25th June 2024

25th June 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (1 John 5v6-12)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


Did you know that mystery surrounded the whereabouts of Adolf Hitler after the war? The common belief was that Hitler died in his bunker but nevertheless some believed that he had been spirited away to Argentina where he lived until the early 1960s. Why the uncertainty? Because the witnesses all seemed to say different things. The Germans reported Hitler's death and cremation whilst the Russians said they had no evidence to support these claims. What do I think? Hitler died in his bunker and never set foot in Argentina - but I might be wrong.


Thankfully we can be sure of the faith we profess. You cannot be a Christian without knowing Christ and we have a threefold witness to the truth of Jesus Christ our Lord. Firstly, Jesus came by water (v6). What does this mean? Jesus was baptised in the Jordan river with the voice of God declaring "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3v17).


Secondly, Jesus came by blood. If the water reminds us of Christ's baptism then the blood takes us to His cross where the blood of the Lamb was shed for the sin of His people. Without the shedding of Christ's blood there can be no forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9v22).


At this stage some might argue that the first and second witnesses refer to events that are long in the past. How can we be sure that Christ lived and died? Because the third witness is the Holy Spirit and He cannot lie. The Spirit testifies to the work of Christ and assures us that we have not believed in vain (John 16v13-14). The water, blood and Spirit agree (v8) that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God.


God's testimony concerning Jesus is greater than anything we could receive from our fellow men (v9) and should absolutely be believed. To reject Christ is to make God a liar for we are taking God's testimony and trampling it into the dirt. But for the one who gladly receives God's testimony he has life in Christ the Son (v12).


You may be aware there is a certain amount of debate over 1 John 5v7-8 which is sometimes referred to as the "Johannine Comma" It is believed that the original text was quite short while a later addition made it much longer and much more pronounced in declaring the Trinity. I'll not say anything more on the issue other than the shorter text is to be preferred. Ultimately, the debate does nothing to harm the thrust of the passage. The Christian faith is no mystery and Christ is no enigma. How can we be sure? The threefold witness of the water, blood and Spirit all agree that Jesus is Lord.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q74 What is required in the eighth commandment? The eighth commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others.
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