1 John 2:7-17 (verse-by-verse)

Passage: 1 John 2:7-17

Title: Love is Always Fresh – For God is Love

Summary: Because God is love, that means His love is always fresh, new, revealing, growing, and exciting….. therefore His love will always be enough. That applies in our relationship with Him, and our relationship with each other, and our relationship with this world.

1 John 2:7–17 (NKJV) 7 Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 12 I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. 13 I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. 14 I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is 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 wicked one. 15 Do not love the world or 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, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Reminder

Just a reminder, that “Perfect Love”, has written this letter to you, and is speaking to you today.

1 John 4:8 (NKJV) 8 …….., for God is love.

Introduction

Writings – Pastured Ephesus / Around 90AD

John wrote this epistle, as all early church writings agree upon. Early Church writings also say that John served as pastor of the church in Ephesus, which was founded by Paul (Acts 18-19). The writing of this epistle is dated somewhere around 90-100AD. John himself is close to 80 to 90 years old.

Situation

John tells us four reasons why he writes, and the ultimate reason he writes this letter, so that you may have fullness of joy (1:4).

You will never have fullness of joy, if you are insecure in your salvation, you will never have joy, if you are secure in your sin and unrepentant of it, you will never have fullness of joy if you are insecure in the finished work that Christ has done for you.

Theme:

That Your Joy may be Full:

(1 John 1:4 NKJV) And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

That You may not Sin / When you Do Sin

(1 John 2:1 NKJV) My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

That You may not be Deceived

(1 John 2:26 NKJV) These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.

That You may know you have Eternal Life

(1 John 5:13 NKJV) These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

Recap Last Study / Our Advocate / Send the Helper – Conform Us

In our last study we saw Jesus as our advocate, (the parakletos, par-ak'-lay-tos), our lawyer who was interceding for us, helping to bring us into salvation. Then we saw after we were born again that Jesus said He would send us a Helper (parakletos, par-ak'-lay-tos), the Holy Spirit, who would help us in all things pertaining to life. Our Helper the Holy Spirit would help us to walk in victory over sin in our lives, and to help us be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ:

(John 14:16 NKJV) "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever;

(John 14:17 NKJV) "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

(John 14:18 NKJV) "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

(John 14:19 NKJV) "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.

(John 14:20 NKJV) "At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.

Our Helper will help us mature in the area of these 4 Evidences of salvation, and many others.

4 Evidences /Tests of Salvation:

· Moral Test (Keeping His Commandments) – (2:3-5)

· Social Test (Brotherly Love) – (2:7-11)

· Worldliness Test (Love of the World) – (2:15-17)

· Doctrinal Test (Who Jesus Is) – (2:21-24)

Christ-likeness / Family Resemblance

How we are doing in reference to these 4 tests/evidences of salvation, is also an indication of the sanctificationprocess that God is doing in us, this conformingprocess. God starts to conform us into His image the moment He takes up residence with in us:

(1 Thessalonians 5:23 NKJV) Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(1 Thessalonians 5:24 NKJV) He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

(Romans 8:29 NKJV) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

(Romans 8:30 NKJV) Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Sanctification means to be set apart to, and God sets us apart and starts conforming us into His image. There will be a family resemblance because we are now part of the family. As He conforms us we will become more and more like Him, and we will become more and more “one” with Him.

Outline: Love is Always Fresh – For God is Love (1 John 2:7-17)

· Love is Always Fresh (2:7-8)

· Love is Always Revealing (2:9-11)

· Love is Always Growing (2:12-14)

· Love is Always Enough (2:15-17)

1 John 4:8 (NKJV) 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

Prayer

The Word of God is Living and Powerful, and is ready, and will do a mighty work in our lives.

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

In Every Study

· Who Is God? (How Great is He?)

· What Does He Think of Me? (How Wonderful Are His Thoughts Towards Me?)

· What Does He Want Me to Do?

· What Can I Boldly Request of Him?

· What Do I Need to Be on Guard of When I Leave Here Today?

Boldly come to the throne of grace, ask God to reveal Himself in a mighty way to you, and to do I might work in you, and through you.

Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need

Social Test (Brotherly Love) – (2:7-11)

Love is Always Fresh – Because God is Love (2:7-8)

(1 John 2:7 NKJV) Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.

(1 John 2:8 NKJV) Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.

New – Old – New / Means Fresh / Be Refreshed – Word not Stale – Out of Date / Meant to Refresh

New commandment, old commandment, old commandment, new commandment, what is John talking about here. The Greek word here for new as it has been applied here is fresh. So John is saying, I want you to be refreshed with the word, I don’t want it to be old, it’s not stale, it’s not out of date, it is fresh and it is meant to refresh you.

Verse by Verse / Ordained Today / Refresh – Remind us To Love

It is vital to go verse-by-verse, the fact that we are here today I believe is ordained by God, and He wants to bring us back to refresh us of the need to love one another. To love that person that you really don’t like. To bring us out of darkness so we don’t stumble and get hurt.

Love Verse by Verse

I love verse by verse, I never get bored with it, because every verse is something new. The verse I read today, the Bible study I listen to today, in four weeks it’ll be new all over again.

Fresh Command – We heard from Beginning

And this fresh commandment is love. You heard it from the beginning, you heard from Jesus:

(Matthew 22:36 NKJV) "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?"

(Matthew 22:37 NKJV) Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'

(Matthew 22:38 NKJV) "This is the first and great commandment.

(Matthew 22:39 NKJV) "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

(Matthew 22:40 NKJV) "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

John 13:33–35 (NKJV) 33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Love always Remains Fresh / It never Fails / Just as Fresh 2000 yrs Later

Love always remains fresh, just as fresh when Jesus said it 2000 years ago because love never fails it never quits, it never gets old; love is as fresh today as it was yesterday and will be tomorrow. It is a new command when you’re born-again for these things take on a whole new meaning.

Love is Always Revealing – Because God is Love (2:9-11)

(1 John 2:9 NKJV) He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.

(1 John 2:10 NKJV) He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

(1 John 2:11 NKJV) But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Quoting Jesus

John 13:33–35 (NKJV) 33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Debt of Love / the Professional Woman / We see Her Response

There is that debt of love that we spoke of in the past study. One of the most perfect and beautiful examples in the entire Bible is the "professional" woman that Jesus forgave. We see the response of a person who knew that their sins were/would be forgiven. God's love produces a response in our hearts.

(Luke 7:36 NKJV) Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee's house, and sat down to eat.

(Luke 7:37 NKJV) And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil,

(Luke 7:38 NKJV) and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.

(Luke 7:39 NKJV) Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner."

(Luke 7:40 NKJV) And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." So he said, "Teacher, say it."

(Luke 7:41 NKJV) "There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.

(Luke 7:42 NKJV) "And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?"

(Luke 7:43 NKJV) Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." And He said to him, "You have rightly judged."

(Luke 7:44 NKJV) Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.

(Luke 7:45 NKJV) "You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.

(Luke 7:46 NKJV) "You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.

(Luke 7:47 NKJV) "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."

(Luke 7:48 NKJV) Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

(Luke 7:49 NKJV) And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"

(Luke 7:50 NKJV) Then He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."

Forgiven Much – Loves Much / Understanding His Holiness

Who is forgiven much loves much. We have been forgiven the penalty of sin that sentenced us to hell. The wrath of God intended for us was taken by the innocent One, He was the propitiation. We have been forgiven much. Everyone has been forgiven the same, but this points out that there are those understand and see the magnitude of their sin, and the price that it cost the Son; and then there are those who think they are good people, that their sin isn’t that bad, and they do not see and understand how they have offended the Holy One, the God who is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.

When a Person Sees the Price / A Natural Response / By this we Know

When a person sees the price that sin costs, their heart will pour out love for God, thanksgiving, and the natural response will be to keep His commands, to be pleasing to Him. By this we know that we know Him, because we keep His commands. When a person does not respond, uses grace as a license to sin, then they have forgotten that God is Holy, the forget the ultimate gift of Love, God left the throne to take on their sin – personally, not the sins of the world – generally. Or, a person never has got it, they are not saved, it is all head knowledge. This epistle seeks to correct both these cases, and take those that have deeper in their walk with the Lord, more at one with Him.

1 John 2:2 (NKJV) 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

(1 John 2:9 NKJV) He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.

(1 John 2:10 NKJV) He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

(1 John 2:11 NKJV) But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Satan Lays Trap - Stumble

Verse 10, that word “stumble” was the word we use scandal. And it was the word that was used to put bait on a trap. And so you can see the root of this is the devil baiting us into this darkness and what he baits us with. And this is what all the sin comes down to, a self about me, my choice, what I believe I'm entitled to, and what I believe I deserve. And when I don't get what I deserve, whether that's respect or love, or to be treated kindly and fairly, then we can see where we move into this place that here we come, disrespected, hurt. And then there we entered into the stumbling.

Something Not Right / Pass – Fail / Less than Love is Hate / Nothing More Blinding

So we are to love our brother; when we do not love our brother then something is just not right within us the Word is saying here. You know if you do not love your brother, then you’re walking in darkness, and eventually your stumble and fall. Because nothing is more blinding than hated. See here, this is a pass-fail test, you either love them, or hate them. God is making the point that anything less than love for a brother He considers that hatred. You can add to this the unbeliever also, for Jesus in giving the greatest commandment says to love your neighbor. The unbeliever is perishing, they are being slapped around by Satan, we must recognize that; we should feel sorry for them for if nothing changes they are bound for hell and God wishes that none should perish but that all should seek repentance.

Run to Advocate – Helper / Let Him Cleanse Bitterness / Walk in Light / Beautiful Place no Bitter

Run to your advocate; go to your helper, and let Him cleanse the bitterness and hatred from your heart that you might walk in the light just as He is in the light. It’s a beautiful place to be, not to be bitter against anyone, bitterness and hatred will eat you up and robbed you of your joy.

1 John 1:9 (NKJV) 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

HERE”S THE TRAP: now here is the trap, we can say to ourselves, I don’t hate that person, therefore I am not wrong. That truly is not what is being asked or questioned; what the right question is….. do I love that person? Do I love them like Jesus loves them, do I have a heart for them?

Someone You Can’t Stand / Correct it Now / When Bitter – Nothing they do Right

Now, back to when we know we have something against someone; Is there someone you can’t stand? If there is then it needs to be corrected and it needs to be corrected now, I wouldn’t go pass today to get it corrected. When you are bitter against someone, no matter what they do it is never right, you have a constant attitude towards them. You’ll notice it in your language, you’ll be saying things such as I’ll never forget what they did to me, or I’ll never forgive them for what they have done.

Everyone Offends / Take a Bullet / What is Going on in Their Life

I like what Pastor Joe said because it means more, I think him saying it than I would say it. And he said, of all the people that are closest to him in his life there at the church family and the likes, he said, not one of them has not, has some point hurt his feelings, but he also goes on to say, and there's not uh, one of them that wouldn't take a bullet for him and he makes the point. That's what we do in these fallen bodies. We can offend one another. We can hurt one another's feelings, and we need to step past that.

When it happens. We need to forgive and realize they're still brothers, they're still sisters, but you know, there's just brothers and sisters who will be absolutely mean. They'll be vindictive. They'll be hateful. They will be attacking. It won't be some, I hurt your feelings and didn't know it. It will be, there's something in them that want to hurt your feelings and they want other people to know and to draw into a resentment or hatred towards you and what you need to do in all these cases, you need to look at that person and you need to ask yourself what is going on in their life

That they could be like this? Because what you're seeing is not what we're reading in this passage. What you're seeing is the revelation of this passage that there's a darkness in them, even if they profess Christ. And even when we go, I know they're saved. How can they be so mean and hurtful? It's because there's something going on that none of us know and it's a darkness, and that's where we need to not fuel it and cause more darkness. We need to love them and not get drawn into a, or step into the battle, but step out of the physical and step into the spiritual realm and pray for them.

If Can’t Get Past Bitterness – Jesus not on Throne

If you cannot get past bitterness, if you cannot get past hatred, then what you're literally saying is there is not a God on the throne. And this word is not true because if there's a God on the throne and he speaks these words and says that you can, then you can. And so then you have to decide that I want to, it's a decision this, that I want.

Effects You / Everyone Around You / Family – Friends – Church / It Spreads

It ends up affecting everyone around you. It affects your family, it affects your church, it affects you and spreads out to from there:

(Hebrews 12:14 NKJV) Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

(Hebrews 12:15 NKJV) looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

Book of Hebrews / Takes Nutrients & Soil

The book Hebrews warns us about to the root of bitterness. Weeds growing in the midst of your flowers, that weed ends up taking precious nutrients from the soil around it. That weed takes the ground that was meant for other flowers. And the longer that weed is allowed to grow, the deeper it will grow, and when you go to pull it out it will pull out good soil and vegetation with it

How are we To Love

How are we to love one another, what love do you show that person? I know if I am loving someone by asking myself if I am this with them:

(1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

(1 Corinthians 13:5 NIV) It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

(1 Corinthians 13:6 NIV) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

(1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV) It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

(1 Corinthians 13:8 NIV) Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

I Know Sinner I Am – How Upset with Other / All Different Levels – Kids to Fathers

I know what a sinner I am, so there is no reason for me to be upset with anyone. Little children, young men, fathers, we are all at different spiritual levels and we are all growing. There is no need to be bitter and upset with them, so if I am then I know that there’s something not right within me. It shows that there is bitterness and unforgiveness in my heart, that I am not becoming one with God, that I am exercising my fleshly desires, because the Father loves them.

Advocate Took Our Sins – World / Means that Brother / They Washed – Cleansed / Propitiation

The advocate took our sins and the sins of the world. That means my brother and my sister next to me; Jesus Christ took their sins too. They too have been washed with the blood of Jesus Christ; they too have been cleansed and forgiven by the Father. The same sacrifice paid for me has been paid for them. The propitiation included them as it included me.

Helper Given to Me & Them / Trinity / Enveloped

And now the Helper has been given to them as He has been given to be. Remember the Spirit is in us, Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Jesus. Therefore the Father is in me also. I am in them and they are in me. God envelops us inside and outside

When Father Looks at Me – See the Son / Evidence Thrown Out / Blinded by Love

When the Father looks at me He does not see my sin, all he sees is the substitution, the propitiation, the Lamb, the Son. And He is so blinded by love all He can see is love, all my sins have been blotted out by the blood of Jesus Christ. The evidence had to be thrown out of court because it was tainted evidence; it was tainted by the blood of Jesus Christ to the point that it could not be seen.

God does for Me – Then I to My Brother

If God will do that for me, how much more so should I be doing that for my brother and sister. If all God sees is love when He looks at me, then why shouldn't I only see love when I look at my brother and sister. This is the maturity level that the Father wants us to come to also, because He wants us to become like Him.

See what Getting At / Not Look at Faults – Look for Sin / Look for Love

I think you see what I’m getting at. What is it that we see when we look at our brother and sister? Do we still see their sin, do we still look and see all their faults, do we hold their past sins over them? God the Father does not see our sins anymore; all that He sees is Jesus Christ when He looks at us. If we look at our brothers and sisters and look to see Jesus in them, then we will overlook so many of their sins.

(Proverbs 10:12 NKJV) Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.

Lifted out of World / World points at Wrong / Mind of Christ

We have to be lifted up out of this world and are to have the mind of Christ. The world, these reality shows, all they want to do is point out peoples faults and failings. Love is to be other-centered, not self-centered:

(Philippians 2:4 NKJV) Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

(Philippians 2:5 NKJV) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

(Romans 12:1 NKJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

(Romans 12:2 NKJV) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Next Passage – Love of World / Drink in World – Difficult to See as Father Sees

In the next passage we will be told not to love for the world. You see if we drink in the things of the world we will then think like the world and it will be difficult at best to have the mind of Christ, to see as the Father sees, and to see how much the Spirit has worked in the lives of our brothers and sisters.

Reality TV

I would love to see a reality show like Survivor with all Christians on it. Ok, Joey you have earned immunity, so you have to vote off one of your teammates, who will it be. Well John, I vote myself off, I just love these guys too much, Jesus gave me immunity, so too will I give them. You know that last challenge they all tried so hard, I just couldn't send any of them home. Could you imagine it?

People get Discouraged / Dead don’t Struggle / Spirit Moving

So many people will tell me how they are discouraged and that they are struggling with this or that. First I say praise the Lord you are struggling, for a dead man feels nothing, and struggles with nothing because he is dead. You must be alive to feel pain and to struggle. Thus the Spirit is moving in you.

Like this Building

Secondly, it’s like this building we meet in, you can look at it and say it needs a lot of work, some people will even say it’s kind of dumpy, but anyone who has been here in the last 12 months knows how far this building has come. It is amazing how beautiful this building is now. 12 months ago there was no carpeting, holes in the wall, graffiti written on the walls, no border trim on the floor, the concrete use to suck the heat right out of your body. Now look at it, it’s cozy, it’s warm, couches and carpet, painted walls and trees. The Christmas banquet we had dim lights and candles, it was a wonderful time of fellowship, it was warm and intimate. What the Lord has done in this place.

Those Stayed in School / You Struggled – Now Teach

I look at everyone that has stayed in school here over the past months, who have been diligently seeking the Lord, and I see the same thing. I smile for I remember when you use to struggle with that, now you are counseling others on those very same things. Some of you say things now that I say to myself I must write that down so I can work that into the message it is so rich and it will bless so many people.

God is Working – God is Pleased / 12-14 Commendation – Not Condemnation

God is working, God is pleased, and in these next verses 12 through 14 He is giving commendations to his kids, not condemnation. God never condemns us, He is always encouraging us. Therefore so should we have that same mind with our brothers and sisters, always loving them, always encouraging them; and when they do hurt or offend we need to remember, work in process.

This is a Message

This is a message that if we are honest with ourselves, we all have to say that we need some “help” on in these areas. I encourage you today, and every study, take the notes and go off somewhere alone, in a quiet place and say Lord, speak to me, put your finger on the things in my life that need to change. I want to come into that oneness with you, conformed into your image, I want that family resemblance that the whole world will see, especially in my own family. Here I am Lord, give me ears to hear, so that you may conform me.

Maybe it is saying this sin has got to go, I agree with you, help me to overcome. Maybe it is seeking reconciliation with a brother or sister, to ask for their forgiveness. Maybe they don’t know how you feel, I encourage you to keep it that way; rather just go to the Lord and say I know this is wrong, uproot this root of bitterness, plant anew in me, give me the same mind you have for that person, that I might love them as you do. Whatever it is, do it today.

4 Evidences / Indicators of Sanctification Process / God Starts to Conform

How we are doing in reference to these 4 tests/evidences of salvation, is also an indication of the sanctificationprocess that God is doing in us, this conformingprocess. God starts to conform us into His image the moment He takes up residence with in us:

(1 Thessalonians 5:23 NKJV) Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(1 Thessalonians 5:24 NKJV) He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

(Romans 8:29 NKJV) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

(Romans 8:30 NKJV) Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Sanctification – Set Apart / Set Apart to be Conformed / Family Resemblance

Sanctification means to be set apart to, and God sets us apart and starts conforming us into His image. There will be a family resemblance because we are now part of the family. As He conforms us we will become more and more like Him, and we will become more and more “one” with Him. But as we have studied, we still have our free-will, and we decide how much we will allow God to move in and through our lives.

Pause between 4 Test

John pauses in between these 4 evidences/tests to give a word form our sponsors; we get a word of encouragement because we can all start feeling a little down at this point, especially after the part about how we are to be loving one another.

Love is Always Growing – Because God is Love (2:12-14)

Little Children

(1 John 2:12 NKJV) I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.

(1 John 2:13 NKJV) I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father.

(1 John 2:14 NKJV) I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is 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 wicked one.

Permanently Put Away

Verse 12, your sins are forgiven. The verb tense is permanently put away. Praise the Lord. And that's where it begins. Our sin has per been put away as far as the east is from the west.

2 Things / Sins Forgiven - Know the Father

The little children, they know two things, their sins are forgiven and know the father.

Verse 12 - I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.

Verse 13 - I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father.

3 ft off Ground / Didn’t Know Much / When Jesus Comes Back

Remember when you first realized that your sins were forgiven, when you were born-again, you were like walking 3 feet off the ground. I did not know much, but I did know that my sins were forgiven. When Jesus Christ comes back for his church, He is going to take you with him. Young Christians you may struggle with that and wonder if that is for sure, it is for sure because your sins are forgiven, because your Advocate has gotten you a full pardon.

Longer go On – More Knowledgeable / 1st Saved – Big Sins / Now Repent 15min Billboard

Now for those who have been walking and diligently seeking Him, you have noticed that the longer you go on with the Lord, the more knowledgeable you become of His commands. Do you remember when you first got saved, like all you were concerned with were the big ones, the “BIG SINS”. You didn’t care about the things that bother you so much today, all that you care about was getting out of the bar, to quit doing drugs, to quit those sinful relationships. You didn’t care about being a good steward, about spending your time wisely, about taking every thought into captivity. You were happy just to reduce your intake of impure things, now you repent for 15 minutes for something you saw on the Billboard.

The Commands Mature – We Mature / Commands Evolve / 10 years – 10 years

As you mature so do the Commandments mature in you. God is maturing us, conforming us, making us more like Him through the help of the Helper. As we mature we will become more sensitive to the commandments of God. So keeping the commandments is really an evolving thing. I look forward to the Commandments that I will be struggling with 10 years from now, for I can tell you that there are things that I struggle with today they were not even in my thought process 10 years ago. God is maturing me, and He is maturing you. Those “biggies” are always waiting for us, be on guard, but they don’t have the hold on us like they use to; the cleansing agent has been working.

Less I Sin – More I Repent / More I know Him – More I see Grace

The longer I walk with the Lord I find the less I sin, but the more I repent. His light is illuminating things in my heart and mind and they make me see just how holy and awesome He is. The more I know him, the more I see it is all grace, that there is absolutely no good thing in me, and it was all His doing to bring me into this wonderful relationship. And the more and more this debt of love become on our behalf.

More Grace – Than Your Past

There is more grace in God’s heart than there is sin in your past. (Source Unknown)

Young Men

(1 John 2:12 NKJV) I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.

(1 John 2:13 NKJV) I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father.

(1 John 2:14 NKJV) I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is 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 wicked one.

2 things / Overcome – Word Abides

Two things about the young men, they overcome the wicked one, and they are strong because the word abides in them:

Verse 13 - I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one.

Verse 14 - I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.

No longer Children / Strong because the Word / Know how to Handle the Sword

The young men, it is saying they are no longer children for they know their sins are forgiven and that they know the Father. In verse 14 we see that they are strong because the word abides in them (this should be the progression in every Christians life – not just saved but growing strong). They overcome, they don’t fall to the temptation of Satan and the flesh, because they are in the Word and the Word is in them for it is abiding in them. They know how to handle the sword, to defend against the wicked one. They can take the word into any battle that Satan comes against them with and use the word as a weapon to battle back, and overcome the wicked one.

Spigot Principle / How much invest – How much it Abides

The Word abides in them, that is why they are strong. It is the hand on the spigot principal, you have to open the valve to let it flow, and how much it opens all depends on you. You will know the amount of how much the word is abiding in you, by the amount of how much you spend and invest your time in the word. You have to abide in the Word in order to overcome the wicked one.

Find Time / Make Time

We say I have to find time for the word; hey 24 hours, times 7 days, equals 168 hours. 168 hours is all there is, it is impossible to find anymore time than that; you won’t find the time, you have to make the time, make it the priority.

Important – Pressing / Tomorrow - Tomorrow

I find so often that the important things are not very pressing, but the pressing things are rarely important. Sending that email off, organizing my stuff, updating my software, somehow I always find time for those things and they really are not very important, but they get done. But I can always convince myself that I’ll pray later on today, lunchtime prayer, or in bed early, but it usually doesn’t happen that way does it. How many times I am going to bed and saying tomorrow, tomorrow!!!!!!

The Word – Changes down to Bone

The Word, prayer, abiding with Christ will change your life daily, daily!!!!!!!!!!!!! It will change you down to your very bone:

(Hebrews 4:12 NKJV) For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

(Hebrews 4:13 NKJV) And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Word does Surgery – Plastic Surgery – Conforming us into His Image

The word does surgery on our very being, and that surgery is "plastic surgery" in a sense because it is conforming us into the image of Jesus Christ. Christian if the wicked one is overcoming you, rather than you overcoming him, then the word is clear here, it is because you are not abiding in the word, and thus the word is not abiding in you.

Fathers

(1 John 2:12 NKJV) I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.

(1 John 2:13 NKJV) I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father.

(1 John 2:14 NKJV) I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is 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 wicked one.

2 things – 1 thing

It says two things about the fathers, but the same thing twice:

Verse 13 - I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.

Verse 14 - I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning

Know Beginning / Alpha – Omega / Never Changes – Always Trust

The little children know God, but the progression is that the fathers (Spiritually mature ones) know Him further back than that. The fathers, they have known Him who is from the beginning, they know Him as the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the one who never changes, and can trust Him for all things in their life. He is not just Savior, He is Lord, the King and Master of their lives. Many new believers know Him as their Savior (the One who saved them from their sin), but it is the mature one that knows Him as Savior, and Lord, the One they can trust that He will keep them, and that His words are true, and they are to for their benefit, and blessing, even when they don’t make sense, or are contrary to our desires.

Life gets Simpler / Forgiven – Overcome – Free to Enjoy

As you go on with the Lord things get simpler and simpler, they really do. You know your sins are forgiven you overcome the wicked one, you are strong, as you move on from these things you find you are free to enjoy the one single passion, Jesus Christ’s. It’s you Lord, I know my sins are forgiven, I know God’s words are for me and not against me therefore I submit to them, Satan your attacks, they are just a bore, I see them coming for a mile away, you cannot overcome me for the Word abides in me. And therefore now that these things are not pulling me down, I am free to just walk and enjoyed Jesus Christ, just fellowship with Him and worship Him, and to enjoy Him every day.

Not Wrapped Up in Theology – Ant-christ / Wasted Debates & Hours

I find I am not all wrapped up with deep-deep theology, conspiracy theories, who is the anti-christ. When I was young in the Lord those things were a big deal, so much time on futile subjects such as Calvinism versus Armianism, once-saved-always-saved, hey God knows. I am not saying doctrine and theology are not important, by no means you must know what you believe and why. I am saying there are something's Christian debate over for countless hours that we will only know when we make it to heaven.

Children – Salvation – Warfare / Expect Warfare – Know He on the Throne / Fellowship

As little children there is often that struggle with whether I’m saved or not, there is tremendous stress about and over spiritual warfare (like the world is ending), as you mature you expect spiritual warfare as part of life. So you know God is on the Throne, He is working all things together for good, and so as a father a person just gets to walk with the Father, they pray without ceasing, they break out into spontaneous worship and fellowship with the Lord.

Alpha – Omega / Free from Stress / Looking to See Him / All Want – Not 1 Bit More

They know Him as the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the one who never changes, and can trust Him for all their stresses. And that trust brings rest, and that rest frees them from stress, and the freedom of stress allows them to walk and enjoy life with Him now and looking forward to when they will see him face to face. There is no age for being a father; it is not based on physical age, but spiritual maturity. You can have all of God you want, but not one bit more.

Moses Gonzalez

Speaking of young men, and fathers, I remember my friend Moses Gonzalez (who is pastoring a church), his grandfather was a pastor and in his late years of life it became quite a burden for him to preach the word because of his aging body. But his grandfather every Sunday would get up and preach the word, and then for the next three days lay in bed and grandma would spoon-feed him his meals. By mid-week he had enough strength to get out of bed and he would prepare for next Sunday, and he would preach the word again. And then the grandmother would tend to his needs in bed again for those three days.

Don’t retire to Golf / Raise up Offsprings

Older men, don’t retire to golf and sit around and do nothing. Preach the word, raise up spiritual offspring's, being a Father means you have kids, otherwise you are just an old man.

Young Men – Strong / Take it form Here / Go before Old

Young men- it says because you are strong. The fathers are growing old, they are slowing down, the effects of the fallen world are more evident upon them. Young man, you are strong! You take it from here, you’ve battled Satan, you have overcome the evil one, go now and battle for the spiritual little children, go to battle against the wicked one for them, that they may grow up to be young men themselves and that they too can overcome the wicked one. Young men go while you can, before you are forced to slow down because you are subject to the laws of a fallen world.

Back to 4

Now back to the 4 tests………………

Worldliness Test (Love of the World) – (2:15-17)

Love is Always Enough – Because God is Love (2:15-17)

(1 John 2:15 NKJV) Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Cosmos – Belief Sys / Earth Beauty

The word here for world is the word "cosmos", and the context here is, "a belief system". It is not speaking of not loving the earth; the earth is a beautiful thing, God created it for us, and the beauty of the trees, the flowers, the mountains, the oceans, they are for our enjoyment, and they testify of the power of God.

(1 John 2:16 NKJV) For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the world.

Context of Belief Sys / Get All – While – Self Serving – Self Satisfying

So this verse is applying to the belief system of the world around us. We know that belief system is get all that you can while you can. It is a self-serving serving. It is system of satisfying self. It is comprised of three things, lust of the flesh (got to have more money, more sex, more partying, more stuff), the lust of the eyes (I see it I want it, I must have it), and the pride of life (I want to be somebody, I want to be known, I want people to want me).

3 Things to Offer / Flesh – Eyes - Life

The world has 3 things to offer, lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life:

(1 John 2:16 NKJV) For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the world.

Satan Approach - From the Garden

That is Satan's approach, it always has, and always will be. From the garden to today, he continually offers the same 3 things. Back in the garden, Satan offered Eve those 3 things:

(Genesis 3:1 NKJV) Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?"

(Genesis 3:2 NKJV) And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden;

(Genesis 3:3 NKJV) "but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.'"

(Genesis 3:4 NKJV) Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die (and the pride of life).

(Genesis 3:5 NKJV) "For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

(Genesis 3:6 NKJV) So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food (the lust of the flesh), that it was pleasant to the eyes (the lust of the eyes), and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

Satan with Jesus

Satan when He tempted Jesus there in the wilderness, he offered Jesus these 3 things:

the, - kingdom is yours - all this can be yours bow to me

(Matthew 4:1 NKJV) Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

(Matthew 4:2 NKJV) And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.

(Matthew 4:3 NKJV) Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread (lust of the flesh)."

(Matthew 4:4 NKJV) But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"

(Matthew 4:5 NKJV) Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple,

(Matthew 4:6 NKJV) and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone (pride of life. - you are special, jump you won't get hurt).'"

(Matthew 4:7 NKJV) Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.'"

(Matthew 4:8 NKJV) Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.

(Matthew 4:9 NKJV) And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You (lust of the eyes & the pride of life) if You will fall down and worship me."

(Matthew 4:10 NKJV) Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'"

(Matthew 4:11 NKJV) Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

3 Things – Good Enough – Exhaust a Lifetime

These 3 things are all the world has to offer man, and that is obviously good enough because men will exhaust a lifetime chasing after one or all of these 3 things.

Instant Fulfillment

You see, as with Jesus, Satan offers immediate fulfillment. By indulging in your lust. The excitement and the immediate fulfillment that Satan is laying out before people. But the end of that path is misery, it is death, it is destruction.

Drugs

Let’s just take one aspect. Because it is a very unfortunate, a very prominent aspect and one that is becoming even more insidious; that is the use of heroin. Heroin has become sort of the drug of choice now. There’s been a tremendous comeback of heroin. And many of the addicts now are eight and nine years old. There’s a real epidemic of children eight and nine years old who are addicted to heroin. They will sell it to the children for ten dollars for two hits so that it comes within the grasp of children, to get them hooked on the heroin. It is my understanding that heroin gives to a person an extremely exciting kind of a rush or feeling or euphoria or whatever, thank God I don’t know, but they say that the effect of heroin is so powerful--the thrill or whatever is so intense that your whole body--every fiber of it almost responds with this intense feeling of pleasure. So that with two hits of heroin, a person can become addicted.

Leads to Destruction

Now there is the promise of immediate excitement. Immediate thrill. Immediate sensations that are something greater than you’ve ever experienced in your life with anything else. But it is the path that leads to destruction. And to enter into that path is to enter into the path of death. It’s going to lead you to the grave. And so though there may be an immediate thrill, an immediate sensation, yet the end of it is disaster. It’s misery. It’s horrible withdrawals. It’s a life in filth and in that realm of drug addiction. It will take you down to the bottom. It’s not just with drugs but the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life.

Extra-marital

Here is an exciting prospect of romance. An extra-marital relationship. That romantic love that you felt when you married your wife years ago has long gone. That excitement of the first touch. The first kiss. That has worn off and it’s good that it did. You couldn’t live in that love-kind of condition that you were in when you lost your appetite and everything else. But now here’s someone that’s come along and oh, the touch is so exciting. And you become involved. And the thrill seems to be so great. But it’s the path of death.

Solomon – Proverbs 7

Solomon describes it so well in Proverbs as he was watching out of his window and he saw this young man come to a corner and this prostitute came up and propositioned him, cuteing herself around him, flirting, saying, I’ve been waiting for you. And he said, he watches this young man as she leads him away and, he said, he doesn’t know that her home is the path to hell (Proverbs 7:6-23). It’s the path of destruction.

Immediate Satisfaction

The whole thing is, Satan may offer immediate excitement and fulfillment but the end of it is destruction. God says, No, you must deny yourself, you must take up the cross. You must be dead to the desires of the flesh. You’ve got to reckon those crucified with Christ. You can’t give in to them. You can’t yield to them because they are the path of death. You see, lust can never be satisfied. And the worst thing you can do with lust is feed it because it will always demand more until it becomes the monster destroying you. The only cure for lust is to starve it to death. And so God says, You’ve got to deny yourself. By the Spirit you’ve got to mortify the deeds of the flesh that you might live.

World Passing Away

“The world is going to pass away, with the lust thereof: but he who does the will of the Father will abide forever.” The end result, the wise man will look at the end result of an experience of a relationship. He’ll stop and he’ll look down the road and see where this path is leading me.

Jesus Shows the Way – Defends with Word

Jesus showed the way, He quoted the Word to defend against these 3 that Satan offered.

Young Men – Overcome / Eve – Jesus – Submitted

Young Men (verses 13 & 14) have overcome the wicked one, and they did it because the Word abides in them. They did not just quote the Scriptures, but they were submitted to the Scriptures. Eve quoted Scripture, but she was not submitted to the Scripture. Jesus quoted Scripture, and He was submitted to them.

Struggle – World Acceptable / Not Matter – Submit to Word

Again, every single person struggles with some dark devilish sin. The problem becomes when everyone around us says it is not sin, it is okay and it is acceptable. That makes the struggle so much harder for us when it is so acceptable around us. The word abided means to reside. So it doesn’t matter what is acceptable in the world, but that we submit to the word:

Our Helper / Empowering Us

For us, we chose. I am choosing to do what God says to do, and God makes sure we have we need to carry it out. Remember where we started out in this chapter, God gives us the Helper, the Holy Spirit after we receive Him, but not just the Holy Spirit, the Father and Son dwell in us also, the Godhead, the trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are empowering us to overcome the world, our flesh, and the wicked one (Satan):

(John 14:16 NKJV) "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever;

(John 14:17 NKJV) "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

(John 14:18 NKJV) "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

(John 14:19 NKJV) "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.

(John 14:20 NKJV) "At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you..

Orphans

Jesus said He would not leave us orphans. God didn’t then build us and orphanage, He became the orphanage, that we might dwell in Him, and He in us

(John 14:18 NKJV) "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

What Sin Struggling With / What Power / Nothing we Can’t Overcome

What sin are you struggling with, what power could it possibly have against you. We are enveloped by God, God is in us, and we are in Him, there is nothing that can overcome us. What could possibly touch us, Satan, the enemies of God, they are nothing compared to God in us.

What is Your Need / He is Able / He is There / Power of the Universe

What is your need today, He is able to meet that need in your life. Do you need a Loving Father, He is right there. Do you need a friend, He is right there. Do you need someone to help you, He is right there. The Power of the Universe is available to us, for anything and all things of our lives. He Loves you, could there be any doubt left after studying this chapter. There is nothing that this world can offer you compared to what God has already given us. Amen!

(1 John 2:17 NKJV) And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Key – It’s Passing

The key verse here is that the world is passing:

(1 John 2:17 NKJV) And the world is passing away

Sad - Sad

Sad sad these christian artist (small c - maybe), cowering to the culture

If the Christian artist cant answer the question what is marriage, what is gender, what is sin, if they can’t answer the question, should she/he be writing Christian music (capital C) - but she knows the truth, she just cowered to the culture. The great lie is “later” as those thinking that by not offending in the moment, that later those people may come to Christ, but they miss the “now”, that there were truly people listening to these interviews and blogs, wishing someone would tell them the answer to why they are empty and life has no meaning………Sad sad

Investing in No Value / Kmart – Bankrupt / What it Profit

Unbelievers, and believes also, are investing themselves in something that is passing away, in something that in the end will have no value. The world is dying, the world system is dying. Why do we invest in something that is dying? Would you buy stock in Kmart today, with all the Wal-Mart popping up, that throwing your money away. Saved or unsaved, investing in the world is investing in something that is going to be bankrupt, and there is no chance to file Chapter 11. The 3rd test here, God wants to mature us past these things, for they are passing away:

(Mark 8:35 NKJV) "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.

(Mark 8:36 NKJV) "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

(Mark 8:37 NKJV) "Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

(Mark 8:38 NKJV) "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

Egypt – Called Out / Matt 5-7 / We Just Passing Through

We have studied over and over in our studies through Genesis, that Egypt is a picture of the world, and God calls His people out of the world. In Matthew chapters 5-7 we see the constitution of the Kingdom of God, and we see we that God saved us and called us out of this world, out of Egypt, for we have a new home and we are just passing through this world to get home:

(1 Peter 2:9 NKJV) But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

(1 Peter 2:10 NKJV) who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

(1 Peter 2:11 NKJV) Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

(1 Peter 2:12 NKJV) having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

(1 Peter 2:13 NKJV) Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme,

Christian Know Story Line

In my 30+ years of walking with the Lord, I have never seen such days in this world. What is up with this gay theme in Hollywood? They are like shoving down the worlds throat and people are eating it up, tuning in, even Christians, How sad it is about the number of Christians that can tell you the story line for immoral shows and movies, that promotes values that slap God in the face. Hey its just for a laugh, there was no laughing on the cross as Jesus died to free man form those things.

Florida Property / Canoe - Unstable

I remember when I had a piece of property in Florida it has a pond in the back, but it was greatly overgrown with vegetation. So to make it look more tranquil and attractive I started the process of pulling out the overgrown vegetation. At some point I could only get so much of it from the bank so I had to get a canoe to get the vegetation further in. Of course in order to get it to sure I had to bring it into the canoe with me. So with every scoop I would bring in vegetation and some water, and it did not take long for the boat to become unstable. Obviously a canoe is not meant to have water in it, and it was just a matter of time…………….

Can’t Stay Afloat – Unstable – go Down / Separate

It was quite embarrassing. Christians we can not take in the world and stay afloat, first we will become unstable, then eventually we will go down. God is saying to us separate yourself from these things.

(Matthew 6:24 NKJV) "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

If You Love It – You’ll Want Something – Be Someone / Continual Frustration

Hear this Christian, if you are in love with this world, the system of this world, then you will want something out of this world, you try to be something in this world, that is just way it is. It counters who we are suppose to be, we are in this world, but we are not of this world. As a Christian if you are trying to find something in this world, then you will continually find yourself frustrated and disappointed. God says come out of Egypt and stay out of Egypt.

Earth not a Playground / Raptured – Sanctification – Reproduce / People are Passing Away

Christian, let me just be blunt, the Earth not a playground, it is a war zone. We are the King's kids, and our King is at war. He could rapture us at our conversion and deliver us from this fallen world, but He doesn't, rather He starts His sanctification process, His conforming us into His image process, so that He might reproduce His life in us, and reach those who are being sucked into this worlds system, which is passing away, thus so will they pass away with it.

Struggle – World Acceptable / Not Matter – Submit to Word

Every single person struggles with some dark devilish sin. The problem becomes when everyone around us says it is not sin, it is okay and it is acceptable. That makes the struggle so much harder for us when it is so acceptable around us. I flick a switch and it is in my house, it must be acceptable. It is right in front of me on the magazine rack, or walking down the street. No it isn’t acceptable, we have just become desensitized to it. We must always go back to that place, God is Light, and in Him is no darkness at all:

(1 John 1:5 NKJV) This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

Call to Separate

This is a clear call for separation from the world, get out from among them, in all their dealing whether it is in the flesh or flashes on a screen:

(2 Corinthians 6:14 NKJV) Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

(2 Corinthians 6:15 NKJV) And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?

(2 Corinthians 6:16 NKJV) And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people."

(2 Corinthians 6:17 NKJV) Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you."

(2 Corinthians 6:18 NKJV) "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty."

Abe Lincoln Story

In an address to the Wisconsin State Agriculture Society in 1859, Abraham Lincoln illustrated the profound and tempering effect that change can have on us. He told of an Eastern monarch who gave his counselors an assignment to come up with a truth that would apply to all times and situations. After careful consideration, they returned with this sentence: “And this too shall pass away.” Said Lincoln, “How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the hour of affliction.”

Note: this too shall pass is not actually a bible verse, but it has many passages that correlate to such a saying; but it is a great misconception that it is actually in the Bible.

Centuries before, John made the better point—that the world passes away, but he who does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:17).

Prayer

The Word of God is Living and Powerful, and is ready, and will do a mighty work in our lives.

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

In Every Study

· Who Is God? (How Great is He?)

· What Does He Think of Me? (How Wonderful Are His Thoughts Towards Me?)

· What Does He Want Me to Do?

· What Can I Boldly Request of Him?

· What Do I Need to Be on Guard of When I Leave Here Today?

Boldly come to the throne of grace, ask God to reveal Himself in a mighty way to you, and to do I might work in you, and through you.

Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need