1 John
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2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—
3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
4 These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.
AS WE START IN THIS LETTER FROM JOHN THE APOSTLE WE ARE GOING TO SEE WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT INTO WHICH HE WROTE THIS LETTER.
I LIKE THIS BOOK IN THE NEW TESTAMENT BECAUSE HE LET'S US KNOW HOW TO KNOW FOR SURE THAT WE ARE A CHILD OF GOD. THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED THE SALVATION THAT ENSURES NOT ONLY OUR ENTRANCE INTO HEAVEN BUT ALSO INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD. THE ETERNAL LIFE THAT BEGINS THE MOMENT OF OUR SALVATION.
JOHN'S EMPHASIS ON KNOWING IS EVIDENT WHEN HE USES THE WORD KNOW 38 TIMES.
WITH GREEK TRANSLATIONS OF GINOSKO OR EIDO BOTH MEAN TO KNOW FOR CERTAIN.
1 John 2:3 (NASB) 3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.
1 John 3:14 (NASB) 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.
1 John 5:13 (NASB) 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
JOHN ALSO HAS THE THEME OF LOVE WHICH IS TRANLATED FROM THE FORMS OF AGAPAO. IT IS USED OVER 50 TIMES IN HIS 5 CHAPTERS OF THIS LETTER.
1 JOHN AND HEBREWS ARE THE ONLY TO EPISTLES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT WHERE THE AUTHOR DOES NOT NAME HIMSELF.
THE GOSPEL OF JOHN REVEALS HIMSELF BUT DOES NOT NAME HIMSELF AS THE AUTHOR.
THERE IS NO DOUBT WITH ANY OF THE WRITERS OF ANTIQUITY THAT THE APOSTLE JOHN IS THE AUTHOR OF 1 JOHN.
HE WROTE THIS LETTER FROM EPHESIS WHERE HE IS THE PASTOR BEFORE HIS IMPRISONMENT ON THE ISLAND OF PATMOS.
WRITTEN WHEN HE WAS OLD, AND THE ONLY LIVING APOSTLE LEFT, IT WAS WRITEN AFTER HE WROTE THE GOSPEL. SO THIS LETTER WAS WRITTEN BETWEEN 90-95 AD.
THIS LETTER WAS WRITTEN TO BELIEVERS EVERYWHERE AND WAS INTENTED TO BE SENT AROUND TO THE CHURCHES IN ASIA MINOR. POSSIBLE TO THE 6 OTHER CHURCHES TO WHICH HE WRITES TO IN THE REVELATION.
ASIA MINOR WHICH IS TURKEY TODAY, SEPARATED 2 CONTINENTS. ASIA AND EUROPE.
SO IT WAS A MECA OF PHILOSOPHICAL THOUGHTS COMING TOGETHER
IT IS INTERESTING THAT AFTER STUDYING 1 TIMOTHY WHERE PAUL LEFT TIMOTHY THERE AT EPHESUS TO TAKE OVER AS PASTOR AND TO BOOT OUT THE FALSE TEACHERS WHO WERE PLAGUEING NOT ONLY EPHESUS BUT ALSO THE OTHER CHURCHES IN THE AREA.
WE KNOW THAT PAUL WAS BEHEADED 67 AD.
WE KNOW NOW THAT IN HIS 90'S JOHN IS PASTOR AT EPHESUS AND IS STILL WORKING AGAINST THE FALSE TEACHERS.
WHICH GIVES US INSIGHT INTO THE SCHEMES OF THE DEVIL THE ENEMY OF GOD AND ALL MANKIND.
WE ARE STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM OF FALSE TEACHERS.
IN STUDYING TIMOTHY WE FIND THAT THE FALSE TEACHINGS THAT TIMOTHY WAS TO REFUTE WAS EARLY GNOSTICISM.
IT IS THE SAME FOR JOHN 30 YEARS LATER.
GNOSTICISM COMES FROM THE WORD GNOSIS WHICH MEANS KNOWLEDGE.
THIS WAS MIXTURE OF VARIOUS PAGAN, JEWISH AND SEEMINGLY CHRISTIAN THOUGHTS.
INFLUENCED BY THE GREEK PHILOSOPHY GNOSTICISM TAUGHT THAT ALL MATTER WAS EVIL AND THAT THE SPIRITUAL WAS GOOD. THEY TAUGHT THAT GOD BEING GOOD COULD NOT AND WOULD NOT TAKE ON HIMSELF A HUMAN BODY. THEY BELIEVED JESUS BEING GOD BUT JUST THAT HE WAS A SPIRIT AND REALLY NOT SEEN OR TOUCHED. JUST A VISION.
ANOTHER GNOSTIC GROUP BELIEVED THAT JESUS WAS A MAN AND AT HIS BAPTISM CHRIST CAME INTO HIM AND BEFORE HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS LEFT CHRIST LEFT THE BODY OF JESUS.
BOTH OF THESE UNDERMINE THE POSSIBILITY OF SALVATION BECAUSE WITHOUT A WORTHY PERFECT SACRIFICE THERE IS NO ATONEMENT OF SINS SO THERE IS NO FORGIVENESS. SO THERE IS NO HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE.
WHICH BRINGS US TO THE INTRODUCTION OF JOHN'S LETTER. AS ANY PASTOR JOHN HAS GREAT CONCERN WHEN HIS PEOPLE WERE BEING LED ASTRAY AND AT LEAST BROUGHT TO QUESTION THE TRUTHS OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. SO HE IS GOING TO ADDRESS THE FALSE TEACHER AND EVEN QUALIFY THE FALSE TEACHERS AS SERVANTS OF SATAN.
HE WANTED TO REFUTE THESE FALSE TEACHERS AND ALSO WANTED TO REASSURE THE TRUE BELIEVERS OF THEIR SALVATION AND ALSO THEIR PLACE IN CHRIST.
JOHN GIVES US THE REASON FOR HIS WRITTING THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
John 20:31 (NASB) 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
1 JOHN WAS WRITTEN TO BELIEVERS FOR THIS REASON
1 John 5:13 (NASB) 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
JOHN WANTS US TO KNOW THAT IN CHRIST OUR SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE IS SAFE AND SECURE.
1 John 1:1-4 (NASB) 1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life—
2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—
3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
4 These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.
Genesis 1:1 (NASB) 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
IN THE BEGINNING GOD ALREADY WAS.
John 1:1 (NASB) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
JOHN IN HIS GOSPEL ACCOUNT REAFFIRMS THAT GOD EXISTED BEFORE THE BEGINNING AND THEN INTRODUCED GOD THE WORD, AS THE 2ND PERSON OF THE TRINITY WHO BECOMES THE SON OF GOD IN HIS INCARNATION.
GOD THE SON IS STILL GOD AND EXISTED IN THE BEGINNING WITH GOD THE FATHER
1 John 1:1-4 (NASB) 1 What was from the beginning,
HERE JOHN IS TAKING US ON DOWN THE ROAD TO THE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.
JESUS THE INCARNATE SON OF GOD WAS BORN IN BETHLEHEM TO MARY THE SISTER OF SALOME WHO WAS THE MOTHER OF JAMES AND JOHN WHO JESUS CALLED THE SONS OF THUNDER.
JESUS IN THE BEGINNING OF HIS MINISTRY
what we have heard HIM,
what we have seen with our eyes,
NOT ONLY HAVE WE HEARD GOD WE ALSO HAVE SEEN HIM IN HIS INCARNATION, WE HAVE SEEN, NOT JUST A VISION BUT WE HAVE SEEN HIM IN HIS BODY
what we have looked at, WE HAVE LOOKED UPON WE HAVE BEHELD, WE HAVE LOOKED AT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.
GREEK THEAOMAI. WE GET OUR WORD THEATRE FROM THIS WORD.
TO LOOK CLOSELY AT AND PRECEIVE. TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SEEING.
and touched with our hands,
AND WE HAVE HANDLED HIM. IN HIS GOSPEL JOHN SAYS THAT HE LEANED ON HIS BREAST AT THE LAST SUPPER. AND THOMAS ALSO TOUCHED JESUS' WOUNDS AFTER HIS RESURRECTION.
JESUS WAS ALWAYS EATING AND PASSING OUT THE FOOD. THEIR FEET EVEN TOUCHED JESUS' HANDS AS JESUS WASHED THIER FEET.
concerning the Word of Life—
CONCERNING THE PHYSICAL LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST THE SON OF GOD. ALL GOD. ALL MAN. THE SON OF GOD THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD.
John 1:1-14 (NASB) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
6 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.
8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—
HOW WAS ETERNAL LIFE MANIFESTED OR REVEALED TO THE APOSTLES. THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST.
3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
4 These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.
SO FOR THE GNOSTICS THIS PHILOSOPHICAL THOUGHT CALLED DUALISM LED THEM TO HAVE NO CONCERN FOR MORALITY AND ETHICS.
THEIR CLAIM OF LOVING GOD IN THE SPIRIT WAS ALL THAT WAS NEEDED.
TO THEM THE BODY WAS THE SHELL THAT THE SPIRIT WAS CONTAINED IN SO WHAT WAS DONE IN THE BODY HAD NO EFFECT ON THE SPIRIT.
SO THIS JUSTIFIED THEIR IMMORAL SINFUL LIFESTYLE.
THE GNOSTICS ALSO BELIEVED THAT THEY HAD SPECIAL SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE THEY WERE BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE.
THEY LOOKED DOWN ON OTHERS WHO WERE NOT ENLIGHTENED WITH THIS SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE. THEY WERE AROGANT WITH NO THOUGHT OF LOVE OF OTHERS AND NO DESIRE TO LIVE A HOLY LIFE.
THIS JOHN IS GOING TO ADDRESS.
1 John 2:9 (NASB) 9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now.
1 John 3:10 (NASB) 10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.
1 John 4:8 (NASB) 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1 John 4:20-21 (NASB) 20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.
21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.
I AM A CHILD OF GOD FOR SURE!!!
1 John 2:1-6 (NASB) 1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.
4 The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:
6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
I HAVE ASKED PEOPLE IF THEY WERE GOING TO HEAVEN WHEN THEY DIE; AND SOMETIMES THEIR RESPONSE IS, WELL, I HOPE SO!
I HAVE GOTTEN THIS RESPONSE FROM PEOPLE I KNOW TO BE SAVED AND FROM PEOPLE I AM PRETTY SURE THEY ARE NOT SAVED.
TO THE UNSAVED PERSON IT IS USUALLY FOLLOWED BY WELL I AM TRYING TO BE GOOD ENOUGH.
TO THE PERSON WHO HAS TRUSTED CHRIST AS LORD AND SAVIOR, WE STILL STRUGGLE WITH SIN AND SOMETIMES WE HAVE OUR DOUBTS.
AS A TRUE CHILD OF GOD JOHN WANTS ALL OF OUR CONFIDENCE IN THE SAVIING WORK OF JESUS CHRIST. BECAUSE HE DID IT ALL.
JOHN AS THE OLD PASTOR OF THE CHURCHES OF EPHESUS IS WRITTING TO BELIEVERS.
HE CALLS THEM MY LITTLE CHILDREN.
HE SAYS THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE YOUNGER AND ALSO LESS MATURE IN CHRIST.
HE IS THE ONLY LIVING APOSTLE AT THE TIME OF THIS WRITTING.
ALL OTHERS HAD BEEN MARTYRED.
JOHN WILL SOON BE ARRESTED AND IMPRISONED ON THE PRISON ISLAND OF PATMOS.
IT IS THERE THAT HE RECEIVES THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST, THE LAST BOOK INOUR BIBLE. AFTER A WHILE THERE HE IS RELEASED AND HE RETURNED TO EPHESUS AND STAYED THERE.
JOHN'S CONCERN AS PASTOR THOUGH WAS THE FALSE TEACHING THAT WAS GOING ON AND EFFECTING THE BELIEVERS; CAUSING THEM TO DOUBT THEIR SALVATION AND IN SOME CASES LEADING THEM ASTRAY AWAY FROM THE TRUTH.
JOHN IS JOE FRIDAY ON THE OLD SHOW DRAGNET. I REMEMBER WATCHING THIS AS A KID.
IN HIS DEEP MONO TONE VOICE HE WOULD SAY "JUST THE FACTS, MA'AM.
THIS IS THE TACTIC THAT JOHN IS USING IN THIS LETTER. JUST THE FACTS!
WE ARE GOING TO MOVE THROUGH THIS BOOK PRETTY FAST BECAUSE JOHN IS MAKING ONE MAIN POINT.
HOW DO WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE TRULY TRUSTED JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND SAVIOR?
IN ANSWERING THIS QUESTION HE ALSO ANSWERS ANOTHER QUESTION. HOW DO WE KNOW IF SOMEONE ELSE HAS TRUELY TRUSTED JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND SAVIOR?
THIS QUESTION IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF FALSE TEACHING.
IF WE KNOW THE TRUTH THEN WE ALSO WILL KNOW A LIE.
1 John 1:5-10 (NASB) 5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;
7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
THIS IS THE MESSAGE WE RECEIVED FROM JESUS GOD IS LIGHT AND IN HIM THERE IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL.
John 1:1-5 (NASB) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
JESUS CHRIST THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
John 1:9-13 (NASB) 9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
NOW BACK TO FIRST JOHN THE LETTER.
1 John 1:5-10 (NASB) 5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;
7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
DO YOU SEE JOHN FRIDAY AT WORK IN THIS LETTER.
JOHN PULLS NO PUNCHES JUST GIVES US THE FACTS.
IN CHAPTER 2 15 OUT OF 29 VERSES JOHN STATES THE FACTS.
CHAPTER 3 14 OUT OF 24 VERSES
CHAPTER 4 8 OUT OF 21 VERSES.
1 John 1:5-10 (NASB) 5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;
7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us
Romans 3:23 (NASB) 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
THIS IS ONLY ONE VERSE OF MANY THAT TELL US THAT WE ARE ALL SINNERS AND SEPARATED FROM GOD BY OUR SIN.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Ephesians 2:8 (NASB) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
THERE IS A LOT WE COULD FOCUS ON BUT TODAY WE ARE JUST LOOKING AT THE FACTS.
YOU WILL NOTICE THAT JOHN USES OPPOSITES TO PROVE EACH OTHER.
IF IT IS LIGHT OUTSIDE IS NOT DARK OUT.
IF IT IS DARK OUTSIDE IT IS NOT LIGHT OUT.
1 John 2:1-29 (NASB) 1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
MY LITTLE CHILDREN. HE IS DEFINITELY ADDRESSING TRUE BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST HERE.
Romans 5:8-11 (NASB) 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Romans 8:33-34 (NASB) 33 Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;
34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
WHAT IS JOHN AND PAUL TRYING TO MAKE CLEAR TO US.
WHEN WE TRUELY TRUST CHRIST AS LORD AND SAVIOR OUR SALVATION IS SECURE AND WE HAVE NO REASON TO DOUBT.
IF CHRIST LOVED US ENOUGHT TO DIE FOR US WHILE WE WERE SEPARATED FROM HIM BY OUR SIN.
ONCE OUR SIN IS REMOVED HOW MUCH MORE SO IS OUR SALVATION SECURE NOW AS A CHILD OF GOD ADOPTED INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD.
JOHN SAYS MY LITTLE CHILDREN.
HOW DO WE KNOW THAT WE TRUELY KNOW GOD?
1 John 2:1-29 (NASB) 1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.
4 The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:
THE FACTS AS A CHILD OF GOD WE STRUGGLE WITH OUR FLESH IN THIS LIFE. WE SIN AND WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER MAKING INTERCESSION FOR US WHEN WE SIN.
A CHILD OF GOD WE STRUGGLE AGAINST SIN.
THE PERSON WHO IS NOT A CHILD OF GOD THERE IS NO STRUGGLE WITH SIN.
THEY ARE CONTENT WITH THEIR SIN AND ENJOY THEIR SIN.
THEY PLAN TO SIN AND SATISFY THEIR FLESH.
THEY HAVE A LIFESTYLE OF SIN.
THE CHILD OF GOD FOR THE MOST PART IS MOVING AWAY FROM SIN TO A LIFE THAT HONORS OUR SAVIOR WHO DIED FOR US.
BECAUSE WE LOVE HIM.
Matthew 22:36-40 (NASB) 36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"
37 And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'
38 "This is the great and foremost commandment.
39 "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'
40 "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."
IF WE LOVE GOD WITH ALL THAT WE ARE, EVERYTHING THAT IS IN OUR MAKE UP; WE WILL WANT TO OBEY HIM AND THIS WILL BE THE DIRECTION OUR LIVES TAKE
BACK TO 1 JOHN
1 John 2:1-29 (NASB) 1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.
4 The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
JUST THE FACTS
IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU SAY.
IF YOUR LIFE IS FOCUSED AROUND LIVING FOR THE FLESH, LIVING FOR YOURSELF THE TRUTH IS NOT IN YOU.
John 14:16-17 (NASB) 16 "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;
17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.
John 15:26 (NASB) 26 "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me,
WHEN WE PUT OUR FAITH AND TRUST IN CHRIST WE RECEIVE FROM HIM THE HOLY SPIRIT TO LIVE IN US TO HELP US AS WE SEEK TO SERVE OUR SAVIOR WHO DIED IN OUR PLACE.
THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL NOT ALLOW US TO BE CONTENT IN OUR SIN AS A CHILD OF GOD.
SO WHEN WE SIN AS A CHILD OF GOD WE WILL FEEL REMORSE AND BE DISGUSTED WITH OURSELVES. THIS IS THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKING IN US.
5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:
6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
HOW IS THE LOVE OF GOD PERFECTED IN US?
WHEN OUR LOVE FOR GOD CAUSES US TO LIVE HONOR HIM AND OBEYING HIM
#1. WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE A HOME IN HEAVEN WAITING FOR US WHEN WE CHOOSE TO LIVE FOR JESUS HONORING HIM WITH OUR OBEDIENCE TO HIS COMMANDS.
WE ARE NOT ALWAYS PERFECT IN OUR OBEDIENCE BUT OUR DIRECTION AND LIFE FOCUS IS OBEDIENCE TO HIM AND HIS WORD. KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS
7 Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard.
8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining.
WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET INTO THE NEW COMMANDMENT OLD COMMANDMENT THING TODAY BUT JUST TO SAY THIS.
WHEN JESUS STARTED HIS MINISTRY THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD BECAME VISIBLE AND IS STILL SHINING.
9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now.
10 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
LET'S GO BACK TO WHAT JESUS SAID.
Matthew 22:36-40 (NASB) 36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"
37 And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'
38 "This is the great and foremost commandment.
39 "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'
40 "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."
IF WE LOVE THE LORD WITH ALL THAT WE ARE WE WILL STRIVE TO KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS.
IF WE LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR AS OURSELVES WE WILL NOT HATE OUR BROTHER
9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now.
10 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
PAUL TELLS US THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT THAT DWELLS IN BELIEVER IS FIRST OF ALL LOVE.
Galatians 5:13-25 (NASB) 13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
A CHILD OF GOD FOR SURE PART 2
THE APOSTLE JOHN, WRITING TO TRUE BELIEVERS, WANTED TO REFUTE THE TEACHING OF FALSE TEACHERS AND ALSO WANTED TO REASSURE THE TRUE BELIEVERS OF THEIR SALVATION AND ALSO THEIR PLACE IN CHRIST.
JOHN GIVES US THE REASON FOR HIS WRITTING THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
John 20:31 (NASB) 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
1 JOHN WAS WRITTEN TO BELIEVERS FOR THIS REASON
1 John 5:13 (NASB) 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
LAST WEEK WE CAME UP WITH THE FIRST OF MANY WAYS WE KNOW THAT WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE A HOME IN HEAVEN WAITING FOR US.
#1. WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE A HOME IN HEAVEN WAITING FOR US WHEN WE CHOOSE TO LIVE FOR JESUS HONORING HIM WITH OUR OBEDIENCE TO HIS COMMANDS.
WE ARE NOT ALWAYS PERFECT IN OUR OBEDIENCE BUT OUR DIRECTION AND LIFE FOCUS IS OBEDIENCE TO HIM AND HIS WORD. KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS
1 John 2:1 (NASB) 1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
A COUPLE OF THINGS TO NAIL DOWN.
1. TO WHOM IS JOHN WRITING? TO TRUE BELIEVERS
MY LITTLE CHILDREN
THERE ONLY EXISTS TWO SPIRITUAL FAMILIES FROM GOD'S PERSPECTIVE.
John 8:39-44 (NASB) 39 They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus *said to them, "If you are Abraham's children, do the deeds of Abraham.
40 "But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do.
41 "You are doing the deeds of your father." They said to Him, "We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God."
42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me.
43 "Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word.
44 "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND OR GROUP OF IFFIES.
AFTER YOU UNDERSTAND RIGHT FROM WRONG YOU ARE PART OF THE FAMILY OF SATAN AND ARE BOUND FOR HELL.
THE MOMENT YOU RECOGNIZE YOU ARE A SINNER AND THAT JESUS CAME TO DIE FOR YOU AND YOUR SINS.
YOU ASK HIM TO FORGIVE YOUR SINS AND PUT YOUR FAITH AND TRUST IN HIM AND SEEK TO LIVE FOR HIM YOU LEAVE THE FAMILY OF SATAN AND HIS ETERNAL DESTINATION AND YOU ARE ADOPTED INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD AND ARE HEAVEN BOUND.
NO MIDDLE GROUND
1 John 2:15 (NASB) 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.
John 14:15 (NASB) 15 "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
Romans 5:8 (NASB) 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
TO UNDERSTAND THE LOVE GOD HAS FOR US AND THE LENGTH HE WENT TO SAVE US
WE THEN START TO LOVE HIM BACK AND SERVE HIM.
THE LOVE IS AGAPEO SELF SACRIFICING LOVE
AS A CHILD OF GOD OUR DIRECTION AND PURPOSE IN LIFE WHICH IS ALSO THE MAIN FOCUS IS TO BECOME MORE LIKE CHRIST. TO SERVE HIM WHO DIED IN OUR PLACE.
SO ON THIS ROAD TO HOLINESS WE WILL SOMETIMES STUMBLE AND SIN. WE LOOSE OUR FOCUS AND SIN AGAINST GOD.
JOHN IS ASSURING THESE TRUE BELIEVERS TO KEEP THEIR FOCUS AND STRIVE FOR HOLINESS..
BUT IF AND WHEN WE SIN WE TRUE BELIEVERS HAVE AN ADVOCATE WHO IS WITH THE FATHER WHO WILL INTERCEDE ON OUR BEHALF AS A BLOOD BOUGHT CHILD OF GOD, AND THE ONE INTERCEEDING IS THE ONE WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR US. WHOSE BLOOD WAS SHED FOR OUR SALVATION.
WHO IS A TRUE BELIEVER?
THEIR SINS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN THEM FOR JESUS' NAME'S SAKE.
THEY KNOW CREATOR GOD WHO IS AND WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE.
THEY HAVE OVERCOME THE EVIL ONE. TO KNOW THE ENEMY AND TREAT HIM AS AN ENEMY. TO AVOID HIS SCHEMES AND ACTUALY WORK AGAINST THEM
THE WORD OF GOD ABIDES IN TRUE BELIEVERS WHO LOVE GOD'S WORD AND KNOW THAT IT IS THROUGH HIS WORD THAT WE ARE EQUIPPED TO OVERCOME THE ENEMY AND SERVE OUR SAVIOR IN THE FULL CAPACITY HE HAS FOR US.
THROUGH THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT AND THE WORD OF GOD, WE WILL OVERCOME THE ENEMY AND HIS ATTEMPTS TO DEFEAT AND DISTRACT US FROM SERVING OUR SAVIOR
12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name's sake.
13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.
14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
JOHN IS AFFIRMING THE TRUE BELIEVERS IN THE CHURCH THERE IN EPHESUS AND THE AREA.
JOHN IS ALSO REASSURING THESE TRUE BELIEVERS OF THEIR SALVATION
1 John 2:21 (NASB) 21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth.
JOHN HERE IS REFUTING THE GNOSTIC APOSTATE TEACHERS WHO WERE ADDING TO THE GOSPEL. THEY WERE SHOWING THEMSELVES TO BE FOLLOWERS NOT OF GOD BUT OF SATAN. BECAUSE THEY WERE TEACHING LIES.
HE SPEAKS OF FATHERS, YOUNG MEN AND LITTLE CHILDREN
1 John 2:12-14 (NASB) 12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name's sake.
LITTLE CHILDREN TEKNIA MEANS BORN ONES. A TERM FOR ALL TRUE BELIEVERS CHILDREN OF GOD, WITHOUT REGARD TO AGE.
V13 I have written to you, children, because you know the Father CHILDREN HERE PAIDIA REFERS TO IMMATURE BELIEVER IN NEED OF INSTRUCTION.
Ephesians 4:11-14 (NASB) 11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of 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 a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. .
14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
HERE JOHN IS ALSO ASSURING TRUE BELIEVER IN VARYING DEGREES OF MATURITY THAT THEY TRUELY ARE CHILDREN OF GOD AND AS SUCH WE CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE IN OUR SALVATION AND NOT BE CAUSED TO DOUBT.
WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD BECAUSE OF CHRIST, NOT BECAUSE OF ANYTHING WE HAVE DONE.
WHO IS JOHN WRITING TO. SAVED FOLKS. HIS BROTHER AND SISTERS IN CHRIST.
NOW JUST THE FACTS JOHN
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.
IF YOU WONDER FOR SURE IF YOU ARE SAVED THAT YOU HAVE A HOME IN HEAVEN WAITING FOR YOU ASK YOURSELF THIS.
HOW MUCH OF MY LIFE IS CONSUMED WITH THIS WORLD AND THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD.
IF YOUR FOCUS IS TODAY AND THIS WORLD, GAINING POWER, WEALTH, SATISFYING YOUR OWN DESIRES YOU PROBABLY ARE NOT SAVED.
John 3:16 (NASB) 16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Matthew 22:36-40 (NASB) 36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"
37 And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'
16 "For God <G2316> so <G3779> [a] Rom 5:8; Eph 2:4; 2 Thess 2:16; 1 John 4:10; Rev 1:5 loved <G25> the world <G2889>, that He [b] Rom 8:32; 1 John 4:9 gave <G1325> His [1] Or unique, only one of His kind [c] John 1:18; 3:18; 1 John 4:9 only <G3439> begotten <G3439> Son <G5207>, that whoever <G3956> [d] John 3:36; 6:40; 11:25f believes <G4100> in Him shall not perish <G622>, but have <G2192> eternal <G166> life <G2222>
37 And He said <G5346> to him, " '[a] Deut 6:5 You shall love <G25> the Lord <G2962> your God <G2316> with all <G3650> your heart <G2588>, and with all <G3650> your soul <G5590>, and with all <G3650> your mind <G1271>.'
IN BOTH OF THESE VERSES THE WORD LOVE AND LOVED HAVE THE SAME ROOT AGAPE.
MEANS A SELF SACRIFICING LOVE. A LOVE THAT PUTS ANOTHER'S WILL ABOVE OUR OWN.
JESUS DREADED GOING TO THE CROSS BUT WENT BECAUSE OF HIS LOVE FOR THE FATHER AND YOU..
THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD IS FOR US TO LOVE HIM BACK ENOUGH TO KEEP HIS COMMANDS.
JUST LIKE JESUS WE ARE COMMANDED TO PUT GOD'S WILL FOR US ABOVE OUR OWN WILL.
1JOHN 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.
JOHN MACARTHUR TITLED THIS SECTION IN HIS COMMENTARY THE LOVE THAT GOD HATES.
15 Do not love <G25> [a] Rom 12:2; James 1:27 the world <G2889> nor <G3366> the things in the world <G2889>. [b] James 4:4 If <G1437> anyone <G5100> loves <G25> the world <G2889>, the love <G26> of the Father <G3962> is not in him.
GUESS WHAT DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD YEP YOUR RIGHT AGAPAO.
YOU CAN NOT LOVE THE WORLDLY THINGS AGAPE AND ALSO LOVE GOD THE SAME WAY.
YOU CAN'T SACRIFICE ALL YOU ARE YOUR MIND SOUL AND STRENGTH TO THIS WORLD SYSTEM WHICH IS FOR TODAY AND ALSO DO THE SAME FOR GOD.
YOU CAN'T HAVE YOUR LIFE REVOLVE AROUND CHRIST AND THE WORLD. IT CAN'T HAPPEN.
IF YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD YOU WILL LIVE FOR HIM. IF NOT YOU WILL LIVE FOR YOURSELF AND THE WORLD
1 John 2:15-17 (NASB) 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.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
IF WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE LOVE OF GOD WHICH IS AN ETERNAL SELF SACRIFICING LOVE WE UNDERSTAND THAT JESUS DIED FOR US SO THAT WE COULD HAVE ETERNAL LIFE AND NOT ETERNAL DEATH.
OUR FOCUS IF THE LOVE OF GOD DWELLS IN US WILL BE NOT ON TEMPORAL THINGS.
A CHRISTIAN FINANCIAL TEACHER WHO HAS SINCE PASSED ON LARRY BURCKETT SAID ALL THE TIME. SHOW ME YOUR CHECK BOOK WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU!
HOW WE SPEND OUR MONEY TIME AND ENERGY IS AN INDICATOR AS TO WHO WE SERVE.
WHO IS OUR GOD.
THE STORY GOES THAT WHEN A WEALTHY MAN DIED HE WANTED ALL HIS MONEY BURIED WITH HIM. HIS FRIEND WENT EARLY TO THE FUNERAL HOME TOOK THE MONEY AND LEFT A PERSONAL CHECK THERE.
A CHECK OR CASH WON'T GET INTO ETERNITY WITH YOU. WE ARE TO LAY UP FOR OURSELVES TREASURES IN HEAVEN.
OUR OBEDIENCE TO GOD GIVES US TREASURES IN HEAVEN THAT WILL BE THERE WHEN WE GET THERE.
THE APOSTLE JOHN IS REVEALING TO US THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT, HOW WE CAN KNOW FOR SURE, TODAY, IF WE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE AND A HOME IN HEAVEN
SO FAR WE HAVE COME UP WITH 2 WAYS.
#1. WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE A HOME IN HEAVEN WAITING FOR US WHEN WE CHOOSE TO LIVE FOR JESUS HONORING HIM WITH OUR OBEDIENCE TO HIS COMMANDS.
WE ARE NOT ALWAYS PERFECT IN OUR OBEDIENCE BUT OUR DIRECTION AND LIFE FOCUS IS OBEDIENCE TO HIM AND HIS WORD. KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS
#2 HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE NOT A CHILD OF GOD? YOUR FOCUS WILL BE YOURSELF, ON THIS LIFE AND THE TREASURES OF THIS LIFE!
IF THIS IS YOU, YOU DO NOT HAVE THE LOVE OF GOD IN YOU.
IF YOU DIE YOU WILL GO TO HELL.
JOHN MACARTHUR
I TOLD YOU LAST WEEK DESCRIBES THE LOVE THAT GOD HATES IN THIS VERSE.
WE ARE GOING TO GO OVER THIS A LITTLE MORE THEN MOVE ON IN THE CHAPTER.
1 John 2:15 (NASB) 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.
LET'S LOOK AT THE WORD LOVE. THE SAME WORD USED IN
John 3:16 (NASB) 16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
AGAPEO MEANS A SELF SACRIFICING LOVE. THE LOVE THAT GOD HAS FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD TO SACRIFICE HIMSELF FOR OUR SINS SO THAT WE CAN BE FORGIVEN AND ADOPTED INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD.
Matthew 22:36-39 (NASB) 36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"
37 And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'
38 "This is the great and foremost commandment.
39 "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'
WE ARE TO AGAPEO THE LORD WITH ALL OUR HEART AND TO AGAPEO OUR NEIGHBOR AS OURSELVES.
NOW JOHN SAYS
1 John 2:15 (NASB) 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.
I WANT TO COMPARE THIS VERSE AGAIN TO JOHN 3:16.
FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD.
DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD.
THE DIFFERENCE HERE IS THAT GOD IS THE ONE LOVING AND THAT THE WORLD MEANS DIFFERENT THINGS.
ONE COMMENTARY SAYS THE WORLD WHICH THE FATHER LOVES IS THE WHOLE HUMAN RACE.
THE WORLD WHICH WE ARE NOT TO LOVE, IS ALL THAT IS ALIENATED FROM HIM, ALL THAT PREVENTS MEN FROM LOVING HIM IN RETURN.
THE WORLD WHICH GOD LOVES IS HIS CREATURE AND HIS CHILD.
THE WORLD WE ARE NOT TO LOVE IS HIS RIVAL
THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THE WORLD. EVEN THE BEST THINGS THE WORLD HAS TO OFFER COMPARED TO GOD ARE NOT TO BE TREASURED ABOVE GOD
Luke 14:26 (NASB) 26 "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.
1 John 2:15 (NASB) 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.
IF ANYONE SACRIFICES HIMSELF TO THE WORLD AND THE TREASURES OF THIS WORLD FOCUSED ON THIS PHYSICAL TEMPORAL LIFE
THERE IS NO LOVE OF GOD IN HIM.
HE IS NOT A CHILD OF GOD.
HE DOES NOT LOVE THE LORD WITH ALL HIS HEART MIND SOUL AND STRENGTH.
HE DOES NOT AGAPAO THE LORD.
THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND HERE EITHER WE ARE A CHILD OF GOD OR WE ARE A CHILD OF SATAN.
EITHER WE HAVE OUR SINS ATONED FOR BY GOD OR OUR SINS ARE STILL ON OUR ACCOUNT.
EITHER WE ARE BOUND FOR HEAVEN OR WE ARE BOUND FOR HELL
GOD LOVES THE WORLD IN ORDER TO SAVE IT FROM SIN.
MEN LOVE THE WORLD FOR IT'S SIN.
GOD'S LOVE IS ONE OF COMPASSION.
MAN'S IS ONE OF INDULGENCE.
\GOD'S LOVE IS SACRIFICIAL.
MAN'S LOVE IS SELFISH
JOHN GIVES US THE DEFINITION OF THE WORLD IN THE NEXT VERSE.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD= OF THE THINGS THAT ANIMATE THE WORLD WE ARE NOT TO LOVE THE LUST OF THE FLESH AND EYES= THE DESIRE OF SEEING UNLAWFUL SIGHTS FOR THE SAKE OF THE SINFUL PLEASURE TO BE DERIVED FROM THE SIGHT. THESE ARE NOT OF THE FATHER BUT OF THE WORLD. THEY ARE FROM OUR OWN FLESH AND FROM SATAN TO KEEP US FROM THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN SAVE US.
SO WORLDLINESS IS DEFINED BY THE LUST OF THE FLESH AND EYES AND THE SINFUL PRIDE OF THIS PHYSICAL LIFE.
THE WORLD WE ARE NOT TO LOVE IS THEW ORLD MAN HAS MADE, FULL OF SIN AND GODLESSNESS.
WORLDLINESS AND GODLINESS ARE ON OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE SPECTRUM.
YOU CAN'T GO BOTH DIRECTIONS
1 John 2:15-17 (NASB) 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.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
OUR SOCIETY WITH IT FOCUS ON TODAY AND ME IS GOING AWAY . THE ONLY THING SURE AND FOREVER IS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST. SERVING HIM AND LAYING UP FOR OURSELVES TREASURE IN HEAVEN.
Matthew 6:20-24 (NASB) 20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;
21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 "The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.
23 "But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
IT SEEMS THAT JOHN IS GOING TO SHIFT GEARS AND SPEAK ON A DIFFERENT TOPIC BUT REMEMBER THE CONTEXT.
THE GNOSTIC FALSE TEACHERS WHO CLAIMED TO HAVE SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE FROM GOD THAT GOES BEYOND ALL THAT JESUS AND HIS APOSTLES TAUGHT.
THAT THE BODY AND SPIRIT ARE SEPARATE AND UNRELATED TO EACH OTHER.
SO WHAT IS DONE IN THE FLESH OR PHYSICAL HAS NOT EFFECT SPIRITUALLY.
18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.
19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us.
20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.
21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth.
22 Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.
REMEMBER I TOLD YOU THAT JOHN LIKE TO MAKE A STATEMENT THEN TURN IT OVER SAY IT DIFFERENTLY AND EXPLAIN THE FIRST STATEMENT.
HE IS DOING THIS NOW IN THESE VERSES.
CHILDREN THE LAST HOUR HAS COME.
THE LAST HOUR IS A LONG ONE AFTER THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST TILL HIS RETURN.
1 John 2:15-22 (NASB) 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.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.
ANTICHRISTS ARE MEN OR SYSTEMS WHO STAND AGAINST CHRIST.
THESE ANTICHRISTS ARE PRECURSORS TO THE MAIN ANTICHRIST DURING THE GREAT TRIBULATION AND BY THIS WE KNOW THAT WE ARE IN THE LAST PHASE BEFORE THE TRIBULATION
19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us.
THESE APOSTATES WERE IN THE CHURCH THEY APPEARED TO BE CHRISTIANS BUT WE KNOW THEY WERE NOT TRUE CHRISTIANS BECAUSE THEY LEFT THEM.
IF THEY HAD THE HOLY SPIRIT THEY WOULD NOT HAVE LEFT.
THEY WOULD HAVE KNOWN THE TRUTH. THEY LEFT REVEALING TO US THAT THEY WERE NOT EVER WITH US.
THE APOSTLE JOHN IS REVEALING TO US THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT, HOW WE CAN KNOW FOR SURE, TODAY, IF WE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE AND A HOME IN HEAVEN
SO FAR WE HAVE COME UP WITH 3 WAYS.
JOHN'S EMPHASIS ON KNOWING IS EVIDENT WHEN HE USES THE WORD KNOW 38 TIMES.
WITH GREEK TRANSLATIONS OF GINOSKO OR EIDO BOTH MEAN TO KNOW FOR CERTAIN.
REMEMBER ALSO OFTEN TIMES WHEN JOHN MAKES A STATEMENT HE WILL FLIP IT AROUND BACKWARDS AND MAKE THE FIRST STATEMENT MORE CLEAR BY SAYING IT FROM THE OTHER SIDE. HE DOES THIS IN THE FIRST 2 THINGS WE CAN KNOW FOR SURE.
#1. WE KNOW, FOR SURE, THAT WE HAVE A HOME IN HEAVEN WAITING FOR US WHEN WE CHOOSE TO LIVE FOR JESUS HONORING HIM WITH OUR OBEDIENCE TO HIS COMMANDS.
WE ARE NOT ALWAYS PERFECT IN OUR OBEDIENCE BUT OUR DIRECTION AND LIFE FOCUS IS OBEDIENCE TO HIM AND HIS WORD. KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS
#2 HOW DO YOU KNOW, FOR SURE, IF YOU ARE NOT A CHILD OF GOD? YOUR FOCUS WILL BE YOURSELF, ON THIS LIFE AND THE TREASURES OF THIS LIFE!
#3YOU CAN KNOW FOR SURE YOU HAVE A HOME IN HEAVEN AND ARE A CHILD OF GOD BY THE WORK THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS DOING IN YOU. HE IS OUR GUARANTEE OUR EARNEST DEPOSIT OF OUR ETERNAL LIFE.
1 John 2:15-22 (NASB) 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.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.
19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us.
20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.
21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth.
22 Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.
JUST AS A REMINDER JOHN IS REFUTING THE GNOSTIC FALSE TEACHERS AND THEIR CLAIMS OF SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND A SPECIAL ANNOINTING THAT USERPS WHAT JESUS, AND THE APOSTLES, SAID AND TAUGHT EVEN TO THE POINT OF DENYING THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD. YOU DON'T NEED A SPECIAL TEACHER. BECAUSE THE HOLY SPIRIT IN YOU IS HELPING YOU TO KNOW THE TRUTH.
ALL TRUE BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST, THE CHILDREN OF GOD ARE ALL INDWELLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT CALLED THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH.
WE ALSO HAVE THE WORD OF GOD, GOD'S WORD IS TRUTH.
WITH THE WORD OF GOD THE BIBLE AND THE INTERPRETING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO US AS WE STUDY WE CAN KNOW THE TRUTH AND ALSO KNOW A LIE.
THE HOLY SPIRIT ALSO CONFIRMS TO OUR SPIRIT THAT WE ARE A CHILD OF GOD.
HE IS OUR GUARANTEE OF ETERNAL LIFE.
HE CONVICTS US WHEN WE SIN. ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WHEN YOU SIN AGAINST GOD?
IF NOT, IF YOU FEEL REMORSE THAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT COVICTING YOU SHOWING YOU THAT YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD.
THE HOLY SPIRIT AFFIRMS AND COMFORTS US IN TIMES OF TRIAL AND, JUST EVERYDAY LIFE.
23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.
24 As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
25 This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life.
26 These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you.
NOW JOHN IS ADDRESSING THE CONCERN AND GIVING THE COMMAND OF ABIDING IN CHRIST. STAYING INTO THE WORD OF GOD AND EMBRACING THE DIRECTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AS HE SHAPES US UP TO BECOMING MORE AND MORE LIKE CHRIST.
THIS ANNOINTING IS THE HOLY SPIRIT WHICH WE RECEIVE AT THE MOMENT OF OUR SALVATION. THE MOMENT WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE SINNERS SEPARATED FROM GOD ON THE ROAD TO HELL AND OUR ONLY HOPE IS CHRIST AND HIS SACRIFICE TO REMOVE OUR SINS FROM US AND OUR ACCOUNT. WE TURN AWAY FROM OUR SINS SEEK HIS FORGIVENESS AND WE BECOME AT THAT VERY MOMENT A CHILD OF GOD. WE RECEIVE WITHIN US THE SPIRIT OF GOD. ALSO CALLED THE COMFORTER, THE HOLY SPIRIT , THE HOLY GHOST. THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST.
AS A CHILD OF GOD WE ARE TO ABIDE IN CHRIST UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO IS OUR SOURCE OF HOPE
WE ARE TO ABIDE OR LIVE IN WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE FOR US.
OUR LIVES THAT WE LIVE HERE AND HOW ARE TO BE CENTERED AROUND CHRIST AND WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US.
TRAVELING WITH GOOGLE MAPS. RECENTER WE RECENTER OURSELVES DAILY
27 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.
JESUS SPEAKING TO HIS DISCIPLES BEFORE HIS ARREST, SPEAKS OF THE COMFORTER WHOM HE IS GOING TO SEND AFTER HIS RESURRECTION AND ASCENTION TO THE FATHER.
John 14:15-21 (KJV) 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
John 14:25-26 (KJV) 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
FOR US WE READ AND STUDY GOD'S WORD THE BIBLE. THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US TO UNDERSTAND WHAT GOD INTENDED WHEN HE HAD HIS WORD WRITTEN DOWN.
SO AS WE LIVE OUR LIVES OFTEN SCRIPTURE WILL POP INTO OUR HEADS AND THEY WILL HELP US. OR AS WE READ THE WORD THE HOLY SPIRIT BRINGS REVELATION TO US AND WE ARE HELPED ALONG ON THIS ROAD TO HOLINESS
27 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.
AS THE HOLY SPIRIT ABIDES IN US WE ARE TO ABIDE IN THE TRUTH OF THE WORD OF GOD REVEALED TO US BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR GUARANTEE FOR OUR RESURRECTION HE WILL REMAIN IN US FOREVER, WE ARE TO KEEP OURSELVES IN AND UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE SAME HOLY SPIRIT YIELDING TO THE REVEALED TRUTH OF SCRIPTURE KEEPING THE FAITH AND FOCUS OF THE WORD OF GOD UNDER THE INSTRUCTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD. BY KNOWING THE TRUTH WE WILL RECOGNIZE A LIE.
HE IS GOING TO GIVE US ANOTHER REASON TO MAKE SURE WE ARE KEEPING OURSELVES UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. ABIDE IN HIM.
28 Now, little children, abide in Him, ABIDE IN THE TRUTH OF JESUS CHRIST AND HIS WORD UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. ABIDE IN CHRIST so that when He appears, WHEN CHRIST COMES AGAIN AND WE SEE HIM THE FIRST TIME, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.
JESUS WILL BE EXCITED TO SEE HIS BROTHERS AND SISTERS AT HIS RETURN BUT WE WANT TO HAVE THE SAME EXCITEMENT AND SO WE NOW ABIDE IN HIM KNOWING HE IS COMING AGAIN. WE WANT TO BE READY AND SERVE HIM NOW AND HAVE CONFIDENCE WHEN HE COMES. THAT CONFIDENCE IS NOT IN OUR OWN ABILITIES AND KNOWLEDGE BUT IN THAT WHICH WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM HIS HOLY SPIRIT. THE TRUTH OF THE WORD OF GOD.
John 15:4 (NASB) 4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
NOW HERE WE GO #4
JUST A REMINDER JOHN WANTS US THE CHILDREN OF GOD TO KNOW SOME THINGS. TO HAVE THEM NAILED DOWN, PUT IN CONCRETE.
29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him.
IF YOU BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS RIGHTEOUS, JUST AND HOLY IN THE SIGHT OF GOD. THE PERFECTION THAT GOD IS, THOSE WHOSE LIFESTYLE AND DIRECTION OF LIFE IS THE SAME AS CHRIST'S, THEN THAT PERSON IS A TRUE BORN AGAIN CHILD OF GOD.
1 John 2:28-29 (NASB) 28 Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.
29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him.
1 John 3:1-3 (KJV) 1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
NOW WE COULD AND PROBABLY SHOULD SPEND AMPLE TIME TO DISCUSS WHAT IT REALLY MEANS TO BE CALLED A CHILD OF GOD.
YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD IF YOU HAVE PUT YOUR FAITH AND TRUST IN JESUS CHRIST AND MADE HIM YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR.
IF YOU TRUELY HAVE DONE THAT THERE WILL BE EVIDENCE OF THAT. WILL GO OVER THAT IN A FEW MINUTES.
IF YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD YOU ARE AN ENEMY OF THE WORLD SYSTEM THAT IS RUN BY SATAN.
YOU ARE EITHER A CHILD OF GOD OR A CHILD OF SATAN.
IF YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD THE WOULD WILL NOT ACKNOLEDGE OR ACCEPT YOU, BECAUSE IT DID NOT ACCEPT HIM
28 Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.
29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him.
1 John 3:1-3 (KJV) 1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
33.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
WE ARE A CHILD OF GOD BECAUSE OF CHRIST WHO IS OUR HOPE NOT ONLY IN THIS LIFE BUT EXPECIALLY IN THE NEXT
WHAT HOPE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. IN WHOM WE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.
AND TRUE BELIEVER WILL LIVE OUT THEIR LIVES IN THIS HOPE.
THE HOPE THAT WE ARE A CHILD OF GOD BY FAITH IN THE WORK OF CHRIST. AND ALSO BY HIS RESURRECTION WE HAVE THE HOPE OF OUR OWN RESURRECTION
THIS HOPE I AM A CHILD OF GOD, AND HE LOVES ME LIKE HIS CHILD.
WHERE I CAN CALL HIM DADDY.
IT IS ALL BECAUSE OF CHRIST. SO KNOWING HOW MUCH GOD LOVES ME I CHOOSE TO LOVE HIM BACK WITH MY OBEDIENCE WHICH IS MY CONFIRMATION THAT I AM IN FACT A CHILD OF GOD.
#1. WE KNOW, FOR SURE, THAT WE HAVE A HOME IN HEAVEN WAITING FOR US WHEN WE CHOOSE TO LIVE FOR JESUS HONORING HIM WITH OUR OBEDIENCE TO HIS COMMANDS.
WE ARE NOT ALWAYS PERFECT IN OUR OBEDIENCE BUT OUR DIRECTION AND LIFE FOCUS IS OBEDIENCE TO HIM AND HIS WORD. KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS
#2 HOW DO YOU KNOW, FOR SURE, IF YOU ARE NOT A CHILD OF GOD? YOUR FOCUS WILL BE YOURSELF, ON THIS LIFE AND THE TREASURES OF THIS LIFE!
#3YOU CAN KNOW FOR SURE YOU HAVE A HOME IN HEAVEN AND ARE A CHILD OF GOD BY THE WORK THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS DOING IN YOU. HE IS OUR GUARANTEE OUR EARNEST DEPOSIT OF OUR ETERNAL LIFE.
#4 IF WE KNOW THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE SINLESS SON OF GOD; EVERYONE WHO PRACTICES RIGHTEOUSNESS IS BORN OF HIM.
EVERYONE WHO IS LIVING FOR CHRIST IS A CHILD OF GOD, HAS A HOME IN HEAVEN.
CHAPTER 2:27-3:3 THE CHILD OF GOD WILL ABIDE IN CHRIST. (LAST WEEK)
3:4-10 IDENTIFIES A CHILD OF GOD IN REGARD TO SIN.
3:11-24 IDENTIFIES A CHILD OF GOD IN HOW THEY LOVE
SIN.
1 John 3:3-9 (NASB) 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
5 You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.
6 No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him.
7 Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous;
8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.
9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
1 John 3:10 (NASB) 10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.
JOHN POINT IN WRITING IS SO THAT THE BELIEVER WILL KNOW FOR SURE THAT THEY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE ABIDING IN THEM.
BARCLAY
1 John 1:8-10 (NASB) 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
THE MAN WHO KNOWS THAT GOD IS AT THE END OF THE ROAD WILL MAKE ALL LIFE A PREPARATION TO MEET HIS GOD.
THIS PASSAGE IS IDENTIFYING THE GNOSTIC FALSE TEACHERS. BY WHAT THEY TAUGHT THEY PRODUCED MORE THAN ONE REASON TO JUSTIFY SIN.
THE BODY IS EVIL SO THERE IS NO HARM IN SATISFYING IT'S LUSTS AND PLEASURES. THE BODY IS OF NO IMPORTANCE.
THE TRUELY SPIRITUAL MAN IS SO ARMOURED WITH THE SPIRIT THAT HE CAN SIN TO HIS HEART'S CONTENT, AND TAKE NO HARM FROM IT.
THE TRUE GNOSTIC IS UNDER OBLIGATION TO KNOW THE HEIGHTS OF VIRTUE AND THE DEPTHS SIN.
JOHN'S POINT IS THAT NO ONE IS ABOVE THE MORAL LAW.
SIN IS LAWLESSNESS. A CONTINUAL DIRECTION OF LIFE THAT'S SINFUL IS LAWLESSNESS.
TO HAVE NO CONCERN FOR THE LAW OF GOD. THE DELIBERATE BREAKING OF GOD'S LAW.
SIN UNDOES THE WORK OF CHRIST.
John 1:29 (NASB) 29 The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and *said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
SIN COMES FROM THE FAILURE TO ABIDE IN CHRIST.
TO REMEMBER THE PRESENCE OF JESUS CHIRST IS FOREVER WITH US IS TO MAKE SIN ALWAYS DIFFICULT, AND SOMETIMES EVEN IMPOSSIBLE
THERE ARE 4 STAGES.
1. THE IDEAL IS THAT EVENTUALLY SIN IS GONE FOREVER.
2.CHRISTIANS MUST TRY TO MAKE THAT TRUE, AND , WITH THE HELP OF CHRIST, THEY MUST STRUGGLE TO AVOID INDIVIDUAL ACTS OF SIN, OCCASIONAL LAPSES INTO THAT WHICH IS WRONG, TEMPORARY DEPARTURES FROM GOODNESS,
3. IN POINT OF FCT ALL MEN DO HAVE THESE LAPSES, AND , WHEN THEY HAVE THEM, THEY MUST HUIMVLY CONFESS THEM TO GOD, WHO WILL ALWAYS FORGIVE THE PENITENT AND CONTRITE HEART.
4 BUT IN SPITE OF THAT , NO CHRISTIAN CAN POSSIBLY BE A DELIBERATE AND CONSISTENT SINNER; NO CHRISTIAN CAN MAKE SIN THE POLICY OF HIS LIFE; NO CHRISTIAN CAN LIVE A LIFE IN WHICH SIN IS DOMINANT AND DECISIVE IN ALL HIS ACTIONS.
#1. WE KNOW, FOR SURE, THAT WE HAVE A HOME IN HEAVEN WAITING FOR US WHEN WE CHOOSE TO LIVE FOR JESUS HONORING HIM WITH OUR OBEDIENCE TO HIS COMMANDS.
WE ARE NOT ALWAYS PERFECT IN OUR OBEDIENCE BUT OUR DIRECTION AND LIFE FOCUS IS OBEDIENCE TO HIM AND HIS WORD. KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS
#2 HOW DO YOU KNOW, FOR SURE, IF YOU ARE NOT A CHILD OF GOD? YOUR FOCUS WILL BE YOURSELF, ON THIS LIFE AND THE TREASURES OF THIS LIFE!
#3YOU CAN KNOW FOR SURE YOU HAVE A HOME IN HEAVEN AND ARE A CHILD OF GOD BY THE WORK THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS DOING IN YOU. HE IS OUR GUARANTEE OUR EARNEST DEPOSIT OF OUR ETERNAL LIFE.
#4 IF WE KNOW THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE SINLESS SON OF GOD; EVERYONE WHO PRACTICES RIGHTEOUSNESS IS BORN OF HIM.
EVERYONE WHO IS LIVING FOR CHRIST IS A CHILD OF GOD, HAS A HOME IN HEAVEN.
CHAPTER 2:27-3:3 THE CHILD OF GOD WILL ABIDE IN CHRIST. (LAST WEEK)
3:4-10 IDENTIFIES A CHILD OF GOD IN REGARD TO SIN.
3:11-24 IDENTIFIES A CHILD OF GOD IN HOW THEY LOVE
SIN.
1 John 3:3-9 (NASB) 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
5 You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.
6 No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him.
7 Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous;
8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.
9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
1 John 3:10 (NASB) 10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.
JOHN'S POINT IN WRITING IS SO THAT THE BELIEVER WILL KNOW FOR SURE THAT THEY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE ABIDING IN THEM.
BARCLAY
THE KJV AUTHORIZE VERSION STATES THIS.
1 John 3:9 (KJV) 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
TAKING THIS VERSE AT FACE VALUE IT SAYS THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE BELIEVER TO SIN.
JOHN ALREADY SAID
1 John 1:8-10 (NASB) 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
1 John 2:1 (KJV) 1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
SO IT IS A BIT CONFUSING WHEN JOHN THEN SAYS
1 John 3:9 (KJV) 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
1 John 2:1 (KJV) 1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
THE GREEK WORD FOR SIN HERE IS IN THE AORIST TENSE WHICH INDICATES A PARTICULAR AND DEFINITE ACT. GREEK READS SO THAT NOT YOU MIGHT SIN AND IF ANYONE SHOULD SIN.
SO HERE JOHN IS SAYING THAT CHRISTIANS ARE NOT TO COMMIT INDIVIDUAL ACTS OF SIN; BUT THROUGH TEMPTATION THEY DO LAPSE INTO ACTS OF SIN, THEY HAVE IN CHRIST AN ADVOCATE TO PLEAD THEIR CAUSE,
1 John 3:9 (KJV) 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
HERE THE VERB TO SIN IS IN THE PRESENT TENSE AND INDICATES CONTINUOUS AND CONSTANT, HABITUAL ACTION
THIS IS WHY I LIKE THE NASB VERSION
1 John 3:9 (NASB) 9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
TO BE BORN OF GOD REFERS TO HAVING RECEIVED SALVATION AND FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
1 John 1:8-10 (NASB) 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
THE MAN WHO KNOWS THAT GOD IS AT THE END OF THE ROAD WILL MAKE ALL LIFE A PREPARATION TO MEET HIS GOD.
THIS PASSAGE IS IDENTIFYING THE GNOSTIC FALSE TEACHERS. BY WHAT THEY TAUGHT THEY PRODUCED MORE THAN ONE REASON TO JUSTIFY SIN.
THE BODY IS EVIL SO THERE IS NO HARM IN SATISFYING IT'S LUSTS AND PLEASURES. THE BODY IS OF NO IMPORTANCE.
THE TRUELY SPIRITUAL MAN IS SO ARMOURED WITH THE SPIRIT THAT HE CAN SIN TO HIS HEART'S CONTENT, AND TAKE NO HARM FROM IT.
THE TRUE GNOSTIC IS UNDER OBLIGATION TO KNOW THE HEIGHTS OF VIRTUE AND THE DEPTHS SIN.
JOHN'S POINT IS THAT NO ONE IS ABOVE THE MORAL LAW.
SIN IS LAWLESSNESS. A CONTINUAL DIRECTION OF LIFE THAT'S SINFUL IS LAWLESSNESS.
TO HAVE NO CONCERN FOR THE LAW OF GOD. THE DELIBERATE BREAKING OF GOD'S LAW
MACARTHAUR.
1 John 3:4-9 (NASB) 4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
SIN IS 2 WORDS HAMARTIA MISSING THE MARK
ADIKIA WITHOUT RIGHTEOUSNESS.
BOTH ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SIN IS A TRANSGESSION OF GOD'S LAW.
HERE JOHN IS EXPLICITELY EQUATES SIN WITH AN ATTITUDE OF LAWLESSNESS AND REBELLIOUSNESS AGAINST GOD.
Romans 8:7 (NASB) 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,
John 3:20 (NASB) 20 "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
Matthew 7:21-23 (NASB) 21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
22 "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
James 2:10-11 (NASB) 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.
11 For He who said, "DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY," also said, "DO NOT COMMIT MURDER." Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
Romans 4:15 (NASB) 15 for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.
Galatians 5:19-21 (NASB) 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
TRUE BELIEVERS ARE NOT MARKED BY LAWLESSNESS
THEY HAVE OBEYED JESUS' COMMAND
Luke 9:23 (NASB) 23 And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
THE HEART THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THE GRACE AND MERCY OF GOD AND EMBRACED HIS SALVATION HAS THE DESIRE TO OBEY AND PLEASE OUR SAVIOR.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NASB) 13 For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.
DENYING THE LUSTS OF THE FLESH
Romans 13:14 (NASB) 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
2 Timothy 2:22 (NASB) 22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
1 Peter 1:14 (NASB) 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,
Titus 2:12 (NASB) 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,
Romans 12:1-2 (NASB) 1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 6:16-18 (NASB) 16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?
17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed,
18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
FROM THESE PASSAGES WE KNOW THAT TRUE BELIEVERS IN CHRIST WILL NOT HABITUALLY BREAK GOD'S LAW.
BECAUSE OF THE LOVE OF GOD WE KNOW THAT GOD WANTS BETTER FOR US THAN WHAT WE CAN DO FOR OURSELVES.
HE HAS GIVEN HIS WORD
Psalm 19:7-11 (NASB) 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.
Psalm 1:2 (NASB) 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 40:7-8 (NASB) 7 Then I said, "Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8 I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart."
Psalm 119:97 (NASB) 97
O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.
5 You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.
JOHN WRITING TO BELIEVERS TAKES THEM BACK TO A FACT THAT WAS NAILED DOWN IN THEIR TEACHING. YOU KNOW.
JESUS DID IN FACT APPEAR ON EARTH.
HE IS IN FACT THE SON OF GOD.
HE WAS BORN OF MARY.
WHY DID JESUS LEAVE HEAVEN AND COME TO EARTH.
THAT'S RIGHT TO TAKE AWAY THE SINS.
THE ONLY WAY FOR HIM TO DO THAT IS IF THERE IS NO SIN IN HIM.
SO TO SAY YOU HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM (YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN) AND YET TO PRACTICE A LIFESTYLE OF LAWLESSNESS REVEALS THE TRUTH.
YOU ARE NOT A TRUE BELIEVER.
1 Corinthians 6:11 (NASB) 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
AT THE TIME OF OUR SALVATION BELIEVERS HAVE BEEN SET APART FROM SIN TO HOLINESS.
OUR DESIRE TO HONOR OUR SAVIOR OVERTAKE OUR DESIRE TO SATISFY OUR FLESH.
THE HOLY SPIRIT TAKES US ON A JOURNEY OF BECOMING MORE AND MORE LIKE CHRIST, TO THE ULTIMATE TIME OF OUR ENTRANCE INTO HEAVEN WHERE PERFECTION REIGNS.
Ephesians 2:10 (NASB) 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
1 Peter 2:24 (NASB) 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
6 No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him.
WHAT WAS JOHN'S DEFINITION OF SIN.
HABITUALLY BREAKING GOD'S LAW. LAWLESSNESS WITHOUT RIGHTEOUSNESS.
HERE THE PRESENT TENSE OF THE VERB SINS INDICATES A CONTINUAL STATE, WHICH INDICATES THE HABITUAL ACTION OF DEFIANCE AND REBELLION.
JOHN SAYS THAT TRUE BELIEVERS WILL BE MARKED BY A RIGHTEOUS LIFE STYLE WITH FEWER AND FEWER STUMBLES IN SIN.
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS A LIFESTYLE THAT IS MARKED WITH DISOBEDIENCE TO THE WORD OF GOD AND IS TRYING TO JUSTIFY THEIR SINS IN ANYWAY IS NOT SAVED. THEY ARE NOT IN THE FAMILY OF GOD THEY ARE GOING TO HELL IF THEY DIE HAVING NO REPENTANCE.
Luke 13:3 (NASB) 3 "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
JOHN HERE IS REFUTING THE FALSE TEACHERS WHO ADVOCATED THAT THE SPIRIT AND THE FLESH WERE SEPARATE AND THAT WHAT WAS DONE IN THE FLESH HAD NO EFFECT ON THE SPIRITUAL.
THE NEXT VERSE TELLS US SO.
7 Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous;
SIN COMES FROM THE DEVIL.
1 John 3:8 (NASB) 8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.
SIN IS CONQUERED BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST DESTROYED THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL.
Matthew 12:25-29 (NASB) 25 And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, "Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand.
26 "If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?
27 "If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges.
28 "But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
29 "Or how can anyone enter the strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.
THE DEVIL SATAN IS THE ULTIMATE FALSE TEACHER AND IS YOUR ENEMY.
JESUS CAME TO DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL.
TO TAKE AWAY HIS POWER OVER PEOPLE AND GIVEN THEM OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO CHRIST FOR FORGIVENESS.
AS A TRUE BELIEVER CHRIST HAD GIVEN US HIS WORD AND HIS SPIRIT TO WIN THE BATTLE AGAINST SATAN AND EVEN OUR OWN FLESH.
IF SIN IS NOT A BATTLE FOR YOU, YOU ARE COMFORTABLE IN YOUR SIN AND YOUR LIFESTYLE OF SIN YOU ARE NOT A BELIEVER AND YOU ARE ON THE ROAD TO HELL.
9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
THE TRUE BELIEVER IN CHRIST. THE ONE WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT HIS SINFUL LIFE HAS SEPARATED HIM FROM GOD AND BECAUSE OF THAT SIN HE IS DOOMED TO HELL FOREVER AND EVER. THEN WITH THAT UNDERSTANDING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST COMES INTO PLAY. BELIEVING THAT THE SON OF GOD, JESUS, LEFT HEAVEN CAME TO EARTH TO DIE ON THE CROSS FOR ALL THE SINS OF MANKIND. TAKING OUR OWN PUNISHMENT UPON HIMSELF TO SATISFY THE LAW AGAINST US. WE ASK FOR FORGIVENESS AND HE FORGIVES US OUR SINS. ALL OUR SIN. HE THEN GIVES US HIS HOLY SPIRIT TO LIVE IN US HELPING US TO LIVE OUT OUR LIVES IN SERVICE TO OUR SAVIOR.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IMPLANTS THE WORD OF GOD WITHIN US.
IT STARTS TO GROW WITH OUR STUDY OF THE WORD OF GOD. WE ARE CHANGED FROM THE INSIDE OUT SO THAT WHAT IS IN OUR HEARTS, LOVE FOR OUR SAVIOR, AFFECTS HOW WE LIVE IN THE FLESH. WHICH BRINGS ABOUT A LIFESTYLE TOWARD HOLINESS, RIGHTEOUS LIVING
YOU CAN'T BE A BELIEVER AND LIVE A LIFESTYLE OF HABITUAL SIN
IF YOU PRACTICE SIN YOU ARE A CHILD OF THE DEVIL AND ON THE ROAD TO HELL. AND ARE IN GRAVE DANGER OF EVERLASTING ETERNAL PUNISHMENT.
HIS SEED ABIDES IN US.
James 1:18 (NASB) 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.
1 Peter 1:23 (NASB) 23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
THE SEED IS IDENTIFIED AS THE INCORRUPTABLE WORD OF GOD,
THE TRUE BELIEVER IS SAVED BY THE WORD OF GOD AND RECEIVES THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO THEN IMPLANTS THE SEED OF THE WORD OF GOD IN THE HEART OF BELIEVERS AND IT BEGINS TO GROW AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE TRUE BELIEVER TO BE COMFORTABLE IN A LIFESTYLE OF SIN.
WE ARE DISCUSSING HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU OR MAYBE SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS ACTUALLY A TRUE BELIEVER IN JESUS CHRIST.
ANYONE CAN SAY ANYTHING AND MAYBE DO STUFF TO APPEAR TO BE A BELIEVER.
HOW DO WE KNOW FOR SURE ESPECIALLY FOR OURSELVES, THAT WHEN WE DIE WE WILL GO TO HEAVEN AND BE WITH JESUS.
Matthew 7:21-23 (NASB) 21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
22 "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
KJV SAYS Matthew 7:23 (KJV) 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
ORIGINAL LANGUAGE SAYS YOU THAT LABOR AT TRANSGRESSING THE LAW.
THE IDEA HERE IS THE GENERAL DIRECTION OF THE PHYSICAL LIFE. IF IT IS LAWLESSNESS YOU WILL END UP IN HELL. JOHN IN THIS EPISTLE IS HELPING US TO KNOW FOR SURE ABOUT OUR SALVATION BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.
1 John 3:9 (NASB) 9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
THE TRUE BELIEVER WILL NOT PRACTICE SIN. JOHN IS DEMANDING A LIFE WHICH IS EVER ON THE WATCH AGAINST SIN, A LIFE WHICH EVER FIGHTS THE BATTLE OF GOODNESS, A LIFE WHICH HAS NEVER SURRENDERED TO SIN, A LIFE IN WHICH IS NOT THE PERMANENT STATE, BUT ONLY THE TEMPORARY ABERRTATION A LIFE IN WHICH SIN IS NOT THE NORMAL ACCEPTED WAY, BUT THE ABNORMAL MOMENT OF DEFEAT.
1 John 3:10-17 (NASB) 10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God,
I WANT TO CLARIFY SOMETHING ELSE HERE IN THIS VERSE.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU NOTICED OR NOT BUT THEY ARE WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY SOUTH OF THE CHURCH.
THEY ARE WORKING ON THE MEDIAN.
WHAT IS THE MEDIAN? THE GROUND BETWEEN THE NORTH BOUND AND SOUTH BOUND TRAFFIC.
HERE IN VERSE 9 THERE IS NO MEDIAN. THERE ARE ONLY 2 KINDS OF PEOPLE
CHILDREN OF GOD AND CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL.
THERE IS ALSO NO MIDDLE GROUND IN ETERNITY IT IS EITHER HEAVEN OR HELL
NOW JOHN IS GOING TO GIVE US ANOTHER INDICATOR FOR SALVATION
1 John 3:10-17 (NASB) 10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.
11 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another;
THE COMMAND TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER IS THE WORD AGAPAO.
THIS MEANS A SELF SACRIFICING KIND OF LOVE
TO AGAPAO ANOTHER PERSON IS REALLY ONLY POSSIBLE AFTER A PERSON EXPERIENCES THE AGAPAO LOVE OF GOD IN THEMSELVES THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT.
THE HOLY SPIRIT ENABLES US TO LOVE OTHERS THE AGAPAO WAY.
JESUS SAYS THAT ALL THE LAW IS BASED ON THIS LOVE.
Matthew 22:37-40 (NASB) 37 And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'
38 "This is the great and foremost commandment.
39 "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'
40 "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."
1 John 2:15 (NASB) 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.
John 15:17 "This I command you, that you love one another.
John 15:8-11 (NASB) 8 "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
9 "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
10 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
11 "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
JESUS NOT ONLY COMMANDS HIS CHILDREN TO LOVE AGAPAO STYLE HE ENABLES THEM TO LOVE AGAPAO
Romans 5:5 (NASB) 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
1 Thessalonians 4:9 (NASB) 9 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;
2 John 1:6 (NASB) 6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
REMEMBER I TOLD YOU THAT JOHN LIKED TO MAKE A STATEMENT THEN TURN THE STATEMENT OVER AND SAY IT BACKWARDS SO THAT YOU WILL KNOW FOR SURE WHAT HE MEANT.
HE DOES IT HERE.
1 John 3:11-12 (NASB) 11 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another;
12 not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother's were righteous.
WHAT IS THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE ESPECIALLY AGAPAO
HATE.
WHAT MOTIVATED CAIN TO KILL ABEL.
JOHN MACARTHUR SAID MURDER IS THE ULTIMATE ACT OF HATE AND DEMONSTRATES THE ABSENCE OF LOVE IN THE MOST EXTREME WAY."
Matthew 5:21-22 (NASB) 21 "You have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.'
22 "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court;
WHOEVER IS ANGRY WITH ANOTHER IS ALREADY GUILTY OF MURDER IN HIS HEART.
WHEN WE STAND BEFORE JESUS WE WILL BE JUDGED BY WHAT WE DO AND ALSO WHAT IS IN OUR HEART.
JOHN ALREADY SAID THERE ARE ONLY 2 FAMILIES. THE CHILDREN OF GOD AND THE CHILDREN OF SATAN.
THE CHILDREN OF GOD ARE MARKED BY AGAPAO LOVE OF OTHERS AND A RIGHTEOUS LIFE.
THE CHILDREN OF SATAN ARE MARKED BY HATRED AND MURDER. THE EXAMPLE IS CAIN WHO IS OF THE EVIL ONE. A CHILD OF SATAN.
WHY DID CAIN KILL ABEL.
CAIN KNEW THE REQUIREMENTS OF A SACRIFICE TO GOD AND AN OFFERING TO GOD.
CAIN WANTED TO OFFER HIS OWN SACRIFICE TO GOD HIS WAY NOT GOD'S WAY. HE WAS OFFERING TO GOD FOR THE WRONG SACRIFICE FOR THE WRONG REASON
ABEL BECAUSE HE SOUGHT GOD TO PLEASE HIM OFFERED THE APPROAPRIATE SACRIFICE.
A BLOOD SACRIFICE OF AN ANIMAL.
GOD ACCEPTED ABEL'S AND REJECTED CAIN'S
IF A FIT OF HATRED CAIN KILLED HIS BROTHER ABEL.
WHY DID HE HATE ABEL
12 not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother's were righteous.
ABEL IS AND WAS A CHILD OF GOD HE HAD A RIGHTEOUS LIFESTYLE AND THAT LIFESTYLE WAS AN OFFENCE TO CAIN AND HIS EVIL LIFESTYLE.
ABEL DIDN'T GOAD CAIN IT WAS THE FACT OF HIS RIGHTEOUS LIFE THAT CAUSED CAIN TO HATE HIM AND KILL HIM.
HARRY IRONSIDE SAID THIS. CAIN WAS STIRRED UP BY JEALOUSY AND LURED ON BY ENVY. WHY DID HE SLAY HIM.
Genesis 4:8 (NASB) 8 Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. KILLED IN ORIGINAL LANGUAGE MEANS TO SLAUGHTER.
DESCRIBING THE RAGE HATE FILLED CAIN WHO WAS NOT A CHILD OF GOD OFFENDED BY THE CHILD OF GOD AND PERSECUTED AND SLAUGHTERED HIM.
JOHN SAID CAIN WAS OF THE EVIL ONE WHICH MEANS HE BELONGED TO TEH KINDOM OF DARKNESS AS DID THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN JESUS DAY.
John 8:44 (NASB) 44 "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
THE WORD TRANSLATED EVIL ONE MEANS DETERMINED AGGRESSIVE AND FERVENT EVIL WHICH OPPOSES WHAT IS GOOD AND PULLS OTHERS DOWN TO DESTRUCTION.
15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUS LIVING AND LOVE OF OTHERS THE WORLD IS GOING TO HATE THE CHILDREN OF GOD AND PERSECUTE THEM BECAUSE THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD AND IN FACT CHILDREN OF SATAN AND HE HATES CHRIST AND HIS FOLLOWERS.
HATRED CAN NOT EXIST IN THE LIVES OF TRUE BELIEVERS WHO HAVE THE LOVE OF GOD IN THEM.
SO THE INDICATOR HERE OF A PERSON WHO IS NOT A BELIEVER
IF YOU HATE YOUR BROTHER YOU ARE ON THE ROAD TO HELL AND NEED TO REPENT AND TRUST GOD FOR YOUR SALVATION AND BE FILLED WITH THE LOVE OF GOD WHICH WILL DRIVE OUT THE HATE.
JOSH MCDOWELL IN TELLING HIS TESTIMONY HATED HIS FATHER. HIS FATHER WAS THE TOWN DRUNK AND EVERYONE MADE FUN OF HIS DAD. JOSH WAS ASHAMED OF HIS FATHER BUT HATED HIM CAUSE HE BEAT HIS MOTHER WHEN HE WAS DRUNK. WHEN JOSH LEFT HOME FOR COLLEGE HIS MOM TOLD HIM SHE WAS READY TO DIE CAUSE SHE HAD NO REASON TO LIVE AND IN A FEW MONTHS SHE DIED.
A COUPLE OF YEARS LATER JOSH GOT SAVED. GOD CHANGED THE HATRED HE HAD FOR HIS FATHER INTO LOVE AND HE WAS ABLE TO GO AND SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH HIS FATHER WHO ACCEPTED CHRIST. HATRED CAN NOT EXIST IN THE HEART OF THE TRUE BELIEVER BECAUSE THE LOVE OF GOD DWELLS THERE.
IF YOU HATE SOMEONE YOU NEED TO REALLY TAKE A HARD LOOK AT WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF YOU DIE.
JOHN IS WANTING TO MAKE A POINT.
13 Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you.
John 15:16-20 (NASB) 16 "You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.
17 "This I command you, that you love one another.
18 "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.
19 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.
20 "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
John 16:33 (NASB) 33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."
Matthew 5:11-12 (NASB) 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
12 "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.
16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?
JOHN TELLS US HIS REASON FOR WRITING THIS LETTER.
1 John 1:4 (NASB) 4 These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.
WRITING THAT OUR JOY BE MADE COMPLETE. IN HIS LIFETIME HE HAS COME TO KNOW JESUS PERSONALLY AND THROUGH HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR SAVIOR HAS LEARNED SOME TRUTHS THAT HAVE MADE HIS OWN JOY COMPLETE, AND HE IS SHARING THEM WITH US, HIS READERS WHO ARE TRUE BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST.
1 John 2:1-2 (NASB) 1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
HERE HE IS SAYING TO US AS WE ARE FOCUSED ON LIVING OUR LIVES TO HONOR OUR SAVIOR WHEN WE STUMBLE IN SIN WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE, A GO BETWEEN, FOR US TO THE FATHER. JESUS CHRIST
1Jo 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
(KJV)
JOHN LIKES TO ENCOURAGE HIS READERS WHO SOMETIMES STRUGGLE WITH WHAT THEY DON'T KNOW AND JOHN SAYS STAND ON WHAT YOU DO KNOW.
1 John 5:13 (NASB) 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
JOHN SAYS THAT OUR SALVATION IS BASED SOLELY ON JESUS CHRIST AND HIS SACRIFICE.
SO OUR ETERNAL LIFE, HOME IN HEAVEN, AND ADOPTION INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD ARE SOLIDLY SECURE TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD.
SO KNOW THIS WE ARE POSSESSERS OF ETERNAL LIFE AND CAN'T LOOSE IT.
HE WOULD MAKE A GOOD TEACHER BECAUSE HE KEEPS REPEATING SOME OF THE SAME THINGS OVER AND OVER THROUGH THIS LETTER.
I HOPE THAT YOU ALL DON'T THINK I AM PREACHING THE SAME SERMON OVER AND OVER AS WE GO THROUGH 1 JOHN
JOHN MAKES SOME STATEMENTS CONFIRMING WHAT ALL BELIEVERS SHOULD KNOW FOR SURE AND HE WANTS US TO PUT THESE DOWN IN CONCRETE.
STATEMENTS LIKE BY THIS WE KNOW.
SO HOW DO WE KNOW, BY THIS.
1 John 2:3-5 (NASB) 3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.
4 The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:
1 John 3:10-24 (NASB) 10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.
11 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another;
TO PRACTICE RIGHT LIVING IS TO LIVE RIGHT ACCORDING TO GOD. THE GENERAL DIRECTION OF YOU LIFE IS TO HONOR GOD IN HOW YOU LIVE.
JESUS TAUGHT
Matthew 7:15-20 (NASB) 15 "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
16 "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?
17 "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
19 "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 "So then, you will know them by their fruits.
IT IS NOT WHAT YOU SAY IT IS WHAT YOU DO THAT IS THE EVIDENCE
14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.
15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
HE CAN MAKE THIS STATEMENT BECAUSE THE LOVE OF GOD IS NOT PRESENT IN THE PERSON WHO HATES ENOUGH TO KILL.
16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?
18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
1 John 2:5 (NASB) 5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:
1 John 4:12 (NASB) 12 No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.
WHEN AGAPE LOVE IN EXPERIENCED IN THE HEART OF THE REPENTANT SINNER WHO IS FORGIVEN AND KNOWS HOW MUCH GOD LOVES HIM; THE LOVE OF GOD DWELLS IN HIM. HE CAN'T HELP BUT TO LOVE OTHERS. AGAPE LOVE GOES BEYOND WORDS. WE LOVE THEM IN DEEDS WE DO, AND ALSO IN TOTAL TRUTH. WE SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE AND WE MEET NEEDS
19 We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him
20 in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;
22 and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.
23 This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
THERE IS A LOT IN THIS PASSAGE SO WE ARE GOING TO DIG IN AND SEE WHAT WE FIND HERE.
JOHN IS SAYING JUST KEEP GOING OVER THESE TRUTHS AND WE WILL KNOW FOR SURE THAT WE ARE OF THE TRUTH. AND THE TRUTH WE KNOW WILL ASSURE OUR HEARTS NOW AND WHEN WE STAND BEFORE HIM.
AS WE GROW IN OUR SACTIFICATION WE WILL FINE THAT OUR LOVE FOR GOD CAUSES US TO RESPOND TO HIM MORE AND MORE.
WE WILL FIND THAT WE UNDERSTAND AND ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE GRACE OF GOD.
Romans 2:14-15 (NASB) 14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves,
15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,
GOD HAS PUT IN THE HEART OF EVERY PERSON A CONSCIENCE SO THAT TO SOME DEGREE EVERYONE KNOWS RIGHT FROM WRONG ACCORDING TO THE LAW OF GOD.
TO THE TRUE BELIEVER WHO IS A DOER OF THE WORD AND NOT A HEARER ONLY HE IS A CHILD OF GOD, AND IS BEING SANCTIFIED SET APART OR IS BECOMING MORE LIKE CHRIST BY DOING THE WORD OF GOD. THE MORE WE DO THE WORD OF GOD THE MORE WE WANT TO DO THE WORD OF GOD AND OUR CONSCIENCES AFFIRM US THAT WE ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING. GIVING US JOY AND CONFIDENCE IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
IN THE SAME WAY WHEN THE TRUE BELIEVER SINS THE HOLY SPIRIT AND OUR CONSCIENCE IS QUICK TO CONVICT US OF THE WRONG THAT WE HAVE DONE. WHETHER WE HAD WRONG THOUGHT WORDS OR ACTIONS. THE CHILD OF GOD KNOWS WHEN WE SIN.
IF WE IGNORE OUR CONSCIENCE AND CONTINUE TO SIN WE WILL FIND THAT WE BECOME DEPRESSED, FEARFUL AND INSECURE.
Psalm 32:3-4 (NASB) 3 When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah.
Psalm 40:11-12 (NASB) 11 You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me; Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.
12 For evils beyond number have surrounded me; My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see; They are more numerous than the hairs of my head, And my heart has failed me.
PROLONGED DISOBEDIENCE OF THE CHILD OF GOD WILL CAUSE DOUBTS ABOUT THEIR FAITH AND CAUSE THEM TO QUESTION THEIR SALVATION.
THE TRUE CHILD OF GOD WILL NOT LOOSE THEIR SALVATION BUT WILL LOOSE THE ASSURANCE OF THEIR SALVATION AND EVENTUALLY WILL REPENT AND RETURN TO THEIR OBEDIENCE.
OUR LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER WANTS US IN RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM AND WILL DO WHAT IT TAKES TO CORRECT AND BRING US BACK.
HOW BAD A WHIPPING DO YOU WANT.
THE LOVE THAT GOD HAS FOR US HIS TRUE CHILDREN, IS NOT BASED UPON OUR ABILITY TO OBEY HIM.
THAT LOVE CAUSES HIM TO WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR US AND THAT INCLUDES CORRECTION, DISCIPLINE AND IN WORSE CASES PUNISHMENT TO GET OUR ATTENTION AND DRAW US BACK TO HIM.
HE LOVES US UNCON
19 We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him
GREEK HERE MEANS THAT WE WILL LEARN BY THIS, WHAT IS THIS
1 John 3:18 (NASB) 18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
WHEN BELIEVERS REALIZE THAT HAVE AGAPE LOVE FOR OTHERS, LOVE THAT HAS ACTION WITH IT; THEY CAN BE CERTAIN THAT THEY ARE OF THE TRUTH. THEY ARE TRUELY A CHILD OF GOD.
OF THE TRUTH IN GREEK MEANS OUT OF THE TRUTH WE EXIST.
ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE TRUELY BEEN CONVERTED THROUGH THE SUPERNATURAL WORK OF GOD POSSESS THE SACRIFICIAL LOVE THAT JOHN DESCRIBES IN VERSES 14-18
1 John 3:14-18 (NASB) 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.
15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?
18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
1 John 3:19 (NASB) 19 We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him
THE TRUTH OF THE WORD OF GOD THAT HAS BEEN IMPLANTED IN OUR HEARTS AND CULTIVATED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.
THAT TRUTH CHANGES US INTO PEOPLE WHO LIVE FOR GOD OUT OF OUR GRATITUDE FOR HIS GRACE THAT SAVES US AND KEEPS US SAVED.
WHAT IS YOUR CONSCIENCE TELLING YOU?
1 John 3:18 (NASB) 18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
1 John 3:19-23 (NASB) 19 We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him
20 in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things.
JOHN IS WRITING TO TRUE BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST WHO NEED AND WANT ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL LIFE THAT IS IN THEM.
WE-JOHN INCLUDES HIMSELF. WE WILL KNOW BY THIS
1 John 3:18 (NASB) 18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
WE WILL KNOW- WE WILL EVENTUALLY GRASP THAT IT IS OUR LOVE FOR OTHERS THAT GOES BEYOND JUST WORDS, IS THE EVIDENCE THAT WE ARE OF THE TRUTH WHICH LITERALLY MEANS OUT OF THE TRUTH WE EXIST
1 John 3:18-19 (NASB) 18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
19 We will know by this that we are of the truth,
WE WILL EVENTUALLY UNDERSTAND THAT, OUT OF THE TRUTH WE EXIST WHICH HAS EVIDENCE THAT WE HAVE AGAPAO LOVE FOR NOT ONLY OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST BUT IT ALSO GIVES US A HEART WRENCHING CONCERN FOR THE LOST TO BE SAVED, THAT CAUSES US TO TAKE ACTION TO BE OBEDIENT TO OUR SAVIOR WHO DIED FOR ALL THE WORLD TO BE SAVED.
1 John 3:19-21 (NASB) 19 We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him
20 in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things.
THIS FACT, THAT WE LOVE OTHERS IN DEED AND TRUTH, WILL ASSURE OUR HEARTS AND WE WILL LEARN THAT EVEN IF WE STUMBLE IN DISOBEDIENCE TO THE COMMAND TO LOVE IN DEED AND TRUTH AND ARE CONVICTED IN OUR HEARTS BECAUSE OF THE DISOBEDIENCE WE WILL KNOW THAT GOD KNOWING WHAT IS IN OUR HEARTS AND BEING GREATER THAN OUR HEART WILL GIVE US ASSURANCE OF THE FACT THAT WE ARE A CHILD OF GOD.
THE GENERAL DIRECTION OF OUR LIVES IS TO LOVE OTHERS IN DEED AND TRUTH IS THE EVIDENCE WE NEED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT GOD KNOWS OUR HEARTS AND OUR DESIRES TO BE OBEDIENT.
OUR OWN CONSCIENCE CONVICTS US AND CONDEMNS US WHEN WE STUMBLE IN OUR OBEDIENCE TO GOD.
GOD IS GREATER THAN OUR CONSCIENCE AND KNOWS ALL.
KNOWS ALL OUR STUMBLES AND OUR OBEDIENCES, HE KNOW EVERY THOUGHT AND THE MOTIVE BEHIND THE THOUGHT GOOD AND BAD.
AS A CHILD OF GOD HE STILL LOVES US.
LITERAL TRANSLATION
THIS IS HOW WE MAY KNOW THAT WE BELONG TO THE REALM OF TRUTH, AND CONVINCE OURSELVES IN HIS SIGHT THAT EVEN IF OUR CONSCIENCE CONDEMNS US, GOD IS GREATER THAN OUR CONSCIENCE AND KNOWS ALL.
FF BRUCE SAYS THE GREATNESS OF GOD , WHICH IS ABOVE BOTH ACCUSATION AND SATAN, TO WHOM ALL ACCUSATIONS GO BACK, CONSISTS IN THE FORGIVENESS WHICH REMITS GUILT AND INTHE POWER WHICH GIVES FULFILMENT OF THE COMMANDMENTS.
WE CAN GO BACK TO
1 John 2:1-2 (NASB) 1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
1 John 3:20 (NASB) 20 in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things.
GOD KNOWS ALL THINGS
Genesis 6:4-5 (NASB) 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.
5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
John 2:23-25 (NASB) 23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing.
24 But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men,
25 and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.
Mt 5:8 Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Mt 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Mt 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Mr 7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with [their] lips, but their heart is far from me.
Joh 14:1 ¶ Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
'
IS IS NOT WHAT YOU SAY BUT WHAT IS IN YOUR HEART AND GOD KNOWS THAT.
THERE IS NOTHING THAT GOD DOES NOT KNOW. HE KNOWS OUR DESIRES GOOD AND BAD, HE KNOWS OUR HABITS GOOD AND BAD
HE KNOW THOSE WHO ARE HIS AND THOSE WHO AREN'T
Matthew 7:21-23 (NASB) 21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
22 "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.
IT IS THIS VERY KNOWLEDGE OF GOD WHICH GIVES US OUR HOPE. THOMAS A KEMPIS SAID, " MAN SEES THE DEED, BUT GOD KNOWS THE INTENTION."
MEN CAN ONLY JUDGE US BY OUR ACTIONS, BUT GOD CAN JUDGE US BY OUR LONGINGS WHICH NEVER BECAME DEEDS, AND THE DREAMS WHICH NEVER CAME TRUE. WILLIAM BARCLAY
AS A CHILD OF GOD HE KNOWS OUR DESIRE TO LIVE FOR HIM AND TO WORK TO THAT END.
NOW HE GIVES US THE GENERAL DIRECTION OF THE HEART OF THE CHILD OF GOD
21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;
THE LIFESTYLE OF THE CHILD OF GOD IS A HEART THAT DOES NOT CONDEMN US.
WHILE WE KNOW WHEN WE ARE OBEDIENT AND GOD'S WILL IS OCCOMPLISHED WE HAVE CONFIDENCE BEFORE GOD, WE CAN STILL HAVE CONFIDENCE TOWARD GOD EVEN IN OUR FAILURES, BECAUSE HE KNOWS OUR DESIRE TO HONOR HIM ALL THE TIME.
WE CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT GOD WANTS US IN HIS FAMILY AND IS HAPPY WE ARE IN THE FAMILY. OUR OBEDIENCE TO HIS COMMANDS IS TO SHOW TO THE WORLD THAT HE JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD.
1 John 3:21-22 (NASB) 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;
22 and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.
THERE IS A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HOW WE LIVE AND WHAT WE PRAY ABOUT.
WHAT IS PRAY ABOUT IS IN EFFECT ABOUT HOW WE LIVE.
THIS CAN BE GOOD AND BAD.
TO HAVE CONFIDENCE OUR PRAYER WILL BE ANSWERED THOUGH DEPENDS ON HOW WE LIVE.
FAITH AND LOVE HOLD THE KEY TO HAVING OUR PRAYERS ANSWERED
ANSWERED PRAYER IS BASED ON FAITH IN GOD AND LOVE TOWARD ONE ANOTHER.
THE COMMANDMENT CONSISTS OF 2 THINGS JOHN MENTIONS
23 This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
1. TO BELIEVE IN THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD JESUS CHRIST IS NOT MEARLY TO BELIEVE OR ACKNOLEDGE HIS NAME. OH YEA I KNOW HIM.
TO BELIEVE IN THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD JESUS CHRIST IS TO BELIEVE IN THE NATURE AND CHARACTER OF JESUS CHRIST. TO BELIEVE THAT HE IS THE SON OF GOD, THAT HE DOES STAND IN RELATION TO GOD IN A WAY IN WHICH NO OTHER PERSON IN THE UNIVERSE EVER STOOD OR EVER CAN STAND, THTA HE CAN PERFECTLY REVEAL GOD TO MEN AND THAT HE IS THE SAVIOR OF SOULS.
2. THE SECOND PART OF THE COMMAND WE MUST LOVE ONE ANOTHER. THIS IS AGAPAO A SELF SACRIFICING LOVE THAT SEEKS THE GOOD OF OTHERS EVEN ABOVE OUR OWN.
. John 15:10 (NASB) 10 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
THE LOVE WE HAVE FOR GOD AND OTHER IS BECAUSE OF THE SPIRIT WITH IN US. THE SPIRIT WITH US IS WHAT HELPS US TO STAY IN OBEDIENCE ABIDING IN THE WILL OF CHRIST FOR US, KNOWING THAT IS WHAT IS BEST FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND THUS BEST FOR US.
\24 The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
THE FINAL TEST OF THE TRUE BELIEVER IS AN INTERN AND AN EXTERNAL ONE. IT IS THE INTERNAL ASSURANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE EXTERNAL EVIDENCE OF LOVE FOR THE BRETHERN.
1 John 4:1-7 (NASB) 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;
3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.
4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
5 They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them.
6 We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
BEFORE WE GET INTO THE MEAT OF THIS PASSAGE WE NEED TO DEFINE A COUPLE OF TERMS SO THAT WE CAN GET THE REAL MEANING THAT JOHN WANTS US TO UNDERSTAND.
FIRST THE TOPIC OF THIS SECTION IS THE MANY FALSE PROPHETS THAT HAVE GONE OUT INTO THE WORLD.
A PROPHET WAS A PERSON WHO HAD A MESSAGE FROM GOD FOR SOMEONE OR SPECIFIC PEOPLE.
TODAY I AM GOING TO LUMP TOGETHER WITH FALSE PROPHETS FALSE TEACHERS.
IF IN JOHN'S DAY THERE WERE MANY FALSE TEACHERS IN HIS WORLD THERE IS MANY MANY MORE TODAY.
THE SPIRITS THAT JOHN IS TALKING ABOUT, JOHN DEFINES IN
6 We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
THE SPIRITS JOHN IS TALKING ABOUT ARE THE SPIRIT TRUTH AND THE SPIRIT OF ERROR OR FALSEHOOD.
JOHN IS WANTING HIS READER TO UNDERSTAND WHO IS THE MOTIVATING FORCE BEHIND THE MESSAGE BEING DELIVERED.
JOHN WRITING TO BELIEVERS WANTS THEM TO LISTEN TO THE TRUTH AND APPLY IT BUT ALSO WANTS THEM TO KNOW FALSE TEACHING AND REJECT IT, REFUTE IT REMOVE IT.
THERE WAS A REOCCURING PHRASE THAT WAS IN EVERY VERSE EXCEPT IN VERSE 5.
NASB SAYS FROM GOD.
1 John 4:1-7 (NASB) 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
SOME TRANSLATIONS SAY OF GOD.
JOHN IS SAYING THAT BELIEVERS ARE TO FIND OUT IF THE MOTIVATING FORCE BEHIND THE TEACHER OR PROPHET HAS IT'S SOURCE AND ORIGIN IN GOD.
IS THE SOURCE AND ORIGIN IN GOD AND DOES IT GET IT'S LIFE FROM HIM?
SO NOW WE ARE READY FOR VERSE 1.
1 John 4:1 (NASB) 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
DO NOT BELIEVE EVERY SPIRIT BUT WE ARE TO TEST THE SPIRIT. WE CAN KNOW WE CAN PROVE THEM OUT.
THAT IT WHAT IT MEANS THERE TO TEST THE SPIRITS WE ARE TO GIVE THEM A PROOF TEST.
WE ARE TO FIND OUT WHAT SPIRIT IS IN THE PROPHETS OR TEACHERS.
1 John 3:24 (NASB) 24 The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
WHAT IS JOHN MAJOR POINT IN THIS LETTER. BELIEVERS CAN KNOW THAT THEY KNOW THAT THEY KNOW THEY ARE SAVED AND HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.
IF YOU DESIRE TO AND ARE WORKING ON KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD AND LOVE OTHERS YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD.
IF YOU DO THAT YOU CAN KNOW FOR SURE YOU PERSONALLY ARE SAVED
JOHN SAYS THAT EVERY BELIEVER HAS THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLING IN HIM.
THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN THE BELIEVER ENABLES US AND GIVES US THE DESIRE TO OBEY AND LOVE OTHERS.
IF YOUR LIFESTYLE IS NOT TO OBEY AND LOVE OTHERS YOU ARE NOT A CHILD OF GOD AND THE SPIRIT OF GOD DOES NOT DWELL IN HIM YOU BELONG TO SATAN AND ARE BOUND FOR HELL.
JOHN'S WORDS NOT MINE.
1 John 3:24 (NASB) 24 The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
1 John 4:1 (NASB) 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
SPEAKING OF THE FALSE PROPHETS OR TEACHERS
IS THE SOURCE AND ORIGIN IN GOD AND DOES IT GET IT'S LIFE FROM HIM?
FALSE PROPHETS OR TEACHERS ARE NOT SAVED THEY DON'T HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT
1 John 4:1-2 (NASB) 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;
Acts 16:31 (NASB) 31 They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."
Romans 10:9-10 (NASB) 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
John 1:1-12 (NASB) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
JOHN SAYS THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT FALSE TEACHERS AND PREACHERS ARE HERE WHO DON'T HAVE THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN THEM. THEY DON'T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST AND WE DON'T NEED TO LISTEN TO THEM. THEY NEED TO BE EXPOSED, REFUTED AND PRAYED FOR.
JESUS PREPARING HIS DISCIPLES FOR HIS ARREST AND DEATH
John 16:13 (NASB) 13 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
John 17:21-23 (NASB) 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
22 "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;
23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.
JESUS DESCRIBED THE HOLY SPIRIT AS THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH.
IF SOME TEACHER DOES NOT HAVE THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH THEY ARE NOT A CHILD OF GOD. THEY ARE A TEACHER/ PROPHET SERVING THEIR LORD SATAN.
JESUS DESIRE AND PRAYER FOR THE WORLD IS THAT THEY WOULD BELIEVE IN HIM THE SON OF GOD WHO DIED FOR THEIR SINS.
JESUS WANTS THE WORLD TO KNOW WHO HE IS SO THAT THEY CAN BELIEVE IN HIS NAME AND BE SAVED.
1 John 3:23 (NASB) 23 This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
Philippians 1:9 (NASB) 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,
PAUL ENCOURAGED THE PHILIPIAN CHURCH TO CONTINUE LOVING FOLKS AND TO DO IT WITH DISCERNMENT. WHY DID HE SAY THAT? FALSE TEACHERS.
THERE ARE ONLY 2 GROUPS OF PEOPLE. CHILDREN OF GOD AND CHILDREN OF SATAN.
IF YOU ARE NOT A CHILD OF GOD YOU ARE A CHILD OF SATAN.
BACK TO FALSE TEACHERS.
SATAN IS NOT DUMB, HE MAY NOT USE A BLATANT LIE IT MAY BE TRUTH BUT WITH A LITTLE DOUBT THROWED IN.
IS THE SOURCE AND ORIGIN IN GOD AND DOES IT GET IT'S LIFE FROM HIM?
IF THE SOURCE AND ORIGIN OF THE FALSE PROPHET IS NOT GOD IT IS SATAN AND THE FALSE TEACHER'S LIFE REVOLVES AROUND SATAN AND HE MAY NOT EVEN KNOW IT?
SATAN USES THE SAME TACTICS THAT HE USED IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN WITH EVE. IF THE PLAN WORKS WHY CHANGE IT.
SATAN CASTS DOUBT ON WHAT GOD SAYS. ARE YOU SURE GOD SAID YOU COULD NOT EAT OF THE FRUIT OF THIS TREE?
THEN SATAN DENY THE TRUTH OF WHAT GOD SAYS. YOU WON'T SURELY DIE.
THEN SATAN DISTORTS GOD'S WORD IF YOU EAT THIS YOU WILL BE LIKE GOD KNOWING GOOD AND EVIL.
THIS IS BASICALLY THE SAME TEACHING OF THE GNOSTICS THAT PAUL AND JOHN IS REFUTING.
GNOSTICISM SAYS THAT THE PHYSICAL IS SEPARATE AND DISTINCE FROM THE SPIRITUAL.
IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU DO IN THE FLESH IT HAS NO EFFECT ON THE SPIRITUAL.
IT ALSO TAUGHT THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR THE SPIRITUAL SIDE IF YOU DELVED AS DEEP AS POSSIBLE INTO THE FLESH TO KNOW GOOD AND EVIL.
THIS IS NOT TRUE THESE ARE THE LIES OF SATAN.
THIS IS WHY JOHN SAYS.
1 John 4:1 (NASB) 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
SO THAT WE WON'T BE DECEIVED.
Ephesians 4:14 (NASB) 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
1 Timothy 4:1-2 (NASB) 1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,
WE MUST PROVE THE SPIRITS AND BE ARMORED UP
Ephesians 6:10-13 (NASB) 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
1 John 4:1 (NASB) 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
WHEN JOHN SAYS DO NOT BELIEVE THE ORIGINAL READS STOP BELIEVING.
INDICATING THAT SOME BELIEVER WERE BEING SUCK IN BY FALSE TEACHERS.
JOHN IS WRITING THIS BECAUSE IT WAS HAPPENING, SO BELIEVERS CAN BE LED ASTRAY!
JOHN MACARTHER QUOTE " SATAN MASQUERADES HIS LIES AS TRUTH. HE DOES NOT ALWAYS WAGE WAR OPENLY AGAINST THE GOSPEL. HE IS MUCH MORE LIKELY TO ATTACK THE CHURCH BY INFILTRATING HER WALLS WITH SUBTLE ERROR. HE USES THE TROJAN HORSE STARTEGEN BY PLACING HIS FALSE TEACHERS IN THE CHURCH WHERE THEY CAN SECRETLY INTRODUCE DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES.
2 Peter 2:1 (NASB) 1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.
SATAN ALSO PUTS HIS LIES IN THE MOUTH OF SOMEONE WHO CLAIMS TO SPEAK FOR JESUS CHRIST
Acts 20:30 (NASB) 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
JESUS ALSO TAUGHT
Matthew 7:15-17 (NASB) 15 "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
16 "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?
17 "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
SO HOW CAN WE TELL IF SOMEONE IS A FALSE TEACHER OR NOT?
1 John 4:2-6 (NASB) 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;
3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.
4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
5 They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them.
6 We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
JOHN GIVES US 4 WAYS TO KNOW FOR SURE.
1. 1 John 4:2-3 (NASB) 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;
3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.
NOTICE THE WORD EVERY. NOTICE IT IS NOT SOME AND MAYBE
EVERY SPIRIT THAT CONFESSES THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE ETERNAL SON OF THE ETERNAL GOD, HE IS EQUAL WITH GOD: HE IS THE CREATOR; HE IS THE ONE WHO REVEALS THE FATHER TO US; HE IS LIFE; HE IS THE SAVIOR.
THE FIRST INDICATOR IS WHAT THE TEACHER THINKS ABOUT THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST. IF HE DENIES THE TRUTH ABOUT THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST HE IS A FALSE PROPHET/TEACHER.
EVERY TEACHER THAT DENIES THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE ETERNAL SON OF THE ETERNAL GOD AND DENIES OR ADDS TO ANY PART OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST IS A FALSE TEACHER AND A TOOL OF SATAN.
THE SECOND WAY WE CAN KNOW IF A TEACHER IS A FALSE TEACHER OR NOT.
6 We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
THE SPIRITS JOHN IS TALKING ABOUT ARE THE SPIRIT TRUTH AND THE SPIRIT OF ERROR OR FALSEHOOD.
JOHN IS WANTING HIS READER TO UNDERSTAND WHO IS THE MOTIVATING FORCE BEHIND THE MESSAGE BEING DELIVERED.
JOHN WRITING TO BELIEVERS WANTS THEM TO LISTEN TO THE TRUTH AND APPLY IT BUT ALSO WANTS THEM TO KNOW FALSE TEACHING AND REJECT IT, REFUTE IT REMOVE IT.
HE TELLS US HOW TO KNOW THE FORCE BEHIND THE MESSAGE YOU HEAR
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