2 John

Opening Prayer

Introduction

2 John 1–2 ESV

The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

John the Elder

He had lived life with character and integrity

The Elect (or chosen) Lady

Most likely this is a figurative reference for a local church

In verse 13 at the end of the letter, John says that the children of the elect sister greet you. Another sister church to the one he is writing to.

There may be a hint her of the church being the bride of Christ

She is chosen by God to belong to himself

2 John 3 ESV

Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

Love and Truth

The two key words of the greeting and really the book

2 John 4–6 ESV

I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.

Knowing God in Love and Truth

Knowing God’s love

Humbling ourselves to God’s truth

The Humble Path

Example: Bitterness

Bitterness Towards Self

I’ve failed my own expectations

I keep beating myself up over and over for what I’ve done

What does God says that’s true

Bitterness Towards Others

Every time I see this person I think of what they have done

I can’t let it go

2 John 7–11 ESV

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

Loving Other with Truth

There were false teachers who were pulling them away from the essentials. That Jesus was God. That he died for our sins

Warning in love: Walk with Jesus not false teachers

Avoiding the truth. Tolerance

When do we warn others of danger?

When do we let them go and do what they want?

When do we get out of the car?

Hiding behind truth (Arrogance)

We can be proud in our truth

We can speak so much truth no one listens

Humble yourself to Christ’s lead

Emotions validated

Early Christian Letters for Everyone: James, Peter, John and Judah (2 John 7–13: Don’t Be Deceived!)

Is it, after all, ‘unloving’ or ‘intolerant’ to shout to people that the house is on fire? Ought we to ‘tolerate’ people who come into someone else’s house and throw lighted matches around the room? Is it ‘intolerant’ to warn people that they should not drive down that road, because the bridge has been weakened by floods and might collapse? Is it ‘unChristian’ to insist that if we are to worship the God we know in Jesus we can’t simultaneously be worshipping one of the very different gods who are on offer elsewhere? Of course not. Is it a failure of Christian charity if we warn people that certain styles of behaviour lead to ruin rather than to life?

2 John 12–13 ESV

Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete. The children of your elect sister greet you.

Church Filled with Love and Truth

Speaking in love and truth to each other

Walking in the truth together

Praying together