This passage discusses prayer, sin, and God's providence. It encourages believers to pray according to God's will and for fellow believers who sin, with the exception of the sin of apostasy which leads to death. While all wrongdoing is sin, God protects those born of God from the evil one and empowers them to resist sin. The world remains under the control of the evil one, so believers must avoid idolatry and put their trust in Jesus Christ as the true God who gives eternal life.

1. Prayer, Sin and God’s Providence 1 John 5:13-21

2. 1 John 5:13-21 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 16 If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death. 18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 21 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

3. Answered & Unanswered Prayers

4. Eternal Assurance 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life . Faith comes by hearing the Word of God Addressed to those “who believe in the name of the Son of God” To followers of Jesus Christ Not just mental belief, but trust in His name The assurance: Eternal Life Not limited by time, space, human frailties Not just survival, but a full and blessed life No longer separated but seeing God face to face

5. The Power of Prayer 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us . 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask— we know that we have what we asked of him . Prayer is based on relationship with God Relationship founded on Jesus Christ Confidence in approaching God as Father Answers to prayer is based on God’s will If we ask according to His will … Confidence in God accomplishing His will

6. The Problem of Sin 16 If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life . I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that . 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death. God’s will is to have a relationship with his beloved creation—man But man is separated from God because of sin God’s purpose is to reconcile man back to Him We are to pray for brethren who go astray But there is sin that is beyond God’s redemption

7. Sin that Leads to Death Hebrews 6:1-6 1 Therefore let us go on toward perfection, leaving behind the basic teaching about Christ, and not laying again the foundation: repentance from dead works and faith toward God, 2 instruction about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And we will do this, if God permits. 4 For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away , since on their own they are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to contempt. Sin of Apostasy Heard the gospel, understood intellectually, tasted the good things of Christianity Then repudiates the faith, goes back to sinful life

8. Divine Providence for Sin 18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin ; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. Born of God Heard and Believe the Gospel is true United to Christ in Death & Resurrection The Holy Spirit in us Does not continue to sin Inner conviction of sin by the Spirit Power to resist the devil, temptations Protected from the Evil One

9. We are under Grace 1 John 1:5-10 5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; 7 but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

10. The World under the Evil One 19 We know that we are children of God , and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one . The Story of God God created man and woman, made them stewards of the earth, gave them freedom to choose Satan tempts them to sin; man and woman were banished from Eden Man and woman abdicates authority; Satan takes over The Bible is the story of God’s continuing work to restore man and the earth under His Kingdom The Kingdom of God is here but the work is not yet complete God appoints us His messengers and co-workers

11. No More Idols 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life . 21 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. We are given understanding, and we know Him Jesus is the “true God”. Jesus is our life No idols: nothing is more important than Jesus

12. Summary We are in a world dominated by sin and under the influence by the Evil One The Kingdom has come, Jesus is Lord We are God’s co-workers We who are “Born Again” are free from the power of sin and Satan We may sin, but we can ask for forgiveness We are protected by the blood of Jesus We are empowered to resist the devil We must pray For God’s will to be accomplished on earth For one another, that we may be free from sin