June 30, 2013
Morning Service

We have been conducting an extensive study on what the apostles taught on the subject of the second coming of Christ. We have finished with Peter and Paul and today we will move on the apostle John’s teaching.  Each time it has been mentioned it is always in the context that it is not at all IF He will come, but WHEN.  We have also been able to identify a theme with each time the second coming is mentioned.

1Jn 2:15-17 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,  (16)  because all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  (17)  And the world passes away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever.

• We have heard this warning before also.  Do not fall in love the things in this world.  Notice what that shows about us (verse 15).
• Our vision on life is to be an eternal one.  We know how this is going end (verse 17).

 

1Jn 2:18-20 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 days are recognized by the presence of false teachers (antichrists), who began as Christians, but leave the truth and teach another doctrine.  If they were committed they would have continued in the faith teaching the true gospel.
• The True Word of God has the two properties of a magnet.  It will either draw you into a closer walk or drive you away.  The Spirit’s conviction causes each of us each to choose an action to take; conform or be transformed.

Rom 12:2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God.

 

We get to choose, but how do we know what is truth?  There is so much information out there, how can we discern what to believe?

 

1Jn 2:20-24 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.  (22)  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.  (24)  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.

• The anointing you received is the Holy Spirit.  All baptized believers have received this gift.

Act 2:38 Then Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ to remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

• We know the truth and it has not changed. The gospel message has no new twists to it.  If we confess Jesus as the Christ we have speak the truth and have access to the Father.  If we deny Jesus we are liars and antichrists.

 

1Jn 2:25-27  And this is the promise that He has promised us: everlasting life.  (26)  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.

• If we allow the Holy Spirit to abide, lead and teach us, we will not go astray.  He will lead us into truth.  We can all read the same scripture and the Spirit will teach us the same thing.  Just as Peter, Paul, and John are sharing the same message with us.  It is when man gets involved and teaches his own thoughts that trouble begins.  We are deceived only when we accept man’s words as truth without the support of scripture to reinforce it.  Our Bible must be the filter by which all doctrine passes through.  Let your anointing do the work it is designed to do.  Learn to listen to Him.

 

1Jn 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.

• Our transformed life should give us confidence as we continue “looking” for His return. 
• As we see Jesus face to face one day and He asks us “Have you done your best?”  Will our answer be made with confidence or shame?
• We know He is righteous and we know He calls us to righteousness.  Is our life proving Him over and over or bringing doubt that He even exists?

 

1Jn 3:1-3  Behold what manner of love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God. Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.  (2)  Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be. But we know that when He shall be revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  (3)  And everyone who has this hope on him purifies himself, even as that One is pure.

• Notice the relationship we have with God; we are His children.  We are not strangers or even slaves.  The Creator of this universe considers us His children.  With that intimate relationship, comes a promise that we will see Him as He is!

• Do you truly believe you will see God as He is?  If so, you should be living a life that purifies yourself just as He is pure.

 

John’s teaching rings loud and clear; Jesus is coming again.  We need to be busy “abiding “in Him.  Give Him control of every aspect of your life and be “looking” for His return with great confidence and anticipation.

 

Lord, may our lives be a testimony that You are returning soon.