to be afraid anymore?

1. Because God has loved us in Christ (15–16)

2. Because Christ gives us confidence for the judgment (17–18)

3. Because Christ’s assurance frees us to love one another (19–21)

Takeaways.

1. Examine whether you are fearful or free in Christ.

Main Idea. The unseen God reveals His love in Christ and through His people.

Driving Question. Why ought we to love one another?

Three reasons why we should:

1.Because God is love (vv. 7–8)

2. Because God revealed His love by sending His Son (vv. 9–10)

Two aspects of God’s love in Christ:

A. God manifested His love by sending His Son (9).

B. God defined His love by giving His Son as a propitiation (10).

Application.

Recognize God’s [type] of love.

Receive God’s love for you in Christ.

3. Because God’s love now abides in us and is perfected through us (vv. 11–12)

Takeaways.

The Triune God (Father, Son, and Spirit) is the source of Christian love.

Main Idea. The Spirit of God is known by the true confession of Jesus Christ.

Driving Question. How do we know whether God’s Spirit abides in us?

1. By Our True Confession of Jesus Christ (2–3)

And this confession holds together two inseparable truths:

A. Who Jesus Is

B. Why Jesus Came

Two Fruits of Assurance from the Test:

A. Assurance of Victory (4).

B. Assurance of Discernment (5–6).

Takeaways.

The Measure: All teaching must be measured by the biblical Christ.

The Mark: True Christology is a mark of the Spirit’s work.

Main Idea. God is greater than our condemning hearts, therefore we can have assurance before Him.

Driving Question. How can we have assurance before God when our own hearts condemn us?

1. Rest in the truth that God is greater than our hearts (20–22)

Application.

When your heart condemns you, feed on Christ.

What is the result of resting in God’s greater heart? We have confidence before him (vv.21–22).

1. Confidence to Pray (21).

2. Confidence to Practice Righteousness (22).

2. Rely on the Spirit who confirms our abiding (23–24)

The Spirit assures us in two ways.

He produces faith in Christ and love for the brothers. (1 Cor. 12:3; Gal. 5:5)

He provides inward testimony. (Rom. 8:15–16; Gal. 4:6)

Takeaways.

If you want assurance, don’t search your heart, search God’s heart.

Main Idea. Those in Christ are marked by love for their brothers, not by Cain’s hatred.

Driving Question. What is the mark of those alive in Christ?

1. Hatred is the mark of Cain’s people (vv. 11–15)

Matthew 5: 21 You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

2. Love is the mark of Christ’s people (vv. 16–18)

Application.

Because Christ has loved us sacrificially, we are called to love one another in truth and action.

Takeaways.

Recognize Cain in Your Heart.

Relinquish Yourself to Christ’s work.

Ready Yourself for the World’s Hatred.

Restore Health in the Church.

Main Idea: God has designed for His people to tell the next generation about Himself, so that

the next generation might set their hope in Him.

Driving Question: How can God’s people commit to telling the next generation?

1) Commit to knowing God’s Word. (v.1-3)

Applications:

a. Read and study God’s Word individually.

b. Read and study God’s Word as a family.

c. Read and study God’s Word as a local church.

2) Commit to discipling with God’s Word (v.4-5)

Applications:

a. Family worship.

b. The older disciple the younger.

3) Commit to sharing the mighty deeds of God (v.4-8).

3 Takeaways:

a. Consider Christ.

b. Consider your commitments.

c. Consider this corporately.

Main Idea. God’s promised King enters the world clothed in humility.

Question. Why does God choose humility as the pathway for His King, rather than splendor?

1. Because his promises are rooted in humble means (1–5)

Two Humble Means

1. Bethlehem.

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days… He shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord… and he shall be their peace.” (Micah 5:2–5)

2. The Davidic Line.

“When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you… and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” (2 Sam. 7:12–13)

2. Because he is humble (6–7)

Responses.

1. Rest in the Humble Heart of Your Savior.

2. Imitate His Humility in Everyday Life.

3. Trust God to Exalt You in His Time.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” (1 Pet 5:6).

Main Idea:

Those who dwell in deep darkness have hope in the glorious light of their Savior.

______________

1. The deep darkness of sin and judgement (v. 2)

2. The glorious light of the Son (vv. 2, 6-7)

The light will be:

1. A human being (v. 6a)

2. The righteous, eternal king (6b, 7)

3. The Wonderful Counselor (6b)

4. The Mighty God (6b)

5. An Everlasting Father (6b)

6. The Prince of Peace (6b)

Response:

To the unbeliever:

Come into the goodness of Jesus’ light!

To the Christian:

Give thought…to the deep darkness that once overwhelmed you.

Give thanks… for the abounding grace that saved you.

Give praise… for the greatness and grace in Jesus.

Get ready… our King of Light is coming again.