Hebrews 1:1–4
1 "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they."

It is through Jesus Christ that God made the world.  Praise Jesus today as the Creator of all things, and therefore the One that all creation will answer to.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Don & Judy Kaneski
• Ole & Doreen Olson

Hebrews 1:1–4
1 "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they."

Jesus Christ has been appointed by God as the "heir of all things".  As God's anointed Messiah, Jesus will day return and reign over everything.  Confess your submission to Jesus Christ today as God's chosen King.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Cody Lee
• Brendon Walker

Hebrews 1:1–4
1 "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they."

The Old Testament is filled with God speaking through many people and in many ways, but Jesus is the incarnate word and the final sermon of God.  In Jesus God has given His most perfect revelation.  Praise God for revealing Himself in the person of Jesus Christ.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Gracie Hadding
• Cindy Wampler

1 John 5:21
21 "Little children, guard yourselves from idols."

Ask God to expose the idols around you and how to best guard yourself from them.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Vicki Diggs
• Cindy Glass
• Liam & Riannon Horn

1 John 5:20
20 "And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life."

One more thing believers in Jesus can be sure of is that we are right!  Our understanding of truth did not come from us, it came from God.  It is God who revealed the glory of Christ to us and caused us to believe.  We know we are right in our faith because God is the One who has taught us.  Praise God for giving you the truth.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Ken Brendle
• Doug & Carissa Clark (Elsie, Rivers, Murphy, Hezekiah, Judah)

1 John 5:19
19 "We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one."

There is another thing that we as believers in Jesus can be sure of.  We are set apart from the world.  God has redeemed us from this evil generation.  We are no longer of the darkness, but are now lights in the darkness.  Praise God for setting you apart!

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Kermit & Kathy Woolley
• Kolbey Adams
• Eoin Horn

1 John 5:18
18 "We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him."

Here we learn another thing that we as believers in Jesus can be sure of.  That in Jesus Christ we are secure.  Those who are saved are kept by God from falling away.  Praise God today for eternal security.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Ronald & Kim Todd
• Norman & Brenda Hill

1 John 5:14–17
14 "This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death."

We can be sure that God hears our prayers, even when we pray for a repentance sinful brother who has suffered at the hands of God in his sin.  However, John also mentions a brother who is sinning, but is not repentant.  It may be that God will bring him to death in order to save his soul.  John says we should not pray for the healing of a man in that condition.  Let us be reminded of the seriousness of sin and the extreme measures God will take to purify His people of it.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Cathy Spencer
• Tommy & Peggy Swaringen

1 John 5:14–17
14 "This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death."

God hears the prayers of His children.  John then gives an example of how effective that prayer can be.  Suppose we have a sinning brother in the church, and as a result of his sin God has brought him close to death.  That brother is now repentant and John says that when we pray for him, God hears us and will restore that brother.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• John & Shannon Parum
• Martha Pickens

1 John 5:14–17
14 "This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death."

There is another thing that as believers in Jesus that we can be sure of; that God hears our prayers.  Praise God for hearing you this morning!

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Rory & Carrie Mosley (Abigail)
• Willie & Margaret Neufeld (Marissa, Cassie, Tyler, Aubrey, Ruby)

1 John 5:13
13 "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life."

As John brings his epistle to a close, we begin to examine things the believer can be sure of.  First and foremost is that when we believe in the name of Jesus Christ, we can know we have eternal life.  Praise God for such assurance!

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Charlie & Fronye Morris
• Woody & Linda McArthur

1 John 5:6–12
6 "This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. 10 The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life."

Jesus is the Son of God!  Through His perfect life and atoning death He has provided eternal life for us.  The call upon our life is to believe it.  In fact, to place our hope upon the person and work of Jesus.  Those who do not believe Jesus is who God says He is or that He did what God said He did will never have eternal life.  Pray today for those you know who do not believe in Jesus.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• George & Evelyn Matthewson
• Woody & Linda McArthur

1 John 5:6–12
6 "This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. 10 The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life."

God has testified that Jesus Christ is His only begotten Son.  We certainly would not deny that and thus call God a liar.  Instead, we believe the testimony!  We believe that Jesus Christ is God's Son, and that through His atoning work we have eternal life.  Praise Jesus today for providing you with eternal life.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Lee & Alice Kidd
• Nell Martin

1 John 5:6–12
6 "This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. 10 The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life."

We have learned that God Himself testified to the deity of Jesus through the water, the blood, and the Spirit.  And then John reminds us that the testimony of God is greater than the testimony of any man.  If God Himself has testified that Jesus is His begotten Son, on what basis would we deny it?  Confess today that Jesus is in fact the Son of God.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Michael & Amber Kermick (Emma, Jacob)
• Gary & Elaine Key

1 John 5:6–12
6 "This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. 10 The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life."

The Gnostics denied that Jesus was God in human form, but God Himself testified to the deity of Jesus.  Verbally at His baptism (the water), emphatically at His crucifixion (the blood), but also continually in His ministry (the Spirit).  Do you remember all the miraculous things Jesus did?  Jesus Himself stated in John 5:36 that these were works which the Father had given Him to do in order to prove His deity.  Praise the God-Man Jesus Christ!

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Ruby Karr
• Keith Karr
• Louise Huffman
• David Karr

1 John 5:6–12
6 "This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. 10 The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life."

We are looking at God's testimony to the deity of Jesus.  We know that God testified verbally of Jesus' deity at His baptism ("the water"), but that is not all.  God also testified emphatically to Jesus' deity at His crucifixion ("the blood").  Do you remember God ripping the veil from top to bottom?  Do you remember God raising the dead?  Do you remember even the Centurion crying out that Jesus is the Son of God?  All of these testimonies were divinely initiated by God to testify that Jesus is in fact His Son; God in human in form.  Praise the God-Man Jesus Christ.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Kevin & Rhonda Brendle
• Tom & Marilyn Taylor

1 John 5:6–12
6 "This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. 10 The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life."

Our Christology is very important.  We must know and believe that Jesus is God in human form.  If He is not man, He cannot be a substitute for man.  If He is not God He cannot bear an eternal weight of guilt.  The Gnostic heresy denied that Jesus was God in human form.  Here John lists three testimonies that God Himself gave to the deity of Jesus.  The first was verbally at His baptism (i.e. "the water").  We all remember God speaking that Jesus was His all-pleasing beloved Son.  Jesus is God!  Rejoice in that this morning.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Terry & Teenya Gilbert
• Daniel & Sunnie Cates (Caleb, Bethani, Jonathan)

1 John 5:6–12 
6 "This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. 10 The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life."

A somewhat confusing passage for many.  John is addressing the Gnostic heresy denied that Jesus was God in human flesh.  This passage highlights the ways in which God testified to the deity of Jesus.  God did so through the water, the blood, and the Spirit.  This morning recognize that Jesus is God in human flesh and this allows Him to be the mediator between God and man as the One who bears the sin of man. Because He is eternal God can bear all of it.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Chris and Rachel Horn
• Cody & Karen Hurdt

1 John 5:1–5
1 "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

As we examine what is a true believer we see one more characteristic to consider.  True believers overcome the world.  Declare today that you are no longer of the world nor have a love for it.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Chuck & Laurie Hinson
• Gladys Hinson

1 John 5:1–5
1 "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

As we consider what makes a true believer, we take note this morning that true believers love God's Law.  Confess your love for the Scriptures today.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Les & Cindy Heflin
• Lucy Sanchez
• Neal & Nancy Hindman

1 John 5:1–5
1 "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

As we consider what makes a true believer we also note that a true believer is one who loves other believers.  Confess your love for the church today.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Lance & Amy Harris (Kodah)
• Rita Harris

1 John 5:1–5
1 "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

As we contemplate what a true believer is, we also note that true believers love the Father.  Confess your love for the Father today.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• George & Pam Goodall
• Max & Rebecca Haney

1 John 5:1–5
1 "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

In the final chapter John is making sure we are clear on what a true believer actually is.  First we learn that a true believer is one who believes in the right person.  They believe that Jesus is the Christ.  Confess your belief in Jesus today.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Charlena Fitzgerald (Gage)
• Benny & Cathy Fitzgerald

Mark 16:1–8
1 "When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. 5 Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. 7 “But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’ ” 8 They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid."

Thank You Jesus!

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• David & Toni Crawford
• Bonnie Edwards

1 John 4:19–21
19 "We love, because He first loved us. 20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also."

In one sense love is a matter of observation.  "We love, because He first loved us."  But in another sense it is a matter of opportunity.  You cannot "see" God today.  That is to say, you will not have the opportunity to do a specific act of love directly for God.  (i.e. you won't be able to take Him a meal, or help Him change a tire).  But you do see your brother and you do have opportunity to love him.  Ask God to help you seize your opportunity to love today.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Les & Tammy Fincher (Tyler, Ramey, Seth, Chase)
• Joe & Paula Fincher