Series
Intro

Knowing That We Know God; I John Part 1 by Tim Keller
John Piper sermon

How Firm a Foundation
John Keith, 1787

How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word.
What more can He say, Than to you He hath said;
To you, Who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

Fear not, I am with thee, Oh be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid.
I'll strengthen thee, Help thee, And cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace all-sufficient shall be thy supply.
The flame shall not hurt thee, I only design
Thy dross to consume, And thy gold to refine.

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes.
That soul, though all hell should endeaver to shake,
I never, No never, No never forsake.
That soul, though all hell should endeaver to shake,
I will never, No never, No never forsake.

John called himself 'the disciple whom Jesus loved' in the 4th Gospel and 'the Elder' in 2nd and 3rd John. What do those titles reveal about him? How might they be especially fitting for what he writes about in this letter?

2. There's beauty in the picture of the aged apostle guiding these folks like a spiritual grandfather, helping them avoid error and find the truth. Do you think our culture longs for the wisdom of older spiritual guides? Have you had that in your life or longed for it? How can churches aim to provide more of that?

3. Some groups were straying from the Gospel message and were likely using things John had written in the 4th Gospel to support their errors. Where have you seen that same tendency today? How have you succumbed to that temptation or avoided it yourself?

4. How would you answer someone who is seeking when they ask why they should trust this letter or the Bible as a whole?

5. On what do you base your own trust? When have you struggled with doubts about the authenticity of Scripture or the Gospel and why? Where are you now?

6. Why did the Jewish group in John's day deny the incarnation and why? How about the Greek or Gentile group? Where and how do we see those tendencies today?

7. How does John point us to a third way in the Gospel that presents a more genuine Jesus than his opponents were portraying? Why is the incarnation such vital and also hopeful conviction?

8. John says His teaching is about the true "Word of Life". How does that aptly describe both the person of Jesus and the message about Him called the Gospel?

9. What is eternal life? What is hard to grasp or appreciate about it in 'real' life and why? What would it look like to believe eternal life IS the more real life it when you have a conflict or crisis?

10. How does this passage speak to you as you prepare for Advent and the Christmas season?

The season of Advent begins with the four Sundays before Christmas and is a special time to step away from the busyness of the holiday season and prepare our hearts for Christmas. It isa time to celebrate light in the midst of darkness. One candle is lit the first week and another each week following. The candles remind us of the light of God coming into the world, and the light from the candles grows brighter as each week comes closer to Christmas. Advent is not only a time to reflect on Christ’ birth and all of its fullness, but also a time of expectation. It is the acknowledgement of the fact that, although God has acted decisively on our behalf in Jesus’ birth, there is still much outstanding . . . more promises to be fulfilled.”

Last Sunday we lit the first candle in our Advent wreath, the candle of promise. It is lit again to remind us that Christ came to fulfill all of God’s promises to us. The second candle of Advent is the candle of peace. Peace is a gift that we must prepare ourselves to receive. Christ gives the gift of peace when we turn to him in faith. Our hope is in God, and in his son Jesus Christ. Our peace is found in him. The second candle is lit today ito remind us that he brings peace to all who trust in him.

Consider investing in others either individually or as a married couplewho are looking for a spiritual mentor. Contact the pastor ofdiscipleship for more information and opportunities in the mentoringministries at Grace.

Do a little personal research. Ask someone at work or school whatthey think about the humanity and deity of Jesus. Ask them whythey have that perspective. If they bring up things that you havenot considered or do not know how to answer, contact one of
theteachers or pastors at grace.

Consider taking a Gospel School of Discipleship course next yearthat equips you further in understanding the reliability of the Bibleand how to study.