West Lynchburg

The Apostle John’s Purposes for Writing: John 20:31; 1 John 5:13

3 Tests of Authenticity: Beliefs, Obedience, Love

God's Light Authenticates True Fellowship

God's Love Authenticates True Sonship

3 Eternal Realities for Assurance

1) Established in the Past (v1a)

2) Experienced in the Present (v1b-2)

3) Enjoyed now and in the Future (v3–4)

1) God’s Glory Is the Capstone

2) Why This Matters for the Next Generation

3) The Difference Between Moralism and Glory

4) Why We Must Be Rooted in Zeal

5) If God’s Glory Is the Capstone, What Is Our Response

acts for His name’s sake.

a. See His glory.

b. Speak His glory.

c. Sing His glory.

d. Shine for His glory.

Zealous for Prayerful Dependence on God's Sovereign Grace

1) Disciple the mind by instructing their understanding

Matthew 22:37, Romans 12:2, 2 Timothy 2:15, Colossians 3:2

2) Engage the heart by awakening affection for God

Matthew 15:8, Matthew 22:37, Proverbs 4:23

3) Influence the will by calling for obedience

Philippians 2:13, John 14:15, 1 Corinthians 13:3, Psalm 19:11

1) Give the next generation the full picture of God’s Word - 2 Timothy 3:16

2) Teach Essential Gospel Truths with Clarity and Depth - Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Mark 1:15, Romans 10:9-10, Ephesians 2:8-9.

3) Live It Out Daily - James 1:22

4) Trust God for the Results - Psalm 3:8

Deuteronomy 6

Zeal for God - v5

Zeal for His Word - v6

Zeal for discipleship - v7

Our zeal for discipleship is summarized in Colossians 1:28

The church is not primary, and the parents are not sufficient.

Psalm 78:1-7

v1-2 God’s responsibility - He reveals His Word and Will

v3-4 Congregation’s responsibility. - We tell the next generation about God

v5-6 Family’s responsibility - They teach their children to teach their children

v7  Next generation's reward & responsibility. - Set hope in God, remember His works, obey His word.

To Overcome Doctrinal Decay, we need the Bible to...

1) Increase knowledge

2) Gain perspective

3) Develop convictions

4) Sharpen skills

5) Build character

The Overcoming Church is all about…

1) Stirring up - (v24)

2) Showing up - (v25)

3) Cheering up - (v25)

1. Uniting around the message of the gospel rather than the ministry of a group (1 Cor 1:10-17).

2. Uniting around the Spirit’s Wisdom rather than the Strategies of the World (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).

3. Uniting around the Power of God rather than the performance of a group (1 Corinthians 3:5-11).

1) Why are we backsliding?

2) Why are we sitting still?

3) Why are we provoking anger?

4) Why are we not restored?

5) What are we to do now?