Test the Spirits
1 John - The Christian's Walk • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
Bernie Madoff – used a system of “backdating” security exchanges to run a Ponzi scheme. Robbing people of $18 billion.
Discern by Abiding in Christ (3:24)
Discern by Abiding in Christ (3:24)
Abiding is loving obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.
God’s commandment is to believe on the name of His Son.
God’s commandment is to love one another.
The Holy Spirit gives assurance of relationship with God.
Test their Acknowledgement of Christ (4:1-3)
Test their Acknowledgement of Christ (4:1-3)
It is a time of great deception, “Many false prophets have gone out…”
Psudo prophets. They claim to speak for God, but live a lie. (2 Peter 2:1-3)
Deceiving spirits draw people away from Christ
1 Timothy 4:1-5 – in the last days many will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron…
2 Timothy 3:1-5 – perilous times…lovers of self…lovers of money…lovers of pleasure.
You will know them by whether they acknowledge Jesus as the Christ in the flesh.
It is not enough to just acknowledge Jesus (as a man).
It is not enough to just acknowledge Jesus as Divine.
He is the God-man, God in human flesh, fully God and fully man.
Jesus put the test to His disciples (Matthew 16:13-20)
Who do men say that I am?
A great teacher
A great prophet
People today try to relegate Christ to the “Jesus of history” (Jesus Seminar)
Who do you say that I am?
He is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Test their Agreement with Christ (4:4-6)
Test their Agreement with Christ (4:4-6)
Greater is he that is in you.
Discern error by God’s Word vs world’s philosophy.
“The world listens to those who speaks its own language” - Hiebert.
“No spring rises above its source” – Lenski
Jesus said, “Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” – John 8:47
The Spirit of Truth vs. the Spirit of Error
Jesus is Lord and Savior vs. Jesus is a great teacher
Makes much of Christ vs. Makes much of self
Seeks the will of God vs. Seeks God to do my will
Wants God to be glorified vs. Wants self to be satisfied
