1 John 5:6-12
This paragraph is closely connected to the previous paragraph. One option would be to preach the two paragraphs together in one sermon on 1 John 5:1-12.
The sub-structure of this paragraph is as follows:
6-8 (Justification for the claim that believers have eternal life – v. 11). God proved to us that he has sent Jesus into the world to provide salvation.
9-10 (Justification for the claim that believers have eternal life – v. 11). We are assured that God’s message about Jesus is true.
11-12 (Claim and main point of the paragraph) – God has given to Christians eternal life.
The sermon structure thus would have one main point (vv. 11-12) and two sub-points (vv. 6-8 and 9-10):
A. God proved to us that he sent Jesus into the world to provide salvation – (6-8)
B. We are assured that God’s message about Jesus is true – (9-10)
I. Therefore, God has given to Christians eternal life – (11-12)
For an example of how this unusual paragraph might be preached in a first person narrative approach, see David L. Allen, 1-3 John: Fellowship in the Family (Wheaton: Crossway, 2013), 223-30.