Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
1 John 1: 1-3
1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
1:2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen [it], and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Testimony of John Invaluable.--
[1 John 1:1-3 quoted.] Thus John bears testimony that he had seen Christ, had been with Christ. In the early history of the Christian church, the enemy tried to bring in questions that would lead to doubt and dissension. At this time the testimony of John was invaluable in establishing the faith of the believers. He could say with assurance, I know that Christ lived on this earth; and I can bear testimony regarding His words and works (Manuscript 29, 1911). {7BC 947.7}
But if he will not hear [thee, then] take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. Matthew 18:16. John and the other disciples walked and talked with God on earth. They broke bread with our Savior for over three years. They had a personal relationship with Christ our Lord. They witnessed His death, burial, and resurrection. They can say with the utmost, absolute assurance that Christ Jesus walked on this earth. That He healed and performed miracles not of human nature but of the divine. The four gospels testify of the acts of Christ. Written from the perspective of the differing individuals, yet are consistent in the accounts as they occurred. The historical evidence recorded are facts and irrefutable. Skeptics argue that because one gospel account is different from another that they are inconsistent. No two people will tell a story in the same way. The key is that no matter how the writers perceive the events, the details are the same. If presenting these facts in front of a jury today, the jury would rule, without a shadow of a doubt, that Jesus is the Son of God who died for your sins and mine and resurrected on the third day. Who is motivated to question and bring into doubt that Jesus lives? None other than the fallen angel Lucifer, Satan, the dragon. He knows he has but a short time. We have a battle on our hands and it is no time to let up. Let us all be faithful witnesses for the kingdom of heaven and bear testimony with assurance regarding Christ Jesus’ words and works. Christ Jesus lives!
Our Father, which art in heaven,
We come into Your presence in thanksgiving, praise, and prayer. We are so thankful and grateful for what You have done to save Your people. We are all Your children and it is by Your grace that we are here as witnesses for the heavenly kingdom. We are sinners indeed but You have paid the ransom on our behalf, and for that, we are eternally grateful. You gave up divinity for humanity by coming down to earth to be among Your people. You trained the disciples in the way we should all go. You ministered to the people of the day that testified and bore witness of the miracles You performed. There was Your death, burial, and resurrection. Words cannot express our gratitude. Thank you for all You do, have done, and will do. We thank You in advance for all the blessings You have in store for us. We pray for the continual outpouring of the Holy Spirit to give us strength and courage to go forward in the battle against the enemy. Many doubters and naysayers are led down the path to perdition by the wily foe. He cares not what harm he brings to others as long as they reject You and Your truths. We pray for wisdom, understanding, and discernment while we go about bearing testimony of Your life and love for all Your children. We pray You live in us and we live in You. We pray that You use as Your vessels to preach and teach all nations and people of Your second coming. We are all so thankful to know and have the Blessed Hope of Your return for us. Please watch over us, protect us, and keep us safe from Satan and his demons and through all the people he works. We thank and praise You, in Christ Jesus name, we pray. Amen.
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