2. Witness to the Word of Life 1st John 1:1-4 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life — 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us — 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
5. I swear to tell the truth… What made John a competent witness? He heard… He saw… Observed (Looked upon)… He touched… Let’s look at 2 miracles that John witnessed… The healing at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-15) The claims & resurrection of Jesus (John 2:18-22; John 5:19-29; John 20:19-23)
10. The Pool of Bethesda – John 5:1-15 Was a pool of water near the Sheep’s Gate It was used to wash animals in preparation for their sacrifice There was also a superstition attached to the pool and it went like this… On occasion, the water of the pool would be mysteriously stirred up. When this occurred, you had to get to the pool & the those who made it to the pool while the water stirred were healed. What made John a competent witness? He Heard… Saw… Observed… Touched… John 5:6 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" Jesus ask the man at the Pool of Bethesda, “Do you want to be healed?”
11. Did that man just call Himself GOD? Jesus being a miracle worker isn’t John’s only claim. John also claimed that Jesus was GOD. John witnessed Jesus say that much by calling God Father John 5:18 18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
13. The Claim (John 2:18-22; 5:19-29) John witnessed Jesus make several claims to His being God. Here’s a few… Jesus claims His Father is GOD Jesus claims to do the same things His Father does Jesus claims GOD shows Him EVERYTHING Jesus claims that He can raise people from the dead Jesus claimed that He would raise from the dead after 3 days Jesus claimed that GOD judged no one; that instead GOD had made Jesus the judge Jesus claimed to be worthy of Honor (worship)
16. He proved it! (20:19-23) Jesus showed up alive 3 days after being murdered and buried in a tomb. John 20:19-23 19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." 22And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld."
17. Fellowship w/the Father and Son John invites us to enjoy fellowship with each other. John invites us to enjoy fellowship with the Father & Son John invites us to witness Hearing Seeing Observing Touching We invite you to continue to do this at EMF!