The Grace Message with Dr. Andrew Farley

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25? Is it possible for a believer to take the Mark of the Beast? Can you explain Mark 2 in terms of the Sabbath being “made for man”? If I’m creating a social media platform for the public, should I monitor what is being said?

Where is the garden of Eden today? Why did Jesus say “no one is good except God”? My husband died, and I can’t seem to spend time with my son now. How was Scripture canonized? Why were certain books left out? I struggle with fear over my physical health and wonder what I can do. Do we get saved and then receive the Holy Spirit later?

As we wrap up our series, “Forever in His Presence,” this grand-finale message underscores a powerful truth: We are safe and secure in Jesus and can have total confidence with God.

Imagine a loving husband and his bride. Does he want her to be afraid? Walking on eggshells? Wondering if divorce is looming? Of course not! Just as a husband desires his bride to feel secure and cherished, so too Jesus wants His bride (the church) to feel secure – always.

Pastors, teachers, leaders, and fellow believers of all kinds should always be ready to encourage others in the truth of their security in Christ, not to scare them. Otherwise, we end up assisting in the work of the Accuser rather than the work of God!

Throughout our journey through 1 John, we’ve uncovered the depth of our total forgiveness, our righteousness in Christ, and our perfect safety in Him. We’ve even explored the profound truth of the assurance we can have at the final judgment.

Now, don’t miss this chance to fully embrace God’s desire for you to know your rock-solid safety and stability in Him. Join us for this powerful and encouraging finale, and let’s celebrate together the profound security we have in Jesus Christ.

Discussion Questions:

1. What did you learn in this series about your forgiveness?
2. What did you learn about your compatibility with Christ?
3. What about your righteousness? Be specific.
4. How are the new commandments on your heart different from the Law?
5. How do you feel about the final judgment? Why?
6. Recall the husband-wife analogy. How does a husband want his wife to feel? How does Christ want you to feel?

Why is Romans 10 say, whoever believes in Jesus will “not be put to shame”? I have family members who are declining in health, and I want to share Christ with them. How can I do it? They are from a Catholic background. Is Jesus trying to give the church a “wake up call” today?

Are there varying degrees of rewards in Heaven? About half of our congregation believes they can lose their salvation. I found this out when our pastor taught on Hebrew 6. What are your thoughts?

How do we “work out our salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2)? How do we give God glory? Do we need to? Does Mark 10 support the prosperity gospel? I was excommunicated from my church for questioning their methodology. How can I find a healthy church?

Someone told me that our guide is the Holy Spirit, not Jesus. What are your thoughts? I want to help my Catholic brother come to know Jesus as his Savior. How can I explain the gospel? If someone is angry at God because their child has died, how can I help them? I feel like I’m constantly being accused of not being surrendered enough to God‘s will. How can I find freedom?

Is the millennial reign a literal thousand years or does it symbolize a lengthy period of time? Why are humans uniquely endowed with the ability to choose relationship with God? What does Romans 4 mean concerning those who are “of the Law” and nullifying the promise?

It’s so important to distinguish message from messenger! What about those who never hear the gospel? How are we to understand the issues related to end times? Does Revelation 22 mean there will be no sun or light in heaven, other than God? What is the heart of God toward us? What does He want the bride of Christ to know?

I’m excited to invite you to our latest message in the “Forever in His Presence” series, where we dive into the rich themes of 1 John 5.

We explore what it means to overcome the world through our trust in Jesus and the powerful testimony we have within us when we believe in the Son of God. Discover why having the Son means having life, and how this challenges the notion of needing a “second blessing.”

We also clarify common misinterpretations of prayer and God’s will, and unpack the difference between “the sin leading to death” and “the sin not leading to death.” Learn what it means that no one born of God continues in sin, and how Christ’s finished work keeps us safe from the evil one.

Don’t miss this message packed with encouraging truths about your unbreakable fellowship with God!

Discussions Questions:

1. Read verses 4-5. What does it mean for us to overcome the world? How does our faith in Christ offer us this victory?
2. Read verses 6-8. What significance do you find in Jesus coming by water and blood? How does the Spirit’s testimony confirm this?
3. Read verses 9-11. How does believing in the Son of God give us the testimony within ourselves? What is the testimony?
4. Read verse 12. Can you have the life without the Son? What does this mean for the teaching of a “second blessing”?
5. Read verse 13. What assurance do we have as believers in the Son of God? How can this knowledge affect our confidence?
6. Read verses 14-15. How might this passage easily be misinterpreted? What does it really mean in context? (Hint: Use verse 16 to help you.)
7. Read verses 16-17. What is the difference between “the sin leading to death” and “the sin not leading to death”? Why can’t we pray someone out of the sin leading to death?
8. Read verse 18. What does it mean that no one who is born of God sins? How exactly does the finished work of Christ keep us safe from the evil one?
9. Read verses 19-21. Discuss the contrast between being of God and the world lying in the power of the evil one. How does knowing the truth affect your perspective on the world’s belief systems?