Living the Legacy Life

How to Grow as a Christian | 1 John 2:12–14

You've given your life to Jesus—but are you actually growing in your faith? How do you know if you're becoming a spiritually mature Christian, or if you've stopped growing altogether?

In 1 John 2:12–14, the apostle John addresses believers at different stages of their spiritual journey: children, young men, and fathers. Through these powerful verses, John reminds us that the Christian life isn't just about being saved—it's about growing in our relationship with Jesus Christ.

But what does spiritual growth actually look like? How do you move beyond simply attending church or knowing about God to developing a strong, mature, and lasting faith?

In this episode, "How to Grow as a Christian," we explore the biblical foundations of Christian discipleship, spiritual maturity, and growing closer to God. John's words remind us that our identity in Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, the strength we receive through God's Word, and our growing knowledge of the Father are essential to a thriving Christian life.

In this episode, we explore:

• How do you grow spiritually as a Christian?

• What are the different stages of Christian maturity?

• What does it mean to be spiritually strong?

• How does God's Word help us overcome temptation and the evil one?

• Why is knowing God personally essential to spiritual growth?

• How can you recognize whether your faith is growing or becoming stagnant?

Whether you're a new Christian learning how to follow Jesus, a longtime believer seeking deeper spiritual maturity, or someone who feels spiritually stuck, this Bible study from 1 John 2:12–14 will encourage you to take your next step in your relationship with Christ.

God didn't save you so you could stay where you are. He calls you to keep growing in your faith, becoming stronger in His Word, and knowing Him more deeply.

Join us as we continue our study through the book of 1 John in our series That You May Know, discovering how to grow in faith, stand firm against temptation, and live with confidence in Jesus Christ.

Are you growing in your faith, or have you stopped growing spiritually? What does it really mean to mature as a Christian, and how can you become stronger in your relationship with Jesus Christ?

In 1 John 2:12–14, the Apostle John addresses God's children, fathers, and young men, highlighting the importance of spiritual identity, spiritual maturity, and growing in our knowledge of God.

In this message, “Growing Up in God's Family,” from our series That We May Know, we explore what it means to belong to God's family and how believers can continue growing in their relationship with Jesus.

Just as physical growth is a natural part of life, spiritual growth should be an ongoing part of every Christian's journey. Whether you're a new believer or have followed Jesus for decades, God calls us to grow deeper in our understanding of His Word, stronger in our faith, and more confident in His promises.

In this Bible-based message, we'll explore:

• What 1 John 2:12–14 teaches about spiritual growth and Christian maturity

• What John means when he addresses children, young men, and fathers

• Why understanding forgiveness through Jesus Christ is foundational to our faith

• How knowing God personally shapes our spiritual development

• What it means to be spiritually strong through God's Word

• How Christians can overcome temptation and stand firm against the evil one

• Why spiritual maturity involves more than church attendance or Bible knowledge

• How believers at every stage of life can continue growing in Christ

Here's the challenge: Growing older doesn't automatically mean growing spiritually.

John reminds believers that their sins are forgiven through Jesus Christ, that they can know the Father, and that God's Word gives them strength to overcome the evil one.

Spiritual maturity isn't measured simply by how long you've been a Christian. It's reflected in a deepening relationship with God, a growing dependence on His Word, and a life increasingly shaped by Jesus Christ.

You may be part of God's family, but are you growing in God's family?

Whether you're a new Christian seeking to understand your faith, a longtime believer wanting to grow spiritually, or someone looking for biblical encouragement, this message will help you consider the next steps in your walk with Christ.

Can you really love God while holding hatred, bitterness, or unforgiveness toward someone else? What does the way you treat people reveal about your relationship with Jesus?

In 1 John 2:7–11, the apostle John confronts one of the most uncomfortable truths about the Christian life: You cannot claim to walk in the light while choosing to live in hatred toward others. John makes it clear that genuine love for God should produce genuine love for people.

But what does that actually look like? Is it possible to attend church, know Scripture, worship God, and still be walking in spiritual darkness because of the way we treat others?

In this episode, "Love God. Hate Your Brother?", we explore the powerful connection between loving God, loving others, forgiveness, and authentic Christian faith. John reminds us that the command to love one another isn't simply a suggestion—it's a defining characteristic of those who truly follow Jesus Christ.

In this episode, we explore:

• Can you love God and hate another person?

• What does the Bible say about hatred, bitterness, and unforgiveness?

• Why does John connect loving others with walking in the light?

• How does loving your brother or sister demonstrate genuine faith?

• What does it mean to love others as Jesus has loved us?

• How can we overcome resentment and grow in Christlike love?

If you've ever struggled with forgiveness, difficult relationships, bitterness, church hurt, or loving people who are hard to love, this Bible study from 1 John 2:7–11 will challenge you to examine your heart and encourage you to reflect the love of Christ in your everyday relationships.

Loving God isn't just demonstrated by what we say about Him. It's revealed in how we treat the people around us.

Join us as we continue our study through 1 John in the series That You May Know, discovering how we can have confidence in our relationship with Jesus and recognize the evidence of genuine, life-changing faith.

Can you really love God while refusing to love other people? How do you know if your faith in Jesus Christ is genuine? And what does the Bible actually teach about loving people who are difficult to love?

In 1 John 2:7–11, the Apostle John gives us a powerful test of genuine Christianity: Our love for one another reveals whether we are walking in the light or living in darkness.

In this message from our sermon series That We May Know, we examine what it truly means to love one another as Jesus commanded. Biblical love is more than a feeling, a kind word, or simply tolerating people. Biblical love seeks the highest good of another person, even when that requires sacrifice, forgiveness, encouragement, or speaking difficult truths.

Jesus didn't simply tell us to love others. He demonstrated what real love looks like through His life, His sacrifice, and His death on the cross.

In this sermon, we'll explore:

• How to know if your Christian faith is genuine

• What 1 John 2:7–11 teaches about loving one another

• Why loving others is a mark of a true follower of Jesus

• What it means to walk in the light instead of darkness

• Why Jesus gave His followers a new commandment to love

• How to love difficult people and those who have hurt us

• Why Christian love is more than emotion or good intentions

• How the Holy Spirit transforms our hearts and relationships

• Why our actions toward others reveal what we believe about Jesus

Here's the challenge: It's easy to say we love people. But how do we respond when someone hurts us, disappoints us, or gets on our nerves?

The Bible teaches that following Jesus isn't just about what we know or what we say. Genuine faith produces a transformed life, and one of the clearest evidences of that transformation is how we love other believers.

We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by our good works. But when Christ changes our hearts, His love begins to change how we treat others.

If we claim to walk in the light, our love should reflect the light of Jesus Christ.

📖 Scripture: 1 John 2:7–11
📚 Sermon Series: That We May Know — A Study Through 1 John
⛪ Church: Legacy Church

If you've struggled with forgiveness, difficult relationships, loving other Christians, or understanding what genuine faith looks like, this message will challenge you to examine your heart and grow in your relationship with Jesus.

Sermon from Dr. Jose Rodriguez on October 18, 2026

How can you know if you're really saved? Is believing in Jesus enough, or should your life look different if you truly know Him?

In 1 John 2:3–6, the apostle John confronts one of the most important questions in Christianity: How can you know for certain that you are a genuine follower of Jesus Christ? John gives us a powerful test of authentic faith—not simply what we say we believe, but how we live in response to what we believe.

The Bible teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, not by our good works. But John makes something equally clear: genuine faith produces a changed life. Knowing Jesus should transform our desires, our decisions, and our obedience to God's Word.

In this episode, How to Know If You Are Really Saved, we explore the relationship between faith, obedience, assurance of salvation, and spiritual transformation. We'll examine what John means when he says that those who claim to know Jesus should also walk as Jesus walked.

In this episode, we'll answer questions like:

• How can I know if I'm truly saved?

• What does the Bible say about assurance of salvation?

• Can someone claim to know Jesus but not actually follow Him?

• Does obedience determine salvation or demonstrate genuine faith?

• What does it mean to walk as Jesus walked?

• How can I grow in confidence about my relationship with God?

Whether you've followed Jesus for years, recently become a Christian, or are questioning the authenticity of your faith, this Bible study from 1 John 2:3–6 will challenge you to examine your relationship with Christ and encourage you to pursue a life that reflects Him.

You don't obey Jesus to earn salvation. You obey Jesus because knowing Him changes everything.

Join us as we continue our study through the book of 1 John and discover how we can truly know that we belong to Jesus Christ.

How can you know for sure that you're saved? Is believing in Jesus enough, or should your life look different if you truly follow Him?

In 1 John 2:3–6, the Apostle John gives us a powerful test of genuine faith: If we truly know Jesus, our lives will reflect Him through obedience.

In this message, “The Test of Obedience,” from our 1 John sermon series That We May Know, we explore what the Bible teaches about assurance of salvation, genuine faith, Christian obedience, and what it really means to walk with Jesus.

Many people claim to know God, but does their lifestyle reflect that relationship? John challenges us to examine whether our actions match our words. The Bible makes it clear that obedience doesn't earn salvation—it is the evidence of a life transformed by Jesus Christ.

In this sermon, we'll discover:

• How to know if you are truly saved

• What 1 John 2:3–6 teaches about assurance of salvation

• Why genuine faith produces obedience to God's Word

• The difference between knowing about Jesus and actually knowing Him

• Why obedience is the fruit of salvation, not the requirement for earning it

• How loving Jesus changes our desires and decisions

• What it means to abide in Christ and walk as Jesus walked

• Why spiritual growth is about direction, not perfection

Here's the big question: Does your walk match your talk?

You can attend church, know Scripture, and say all the right things, but genuine faith produces a transformed life. Following Jesus isn't about achieving sinless perfection. It's about a growing desire to obey Him, love others, turn from sin, and become more like Christ.

Jesus lived the perfect life we could never live, died for our sins, and rose again so that we could experience new life through Him. We don't obey Jesus to earn His love. We obey because we've already received His love through faith.

Whether you're struggling with doubts about your salvation, wondering if your faith is genuine, or seeking to grow in your relationship with Jesus, this biblical message will challenge and encourage you.

📖 Bible Passage: 1 John 2:3–6
🎙️ Sermon: The Test of Obedience
📚 Series: That We May Know — A Study Through 1 John

What Happens When Christians Sin? | 1 John 2:1–2

What happens when a Christian sins? Does sin mean your faith isn’t real? Can you lose your salvation? And how does Jesus respond when a believer fails?

In 1 John 2:1–2, John addresses one of the most important questions every follower of Jesus will face: What happens when Christians sin? John calls believers to pursue holiness and avoid sin—but he also gives incredible hope when we fall short.

Scripture tells us that Jesus Christ is our advocate with the Father. When we sin, Jesus doesn’t abandon us. He stands on our behalf as “Jesus Christ the righteous,” whose sacrifice paid the price for our sin.

In this episode, we explore what the Bible teaches about sin, forgiveness, grace, salvation, and the finished work of Jesus Christ. We’ll unpack what it means that Jesus is our advocate and the “propitiation for our sins,” and why these truths should change both the way we fight sin and the way we respond when we fail.

If you’ve ever struggled with guilt after sinning, questioned your salvation because of your failures, or wondered whether God can really forgive you again, 1 John 2:1–2 offers powerful hope.

The goal of the Christian life isn’t to become comfortable with sin. It’s to pursue holiness while trusting completely in what Jesus has done for us.

When Christians sin, our hope isn’t found in our ability to be perfect. Our hope is found in a perfect Savior.

sermon from 10-4-26

Light and Dark | 1 John 1:5–10

Are you really walking in the light?

In 1 John 1:5–10, John draws a powerful line between light and darkness—and challenges us to examine whether our lives actually match what we claim to believe. God is light, and there is no darkness in Him. So what does it mean for a Christian to genuinely walk in the light?

John addresses something every believer must wrestle with: sin. We can’t hide it from God, deny it, or pretend it doesn’t exist. But the good news is that confession doesn’t lead to condemnation—it leads to forgiveness, cleansing, and restored fellowship with God.

In this episode, we explore what it means to walk honestly before God, why confession is essential to authentic Christianity, and how the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

What does it look like to live in the light? Can a Christian still struggle with sin? What happens when we confess our sin to God? And how can we know whether our faith is genuine?

If you’re wrestling with sin, guilt, confession, forgiveness, or your relationship with God, this study of 1 John 1:5–10 will bring both challenge and hope.

You don’t have to hide in the darkness. The light is where grace is found.