Welcome back to our verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. Last lesson we focused on how Jesus is eternal. In this lesson, we are going to focus on hearing and obeying God.
1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands—this is the Word of life.
Let’s focus on:
…which we have heard…
John and the disciples were able to hear Jesus because they were with Jesus in person. The disciples spent significant time with Jesus. They are a great example of what it takes to have a deeper relationship with Jesus.
They could have chosen to do anything else, but they chose to be with Jesus and hear Him.
Jesus, the eternal God, wants to communicate directly with you. He wants you to hear Him and obey Him. Even though you are not with Jesus in person, you can still hear Him.
To hear the words Jesus spoke while He was physically on the earth, go to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the Bible. Many Bible versions put the words of Jesus in red, so they are easy to find.
Read the words of Jesus slowly and read them out loud. Listen closely to what Jesus is saying. Hear Him. Listen carefully and do what He is asking you to do.
There are many benefits to hearing and obeying God. Let’s go through some of them together.
You will be blessed.
Proverbs 8:32-36 Now therefore, my children, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. 33 Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. 34 Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway. 35 For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD. 36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.”
Luke 11:28 But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near.
God will show you the way.
Isaiah 30:21 And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”
When you hear the word and understand it you will have a fruitful life. In the parable of the sower, Jesus let us know that when the seed is sown on good soil it will produce a crop that is a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.
Matthew 13:18-23 Consider, then, the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22 The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 23 But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.”
You will belong to God.
John 8:47 Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
You will be a part of the family of God when you hear the word of God and carry it out.
Luke 8:19-21 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see Him, but they were unable to reach Him because of the crowd. 20 He was told, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see You.” 21 But He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and carry it out.”
You will tell others about Him.
Acts 4:20 For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.
God will lavish His Spirit on you and work miracles among you when you hear and believe. Listen to the words of Paul speaking to the Galatians.
Galatians 3:1-5 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing? 5 Does God lavish His Spirit on you and work miracles among you because you practice the law, or because you hear and believe?
Jesus will lead you and protect you when you listen to His voice.
John 10:27-28 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.
You will build your faith when you hear the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
You won’t drift away.
Hebrews 2:1 We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
You will enter His rest.
Hebrews 4:1-3 Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be deemed to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it. 3 Now we who have believed enter that rest. As for the others, it is just as God has said: “So I swore on oath in My anger, ‘They shall never enter My rest.’ ”
You will eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God.
Revelation 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God.
You will not be harmed by the second death.
Revelation 2:11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who overcomes will not be harmed by the second death.
You will eat the hidden manna and receive the white stone inscribed with a new name.
Revelation 2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone inscribed with a new name, known only to the one who receives it.
In conclusion, God wants you to hear Him, obey Him, continue in His word till the end, and be an overcomer.
Let God speak to you and hear what He is saying to you. You can do this by opening the Bible, reading out loud, praying to Him in response, and seeking to obey what He is saying to you.
If Hope Bible School blesses you, please share it with others. If you have any prayer requests, please share them in the comments. Thank you and God bless you.
~ Jeff M Newman
VERSE BY VERSE BIBLE STUDY LESSONS (See all)
Lesson 8 - Lesson 8 -1 John 1:2...we have seen it and testified to it... (Share Your Testimony)
Lesson 7 - 1 John 1:2 And this is the life that was revealed... (Eternal Life Revealed)
Lesson 6 - 1 John 1:1...this is the Word of life. (The Message of Eternal Life)
Lesson 5 - 1 John 1:1...and touched with our own hands...(Touching Jesus by Faith)
Lesson 4 - 1 John 1:1...which we have gazed upon... (Gaze Upon Jesus)
Lesson 3 - 1 John 1:1...which we have seen with our own eyes... (Eyes of Faith)
Lesson 2 - 1 John 1:1…which we have heard… (Hear and Obey God)
Lesson 1 - 1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning (Jesus is Eternal)
(Image by Radu Lin on Unsplash. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA. Berean Study Bible Translation.)
Lesson 2 - 1 John 1:1…which we have heard…