February 19, 2012
Evening Service

We are reading a letter John wrote to us encouraging us to rekindle the fire of following our Savoir and to warning us of false teaching.

John referenced to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Defining what love truly is and how we should display it has proven to be a recurring thought in his writings.

 

 1Jo 2:5 But whoever keeps His Word, truly in this one the love of God is perfected. By this we know that we are in Him. 1Jo 2:6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk even as He walked.

 

He also showed us areas of our lives that we should not love.

 

1Jo 2:15 Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him,

 

He went on to define three particular areas of sin that by loving this world we allow into our lives.  They are the” lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.” (2:16) 

As we continue on in I John 2, it seems as though he changes the subject here, but I believe he is continuing with the same message of being aware of the struggles this word offers.

 

1Jo 2:18-19 Little children, it is the last time. And just as you have heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have risen up, from which we know that it is the last hour.  (19)  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they were of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out so that it might be revealed that they were not all of us.

 

            The last time began with the ascension of Jesus and will continue until His return.

Antichrist is defined as either the opponent of Christ or one who seeks to put himself in the place of Christ. 

            In the tribulation times, there will be one who is the antichrist (man of sin, the son of perdition 2 Thess 2:3), but I believe John here is referring more to the principle (or spirit) that actively  opposes God which has and will fill men from every generation.

            Remember at this time the Gnostics were teaching that there was a distinct separation in believers; it was not for everyone (verse 19).

 

1Jo 2:20-21 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.  (21)  I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and know that no lie is of the truth.

            John was writing to the church of believers.  He was not opening a fresh, new sort of knowledge, but he is reminding us to simply remember what we know as truth and put it into action. Nothing we need to know for our journey with Christ has been hidden from us.

             2Pe 1:3 according as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who has called us to glory and virtue,

 

1Jo 2:22-23 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He who denies the Father and the Son is antichrist.  (23)  Everyone who denies the Son neither has the Father. The one confessing the Son also has the Father.

            With these verses John gives us the true test of fellowship among believers, who do we believe Jesus is.

 

 

 

 

 

Mat 16:13-18 And coming into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked His disciples, saying, Who do men say Me to be, the Son of Man?  (14)  And they said, Some say, John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.  (15)  He said to them, But who do you say I am?  (16)  And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.  (17)  Jesus answered and said to him, You are blessed, Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal it to you, but My Father in Heaven.  (18)  And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

            It was not upon Peter that Jesus built His Church, but upon the statement Peter made; “You are the Christ.”  Jesus is the key to our relationship with God, without Him we have none (verse 23).

            Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me.

 

We each must decide for ourselves who this Jesus is.  Our life will reflect that decision.  (Hebrew 11:6)  Do we believe Jesus is the Son of God and our Savior?

 

How can we as simple men and women wrap our understanding around such a huge concept?

 

1Jo 2:24-25 Therefore what you heard from the beginning, let it abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, you will abide in both the Son and in the Father.  (25)  And this is the promise that He has promised us: everlasting life.

            We must allow the Word to abide in us; to take a permanent residence in our heart, mind, and soul.  We need not learn any “new “doctrine only let that which we have been taught guide us in our everyday life.

            Notice the promise we have been given “eternal life,” which is the Spirit of God.

 

1Jo 2:26-27 These things I have written to you concerning those leading you astray.  (27)  But the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true and no lie, and as He has taught you, abide in Him.

            We have been equipped with the Holy Spirit (eternal life) which serves as a guide unto our understanding of all truth. (Acts 2:38)

            Joh 16:12-13 I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.  (13)  However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. For He shall not speak of Himself, but whatever He hears, He shall speak. And He will announce to you things to come.

            Our Christian walk is a journey.  We are given everything we need to know to begin with (2 Peter 1:3), but there are depths of knowledge yet to be found upon our travels.  The Spirit opens those depths to us as we are able to grasp them, not all at once.  It is a journey of growth.

 

1Jo 2:28-29 And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He is revealed, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him in His coming.  (29)  If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who does righteousness has been born of Him.

            As we abide with Christ, allowing him into every aspect of our lives, something happens.  We know Him and love Him.  We see Him work in our lives and in those around us.  We have a personal relationship with Him.  This creates an unshakable confidence that we have not in ourselves but in Him. 

 

Do you have that confidence this morning?  You can.