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May 18, 2025

The Law of Love & the Gospel of Faith | 1 John 3:22-23

Preacher: Carlos Montijo Series: First John Scripture: 1 John 3:22–23, Matthew 23:23, James 4:1–12, Psalm 37:1–9, Romans 8:32, Mark 1:14–15, Matthew 3:8, Acts 26:20, Hebrews 11:6

Lord's Day: May 18, 2025  Preacher: Carlos Montijo  Series: First John  Topic: Law & Gospel Distinction  Scripture: 1 John 3:22–23; Matthew 23:23; Psalm 37:1–9; Romans 8:32; Mark 1:14–15; Matthew 3:8; Acts 26:20; Hebrews 11:6

22and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. 23And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He gave a commandment to us. 1 John 3:22–23

I.  If God gives us whatever we ask for according to 1 John 3:22, then why do we not always get what we ask for?

  • It is not pious to obey one command (e.g., prayer) at the expense/neglect of another (e.g., study)—it is immature and sinful to neglect the whole counsel of God, or to have lopsided/imbalanced priorities and applications

II. What does Jesus say about balance?

  • He rebuked the false, imbalanced piety of the scribes and Pharisees, Matthew 23:23: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.”
  • Just as you cannot love aright without sound doctrine (the “weightier provision of the Law”—because we are commanded to first and foremost understand and believe the truth), so likewise, you cannot pray aright without the truth of sound doctrine
  • Prayer is an outworking (orthopraxy) of our doctrine (orthodoxy)

III. We must not pray for sinful things, nor with selfish/perverse motives

  • James 4:1-12
  • Prayer is relational, how we relate with God

IV. To pray rightly, in a manner that pleases God, you need knowledge, faith, humility, persistence, patience.

  • We worship and bow before God in prayer, to petition Him for help, grace, mercy, forgiveness, strength, support, provision, deliverance, blessings, good things
  • Psalm 37:1–9
  • God has given us everything already through our heavenly inheritance and union with Christ (Romans 8:32)

V. What does it mean to “keep His commandments”?

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Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com

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Jun 28

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To Die or Not to Die? That Is the Question of Sin | 1 John 5:16-17

Preacher: Carlos Montijo Scripture: 1 John 5:11–17, Hebrews 7:25, Romans 5:9, Galatians 6:1, Proverbs 27:17, 1 John 2:19–20, Psalm 97:10, 1 John 2:9–11, 1 John 3:15–17, Romans 6:23, James 2:10 Series: First John

Jun 14

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The Will of God & Sin | 1 John 5:14-16, Ephesians 5:15–17

Preacher: Carlos Montijo Scripture: 1 John 5:14–16, Ephesians 5:15–17, Psalm 143:10, Colossians 4:12, Acts 20:27, Ephesians 1:7–10, Deuteronomy 29:29, 1 Corinthians 14:33, Isaiah 46:10–11, Job 42:1–2, Genesis 50:20, Acts 2:23, Acts 4:28, Colossians 3:11, Ezekiel 33:10–11, 1 Samuel 2:25, John 6:40, 1 Thessalonians 4:3–11, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, 1 Peter 2:13–15, 1 John 2:1, 1 Thessalonians 1:1, John 17:17, 2 Peter 3:18, 1 Timothy 3:15, Hebrews 10:24–25, 2 Samuel 10:12, James 4:13–17, 1 John 2:17 Series: First John

Jun 7

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To Boldly Ask According to His Will | 1 John 5:14-15

Preacher: Carlos Montijo Scripture: 1 John 5:10–15, Ephesians 6:18, Romans 13:12, Hebrews 4:14–16, 1 John 3:21–23, John 14:13–15, John 16:23–24, Matthew 6:7–13, Psalm 125:2, Psalm 22:3, Psalm 113:1–9, James 4:3, James 5:16 Series: First John