Big Idea: One of the greatest manifestations of the Spirit in the life of believers is in their ability to see the truth of Jesus Christ. This is a result of the Holy Spirit conquering our spiritual blindness and the hardness of our hearts through the new birth so that we might see Jesus for who he is.
Two things we learn from 1John 4:4;
We have _________________________ the world
1 John 4:4 (ESV) — 4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
The context of 1John 4:4 is the ability of the believer to discern between the spirit of the anti-Christ, which is in the world, and the Spirit of God, which is in the Apostles.
Revelation 2:7 (ESV) — 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’
Revelation 2:26 (ESV) — 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations,
Revelation 3:21 (ESV) — 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Revelation 21:7 (ESV) — 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
In the new birth God overwhelms, like a superior force on a battlefield, your sinful and depraved mind, heart, and will, and he brings with him the Spiritual artillery necessary to defeat your spirit of rebellion and rejection and causes you to see Jesus for who he is and as a response you give yourself to him.
1 Corinthians 12:3 (ESV) — 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.
Luke 24:44-46; Acts 16:13-14
We _____________________________ the ruler of this world
1 John 4:4 (ESV) — 4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Job 1:7 (ESV) — 7 The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.”
1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) — 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
What we do on Sunday morning, or throughout the week, is no joke. It is not something to be trifled with. What we do is serious, especially if we are fully committed to declaring the truth of God’s Word and taking that truth to the darkest recess of this world.
2 Kings 6:15–17 (ESV) — 15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Questions to Consider
Why is it important to read 1John in its context? What do we learn in this text?
Are you encouraged by this reality? Why or why not?
How does this passage encourage you to preach the gospel to others?
