1 John 2:28-3:23 (Connect Group)
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Session 3
Session 3
Context:
Main Idea:
Expectations affect behavior (Tony Evans)
Knowing what will happen tomorrow… should drastically change the way we live today.
Intended Response:
Structure:
Biblical Theology:
Application:
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Background to the book: (context)
John is most likely in his late 60’s to early 80’s.
Most likely to the churches in Asia Minor between 80-85AD. By this point the Church was made up of 2nd and 3rd generation Christians.
Some people in the Church are experiencing persecution because of their faith
Others had just lost the excitement of being saved… the fire for Christ was flickering almost to the point of being extinguished.
False teachers were infiltrating the Church
Christians were becoming lax in their Christian standards, understanding, application of Scripture
4 Purposes of John’s Letter(s)
Combat false teachers
Ethics: Attitudes toward sin and the necessity of love for other Christians.
Pastoral: Health of the Church, strengthening of the Christians’ faith, promoting genuine fellowship.
Personal: “So that our joy may be complete” (1 John 1:4)
Read 1 John 2:28-3:23
Watch Video
How did Tony’s expectations affect his behavior when he knew that the President was coming to dinner?
How should our expectation of Christ’s return in the future, affect our behavior today?
Tony Evans wants us to walk away with one big main idea from this session.
“Expectations affect Behavior”
What is the problem that this main idea is addressing?
We are to be prepared as if were getting ready for someone special who could show up at any minute.
Self examination/ outward examination: “lack of abiding” — Is there a lack of intimacy with Christ? Is there a lack of intimacy between us and other believers? (Intimacy = closeness enhanced through the practice of love.)
In 3:1-3, John helps to frame our perspective.... and reminds us of our status before God. What is that?
God’s children
3:2-3 —> Sets the Expectation: One day, we will see God!
How does (should) the truth that God views you as His child affect your perspective of yourself… and how you make decisions every day?
It is easy to fall into the mindset of viewing the Christian life as just something that we need to check off of our list. But our God is very real, and we will one day stand before Him.
How does the reality that one day we will see God impact you today? (decisions, attitudes, etc…)
There is a shift from verse 3 to verse 4....
The expectation is set.... Jesus is coming back! We will see Him! We will see God! When we see Him… we will be like Him!
While we prepare for His coming.... we need to remember that false teachers are infiltrating the Church… spreading heresies… so.... while we are focusing on God’s glory and Christ’s immanent return.... we also need to remember that sin is battle we will have to fight until we do see God face to face.
Look back at 3:4-10
What would you say is John’s main point of these verses?
“If we continue to sin, we associate ourselves not with God but with the devil.”
Does that mean that if we sin, we are no longer God’s children? (common question for people…)
(verses related to eternal security: Jn. 10:28-29, John 6:39, Heb. 7:25, …)
There are two words in verse 4 that we need to define that may help our discussion:
Practice = habitual, constantly
The Greek word means to produce something…
to bring something tangible about —
produced by the inward act of the mind or will…
Lawlessness: = lawless deeds which are rooted in a lawless frame of mind.
Most commonly connected with disobedience to the Mosaic Law (Scriptures)
John equates the practice of sin with those who do not practice keeping the Scriptures.
The practice of sin.... demonstrates a condition of lawlessness… which characterizes those who are of the devil. — Followers of Christ must take sin seriously and be diligent about putting it to death by the grace of God.
Remember, John is writing to Christians… Why can John make the statement that persistent sinners relate to the devil… and not God?
The expectation of one day seeing God should change how we live today.
If we say we believe that one day we’ll see God and stand before Him, yet persist in living in opposition to God’s Word and Character, we are demonstrating that we really don’t expect to every actually have to face our God. (example of some of the guys at Habitat)
That’s a very real (and easy) temptation to fall into.
Why is it easy to fall into a lifestyle that doesn’t expect to answer to God? (it feels too far into the future… we don’t face God every day face to face… etc.)
Tony’s Illustration: Athletes who expect to be tested for performance enhancing drugs..... They expect to be tested, so it changes their behavior.
[Consequence based motivation… not a doxological motivation.]
[Tension here: fear of consequence vs. fear (awe and reverence) of God]
Discuss?
How does our understanding/ belief in Jesus’ return impact our expectations?
— Discussion about the return of Jesus.
Matthew 24:23-51; 25:1-30...
What does Jesus expect of His disciples in light of His impending return?
(always ready: To be ready when He comes)
What difference should it make in our lives knowing that Jesus isn’t staying away forever?
Actively pursuing/ fulfilling His commands… instructions until He comes.
What trouble do the irresponsible servants run into? Why do they end up behaving the way they do?
They think they have time and the return of their master is unsure
Tony’s illustration about his dad coming home and wanting the house clean...
What should be our motivating factor for faithful service to Jesus in the here-and-now?
He could return at any moment… therefore there will be Immediate consequences
His glory is worthy of our attention, allegiance, and obedience… driven by love.
What drives your motivation? Love or Fear?
Maybe both...
Sometimes we fall into patterns of sinful behavior because we loose sight of the reality that Jesus is coming back.... (to stay in line with Tony’s main idea.... our expectations are often wrong)
What can we do today to adjust our expectations regarding the return of Christ?
Temporary vs. Long-Term mentality
Mission trip mentality: Week 1 = super urgent...... week 4 = urgency fades
Abiding has a lot to do with it. 1 John has pointed us to this concept several times in this study so far.
How can we keep the urgency? Walking in the Light as He is in the Light… having fellowship with one another?
Abiding “While we never become sinless, we will end up sinning less because we’re in such an affectionate, intimate relationship with our Savior.... as we abide in Him.... as we are drawn closer to Him… we are drawn away from sin… and evil.” (paraphrase of Tony Evans)
How does abiding in Jesus affect you?
Focusing on your relationship through prayer, Bible Study, meditation...
What will happen to your expectations (and your actions) if you focus your attention on abiding in Jesus?
What do we stand to gain?
According to 1 John… what do we stand to lose if we don’t abide?
Read 1 John 3:11-15...
What is the either / or situation John places us in?
We can either love fellow believers and grow close to God… or hate them and grow farther away from God.
Some people are just hard to love and hard to get along with. John’s message is pretty simple.... Love our brothers and sisters in Christ.
How is loving others described in the Bible different than how our culture describes loving others? (Discuss)
Why is it so crucial that we love fellow believers?
It makes a statement about our attitude towards God.
We can’t hate something God loves and still be growing in our relationship with Him. If we try to do that… John says that we make Him a liar (1 John 1:10).
In 1 John 3, John presents love as a big deal. Look at verse 14… “whoever does not love abides in death.” Pretty serious statement. So, what does love do? What does love look like?
Look at verses 16-18
Love is willing to give up our life for a sister or brother. Love cares for the needs of other believers.
To echo what tony said in the video.... our love is to be a love that can be seen… not just heard.
Our love needs to be demonstrated with our lives… not just our lips.
Can anyone describe a time when you were on the receiving end of this kind of love from a fellow believer?
How did it impact you?
What did you learn about God as you went through that experience?
What difference did it make in your life to be loved and not hated?
What obstacles stand in our way.... that keep us from loving our fellow believers?
What do you think about John’s argument that we can’t claim to be in fellowship with God and hate His children?
How should that affect our approach to other believers?
How should that affect our approach to non-believers?
One last thought to discuss...
In 3:19-21, John points us to God’s great kindness by telling us about being condemned.
Read 3:19-21...
What does John say condemns us? (our own hearts)
Our hearts tend to shower us with guilt and shame. We look at ourselves in light of all that John has already laid out… and often wonder.... “are we ever going to be good enough”?
John says that God is greater than our hearts!
Share conversation with Veronica
2 reasons that assure us we are truly believers.
Our awareness of the love God has placed in us (v.19a)
Our awareness of the grace of God that accepts our humanness because Christ knows our motives (v.20b(
God is greater than our conscience and there is no need for fear when we approach Him.
(Wizard of Oz Illustration: approaching the great OZ…)
Is that how we are to come into the presence of God? With fear and shaking?
No! We have confidence (John is telling us)… Even when our own hearts are leading us astray.... God is greater than our hearts… and our fallenness!
Hebrews 4:16 says “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 10:19 says “We have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.”
In verse 22, John gives us two reasons why we can have this confidence....
Because we obey God’s commands
Because we “do what pleases Him”
John is not promoting that God hears us because of our works… rather he is promoting the thought that godliness and sincere worship cannot be separated from faith.
How does the truth that God is greater than our guilt and shame affect you? The way you live?
When we do see Jesus face to face, what will you look to for your confidence? God’s character? Or your own failures?
So, this passage reminds us that we are God’s children. As His children… he loves us.
As He loves us.... that love may look different than at other times.
He reveals our sin
He calls us to repent
Challenges our attitudes towards our fellow believers
As God loves us.... He is constantly calling us to Himself… and developing us so that we can grow in our relationship with Him (and other believers)
One day we will see Him! Exciting stuff!
Application/ Live it out!
Main Idea:
Expectations affect behavior (Tony Evans)
Knowing what will happen tomorrow… should drastically change the way we live today.
Intended Response:
Our response: Practice Application Grid with everyone...
Do
Identify a fellow believer who’s in need — even if it is something as simple as raking their leaves.... or visiting them.... Take the opportunity this week to act out your love… and serve another believer.
(how can our Connect Group live this out?)
(How could we live this out with unbelievers as well?)
Memorize
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
Read: Spend 15 minutes this week re-reading Matthew 24-25. Reflect on Jesus’ challenge to His followers to live in light of His return.
Mission Affirmed: Paul’s motivation was driven by a deep understanding of God’s glory (doxological) but focused on the reward that would be given. He wanted a “Well Done…” from Jesus.
What motivates us? ---- What are our expectations based on?
Fear
Hunger for God’s glory
Are we driven by a love based holy awe of God?