1st John on July 4th 2012

Hello Project Ezra! We are coming up on our July 4^th reading for this year, and I pray that many of you will be able to join us in reading 1^st John in the open air.  As is common when we read a full book, or multiple chapters, I will not be giving a full outline, but will be suggesting a few possible springboards into good gospel presentations.  With a weekend on either side of the holiday, it would be very easy to read the same material multiple times and have a fresh topic each time.  Even for those outside the States and Canada who don’t have a holiday this week, there is easily two weeks of regular reading material in 1^st John, so I pray you will still join us.  If you are planning to participate, please let us know.  I will be posting our participation map soon, so let us know where you will be and we will add you.  The map is always an encouragement, and if you are on Facebook be sure to visit our Facebook group and add your name there. 

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/103701805742/

Here are a few suggestion for gospel springboards.  If you see any I didn’t list that you believe are particularly helpful, please let me know so we can use them as suggestions in the future.

1 John 1:1-4  The words of life, being manifest through Christ Jesus, with the Apostles as eyewitnesses

1 John 1:5-10  Walking in the light, confessing our sin, and being cleansed by the blood of Christ.  If we say we have not sinned, His wo1rd is not in us.

1 John 2: 1-2  Jesus Christ, the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 2:3-6  Walking in obedience out of love for Christ

1 John 2:15-17  Do not love the world.  The world passing away along with its desires

1 John 2:18-28  The Antichrists, the deceivers who deny the Father and the Son

1 John 3:4-10  The practices of sin and righteousness.  The fruit of true repentance and faith

1 John 4:1-6  Test the spirits.  The Spirit of God and the spirit of error

1 John 4:7-12  The love of God made manifest through us in Christ Jesus

1 John 5:1-5  Those born of God overcoming the world

1 John 5:6-12  The testimony of God concerning His son.  He who has the Son has life.

I pray this will provide a few good starting points, and I look forward to hearing what God does in your readings this coming week.  I would encourage you to spend some serious time in prayer and fasting prior to going out to share the word.  I am reminded regularly of how important it is that whenever we head out to share the gospel that it is done in the Spirit of God, and not in our own power.  And I pray that He will work powerfully through the reading of His word.  May God be glorified!  I hope to hear from you all soon, and pray for hearts changed and souls saved by God’s grace working through you.

All for His glory,

Dan