By this we know

Introduction:

The apostle John

The younger brother of James

We first meet John with Andrew as disciples of John the Immerser (John 1.35-37).

Nicknamed “the apostle of love”, no other wrote more in NT of love

He learned love from Christ. He was a Son of Thunder

John leaned on Jesus’ shoulder (John 13.23), always ready to hear.

A rough fisherman, intolerant, quick to judge, ambitious, and explosive

Mark 9:38 “John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.”” (Only time speaks alone)

Luke 9:54–55 “And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them.” (Samaritans not receive)

He writes in black and white.

John MacArthur: “For example, in his Gospel, he sets light against darkness, life against death, the kingdom of God against the kingdom of the devil, the children of God against the children of Satan, the judgment of the righteous against the judgment of the wicked, the resurrection of life against the resurrection of damnation, receiving Christ against rejecting Christ, fruit against fruitfulness, obedience against disobedience, and love against hatred. He loves dealing with truth in absolutes and opposites. He understands the necessity of drawing a clear line.”

He learned love.

John’s Gospel alone records Jesus washing the disciples feet.

He ran when Jesus was captured but was present at the cross.

Tradition claims he remained with Jesus’ mother, never leaving Jerusalem, until her death.

His brother James becomes the 1st martyr, and each of the other apostles martyred one by one.

He remains alone, the final apostle, addressing the church at Ephesus as “little children.”

Ephesians 4:15 “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,”

John uses the word truth 45 times in his Gospel and letters.

He uses the word love more than 80 times.

This one who cherishes truth in love closed out the NT, addressing the most important question.

Am I saved?

Message:

This assurance eluded Christians throughout the ages.

Council of Trent (1547) [Catholic]

No one, moreover, so long as he is in this mortal life, ought so far to presume as regards the secret mystery of divine predestination, as to determine for certain that he is assuredly in the number of the predestinate; as if it were true, that he that is justified, either can not sin any more, or , if he do sin, that he ought to promise himself an assured repentance; for except by special revelation, it can not be known whom God has chosen unto himself.

Westminster Confession of Faith (1647) [Later Calvinism]

The infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith but that a true believer may wait long and conflict with many difficulties before he be a partaker of it… And therefore it is the duty of everyone to give all diligence to make their calling and election sure.

Many take it for granted today.

Grace movement - “I believe in Jesus. I’m saved!”

Facebook sister posting Jesus one day, selling shirts “flipping off” people the next.

Doing as the Lord Jesus asked is far from priority by the same who claim salvation.

2 Peter 1:10 “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.”

Luke 6:46 ““Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”

A specific challenge required the Spirit give the church 1 John.

Those to whom John wrote needed assurance that they were in fellowship with God and had eternal life.

A group that held to special views of knowledge, the physical world, the Creator, and Jesus.

Irenaeus of the false teaching of Cerinthus (c.50-100):

Christ descended upon him in the form of a dove from the Supreme Ruler, and that then he proclaimed the unknown Father, and performed miracles. But at last Christ departed from Jesus, and that then Jesus suffered and rose again, while Christ remained impassible, inasmuch as he was a spiritual being.

Irenaeus (born c.130) preserves an account from Polycarp (AD 69 - 155)

John fled a bathhouse in Ephesus when he discovered Cerinthus was present, fearing that the bathhouse might fall in on them since Cerinthus was the enemy of God.

A sect formed in the church:

Denying the union of the man Jesus and the divine Christ

Claimed a special knowledge, fellowship, anointing of God

Claimed to be free from sin

The “foolishness” of God becoming man was being addressed by false teachers.

We have our challenges too.

Every generation, even the first, has those who peck at God’s word, Satan’s only hope.

Jesus gives us 1 John to settle our minds and embolden us.

1 John 1:3–4 “that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.”

1 John 2:1 “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

1 John 2:12–14 “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.”

1 John 2:21 “I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.”

1 John 2:26 “I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.”

1 John 5:13 “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Conclusion:

Vidangel - Poldark - father-in-law a toxic “Christian” - even on deathbed - thought he was right.

He needed the journey John took.

We need that journey - our hearts are deceptive.

Jesus wants you to have boldness: 2 Corinthians 3:12 “Since we have such a hope, we are very bold,”

You must train your mind God’s word, to discern.

All ages have an evil, the spirit of the age, reflected in some who claim Christ.

Come to know Christ as He is, not as you want Him to be, I promise you He is better than that.