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1 John: Epistemology (1 John 5:13-21)
Scripture: 1 John 5:13-21, Mark 12:28-31, 1 John 3:14, Psalm 100
Intro:
- Focus on knowledge in 1 John 5:13-21.
- Human nature: driven by heart, not just logic.
- Knowledge matters; not just head or heart alone.
Knowledge Defined:
- Epistemology: study of knowledge.
- Belief vs. Knowledge:
- Belief: taking something as true.
- Knowledge: true belief + justification.
- Justification: knowing why you believe.
- John wants us to move from belief to knowledge (1 John 5:13).
- Two types of knowledge:
- Ido: factual, immediate, "seeing" (1 John 5:13).
- Gnosko: experiential, progressive, transformative (1 John 5:20).
Why Knowledge Matters:
- Knowledge and Love are Connected:
- Jesus: love God with heart and mind (Mark 12:28-31).
- John: love shows we know God (1 John 3:14).
- What we love, we learn.
- Actions reflect love and knowledge.
- Gnostics Were Wrong:
- Gnostics: secret knowledge for salvation.
- John: eyewitness testimony, public knowledge (1 John 1:1-3).
- Knowledge of God is accessible.
- Assurance of Salvation:
- John: writes so we know we have eternal life (1 John 5:13).
- Belief saves, knowledge assures (1 John 5:1).
- Sin and Assurance (1 John 5:16-19):
- "Sin leading to death": hardness of heart, not one act.
- Habitual sin hardens, repentance becomes difficult.
- Sins confessed are forgivable.
- Assurance is possible with repentance.
- Knowledge Prompts Worship:
- Psalm 100: know God, worship Him.
- Gnosko knowledge of God leads to worship.
- God's goodness and love inspire worship.
Call to Action:
- Seek gnosko knowledge of God.
- Respond in worship:
- Communion: remembering Jesus' sacrifice.
- Prayer: seeking experiential knowledge.
- Singing: expressing praise.
Conclusion:
- Knowledge of God is vital for faith and worship.
- Seek both factual and experiential knowledge.
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*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI.
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