“Three Testify: Father, Son and Holy Spirit”
Preaching Outline on 1 John 5:7-8 – “For there are three who testify in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three who testify on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree in one.”
Supporting Verse: Matthew 7:7 – “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
Introduction to 1 John 5:7-8
When we talk about God’s love, care and presence in our lives, we need to understand that he is not a distant or confused God. On the contrary, He is a God who wants to relate to man, revealed in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The text of 1 John 5:7 shows us in a wonderful way: there is a perfect unity between these three persons, and they work together to bring us salvation, peace and purpose.
But how does this apply to our lives? How can we experience this communion with God on a daily basis? Let’s explore this using the words of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 7:7: “Ask, seek and knock”. These three verbs help us to understand our relationship with each person of the Trinity.
1.”PEDI”: Our Cry to the FATHER
Every request begins with the Father. When we pray, we are speaking directly to the Creator of the universe, the one who knows us deeply and has a perfect plan for us. God the Father is the recipient of our prayers. He is the loving heart who listens to every whisper of our heart and soul.
But why do we ask? Because we are dependent creatures. Just as a small child runs into the arms of its parents when it is afraid or hungry, we also run to God the Father because we know that He can supply all our needs and longings of the soul. Psalm 50:15 says: “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
So when you cry out to the Father, remember: he is already inclined to listen to you. He doesn’t need to be convinced or persuaded. He wants to bless you, guide you and comfort you. But here’s an important tip: our prayers must be aligned with His will. James 4:3 reminds us that we ask and don’t receive because we ask amiss, to spend on our own desires. So ask in faith, but ask seeking what pleases the Father.
2.”SEEK”: The Presence of the HOLY SPIRIT
Seeking God is not something superficial or mechanical. It’s no good just repeating words or performing rituals without heart or understanding. Jesus said in John 4:23-24: “God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship him in spirit and in truth.” This means that we must seek God sincerely, with the help of the Holy Spirit and with faith.
The Holy Spirit is the Person of the Trinity who leads us to the truth and helps us find intimacy with God. He is the Comforter promised by Jesus (John 14:16-17). When we seek the Lord, it is the Holy Spirit who teaches us, reveals the Word to us and helps us see areas of our lives that need transformation.
Imagine yourself in a dark room, looking for something valuable. You can grope around blindly, but if someone turns on the light, everything becomes clearer. The Holy Spirit is that light! He illuminates our path and helps us find what really matters: intimacy with God.
And what happens when we seek the Lord in spirit and in truth? We find him! And that encounter fills the emptiness we often feel in our hearts. It satisfies the spiritual thirst that nothing in this world can quench.
3.”BATEI”: The Way in JESUS
If we want to get to the Father, there is only one way: Jesus Christ. He himself said in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus is the Door that gives us access to the Father. Without him, there is no communion with God.
But why is Jesus so essential? Because of what he did on the cross. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), but Jesus paid the price for us. He shed His blood so that we could be reconciled with God. Hebrews 10:19 says: “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus…” The blood of Jesus is the key that unlocks the door to God’s presence.
When we knock on that door (Jesus), we are showing our faith in him. We are saying: “Lord, I can’t save myself. I need you.” And when we believe, the Door opens! We receive forgiveness, new life and direct access to the Father.
Moreover, Jesus is not only the Door; he is also the High Priest who constantly intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25). He understands our struggles, our weaknesses and our pain, because he himself went through it here on earth.
Conclusion of 1 John 5:7-8
The Perfect Unity
When we understand the role of each Person of the Trinity in our lives, we realize that they work in harmony to bring us salvation and restoration.
- The Father is the recipient of our prayers. He loves us and wants to bless us.
- The Holy Spirit is the Guide who leads us to the truth and helps us to seek God in spirit and in truth.
- Jesus is the Way, the Door that gives us access to the Father.
That’s the beauty of the Trinity: three distinct Persons, but united in a single purpose – to reconcile us to God and give us abundant life.
So today I invite you to practice these three actions: Ask the Father, seek the Spirit and knock on Jesus’ Door. He always answers, he is always present and he always opens doors for those who sincerely seek.
May God richly bless you as you walk this path of faith and intimacy with Him!
What areas of your life do you need to surrender to the Father today? Let the Holy Spirit guide you, and allow Jesus to be the Door that leads you into God’s presence.
Preaching Outline on 1 John 5:7-8 – “For there are three who testify in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three who testify on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree in one.”
More Preaching Outlines
- The verbs of salvation – Matthew 7:7
- Nehemiah 4:20 – The Sound of the Horn
- Don’t stop praying – 1 Samuel 12:23
