Issues In Perspective

John calls his readers to a life of purity and anchors the call in the promise of Jesus to return, when we shall be "like Him" and "see Him as He is”

John warns his people about false teachers among them and exhorts them to know sound doctrine, continue walking with the Spirit and walking in righteousness.

Walking in the "light" with Jesus is a walk of loving obedience, assurance and not "loving the world" or its desires and its pride.

John sets up the first test of assurance that we are walking with Jesus--obedience.

Our fellowship with God is affected by our sin and John gives three truths about how we deal with sin in our lives to facilitate that fellowship.

Introducing the letter with an overview, and then examining how John presents Jesus as the incarnate God in the first four verses.

In defiant pride and energized by Satan (1 Chronicles 21:1), David orders a census for military purposes which results in God's discipline but also leads him to purchase land for the Temple on Mt. Moriah.

These chapters are an epilogue to the book, covering David's just response to the Gibeonites, neutralizing the Philistines and his praise hymn to God who gave him victory in battling Israel's enemies.

David escapes Jerusalem and prepares for the battle with Absalom, who is killed by Joab.

Like a modern politician, Absalom intentionally presents himself as an alternative king, and is crowned king in Hebron; David flees Jerusalem.

David is paralysed by the guilt from his sin and cannot act decisively as the King or as a father regarding his sons Amnon and Absalom.

David mourns the loss of his son; Amnon rapes his half-sister Tamar; but David refuses to discipline Amnon.

David's sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her husband Uriah resulted in 5 consequences for David's family and the kingdom.

David defeats and subjugates all of Israel's enemies and shows grace to Mephibosheth

David returns the Ark to Jerusalem and "dances before the LORD;" God then establishes the Davidic Covenant, promising to David an eternal throne, dynasty and kingdom.

David is crowned king of all 12 tribes, makes Jerusalem his capital, neutralizes the Philistine threat and brings the Ark to Jerusalem.

The civil war between the House of David and the House of Saul ends with murder, assassination and bloodshed, but David begins to unify the 12 tribes with grace, compassion and justice.

David is crowned king in Hebron but must deal with the civil war orchestrated by Abner.

God's discipline of David re-energizes his walk with God and Saul dies on Mt. Gilboa.

Saul hits his spiritual bottom by going to a medium for counsel and David hits his spiritual bottom by his plans to join the Philistines in a war against his own people.