Character Witness: Warning about Denying Jesus

Introduction

The message today is about the warning Apostle John gives regarding denying Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Therefore, I will be teaching on the anointing received from Jesus, the antichrist/antichrists, and the key difference between the two types of people. However, I pray that as you have listened to the sermon series, you have made mental notes regarding the things discussed prior to this passage because it is important for you to know who is in fellowship with Jesus against those who say they are but are not.

1 John 2:18–27 ESV

18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 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. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. 26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

You heard the antichrist is coming!

“Children” is a common term John uses as a descriptor for Christians along with beloved, little children, fathers, and young men.

He acknowledges it is the last hour. The idea is that the return of Christ is imminent. This statement should not cause fear in a Christian but excitement from anticipation along with preparedness.

“you have heard the antichrist is coming” implies Christians have been taught and expect a figure who is against Jesus to be revealed in the last hour. However, John also states, “so now many antichrist have come.” This is how they should now it is in fact the last hour. We make many mistakes by trying to guess who the antichrist is but miss out on the fact John stated there are many antichrist now. Who are these antichrists? Remember, context means everything!

The “They” in verse 19 are the antichrists and the “they” are described as those that went out from among them but was not of them because if they were among them they would have continued with them. This is important to understand. Jesus does not lose any of those which whom the Father draws unto Him. John 6:35–40 “35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”” Therefore, the people that were with them were never saved. Those who truly believe and follow Christ will never be lost. To say, “I believe people can lose their salvation” is to say Jesus is a liar. The saved will remain in fellowship with the Father and the Son, and His children. They left so that it might become plain they were not of them. (reference Deut 13; 1 Co 11:19)

The one distinguishing factor between the followers of Jesus and the antichrists is the Anointing. One is anointed as a means of distinguishing and setting apart for service. What is the Anointing received by the Holy One that gives us all knowledge? He is the Holy Spirit of God. (Ref. John 14;16). 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 “19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 2 Corinthians 1:21–22 “21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” Ephesians 1:11–14 “11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” As Paul says there is one Spirit, all God’s children have one and the same Anointing.

I write because you know the truth

Since they have been anointed by the Holy One and have all knowledge, they know the truth. However, there are those who propose to know the truth but are liars. Who are they?

They are the ones who deny that Jesus is the Messiah. The one who denies the Father and the Son is the antichrist. No one who denies the Son has the Father. This statement is a reflection of Jesus teachings, specifically John 15. Jesus is the only way to the Father. To deny Jesus in anyway is to deny the Father. Therefore, the one who does so is the antichrist. To make it even clearer in accordance with the context, the person who does not follow the commandments of Jesus is the antichrist. (Note: use cf. in verses 22 and 23)

The one who confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. What is it that they heard from the beginning that they must abide in? Love one another! If this abides in them, they abide in the Son and the Father and have the promise of eternal life. (use cf in verse 24 along with prior passages)

I write so you will not be deceived

The antichrists/false prophets/false teachers will try to deceive you.

Because of the Anointing you received from Jesus, namely the Holy Spirit, you have not need that anyone should teach you. What does this mean? The truth of God does not derive from man but from God by His Spirit. This does not imply no man should teach you. That would suggest one should not listen to any man’s teaching to include Jesus and the Apostles. This is referring to the discernment the Holy Spirit gives regarding truth and falsehood. Remember the role of the Holy Spirit is to guide believers into all truth and testify of Jesus Christ. Therefore, one who is guided by the Spirt of God is able to discern truth from lies in accordance with the Scripture.

Conclusion

The spirit of antichrist is already in the world and working (1 John 4:3)

Believers in Jesus have the Holy Spirit which distinguishes us from them.

The one that follows the commandments of Jesus abide in the Son and the Father and have eternal life.

The one who denies Jesus does not abide in Him or the Father.

To deny Jesus is to simply disregard His commandments.