Last week's sermon concentrated on the first five verses of chapter 5. This week we're going to look at the significance of the water and the blood, verses 6-12. Oftentimes, the blood gets more emphasised than the water (probably because we follow Christ's command to celebrate communion more than Christ's example of washing his disciples feet). Water only gets emphasised in baptisms.
So, why does John appeal to both water and the blood? For this week's sermon we'll be examining the relationship between these two aspects of Christ's atoning work. Indeed, we concentrate on the blood sacrifices in the Old Testament, but forget that ceremonial washing was very important as well.
John ties the two together, so that both are testimonies to the trueness of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the perfect atoning sacrifice on the cross.
So, with regard to the atonement, we will look at the Old Testament sacrifices, the Old Testament washing requirements, Jesus as the perfect fulfilment of these sacrifices and washings--from His own baptism, his washing of the disciples feet, his designation and literal sacrifice as a passover lamb, to (Matthew Henry in his commentary on 1 John 5:6 pointed this out) the blood and water flowing from Jesus Christ's dead body when the soldier pierced his side.
If time permits, we will also look at the third witness to Christ, the Holy Spirit.
So, why does John appeal to both water and the blood? For this week's sermon we'll be examining the relationship between these two aspects of Christ's atoning work. Indeed, we concentrate on the blood sacrifices in the Old Testament, but forget that ceremonial washing was very important as well.
John ties the two together, so that both are testimonies to the trueness of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the perfect atoning sacrifice on the cross.
So, with regard to the atonement, we will look at the Old Testament sacrifices, the Old Testament washing requirements, Jesus as the perfect fulfilment of these sacrifices and washings--from His own baptism, his washing of the disciples feet, his designation and literal sacrifice as a passover lamb, to (Matthew Henry in his commentary on 1 John 5:6 pointed this out) the blood and water flowing from Jesus Christ's dead body when the soldier pierced his side.
If time permits, we will also look at the third witness to Christ, the Holy Spirit.
