The message was brought by Rev. Tim Powers on 2/22/26. The background scripture is First John 5.
John tells us the way to live. He knew being born again meant a change takes place. He knew we needed to love. He knew about false teachers, reminding us to be careful who we listen to. Everyone who says “Jesus” isn’t following Him. Don’t fall into the pit of cults and the “isms” of religion.
Verses 1-12 shows us the victory that overcomes the world. Looking closer in verses 1-3 we see the marks of the new birth. Check yourself. Are you backsliding? The whole key is repentance–you turn away from sin and your old life. Do you believe Jesus is the only way to salvation and heaven? He is the only way. Even other religions believe there was a man called Jesus, but they do not believe in Him and what He did for us. They are still on their way to hell. A person must believe in the only begotten Son of God, that He was born of a virgin, lived and died for sins and rose on the third day. Keep learning and applying that to your life. The foundations of faith have to be sound. Do you have a desire to work for the Lord showing God’s love? Doctrine is a word we must use because our doctrine must be sound, founded in God’s Word. We must show the love of God and keep his commandments. We can’t do it perfectly, but God does demand our obedience. We are to strive for it.
Verse 4 says whosoever is born of God by the second birth found victory in that. To overcome is a complete and total victory over the world. It’s not necessarily easy. The land of Canaan was not a perfect place once the Israelites crossed over. They still have battles to fight, but God was with them. Why do you think true Christians are hated especially in the political realms? They want power over us. The world system is against Christianity; its pressures and deceptions can be overcome through Jesus Christ. Jesus gave us the power to overcome. Satan can’t devour us if we don’t let him. We have victory through the blood! We will mess up. Life isn’t–we aren’t–perfect. If we sin, we must repent and He is faithful to forgive. Victory is not a self-effort. It’s through faith in what Jesus did for us.
Verse 5 shows us we overcome by Jesus Christ. Verses 6-9 speak about the witness concerning the Son. This is not blind faith. It’s by the blood, the crucifixion. That’s what saves us. Verse 7 gives us the threefold witness: the Father–God Jehovah; the Word–Jesus Christ who was there in the beginning and became flesh (human) when He was born; and the Spirit–the Holy Spirit of God. These three are one. The Holy Spirit indwells the believer, and bears witness of God in our life as we show God’s values to others along with His love. Pray more. Learn more. Grow. When we are baptized, the water is our public profession that Jesus saved us by His blood.
Verses 10-12 speak of the assurance of eternal life. We have the victory to overcome. Are you growing more in Jesus? We have assurance of the gift of eternal life; He’s giving it to us each day. Everything we have is in Christ. It’s not religion. It’s not good morals. We must have the Son of God–believe in and on Him. Do you have the Son?
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 