The Confidence to Stand (1 John 2:26-28)

INTRO

Let me make sure that we understand our current spiritual reality. says, “And just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment—” (, CSB)

You need to remember this verse because it is very clear that every single one of us will leave this earth one day. And unlike popular teachings of other religions that say you might come back as something else (reincarnation), when you die, you will face judgment. You will stand before God.

Let me make sure that we understand our current spiritual reality. says… You need to remember this verse because it is very clear that every single one of us will leave this earth One day. And unlike popular teachings of other religions that say you might come back as something else (reincarnation), when you die, you will face judgment. You will stand before God.

That is what every one of us has coming in our future. What John has been very clear to say in this letter is that you can personally know God. You can walk in the light as he is in the light. You can have genuine fellowship with him.

But here is the struggle. Verse 26 tells us that there are some who are trying to deceive you. So there is a right way to know God personally and walk in the way of righteousness. But we are so bombarded by an opposing message that tries to deceive us into thinking that the right way is the wrong way.

There is one right way to live in righteousness. And there is a wrong way that rejects Jesus Christ and tries to deceive people by saying that the way of Christ is false.

Both of these ways will end at the same point – standing before the Almighty God.

Here's my question for you: will you be confident to stand? Will you really be able to say, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his spirit, washed in his blood."

Will you be confident to stand? In this passage, John tells us how to have confidence.

Some of you right now might not be saved by Jesus. You have bought the lie that there is some other way than Jesus. Maybe you’ve even been advocating some other way. I’m going to share hope for you- so listen.

Some of you might be saved. And today will be a reminder and encouragement to persevere toward the great hope and promise that is coming.

John tells us 2 ways we can have confidence to stand before the Lord: First, we can have confidence through trusting in Christ; Second, we can have confidence through remaining in Christ.

Let’s look at the first one now.

YOU CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE THROUGH TRUSTING IN CHRIST.

V.27 lays this out well. John reminds them again of the anointing they received. This is an anointing of the Holy Spirit in their lives. We looked at this a couple of weeks ago, but the one thing we know is that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth ().

John reminds them again of the anointing they received. This is an anointing of the Holy Spirit in their lives. We looked at this a couple of weeks ago, but the one thing we know is that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth ().

We are anointed by the Holy Spirit, or sealed by the Holy Spirit. Consecrated and set apart by God and for God by the Holy Spirit, we now have an internal and abiding Teacher who will guide us in all knowledge and truth.

John then says that because of this anointing, we don't need anyone to teach us, because this anointing by the Holy Spirit teaches us about all things and it's the truth.

You might be tempted to say here,

"I don't need to go to my EquipCentral class now."

"I don't need to go listen to the preacher in the worship service."

"I don't need to go to a community group or be involved in any other Bible study."

You might think that you just learn by osmosis, that the Holy Spirit will just automatically fill your head with all kind of knowledge at the moment of your conversion.

But let me ask you – how does God speak to you? He speaks mainly through His Word. His Holy Spirit inspired Word. You need to read it. You need to study it. Don't stop putting yourself in positions to be taught because you misinterpreted this verse to say that you don’t need anyone to teach you.

When John says you don't need anyone to teach you, who is the "anyone"? We need to understand that he is instructing the believers not to seek truth and wisdom in the teaching of man, specifically "those who are trying to deceive you" (connection between v.26 and 27).

In other words, John knows that these believers, like we, are constantly being taught by people who reject Christ. We're being influenced and persuaded to the positions of the world.

The world will say that you do not need Jesus, or that you need something other than Jesus. Tullian Tchividjian wrote a book in 2011 titled "Jesus + Nothing = Everything.”

Jesus plus something extra equals heresy and the teachings of the antichrist. False teachers will attempt to deceive you into thinking you need something more than Christ or something other than Christ.

Jesus + Nothing = Everything. Jesus plus something extra equals heresy and the teachings of the antichrist. False teachers will attempt to deceive you into thinking you need something more than Christ or something other than Christ.

Jesus plus something extra equals heresy and the teachings of the antichrist. False teachers will attempt to deceive you into thinking you need something more than Christ or something other than Christ.

So if you want confidence to stand before God one day, put your trust in Jesus Christ. Trust His Word. Accept His Truth.

Let me say something to those here who might not be saved: If you follow the teachings of those who try to deceive you, then there will be a rude awakening when you stand in the presence of God one day. It’ll be too late at that moment when you realize that everything God said is true; it’s not a lie.

Over dinner, my friend mentioned that her aunt had passed away that day. I responded telling her I was sorry to hear that and I then I asked, “Did she know the Lord?” She replied, “She does now.”

The problem is that it’ll be too late when some realize that God is true and does not lie. You need to put our trust in Christ now.

Christians— we have been entrusted with the Truth. It brought you to faith in Jesus (“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (, ESV)). But it also keeps you living by faith. Renew your confidence today by knowing that if you press on in the Truth of Christ, if you keep the Bible at the center of your life and try to live according to it, then you can stand before the Lord with confidence because you have followed the one, true way. Be alert for any other teachings that are trying to distract you from the Truth.

Transition: So we know that we can have the confidence to stand by trusting in Christ. He has given us the Truth and an anointing by the Holy Spirit to continually be taught according to it. Now, let’s look at the second way we can stand before the Lord in confidence:

CONFIDENCE THROUGH REMAINING IN CHRIST.

Twice we see the instruction to “remain in him.” At the end of v.27 and beginning of v.28, we are told to remain in Christ, or abide in Christ, so that we may have confidence when he appears and not be ashamed.

The end of v.28 says “at his coming” and the Greek word there is παρουσία parousía (par-oo-see-uh), which you might recognize as the word used in when it talks about the return of Christ.

The words to the song Glorious Day say,

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming One day the skies with His glories will shine Wonderful day, my Beloved One bringing My Savior Jesus is mine

For some that will be a glorious day because they have remained in Christ. But the Bible says that day will come in the twinkling of an eye. Our end could happen at any moment. Death could come on some people quickly. The return of Christ could happen at any moment.

Parousia (par-oo-see-uh) could be quick. Kind of like seeing someone all of a sudden when you weren’t expecting them—how will you react?

You’ve seen those videos of children or wives whose military father or husband returns from being oversees for a long time. The father turns the corner and the child usually cries and runs to his arms.

When Christ appears suddenly, how will you react? Will you run like a child to her father? Or will you cower in fear at His glorious, righteous appearance?

He is coming, and you can have confidence to stand before Him when he appears; you can run to Him like a child runs to her father; you can have this confidence if you remain in Him.

Think about this: If you are remaining (abiding) in Him, you are already pursuing Him, you are already in him. So when there is a sudden appearance, there won’t be any shock or hurrying to get things in order. No- when he appears, you will have full confidence to run into his arms because you are abiding in Him already.

One commentator said it this way: abiding in him prepares believers for his appearing; his appearing is our motivation.

But let’s be clear about those who do not trust in Jesus. Listen to these passages of Scripture:

“For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”” (, ESV)

38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

“Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb,” (, ESV)

Will you be confident to stand?

By abiding in Christ, no lie will seduce us, deceive us, and lead us astray.

You can have the confidence to stand by putting your trust in Christ and remaining in Him. Then, when you meet Him, it will be a glorious eternity.