Truth in Love

2 John 1–13 NASB95

1 The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 4 I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father. 5 Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. 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. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. 9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds. 12 Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that your joy may be made full. 13 The children of your chosen sister greet you.

INTRO: How many of you have heard the phrase “truth in love”? Good- well, we are going to spend a little time on this concept this morning. Before we get to the phrase, I think it’s best if we define the terms in the phrase- namely truth and love.

First, let’s look at the word truth:

Psalm 119:160 NASB95

160 The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.

Jesus said:

John 14:6 NASB95

Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

John 17:17 NASB95

17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

I like the way John MacArthur put it:

Truth is that which is consistent with the mind, will, character, glory, and being of God. Truth is the self-expression of God.

Because truth is from God, it is theological, which means that is has to be understood in light of God. But it’s also ontological, which is just a big word that means “the way things really are”

“Reality is what it is because God declared it and made it so.” - John MacArthur

So, truth is the theological and ontological reality of everything.

Love, as we have discussed before, is talked about a lot in Scripture. It’s not a feeling or emotion. The apostle John talks a lot about love in the Gospel of John as well as the epistles that bear his name. We’ve spent a good bit of time over the past months looking at love from John’s writings.

Paul wrote perhaps the most famous explanation of love in his letter to the Corinthian church. (1 Cor. 13)

I have adapted a definition of love from John Piper that I like:

Love is to delight in and be committed to bringing about God’s best in another.

The challenge many Christians face is that we are either good at being truthful or we are good at being loving… at least that is what we think.

Some folks I know love to share truth, but they do so absent of love and it comes across as harsh and hateful.

Others are so wary of hurting someone’s feelings that they do not share truth at all. They think they are ‘loving them to Jesus’ but I would argue that this is not love at all.

As we defined love earlier, we must acknowledge that it undoubtedly includes truth- both being truthful and ensuring others know the truth.

For example, it would be unloving to refuse to tell someone of inherent danger or to allow someone to believe a falsehood that leads to death.

But what does this look like really? What are some key ways in which Christians demonstrate truth in love? What do we need to take note of and apply to our lives and relationships in light of God’s Word.

These questions are what I hope to address in our time together. The message is titled, Truth in Love. If you picked up a bulletin, I encourage you to use the enclosed sermon guide as we learn together.

As we work our way through the text today, I have enlisted the assistance of a couple men - Josh Shelton & Austin Etters - who are currently students at Fruitland Bible College. They will each be bringing a point a little later on.

This letter is written to, scholars believe, the church of Ephesus again. (John uses familial language - ‘chosen lady and children’ (1) and ‘chosen sister’ (13) ) In other words, it’s written from one elder at one church to an elder at another church. It is a brief letter, but one that demonstrates some very important keys to truth in love.

Let’s begin. The first key to truth in love is:

Christians Unite through truth in love (1-3)

(READ)

Here is what John is saying: I love you in truth, just as every believer loves one another in truth BECAUSE truth is what abides in us and unites us forever.

You know something, Christians are going to spend eternity together under the perfect rule and reign of Jesus Christ. We will forever be singing and celebrating our Lord together in heaven. And you know what else? There will be Christians from other churches and even other denominations in heaven.

There will be some in heaven who grew up Methodist, Anglican, Presbyterian. There will be some who were Catholic or in some Orthodox church.... and folks, there won’t be a “Baptist section” of heaven- we’ll all be united- joyfully and happily- because we all have experienced the grace and mercy of God!

Now look, I’m not down on denominations. I am glad we have denominations that clarify our convictions and allow us to partner on mission in ways that are consistent. But, Christians unite through truth in love and we see that ultimately non-essential differences will be of no consequence in eternity.

But let’s move closer to home. It’s almost crazy to talk about uniting with other churches without first talking about uniting as a single church.

Let me ask:

How many of you believe that Jesus is the Holy Son of God?

Do you believe that He stepped into creation, lived a perfect life, and died a sacrificial death on a cross?

Do you believe that He rose again on the 3rd day, having secured our redemption and will one day return to collect His church and judge the earth?

Amen. We are united in the Gospel of Jesus Christ - Christians unite around the truth of God’s Word.

But, sometimes, we get bent out of shape over other points of disagreement, don’t we? There are things that cause disunity that could be better classified as preference. Let me give you some examples:

Bible Translation

Music Style

Eschatological View

Leadership Roles

Service Times/ arrangement

Building Design/ Use

I won’t elaborate further.

Folks, as your pastor, I want to encourage you today to be united in the truth of God’s Holy Word. In this, we love one another. Let’s not be so discontented over things that are eternally petty that we would cause division or disruption in the church. As John writes: (READ v. 3)

Christians Unite through truth in love. To bring our next point, I’m going to ask Josh Shelton to come.

Christians Edify through truth in love (4-6) (JOSH)

Lets take a look at Vs 4-6 (READ)

I hope to demonstrate how Christians edify through Truth and Love.

When we read this passage, we must see the close relationship between Truth and Love. The two cannot be separated. How do we edify through Truth and Love?

The word “Edify” shares the same root as the word “edifice”. An edifice is a large elaborate building or structure. This helps us better understand the meaning of edify, which is “to build one brick or block at a time.”

We see a good example of this in Luke 6:46-49

Luke 6:46–49 NASB95

46 “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 “Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 “But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”

It is no coincidence that our Lord who created all things was a carpenter by trade while he lived here on earth just like his earthly father. He is still actively building His Kingdomand working through His people. Satan, the destroyer, is currently at war to tear down anything that God is building. Most importantly, His Kingdom.

If the Spirit of Almighty God lives within us, we will be changed not might be changed. Jesus said if you love me keep my commandments. Love means “doing what God has commanded us”.

When I think of the importance of building up the body of Christ and the responsibility we have before us here at Little River. We must be intentional. Truth will produce action and change. We must speak truth intentionally and consistently with love. The Apostle Paul says in: Eph. 4:29,

Ephesians 4:29 NASB95

29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

We see here that Paul is encouraging that we use our words to build up and to minister to one another. This is a special gift in the church. Those who have words not to puff up but to build up and encourage and as Paul says to minister. What a sobering thought we can use our words to build up the body of Christ or tear it down.

As believers, our words are to be words of truth in love. Christians Edify Through Truth in Love by living out and pointing to God’s Word.

I know that in my life I appreciate so much those who have poured into me and ultimately my family. To encourage me in my walk with the Lord.

To bring our last point is Austin Etters.

Christians Contend for truth in love (7-11) - (AUSTIN)

Good morning everybody.

((Introduction based on crowd))

What a wonderful day to worship in the house of the Lord and what an honor it is to be up here.

There are definitely SWARMS of different antichrists and deceivers floating around in society today. Some are open about it, some are right up under your nose. But through the word of God I will show you how to identify them and what to separate from. The final key today is “Christians Contend for Truth in Love. - READ v.7-11

We start with vs. 7 and what they mean by “they do not confess Jesus as coming in the flesh.” Way back when, God was God. God could not die, God could not suffer, and so they made the claim that Jesus was just a man “possessed by the Holy Spirit” rather than being God Himself. This is obviously wrong. These people are sadly without a moral compass and they're set in the mind of the world. They kill, steal and destroy just like their father. And if God has any reward for you, they'll help you lose it.

Now what is this reward? Vs. 8.

Part of it is eternal life, which isn't earned or deserved, and the other part is what we get here on earth through our obedience to God. What is that? These could be things like a long life, experiencing heaven on earth, spiritual gifts, maybe a spouse that treats you right;

Or maybe it's speaking on how our lives are a testimony to others.. and how many Believers have been crushed or deceived because of a pastor or someone in the church who had a moral failure or embraced false doctrine? The reason we contend for the truth is because, as Jesus said:

Matthew 7:14 NASB95

14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Our contending for truth must be bathed in prayer and constantly compared to scripture ensuring that what you're doing is right in God's sight because Satan will do anything he can to take it from you.

When you KNOW you're right, don't you fight a little harder? When you LOVE what you're fighting for, don't you fight a little harder? God says if you LOVE me you'll keep my commandments.

Vs. 9

The definition of “transgression” is, “an ACT that goes against a law.” Sin is the name of it after it's done. But the text says that this man does NOT have God, and more than likely, he is in the throes of the devil and he may not even know it. These things would look like the opposite of goodness, love, joy, patience, peace, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

As a church and as fellow Christians we are to continue to lift each other up and stand up for one another in the face of evil. If we compromise truth we are rejecting Christ who says,

John 14:6

“ I am the Way, the Truth and the Life and no one comes to the Father except by Me.”

John writes, in Vs. 10-11, a warning.

You've heard that you're to be nice and respectful to everyone you meet. You've also heard that if you don't respect me I won't respect you. What if I told you there's a way to politely and graciously deny hospitality to someone?

As Paul said, in Colossians 4:6

Colossians 4:6 NASB95

6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

We must be intentional with our words just as Jesus was. There comes a time when you must discern a person’s intent. If they are peddling lies, politely get them away from you. That's still somebody's child, love them as such. But love yourself and your God enough to keep them away from you. Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves brothers and sisters!!

So how do I apply it? I'll tell you this, if there is a will there's a way. If you truly desire to get closer to the Lord, I would suggest staying in contact with people from the church, plug in where you can, maybe get connected in a small group where truth is hammered out. You could seek out mentorship to get more understanding to be able to discern the truth. To learn about the world you don't have to engage in it, but to bring someone to Christ, you definitely need to know your audience. So I encourage you to get out there and get to learning.

Conclusion (Marc)

God’s Word is truth. If we compromise truth, we compromise everywhere.

God’s Command is love… that is that we desire and pursue God’s best for one another.

This morning, you have seen 3 men united in truth because of our love for the Lord. We have been edified together over the past few weeks as we have worked through this passage. And we have contended for truth with one another and in presentation.

As a church, we have the benefit of living out this truth in love- towards one another and as an example to the watching world.

My challenge to you this morning is to love one another enough to be united in truth, to build one another up in the truth, and to contend for truth...

In just a moment, we’ll sing a final song and part ways. Let us do so knowing that we have been blessed so greatly with the Word of God, therefore applying His truth to our lives through His great love.

And as we pray, remember that the God of all creation so loved the you and me, that He would give us truth and demonstrate His great love through Jesus Christ.

If you do not know Him as your Lord & Savior, I invite you to come forward during the song or speak with me afterwards and allow me to opportunity to share with you of His salvation.

[PRAY]

Discuss: What are the truths that unite a church? How do you raise the truth above other differences?

Discuss: What does it look like to edify (build up) one another through truth in love? Give some examples of when you have been edified and identify opportunities for action.

Discuss: How can Christians contend for truth in love? More specifically, how might this be done at LRBC?