Welcome back to our verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. Last lesson we focused on sharing your testimony. You were encouraged to write out your testimony of what your life was like before Jesus, when you believed in Jesus, and how Jesus is transforming your life now. You were encouraged to ask God to give you the strength to share your testimony and then, to share your testimony with everyone.
In this lesson, we’re going to learn about proclaiming “the eternal life.”
1 John 1:2 And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.
Let's focus on: …and we proclaim to you the eternal life…
Proclaim means to bring a report, to announce or to declare.
Eternal means forever or everlasting.
Life means both physical and spiritual existence in the present time and in the future.
Jesus is “the eternal life.” When you see, hear, gaze upon, and touch Jesus by faith you will have eternal life and you will be transformed. God is calling you to proclaim this message to others.
Let your transformed life be a proclamation to others of “the eternal life.” The more you fill your life with Jesus and fix your eyes upon Him, the more your life will change.
The disciples are an example of proclaiming Jesus. After meeting Jesus, the disciples spent their lives telling others about Jesus and how to have eternal life.
The Bible has a lot to say about eternal life.
In Matthew 7:13-14 we read that the way to life is through the narrow gate. The gate is narrow because there’s only one way to eternal life and that is through Jesus.
Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
In John 3:16 we read that in order to have eternal life, you must believe in Jesus.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
In John 4:13-14 we read that when you drink the water that Jesus offers (the Word of God), you will never thirst. This will be a spiritual well that never runs dry.
John 4:13-14 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. 14 But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”
In John 6:35 we read that Jesus is the bread of life. When you believe in Jesus and consume the word of God, your spiritual hunger will be satisfied for eternity. Just like bread nourishes your physical body, Jesus will nourish your soul, forever.
John 6:35 Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.
In John 6:40 we read that it’s God’s will that everyone who looks to Jesus and believes in Him will have eternal life. Look to the Son and believe in Him.
John 6:40 For it is My Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
In John 6:68 we read that Jesus has the words of eternal life. If you want to understand eternal life, listen to the words of Jesus.
John 6:68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.
In John 10:10 we read that Jesus came to give you an abundant life. Abundant means beyond what is anticipated, exceeding expectations, and going past the expected limit. Eternal life is about having an abundant life both while here on earth and in heaven. If you want abundant life believe in Jesus.
John 10:10 The thief comes only that he might steal and might kill and might destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
In Romans 6:23 we read that eternal life is a gift. This is not something that can be earned. God wants to give you this gift.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In 1 Timothy 6:12, we read that eternal life is something that you need to take hold of.
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses.
And finally, in 1 John 5:11, we read that God has given us eternal life and this life is in Jesus.
1 John 5:11 And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
In conclusion, Jesus is “the eternal life.” The way to eternal life is through the narrow gate. Jesus is the narrow gate. When you consume the Word of God, your life will be overflowing with eternal life and your spiritual hunger and thirst will be satisfied. When you look to Jesus, you will have eternal life. Eternal life is a gift from God and it must be something that you take hold of.
Live your life proclaiming “the eternal life” to others, just like the disciples did.
If you have any prayer requests, please share them in the comments.
If you’re blessed by Hope Bible School, please share it with others.
God bless you,
~ Jeff M Newman
VERSE BY VERSE BIBLE STUDY LESSONS (See all)
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 Casey Horner on Unsplash. Wanaka, New Zealand. Berean Study Bible.)
Lesson 9 -1 John 1:2...and we proclaim to you the eternal life...