sermon from Dec. 5

How Can We Be Certain the Christmas Story is True?

I John 1:1-4

Series on “Christmas 2010” (part 2)

By the time John writes his first letter to some churches in what is known as modern day Turkey near the end of the first century, he is an old man. Probably many of his fellow workers have died like Peter and Paul. He has probably been released from his confinement on the Isle of Patmos where he wrote the Book of Revelation. False teachers are coming in, and he tells the young church to keep their eyes on Jesus and be confident that it is all true. Are you keeping your eyes on Jesus and do you know that it is all true?

JOHN THE MOST CREDIBLE WITNESS

• He was Jesus’ best friend and when Jesus was dying on the cross Jesus told John to look after His Mom.
• John says he was a witness of the events in Jesus’ life—“heard”, “saw”, “touched.”
• Is it wiser to believe in an eyewitness who had breakfast, lunch and dinner with Jesus for three years or someone who writes a book 2000 years later and criticizes the eyewitness testimony (as in the Da Vinci Code).

REVELATION NOT SPECULATION

• Vs. 2 – “The life appeared, we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim the eternal life, which was with the Father and appeared to us.”
• Religion is speculation about who God is, what our problem is, and how it can be solved. Christianity is revelation, i.e. it tells that God has come, explained our problem (sin) and how it is to be solved (through Jesus’ death, life and resurrection).

SO WE CAN BE FRIENDS WITH GOD, EACH OTHER AND HAVE COSMIC JOY

• Vs. 3 – “So you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.”
• He also wants “our joy to be complete.”
• There are four options (1) secularism, life has no meaning; (2) religion, work hard and hope god—whoever he or she is will like you; (3) trust yourself; (4) Jesus
• Is there a more credible witness than John and the four gospels? Is there a better alternative to build your life on than Jesus. If not, what is keeping you from repenting of your sin and believing in Jesus TODAY??? If you do believe in Jesus, why do we not exhibit the joy that John talks about?