Don’t Be Deceived

Introduction

READ 2 John 7-13

PRAY

Tonight we actually finish 2 John! This is the 2nd shortest book in the Bible and we’ll begin in the shortest book in all the Bible next week. The title of my message this evening is “Don’t Be Deceived”.

That is the main point of what John is ending this letter with here. He wants to ensure that the church he’s writing to are protected from the damaging affects that the false teachers of docetism had on so many at this time.

We’re going to look at this text in 3 sections: John’s Warning, John’s Instruction, and John’s Departing Words.

John’s Warning

John’s warning takes place in verses 7 and 8. He warns of the many deceivers that have gone out into the world. Y’alls parents ever warned you of stranger danger? Don’t get in the ice cream truck? Same idea here…John’s warning is to remind the believers that they’re out there.

Notice the beginning of this verse though. John uses the word translated here as “For”. This is a connection to the commandment he gave in verse 6: to love one another by walking according to God’s commandments.

Our Christian love for each other should be something we strive all the more for BECAUSE deceivers are out in the world. We need to be adhering to the commandments of our Lord, clinging to Him and His word because there are false teachers in the world!

Christ’s commands, God’s word is what grounds us in this sinful world.

Who are these deceivers? None other than those that reject the incarnation of Jesus Christ! The same antichrists as from 1 John!

The warning continues with John exhorting the church to watch themselves. To guard the truth of Christ and live by it. So that they do not lose what “we”, the apostles, have worked for. But…receive a full reward.

What did the apostles work for? The spread of the gospel, disciple making, church planting, etc.

The full reward at the end of this life is in view, eternal life with Christ. Now, the whole of Scripture teaches that true believers will not lose their salvation. Salvation is purchased by Christ, given by Christ, and kept by Christ.

This being true, we still must be careful and watch ourselves. We must guard the truth and live in it. The one’s whom will never fall away from salvation, because of Christ, are the ones that will watch themselves!

They are the ones that will push back false teaching and fight against it. Those loosing what the apostles worked for prove they never obtained it in the first place. This is found also in 1 John 2.

John’s Instruction

As John moves closer to the end of this letter he is sure to provide some instruction for the church. In verse 9 he shows how those who go on ahead of the teaching of Christ do not have God.

The teaching of Christ includes both teaching about Christ from the apostles/Scripture as well as the teachings from Christ Himself. The deceivers, the antichrists, the false teachers were going on ahead of the teaching of Christ, not abiding in it. Therefore, they did not have God.

Anyone who “goes on ahead” of the teaching of Christ, whether in John’s time or today, are horribly confused and misled. Going on ahead puts you outside of sound doctrine. What some may think is a good progression forward is actually a falling away from the truth.

What some may think is more applicable for today’s culture, “ahead” of the Bible is pure incorrect nonsense. God’s word is timeless, the teachings of and about Christ are forever applicable for every day and age. To go ahead is to go haywire.

However, for those who cling to the teaching of Christ, they have the Father and the Son. To have the Father and the Son is to embrace the truth and in response love and worship Him.

John’s instruction continues with some practical teaching that immediately applies to the day and age of the first century. Hospitality and greeting a major deal, sign of approval.

Whole point here in verses 10 and 11…John wants to protect the church from this filth of damaging false teaching and teachers…we MUST do the same! Neighbors and family not in view here…

John’s Departing Words

John ends this letter with the hopes of coming to see this church soon, in order to ensure that they are walking in the truth (verse 4). This should cause us joy too!

children of you elect sister=another church greeting.

Conclusion

May we take serious the warning and instruction of John here. Beware, study the word of God, guard and live out the truth of Christ, cling to His word and His Spirit.