1 John 2:12-14

Introduction

This morning we are going to look at John’s writing to the “little Children”, “The Fathers” and the “Young men” which every church has.

Lets see what the lord has for us in 1 John 2:12-14

Verse 12

I write unto you little children

Here John starts out by addressing the babes in Christ. In the Christian life there is a progression, but you always start as a babe in Christ.

Hebrews 5:12–14 “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Because your sins are forgiven you

This is one of the most basic concepts of Christianity, which is why John here uses it for the little children.

Phillips said this “The most simple, basic, and elementary concept we have as children of God is that of forgiveness of sins. This is indeed a blessed truth, but we eventually must get beyond forgiveness, otherwise we will remain babes in Christ.”

This is not saying we should forget about forgiveness, but rather we must realize that Christianity is about more than just forgiveness of sins, even though it should still amaze us that Christ forgave our sins.

for his name’s sake.

The name of Jesus makes the difference between guilt and grace.

There is so much power in the name of Jesus, it is a treasured name.

It is a saving name

Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

It is a sovereign name

Philippians 2:9–11 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

It is a satisfying name

John 14:13 “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

It is a sanctifying name

Colossians 3:17 “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

John shows the “little children” the importance of the name of Jesus

Verse 13

I write unto you fathers

The fathers would be the most spiritually mature in the church.

They would be the one described in Hebrews 5:14 “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Those referred to as fathers would know God in a much fuller and deeper way than the “little children”

because ye have known him that is from the beginning

While the little children knew they were forgiven the fathers have spent years studying and getting to know God

They were no longer on milk, but rather they could handle the meat.

They could enter into the deep things of God and they can expound on scripture.

The longer we are Christians the more we should know about God, we should be passed the basics,

I write unto you young men

This would be referring to those who were doing the work and in the fight on the frontline.

The fathers would give council and the young men would get things done

I believe that every group John addresses is important to the church.

One commentary put it this way “The fathers lived increasingly in the past and are guardians of the great truths, traditions and triumphs of the church in history. The young men however catch the vision of wrongs to be righted, of causes to be espoused, of harvest fields to be reaped, of worlds to be conquered, and of foes to be routed in battle”

Because you have overcome the wicked one

The wicked one is Satan, who is the author of wickedness in the universe.

In the model prayer the Lord urged us to ask God to deliver us from evil or the evil one

Matthew 6:13 “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

In his prayer in John 17 he prayed that we might be kept from evil

John 17:15 “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.”

How do we overcome the evil one?

James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Resist here means to withstand, to oppose, to resist.

Against the enemy we must stand and fight.

I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father

The concept of God as a father is rare in the Old Testament.

They knew God as Elohim, Jehovah, Adonai, Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Nissi, El Shaddai, and so on.

Jesus introduced to us God the father

Jesus addresses God as father in Luke 2:49 “And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”

He cried out to his father when he was nailed to the cross Luke 23:34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

He said it as he bowed his head in death Luke 23:46 “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”

It was the name he spoke in ressurection John 20:17 “Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.”

Getting to know God as father is a sure means of growth in the Christian life. It was an encouraging sign to John that the Christians and babes in Christ were growing up.

Verse 14

I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him from the beginning.

John uses the same line when addressing the fathers the same way as in verse 13.

The beginning was a favorite phrase of John as he began both his gospel and his epistle with this concept.

This takes us back to the beginning of time when the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in omnipotent power created everything with their spoken word.

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.

The young men were strong, and their strength came from the word of God.

Ephesians 6:10–17 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”

Our strength comes from the word of God as well, the more we are in the word the stronger we are in the Lord, and the easier it is for us to overcome the evil one.

Think about when Jesus was being tempted in the dessert, and he used the word of God to overcome the temptation of the devil.

Matthew 4:1–11 - turn there

Jesus used the word of God to overcome the temptation of the devil.

When we look at history we can see God using strong young men to further the Gospel

John Bunyan was 32 when he was jailed for preaching without the permission of the established church

William booth was 36 when he started the salvation army

David Brainard was 25 when he set out to convert American Indians, and was only 29 when he died.

William Carey was still in his teens when he could read the Bible in six languages. He was 32 when he went to India and launched modern day missions.

God can use anybody at any age when they go in his strength rather than their own.