November 22, 2014 - Church at Worship

Sermon: "We Know" Part 9 - Radical! - Randy Roberts

Pastoral Welcome: Dustin Aho

Child Dedication: Corbin Elias Smith - Ron Carter

Scripture Reading: 1 John 5:13-15, TNIV - Warren Halversen, Jr., Nida Halversen

Note: Child Dedications and Baptisms are on the extras section of the dvd.

Sermon Notes:
And so we come to the end of 1 John! It's been wuite a journey, hasn't it?! May I remind you of a statement I made back at the beginning of our journey? I confessed that for years I have avoided preaching out of 1 John. Why? Simple. John is so black-and-white. His terminology is so strong. He draws such stark distinctions. He leaves little space for middle ground.

Yet, despite all of that, we waded into i ttogether. And in the process, I have been reminded of some lessons of great value. I have been reminded, for example, that the New Testament epistles (letters) - all of them - are occasional documents. In other words, they are occasioned by some specific situaiton. That is a particular important reality to remember in 1 John. So many of his strong terms make sense when placed against that backdrop.

I have been reminded not to judge a book by its cover! Read it first, then judge it. With that standard in mind, 1 John comes out shining! And I have been reminded, maybe more than anything else, of the irreplaceable importance of love in the Christian community.

I hope you have learned and grown, as well. Pray today for God's grace for a strong finish!

Randy Roberts
Senior Pastor