1 John 3

1 JOHN 3

VERSE 1a
How great is the love of God!
1. What if it were a question? How would you answer?
2. ‘The love of God’ story
NFL Draft- It’s good to have a good name (Manning, Winslow)
1. We have an even better name if we are Christians

VERSE 1b
Why are Christians sometimes thought of as crazy?
1. We are foreigners
2. In the early church some thought Christians were cannibals
3. Many wonder why we don’t do bad stuff

VERSE 2
We are already children of God, but there is more to come
1. When we see Christ face to face, who knows what will happen?
2. We need to be preparing ourselves for that encounter
3. Hank Hanegraaff golf illustration

VERSE 3-24
5 WAYS TO PREPARE

1. It has to be a response (v. 3)
a. Respond to salvation, don’t try to earn it
b. This changes your whole attitude

2. We have to recognize what He has accomplished (v. 4-5)
a. Sin vs. Sins
b. Two definitions for sin
c. He saves us FROM all

3. We have to imitate Christ (v. 6)
a. Humans need examples
b. I can’t make coffee

4. We must avoid being led astray (v. 7-10)
a. Don’t let people tell you sin doesn’t matter (7-8)
b. Compare 3:9 with 1:8. What’s the difference (9)
c. A lamb and a pig fall into the mud, the pig wants to stay, the lamb gets out
d. Sounds like James (10)

5. We must love to have assurance. You can know for sure if…
a. Do you love your brother? (v. 14)
b. Do you know Jesus loves you (v. 16)
c. Do your words and actions line up (v. 19)
d. Do you sense the Spirit in you? (v. 24)