The Iron Pen #99

Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D.

The little letter of 1 John is one of my two favorite books in the New Testament. I have read and reread it over the years and each time I come away with something new. Years ago, during one of those readings, I discovered five reasons the Apostle John wrote his little epistle.

That we might have fellowship with the Lord and other believers – 1 John 1:3

That we might experience genuine joy – 1 John 1:4

That we strive not to sin – 1 John 2:1

That we might not be deceived – 1 John 2:26

That we might know that we are saved – 1 John 5:13

I would urge you to take the time to read, at one sitting, the five chapters and a little more than 2600 words in 1 John. Depending on your reading speed, it will take you between 15 and 50 minutes. I believe you will be blessed if you would take the time to do that. If you would like to read my entire sermon, log on to – firstbaptistchurchoc.org/Recent_Sermons/john_wrote.htm. if you would like to listen to that message go to -- http://www.sermonaudio.com/fbcoc

Depend on it. God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply. He is too wise a God to frustrate His purposes for lack of funds, and He can just as easily supply them ahead of time as afterwards, and He much prefers doing so. -- J. Hudson Taylor

In March of 2003 I took a trip to Europe to do additional research for a book I am writing and a series of adult Sunday school lessons I plan to publish on the history of the English Bible. One of my first stops was Oxford, England. As you walk down Broad Street in that town you will see large red X in the pavement, near the middle of the street. This X marks the spot where Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury was burned at the stake for his faith in Christ. Before his death, the young English Protestant Reformer King, Edward VI, had insisted that his Christian cousin, Lady Jane Grey, be appointed Queen of England instead of his Catholic half-sister, Mary (later called Bloody Mary). Cranmer finally went along with the plan. However, Lady Jane was deposed by Mary I troops after only nine days. Soon Mary was successful in having the laws revoked had established Protestantism and reintroduced laws that returned England to Catholicism. Cranmer was soon arrested for treason.

You cannot slander human nature; it is worse than words can paint it. Charles Haddon Spurgeon