No Vacancies

Intro

Squatter living in someone’s attic

NO VACANCY

Have we allowed other people, other loves, other things, to dwell in the houses of our hearts and minds that don’t belong there?

Have you let other authorities take control of your heart/mind? Do others dictate how you live your life?

Have you let other people or loves take up residence in your heart?

Have you let your mind dwell on other things?

Where does your mind and your heart call “home?”

Are you satisfied/content in your relationship with God? Do you find yourself looking for more?

Maybe you’ve tried to clean up the outside of your house, you’ve kicked out the people who don’t belong, but then you don’t replace it.

You clean up your sinful habits, clean up your act, but your heat doesn’t change.

Let’s get into our passage and see how we can set our hearts and minds on the right things, let’s see how this impacts our living, and let’s see what future it leads to...

1 John 2:24–29 ESV

24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. 26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. 28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

EXPLAIN

What word did you hear repeated over and over in this passage? ABIDE

John (14)

John 5:38

John 6:56

John 8:31

John 15

1 John (23)

1 John 2:6, 10, 14, 17, 24, 27, 28

1 John 3:6, 9, 14, 15, 17, 24

1 John 4:12, 13, 15, 16

2 John (3)

2 John 1:2

2 John 1:9

40 of the 43 times that this word is translated as “abide” and used in that way are attributed to JOHN

WHAT DOES THIS WORD MEAN?

Defined:

To remain, to stay, to reside

Continue to exist, keep on

LN: to remain in the same place over a period of time

Like the squatter, he was abiding in that friend’s home (until he wasn’t)

RECAP FROM LAST WEEK:

Last hour and antichrists (Cultivate a discerning mind)

Anointed and knowledge of the truth (Hold fast to the truth)

Confessing or denying Christ (Living with the end in mind)

Remember:

Matthew 24:9–13 ESV

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

John, after warning about these antichrists, instructs the believers on how to endure to the end, how to be saved.

Tonight, we’re talking about the practical outworking of “holding fast to the truth” and “living with the end in mind”

Tonight we’re talking about how to ABIDE and endure the end so that YOU can have confidence when you stand before Christ.

Last week… remember:

1 John 2:20 ESV

20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.

This week… listen:

1 John 2:24 ESV

24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.

and then...

1 John 2:27 ESV

27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

In order to endure to the end

In order to walk in the light

In order to have fellowship with the Father and the Son

In order to live in the truth

In order to be cleansed of your sin

In order to receive the promise of eternal life

In order to have confidence when we stand before Christ

YOU NEED TWO THINGS ABIDING IN YOU...

The Gospel…God’s Word

“Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you”

“If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and the Father.”

What did they hear?

The Gospel proclaimed

The teaching of Jesus

The teaching of the apostles

The Holy Spirit

“You have been anointed by the Holy One”

“The anointing that you received from him abides in you”

The way to endure until the end; the way to abide; the way to reach eternal life does not start with behavior modification or changing what’s on the outside, it starts with the inside, with “your inner man” it starts with your heart...

1. Let the Spirit and Scriptures be the exclusive residents inside of you (vv. 24-25).

Emphasize

Ephesians 5:15–21 ESV

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Colossians 3:1–4 ESV

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

PUT OFF

PUT ON

Colossians 3:16–17 ESV

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Without filling yourself with God’s Word and God’s Spirit, you will walk...

unwisely, foolishly

wasting time

Sexual sin

Evil desires

Coveting (IDOLATRY)

Anger

Slander

Obscene talk

Lying

Paul mentions in Ephesians...Living in debauchery

Do you know what debauchery means...(excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures)

Sure, none of you are drinking wine, or any alcohol for that matter

And I would say it never starts out that way.

It starts out small, “in moderation” but it slowly gets worse and worse over time. Why? Because you keep trying to fill yourself with things that you hope will satisfy but they won’t. You’re trying to get these things to abide in you but they’re awful residents!

What things are you excessively indulging in for pleasure?

Video games

Food

Entertainment

Books

Sports

Music

CHALLENGE TO FAST

This stuff won’t help you to endure to the end, this stuff won’t give you confidence at Christ’s return, this stuff won’t promise you eternal life.

Only the Spirit, only the Scriptures.

So John says to let the Scriptures and the Spirit abide in you...

What happens if we try to clean up our actions and life, but we miss the first step of putting the Spirit and Word into our hearts?

What happens if we try to clean up the house, but we miss the first step of putting the right residents in there?

Jesus gave a parable of someone like this who was demon-possessed...

Luke 11:24–28 ESV

24 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.” 27 As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” 28 But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

Or think of the Pharisees, Jesus called them (Matthew 23:1ff)...

They love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces...

but are like unmarked graves that people walk over without knowing it

white-washed tombs, outwardly appearing beautiful

but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness

they outwardly appear righteous to others but within are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness

they clean the outside of the cup and of the dish

but are full of greed and wickedness

You can memorize Scripture, read your Bible, fill yourself to the brim with God’s Word, but if you don’t have the Spirit inside of you, you’re still stuck.

It’s like memorizing all of the rules for the HOA, knowing exactly how to take care of the house, upkeep, maintenance, all that stuff. You could be a certified plumber, electrician, contractor, interior designer, and painter. If you don’t change the residents, it doesn’t matter.

START WITH THE SPIRIT FIRST!

Apply

How do we do this:

First and foremost:

Confess: your sins (admit that you have been living in rebellion against God)

Repent: Turn away from your sins (no longer will you live the way you have been)

Trust: in Christ’s work on the cross (death, burial, resurrection)

Follow: in obedience, Christ is the Lord of your life, submit to Him

If you’re looking at your life and you see problems, don’t try to

fix it by yourself

“be better”

ignore it or pretend like it’s not there

do good works to make up for it

sit around moping and feeling sorry for yourself

Instead, go to the one who can actually help you

Confess your sin for what it is

Look to God for help, ask Him for help

So then we ask ourselves, how does the Spirit work in us and through us? How does he help us to abide until the end?

THROUGH to the Scriptures...

John talks about the Scriptures dwelling, or ABIDING, in believers...

He writes...

Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the father

The anointing that you received from him abides in you, AND YOU HAVE NO NEED THAT ANYONE SHOULD TEACH YOU… but as his anointing teaches you about everything…abide in Him.

What is John saying? Is John working himself out of a job? Is he saying that you guys don’t need me, or Pastor Ben, or your parents, or anyone for that matter?

The Theme of teenagers? I’m an independent person who needs no teacher

No, that’s not what John is saying.

These false teachers were claiming to have new, hidden knowledge. They were claiming additional revelation.

John is saying no, no, no. Stick to what you know

Remember the things you’ve heard from the beginning

from Jesus

from the Apostles

from the Old Testament

The Spirit helps you to understand these things, and the Spirit works through the Scriptures to help you abide in Him in EVERYTHING

This brings us to our second point...

2. Let the Scriptures be the authoritative instruction over you (vv. 26-27).

In the face of false teaching, in the face of trials, temptations, persecutions, LIFE, John reminds them to let what they heard from the beginning abide in them

How does the Spirit work? He works through God’s Word.

All of your life should find its foundation in Scripture

Think about the Israelites:

Worship

Legal System

Diet

Clothing

Rest habits

Work habits

Punishing evil

The boundaries and rules for their homes

God gave them specific instruction about each of these. Look at Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy. God gave them His Word, it was to be the authoritative instruction for their lives.

It didn’t matter what sinful Canaanites did

It didn’t matter what rebellious Israelites did

They were commanded to follow GOD’S instruction for their lives

There were blessings for obedience, curses for disobedience.

You couldn’t love YHWH, call yourself his chosen people and worship Baal and other false idols, breaking his law, etc. You could be put to death

You can’t love God, call yourself a Christian, and also worship other things, fill your heart with other loves. This can only lead to eternal death.

YHWH was the exclusive resident of the Holy of Holies in the temple; and He will not share residency with others in His church, in your heart.

How were the Israelites supposed to show their allegiance to God, how were they supposed to live as God called them to if they didn’t know what He commanded them to do? If they didn’t dwell on those things regularly?

2 Peter 1:3–4 ESV

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

2 Corinthians 3:17–18 ESV

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Romans 8:5 ESV

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Let’s APPLY:

The Spirit is not limited to working through God’s Word, but that is how he most commonly and clearly works today.

Be taught God’s Word

Main Service

The Grove

Audio Sermons

These are venues that will help you to understand and better apply God’s Word.

Ephesians 4:11–13 ESV

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

Guess what though, fact check it with Scripture! Any time you sit under a sermon, you should have your Bible and make sure that the person teaching or preaching is sticking to Scripture

1 John 2:27 ESV

27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

Read God’s Word

The Spirit convicts you of sin (Heb 4:12)

The Spirit convicts you to live rightly

The Spirit reveals God’s character (2 Cor 3:17-18)

The Spirit helps you to love God more

The Spirit helps you to know and love the truth

Psalm 119:11–16 ESV

11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! 13 With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. 14 In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

Memorize and Meditate on God’s Word

The Spirit helps to cement these things in your heart and mind.

When you’re in the heat of trials and temptations, the Spirit brings these things to mind

The Spirit will bring these things to mind when you need them

Sing God’s Word

The Spirit helps you to express

Col 3:16-17

Eph 5:19-21

Share God’s Word

1 Corinthians 3:7 ESV

7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

Teach God’s Word

Matt 28:18-20

2 Tim 3:16-17

Apply

How does Scripture define you?

Society may say you’re ugly or weird or unpopular

God says you’re fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God

He says you have been given specific gifts to build up the church in specific ways

(Shane and Shane vs. me)

What are you going to let define you and create your identity?

How does Scripture say you should spend your time?

The world says you should do what you enjoy

The world says you should pursue comfort, pleasure, happiness

God says to make disciples

God says to spread the gospel

God says to DENY yourself and to become more like Christ

Which will you listen to?

How can we practically do this?

John wraps up this discussion in a very helpful, very inspiring way...

Abide in Christ, you’re promised eternal life

People will try to deceive you, lead you astray, antichrists

You have the Spirit, you have the truth, you have what you need

Abide in Christ, and when Christ comes back you can have confidence (of eternal life)

You can be SURE of two things:

God is righteous

If you practice righteousness, you’ve been born of God

If you’re practicing righteousness

You are living out the Word

If you are living out the Word

You have the Spirit inside of you

If you have the Spirit inside of you

You have fellowship with God

If you have fellowship with God, you have confidence and the promise of eternal life

3. Let the Son be the template of living for you (vv. 28-29).

1 John 2:25 ESV

25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.

1 John 2:28–29 ESV

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

Do you want to have confidence of your eternal destiny?

When Christ returns, do you want to shrink from him in shame or do you want to stand/kneel before him in confidence?

The best way to do this: practice righteousness

This will do one of two things:

If you’re not of Christ, then practicing righteousness is going to be impossible. It will be frustrating, exhausting, fake, and not reflective of your heart. I pray that this would expose your heart and bring you to your knees in submission and repentance before Christ

If you are of Christ, this will be a sweet gift of assurance.

2 Corinthians 3:17–18 ESV

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

To return to the house analogy

With the right residents in the home, they will want to take care of the home, follow the HOA, and the house will look great!

If the house isn’t looking great and it’s struggling to even reflect some of the HOA standards, you might want to take a closer look at the residents of that home.

John 13:34 ESV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

1 John 2:6 ESV

6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

This is the classic WWJD...

You are ambassadors for Christ

A lot of other countries don’t like Americans

You are representatives for Christ

Think of the government

You are Christ’s BRIDE

If my wife was acting awful, people would be like WHO DID JOHNNY MARRY!?!?

Do you want to know how you should live your life? Do you want to know how to abide?

Study the life of Christ.

Christ lived a life of abiding in the Father (John 15)

Christ studied and knew the Word of God (grew in wisdom, stature, 12-temple)

Christ was led by the Spirit (temptations)

Do you want to know how to do these things? Look at the example of Christ

That will help you

That will give you confidence

Do you want to experience resurrection like Christ? Then live like Christ.

Summarize