Sermon Four - The Conduct of our Fellowship - 1 John 2:1-29

Introduction to: The Character of our Conduct: Imitation - 1 John 2:1-11

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”

Christ is the model man. The imitation of Christ is not something we do or attain to; it is something that happens as a matter of course when we walk by the Spirit. We are all familiar with the acrostic “WWJD?” A better question is “WWJHMD?” The example for us is Christ’s willing submission to the Father.

John 5:30 “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.”

It is by the Holy Spirit we are brought into a submissive relationship and conformity to Christ. John has stigmatized sin as something contrary to the very nature of God who is light.

I. The Character of our Conduct: Imitation - (2:1-11)

Imitate means: -The act of following in manner, or of copying in form; the act of making the similitude of any thing, or of attempting a resemblance. It is our duty to imitate the example of our Savior.

John is not thinking, therefore about mere performance of the commands of God, but rather about that attitude of obedience which is marked by concern for, and attentiveness to, God’s will. We are to “guard” His commands! Zane Hodges - The Epistles of John.

The Principle of Imitation - (vv.1-2)

The principle is not to sin. This principle becomes a reality in our lives when the Holy Spirit performs the Christ instructing and exalting work in our lives. We are called to a radical inside-out transformation that changes both the way we think and live.

John 16:13–14 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”

2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

The submissive life of Jesus Christ is the foundation of this principle. It was through His submission and obedience to the Father we see this principle. This principle is the foundation of discipleship and reminds us we are obligated to give absolute, complete submission to the Father (Philippians 2:5-11).

The Pattern for Imitation - (vv.3-6)

Christ is our pattern in every virtuous matter.

Our Walk - ( 1 John 2:5-6 )

Our Leading - ( 1 Peter 5:1-4 )

Our Thinking - ( Philippians 2:3-8; 4:8-9 )

Our Love - ( 1 John 3:16 )

Our Forgiveness - (Colossians 3:14 )

Our Service - ( Mark 10:43-45 )

Our Suffering - ( 1 Peter 2:21-23 )

Our speech - ( 1 Peter 2:22 )

Christ’s presence brings about a glorious transformation. It should be every Christians desire for others to testify, “I can see Jesus in you.” This is among the most precious things we might ever hear. That God would work such a change in us speaks to the glory of His grace!

The Proof of our Imitation - (vv.7-11)

Love is the proof!

Conclusion

May the mind of Christ my Saviour live in me from day to day,

By His love and power controlling all I do and say.

May His beauty rest upon me as I seek the lost to win.

And may they forget the channel Seeing only Him!

Introduction to: The Commandment for our Conduct: Separation - 1 John 2:12-17

In the first eleven verses John focused on the “character of our conduct” now in verses (12-17) he focuses on the “commandment for our conduct.” John calls for the readers to “separate” themselves from the evils of this world.

II. The Commandment for our Conduct: Separation (2:12-17)

Separation means: The act of separating, severing or disconnecting; disjunction; as the separation of the soul from the body.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

The Address of the Commandment - (vv.12-14) John addresses three groups

As John is addressing the commandment in these verses he is pointing out their spiritual assets. As “Little Children - (their sins have been forgiven), as “Fathers - (they have the knowledge of God) & as “Young Men - (they are prepared to do battle with the Wicked one). These young men have already overcame Satan. The text suggest a past victory. Every time someone believes in Christ it is a victory over Satan.

The Advising of the Commandment - (vv.15-17) John advises in three areas

John advises his readers to recognize their spiritual adversaries. The world and all that is in it.

Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Flee from the Lust of the flesh - “fleshly cravings” this is an appetite that cannot be satisfied outside of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 13:14 “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”

2 Timothy 2:22 “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

Turn from the Lust of the eyes - “visually appealing” this creates a desire within the heart that burns in the form of lust.

Matthew 5:28 “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”

Resist The Pride of life - “vain display of earthly life” this signifies an arrogance and boastfulness within a persons heart.

Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”

Mark 7:21–22 “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:”

Conclusion

“Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last. The wicked world and all its lusts, will someday be forever past. The abiding one, he alone, is someone who forever lasts.”

Introduction to: The Creed for our Conduct: Affirmation - 1 John 2:18-29

In this section the Apostle John is presenting His third test concerning fellowship and assurance. The first test was moral, the second was social, and this third test is theological. In presenting this test John is contrasting truth & falsehood and he is affirming the truth of the deity and incarnation of Jesus Christ. John sets forth the believer’s Statement of Faith. John leaves no doubt as to the deity God & Jesus Christ along with the truth concerning our Lord’s incarnation.

III. The Creed for our Conduct: Affirmation - (2:18-29)

Affirmation means: 1. The act of affirming or asserting as true; opposed to negation or denial. 2. That which is asserted; position declared as true; averment. 3. Confirmation; ratification; an establishing of what had been before done or decreed. 4. A solemn declaration made under the penalties of perjury, by persons who conscientiously decline taking an oath; which affirmation is in law equivalent to testimony given under oath.

A. The Necessity for a Creed - (vv.18-21)

The Gnostics of John’s day denied the reality of the incarnation of Christ and His relationship to the Father. they had also pretended to be true believers, however, John exposes them for what they really were and that was “antichrist.” John shows us the true colors of these “antichrist” and he compares them to “the antichrist” the Wicked one who would appear on the earthly scene in the last hour.

1. There was a Need for Identification - (vv.18-21)

(1). The creed identified those who abandoned the belief in Christ’s Incarnation - (vv.18-19)

John tells us these Gnostics were counterfeit. They abandoned the church and their defection shows they had never been born again. The people were false and they were antichrists. They rejected the identity of Jesus Christ and they were wicked. These people were preaching a false doctrine. This separation expresses lost harmony.

2 Timothy 3:5 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

Titus 1:16 “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”

(2). The creed identified those who embraced the belief in Christ’s Incarnation - (vv.20-21)

John tells us that true believers receive an anointing from the Holy One immediately upon salvation. These believers as do all believers receive the Holy Spirit from the Lord Jesus Christ at the moment of salvation. This anointing of the Spirit includes the illuminating work of the Spirit and this illuminating work gave these believers insight about the truth:

An appreciation for the truth

An application of the truth

The true believers had a genuine knowledge of the truth, cognitive content of the truth, and an intellectual grasp of the information and facts of the truth, that those who did not have illumination simply did not possess.

B. The Nature of the Creed - (vv.22-29)

2. The Nature of the Creed Establishes

(1.) Establishes truth from error

(2.) Establishes promises, not contradictions

(2.) Establishes Righteousness from Unrighteousness