TEXT: 1 John 5:5-12 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is He who came by water and blood  Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God that He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

1. In Acts 7 We have record of Stephen being the first Christian to be martyred.
2. In our text John writes concerning a witness.
3. The word "witness" comes from the Greek word "marturian".
4. The definition of which is: "A declaration of facts or a testimony."
5. It is from this word that we get our word "martyr".
6. So, there are some testimonies worth dying for.
7. The testimony of Stephen that Jesus was the Christ was a testimony worth dying for.
8. 1 John 5:9-12 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
9. Although it is not readily seen in English, forms of the original word translated "witness" are used 7 times in this text.
10. The witness or testimony of God is not a "better felt than told" testimony.
11. It is a testimony of words and action in accordance with divine will.
12. It is an ever-present testimony.
13. You cant find a more credible testimony than that of these passages.

1. THE CONTRAST OF WITNESSES

1. In verse nine we find a contrast between the witness of men and the witness of God.
2. John points out the greater testimony that is of God.
3. His argument is, If we accept the testimony of men, then it is sensible to accept the greater testimony of God.
4. Anyone accepting human testimony that is sometimes in error must surely accept Divine testimony that is always truth.
5. The Hebrew writer gives two reasons why Gods testimony is always right:

1. The unchangeableness of God
2. The fact that God cannot lie.

1. Men on the other hand can be dishonest and we can be honestly mistaken.

1. Some men have died in vain for what they believed to be the truth.
2. Islamic suicide bombers are a good example.
3. Some honestly believe that they are doing the will of Allah.
4. Since men can be honestly mistaken or dishonest, and since God is always true.
5. Then "let God be true and every man a liar" (Romans 3:4).

1. THE POSSESSION OF THE WITNESSES

1. The true unalterable testimony belongs to God.
2. In our text, the testimony concerns Gods Son.
3. The testimony or "witness" is that Jesus is the Son of God.
4. As the Son of God He is both human and divine.
5. John says there are three who bear witness to the fact that Jesus is the Son of God.

1. The Spirit
2. The water
3. The blood

1. He also says that these three agree as one (1John 5:8 ASV).
2. What are the three, what is he talking about?

1. The witness of water is the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:17).
2. The witness of blood is the Lords death on the cross (John 19:34-35).
3. The witness of the Spirit is the Holy Spirit inspired word of God (2 Peter 1:21 which is truth (John 17:17).

1. These three witnesses are of God, they are infallible and they all agree that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
2. Those to whom John was writing were well aware that according to the Law of Moses for a testimony to be true it had to be from the mouth of two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15).
3. Even in the New Testament the same principle is applied (Matthew 18:16).
4. Paul applied the principle to elders in the church (1 Timothy 5:19).
5. In our text, John applies this principle to the witness of God.
6. Thus, Gods witness is true because He has established by three agreeing witnesses that Jesus is the Son of God.
7. This is the witness that men ought to believe because God is greater than men and His three witnesses agree.
8. Therefore the testimony that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God is true.
9. If a man believes he has this witness in himself (1 John 5:10).
10. He that keeps on believing in the Son of God, keeps on being a witness or a walking testimony to others.
11. Verse ten points out that if Jesus is not the Son of God, then God has presented false witnesses and therefore must be a liar.
12. John uses the word "liar" more in his first letter than in any other book in the Bible.
13. A liar is one who testifies falsely.
14. Unbelief (not believing what God says) and Saying we have not sinned (1 John 1:10) both make God a liar. Because God says just the opposite.

1. John also points out that one who says he knows God but who refuses to keep His commandments is a liar (2:4).
2. One who denies that Jesus is the Christ is a liar (2:22).
3. One who says he loves God while hating His brother (4:20).

1. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE WITNESSES:

1. John allows no middle ground.
2. Either one believes or he doesnt (See Matthew 12:30).
3. Both belief and unbelief bring about recompense.

1. The result of belief is having the witness of God.
2. The result of unbelief is making God a liar.
3. The ultimate result for the believer is eternal life.
4. The ultimate result for the unbeliever is eternal death. (5:11-12).

1. Notice Johns line of reasoning:

1. God testified by water (the baptism of Jesus) by blood (the death of Jesus) and by the Spirit (the word of God) that Jesus is the Son of God.
2. One who keeps on believing that Jesus is the Son of God, keeps on having this testimony in himself while the unbeliever makes God a liar.
3. To have this testimony or witness of God is to have eternal life, which is in Gods Son, while not having this testimony is death.

1. Notice that eternal life is in Gods Son.

1. John 10:10 The purpose of Jesus coming into this world of sin is to give eternal life to men who otherwise could not have achieved.
2. It cannot be found in any other place than Gods Son.
3. Acts 4:12 Only in Jesus.

1. "Eternal" describes a quality, not measured by time.
2. All men will exist forever, but not all will be living eternal life.
3. If eternal life were just a duration of time, then all men would have it, some with God some without.
4. But, eternal life describes more than just time, it suggests the quality of living more than just a mere existence.
5. Colossians 3:2-4 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

1. The one who possesses the promise of eternal life has truly overcome the world and death holds no power over him.
2. We have learned that there are two witnesses: one belonging to man and the other to God.
3. The testimony belonging to God has been given to all men through the record that God gave His Son.
4. It is that testimony that offers to each person assurance and victory.
5. Now, it is our responsibility to remain faithful to God and God will fulfill His promise