Bethany Church of Canby

As we conclude our study of 1 John, we will find that John finishes as he started with a pastoral heart, encouraging us with the certainties of our faith. With everything going on in our world, we need to know what we can be certain of. This morning we look at three certainties for the child of God.

As John begins to wrap up his letter he returns again to the person and work of Jesus Christ to remind us that everything points to him and that he is the center of everything. You can’t afford to get Christ wrong, so John gives us multiple witnesses to give us assurance and make sure we get it right. Let’s examine the witnesses.

When you read 1 John 4:7-21 it is clear that John want to help us understand true biblical love. He mentions the word love 27 times in our passage. This morning we simplify this passage breaking it down into two halves: the SOURCE of love and the POWER of love.

Do you know that every person on this planet is a theologian of some type? John encourages us to be discerning theologians of Jesus so that we will listen to voices that deserve to shape us and mold us to the Spirit of truth and the true Jesus. So, what type of theologian are you? This morning we look at four characteristics of a godly theologian.

Do you know that every person on this planet is a theologian of some type? John encourages us to be discerning theologians of Jesus so that we will listen to voices that deserve to shape us and mold us to the Spirit of truth and the true Jesus. So, what type of theologian are you? This morning we look at four characteristics of a godly theologian.

John’s goal has been to give us assurance in our hearts that we know, we know God. But many times, we know even our believing heart can accuse us causing us to doubt this. However, the truths of the Gospel are bigger than any accusation that can be brought against a child of God, and believing these truths frees you to self-forgetfulness and the love of one another which gives us abiding assurance...

John shows us that the central command of Jesus for his followers was that they would love one another and by that love, we can know we are his. But John doesn’t leave the definition vague he goes on to proclaim that this love is to be both sacrificially and practical.

This morning John wants to make clear the connection between knowing God and doing righteousness. He uses the two comings of Christ as motivating factors as we look at our motives for righteous living finding the power to do so by abiding in him and realizing we have God’s Seed.

This morning, John describes true Christians as those who will hold onto the truth by the power of the Spirit even when it is contradicted by those from within. His warning is for us to resist those who he describes as actively speaking words against Christ and the gospel. Let’s look at both groups and their marking characteristics.

This morning, John wants us to know WHO we love and WHY we love him and affirm us in this before he goes on to exhort us in the HOW to examine our loves. This morning we will compare and contrast a love for the heavenly Father with a love for the world, learning how to put all our loves in their proper place.

The Apostle John has a very clear understanding of what it means to be a Christian. This understanding came from his firsthand experience with Jesus’ teaching, His person, and His work. John wants us to have a very clear understanding too and assurance of our faith. So, this morning he gives us three tests by which we can evaluate the validity of our personal faith and whether or not we are walkin...

The hope for this world is found in the new life that is available only through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This hope is living and available to all. This Easter we look at three reasons to hope.

One of the greatest comforts available to the Christian is the fact of knowing that God is sovereign over all things and that he is good. It is in moments of suffering, whether global or personal, that we need to be reminded that God is on his throne and he is in control. This truth is the doorway from hopelessness to hope. Today we look at 4 implications of God’s sovereignty.

There are times in life when we just need to be reminded of the comfort that is available in knowing and trusting God - when trials come, when suffering happens, and when we begin to question God’s character. This morning we need to remember that comfort comes in knowing his grace, his presence and his providence. Let’s look at all three of these life changing truths.

John wants us to start with the foundation and beginning of our faith and that is God. John is also interested in what we think about sin and darkness, and we will never have an accurate understanding of sin and darkness, or an appreciation for salvation in Christ, unless we first know God is light.

What would it look like to live in complete joy? And how do we attain it? In the prologue to his letter, the apostle John gives us two keys to the joyful Christian experience that every Christian can have.

Guest Speaker Jim Lincoln

Guest Speaker: Nick Coleman speaks on Colossians 1:16b-18

This morning we will examine a moving testimony authored by an Individual who claimed to be the worst sinner in the history of mankind. It comes from the depths of a truly thankful heart that wanted to praise God for salvation in Jesus Christ.

Message by guest speaker, Nick Coleman on the book of Esther.

This morning in Genesis we transition from the primeval history of many generations to the focusing in on one pagan family with tentative beginnings that God will work through. From the corruption of humanity will come the hope of God’s calling to Abram.

It was God’s intention after the flood that humanity would multiply and fill the earth. It was man’s intention driven by fear and pride to do the exact opposite – dig in their heels and build up. This Sunday we look at God’s gracious solution to the problem of our own pride in his condescension to and scattering of humanity.

We all fear being naked and exposed and known for our true selves. Noah was literally exposed, and his sons responded in vastly different ways that impacted their futures. So how do we deal with our own nakedness and shame? Where do we find true cover?

God delivers Noah and his family through the flood judgement to establish a new order of fruitfulness and peace, to preserve humanity and creation, and He promises to do the same with a covenant and great sign in the sky.

In one disturbing yet beautiful story, because humanity had corrupted and destroyed God’s world with violence, God destroys the world with a catastrophic flood, but delivers Noah through grace, saving creation and humanity to begin again. Jesus tells us that their story is all of earth’s story and all of us need an ark.