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That You May Know (Example Sermon)

Scripture Text: I John 5:13-17

Introduction: We are coming to the close of the book of I John. And there is something I’ve noticed in my studies...that I’m not sure I’ve done justice to in my messages. It has to do with the word “know.” The word “know” is used in some form or fashion 41 times in this short letter. There has to be a reason for that.

In fact the word “know” seems to be a key in all of John’s writings. For example, at the close of his Gospel, he writes, “This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that this testimony is true.” (John 21:24)

It is almost as if John believed that the key to a strong faith...was knowledge. Which, when you think about it, makes sense...but in reality, is almost the opposite of what we practice. Because, when we talk about “faith” today, we imply that you can’t know...you just have to believe. And while it is true, that there is a certain amount of trust in faith, it is also true that our faith is based upon facts.

For example. I believe Jesus rose from the grave. Now it is impossible for me to establish that event as truth. But I can examine the evidence...and in examining the evidence, gathering what facts are available, I can build my faith... not on wishful thinking...but on the evidence.

Paul does this in First Corinthians. Chapter 15 says, “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raided on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also...” (3-8) Do you grasp what Paul was saying? He said, “You don’t have to take my word for it. There were plenty of witnesses. You can examine the evidence yourself. Look at the Scriptures and their prophecy. Talk to eye witnesses. Get the facts. Then base your faith on the facts.”

John, if he got to read that passage, and I’m sure he did, would have loved it. It was right up his alley. He wanted people to know what they believed...and why they believed it. And in our text for today...he shares three vital things we ought to know and believe. You’re going to like these...but first, let’s read the text.

I John 5:13-17

Three things that you can know. I want to give you them up front, so you’ll know where we are going in this sermon. It will take some time to develop them...and they might seem a little disconnected...but they are worth examining. They are: We can know that we are saved. We can know that our prayers are heard and answered. And we can know that we can forgive sins. All three subjects are worthy of our time.

Three things that we can know!

I. That We Are Saved

Let’s begin with the idea that we can know that we are saved. John writes in verse 13: “13I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Almost all Christians, when asked the question, “Do you know you are going to heaven?,” will answer, “I hope so.” I know that’s how they answer, because I am also tempted to answer the same way. Why? Why would we answer that way?

I think our doubts about salvation are based on three false assumptions. One, we assume that our sins are too horrible. “If you really knew me...you wouldn’t like me.” Ever felt that way? Like you were two different people? Like you were wearing a mask? Well, that may actually be true. You may be fake. You may be wearing a mask. But your mask...if you recognize it for what it is...is forgivable. In fact, if you recognize your failings...then you are a step up on King David. Remember how he had a man killed so that he could steal his wife? Yet, David was called a “Friend of God.” How can that be...because God is able to forgive every sin. Period.

Two, we assume that God cannot continue to forgive. I mean...it’s one thing to forgive a person one time...even a second time...maybe a third time...but continually? Time and time again? Yet, when Peter asked Jesus about forgiving men, Jesus essentially said that forgiveness is something that should be offered on an infinite basis. Do we really think that God would ask us to do more than he was willing to do? No. I think he was revealing infinite ability to forgive.

Three, we assume that God is like us. Everyone of us is tempted to create God in our own image. We build into Him all of our weaknesses. And sometimes, we even defend Him in these things. If we are judgmental, we think He is. If we are impatient, we think He is. If we are rigid and unmoving, we think He is. If we are dispassionate, we think He is. If we are insensitive, we think He is. If we are...you get the picture. But He isn’t any of those things. The Bible says his ways are so far above our ways that we can’t even begin to understand Him. If you want to know what God is like, look to Jesus. As he loved, shared, encouraged, forgave, healed, cared for people...so God does.

In other words, you can know that you are saved. Does that mean we have no obligations? Of course not. John has told us repeatedly in his letter, that we have two...we are to love God...and we are to love our fellow man. Do that, and you can know that you are saved. I can’t think of anything I’d rather know...can you?


II. That Our Prayers Are Heard

Well, maybe there is another thing I want to know. I want to know that in His relationship with me, God hears and answers my prayers. Well, guess what? John assures us of this. He writes in verse 14, “14This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him.”

Now I have to be honest...that’s a difficult passage. It’s difficult because not all my prayers get answered. So, there’s more to this than meets the eye. The key to understanding this passage is found in the phrase, “if we ask anything according to his will.” That is the key. So, what does it mean?

Do you remember the phrase in the Lord’s Prayer, that goes, “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”? It is important to remember that that prayer was actually a model prayer. Jesus was teaching people how to pray...and he gave them the Lord’s Prayer as an example. The truth is...from the very beginning, we were taught that the things we ought to pray for...should be the things that God would want us to pray for.

As a matter of fact, have you ever noticed how we end our prayers with the phrase “In Jesus’ name?” Ever wonder why? There is a reason, of course. At least three times Jesus is recorded as saying something to the effect: “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:13,14; also 15:16; 16:23-26) And at another time, he made it very clear that no one could come to the Father, except through him. (John 14:6) So...in keeping with Jesus’ teaching, we end our prayers, “In Jesus’ name.”

However, that said, there’s more to asking in Jesus’ name, than just adding the words, “In Jesus’ name,” to the end of our prayers...as if they were some kind of magic incantation. Say the words, “in Jesus’ name” and “poof” your wish is God’s command. You know from personal experience that isn’t the case. There’s more to it than that...a lot more...although, you might not be sure what that something more might be. Well, let’s talk about it...to pray for something in Jesus’ name actually means, to pray for what Jesus would pray for...if he were in our shoes.

Now that doesn’t mean we can’t pray for other things. Jesus clearly gave us an example of doing that in the Garden, when he prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39) And again, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” (Matthew 26:42) Each time, Jesus prayed something...that he knew was not God’s will...or was afraid was not God’s will...and each time, he overrode his own request with the words, “May your will be done.”

That’s what it means to pray in Jesus’ name. That’s what it means to pray according to God’s will. It is asking Him to accomplish His will rather than our own.

When our prayers are not answer...there may be one of three reasons. One, they were not God’s will. Two, they may be answered in His time...rather than our own. And three, He may answer them totally differently than we expect. Someone once said about his prayers, “I asked God for strength that I might achieve; I was made weak, that I might learn to obey. I asked God for health that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity, that I might do better things. I asked God for riches that I might be happy; I was given poverty, that I might be made wise. I asked God for power that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness, that I might learn the need for God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life; I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing I asked for, but everything I hoped for. I am among all men, most richly blessed.”

The trick of prayer...bad choice of words...is not to pray for what we want...but for what God wants. And we can know that He hears us...and will answer.



III. That We Can Forgive Sins

The third thing John tells us we can know...is one of the more interesting lessons from the Bible. And that is, we can forgive men their sins. Verse 16 and 17 reads, “16If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. 17All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.”

Let me give you two examples...and the order of events is important. On the cross, Jesus said of those who were crucifying him, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) And the second is the example of Stephen. As he was being stoned to death, he said, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:60)
Stephen was following the example of Jesus. It has to be that John is speaking of that. When a person sins against us...we have the ability to forgive...not just in our own minds...but literally, to ask God to forgive them too. And He will.

As for the category of sins “that leads to death.” I believe John has revealed what those are in our text. Those people who claim to love God...while hating people...that leads to death, and no amount of praying for them will take care of that problem. We must, love God...and our fellow man. That sums up the law and the prophets...and it sums up the teachings of Jesus.


Conclusion: Three things we can know. We can know that we are saved! We can know that prayers asked according to God’s will are heard and answered. And we can know that we have the ability to forgive sins.

Think about that. There is no excuse for us to walk out of here today without making sure of our salvation.
 

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