Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

A preacher once told this story:

A Rabbi was at odds with his congregation.

Nothing was going right and there was chaos and turmoil every day.

The president of the synagogue went to the rabbi and said that they had to have a conference of the twelve leaders of the synagogue to discuss the issue that was causing the entire problem and get it corrected once and for all.

Little did the rabbi know that everybody else had already talked and his viewpoint had no chance of success.

The charade was carried out though with a lot of discussion on the subject.

The president of the conference stood and announced that it was time to vote.

He proposed that the majority would rule in this matter and all agreed.

Everyone recorded their vote on a piece of paper and when the votes were counted, the president told the rabbi that he had been outvoted eleven to one.

The majority has spoken.

The rabbi rose to his feet, "So you think you are right and I am wrong because of a vote.

Well, think again, for I will call on the Holy One of Israel to give us a sign that I am right and you are wrong."

Immediately, a deafening clap of thunder sounded, accompanied by a brilliant flash.

The mahogany table they were gathered around was cracked in two.

The room was filled with smoke and the president and the elders were thrown to the floor, but the rabbi remained standing -- untouched and triumphant.

The president of the synagogue slowly rose from underneath the table.

His hair was singed, his glasses where hanging from one ear and his clothes were in great disarray.

Finally, after some time, he responded saying, "Alright, alright, so it is eleven to two.

But we still have the majority!"

Sometimes, we have trouble figuring out what to do in the midst of chaos and turmoil.

But there is a simple answer!

Remaining in Christ, in His Word, and in obedience will guide us through the toughest times!

Transition:

I know that this has to be the answer in part because this is exactly what John is telling us in our passage this morning:

Scripture Reading:

Our passage today mentions abiding six times in just 4 verses.

According to our author, abiding in Christ is equated to abiding in His Word, in His way.

As we abide in His Word & His way, the Holy Spirit teaches us & is in the process of molding us into the image of God’s Son.

Abiding in Christ is the practice of righteous, which is the way of Christ-likeness.

The word “abide” is a very important word in John’s writings, particular his gospel.

Abide is the word that Jesus uses in the promises He makes to His disciples the night before His crucifixion:

Transition:

To abide [Greek: μένω] means “to remain, stay, reside, dwell in, or to rest in.”

This word is practical, it’s inviting, and warmly personal.

It is a calling to us to join in on a genuine relationship and enjoy the fellowship with our Creator that lasts well beyond a lifetime.

So, this morning let’s see what this μένωinvitation includes:

I. μένω in the Word (vv.

24-26)

As we are discipled by John’s words here, we must guarantee that the Word which they and we have heard from the beginning remains us as it remained in them.

These early Christians had heard the gospel, accepted the Gospel, very possible from John, himself.

They knew that Christ was God's Son, that He died for their sins and was raised from the dead to give them new life, and that He would return and establish His kingdom in its fullness.

This teaching living in them is what would keep them safe from false teachers and from satan’s lies.

So their fellowship was eroding by teachers who denied these basic doctrines of the Christian faith, and some of these believers were in danger of buying into lies and false arguments.

John encouraged them to hold on to the honest truth, the Word of God, what they had already known and heard at the start of their new life with Christ.

Verse 24

Verse 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.

”

These early Christians had heard the gospel, very likely from John himself.

They knew that Christ was God's Son, that He died for their sins and was raised from the dead to give them new life, and that He would return and establish His kingdom in its fullness.

The host of hell is diametrically opposed to this teaching.

So their fellowship was being infiltrated by teachers who denied these basic doctrines of the Christian faith, and some of the believers were in danger of succumbing to false arguments.

John encouraged them to hold on to the Christian truth, the Word of God, they heard at the beginning of their walk with Christ.

It is important to grow in our knowledge of the Lord, to deepen our understanding through careful study, and to teach these truths to others.

But no matter how much we learn, and however hard it gets, we must never abandon the basic truths about Christ.

Jesus will always be God's Son, and His sacrifice for our sins is permanent.

No truth will ever contradict these teachings in the Bible.

Here, the word “abide” indicates that we are to endure in these truths, or persevere in obedience the Word and, therefore, abide or live in both the Son and Father.

Abide or let His Word in.

How? how do we abide in the Scripture?

Know it, memorize it, meditate on it and your relationship with God continually affect your life.

If you do you will have some good proof that you are truly saved.

Here, the word “abide” indicates that we are to live in these truths, or in the Word and therefore abide or live in both the Son and Father.

Abide in or let His Word and your relationship with God continually affect your life.

If you do you will have your proof that you are truly God’s adopted Son.

Some of the best meditation comes from memorizing scripture!

Dr. Dennis Davidson says that to remain in “expresses a continuing of relationship.

It is not enough merely to have heard and assented to the Gospel in the past.

The "Good News” must continue to be present and active in the lives of those who have heard it.

They must continually call it to mind and let it affect their lives.

This is why continual study of the Word and participation in Christian instruction is so important for perseverance in the faith.”

If they would “abide” or “be at home” in the Word, they would continue to “abide” in the fellowship of God the Father and God the Son.

For those who let the Word remain in them there is a spectacular reward given in the next verse, verse 25

YHWH promises eternal life to those who abide or persevere in the Father and Son.

This eternity in the presence of YHWH is experienced not only in heaven, but right here, right now, on earth by those who abide in Jesus Christ, by those who remain in His Word and His Way.

Eternal life is not simply the length of time after death, but the quality of life which is now ours and will eternally be ours throughout the ages.

Those who abide in the Son experience this life here and now.

What a precious promise God has made to those who abide in Him!

25

“And this is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life.”

God has promised those in whom the Father and Son abide eternal life [or life of the ages (αἰώνιον)].

This life is experienced not only in heaven but here on earth by those who abide in Jesus Christ, by those who remain in His Word and Way.

Eternal life is not simply the length of time after death, but the quality of life which is now ours and will eternally be ours throughout the ages.

Those who abide in the Son experience this life here and now.

What a precious promise God has made to those who abide in Him!

We too would benefit by discovering and believing God's promises.

As we read God's Word, let's search for the promises that apply to us.

Then as we act on them, they will become precious promises proven.

In his Bible study, he has found many promises, though he realizes not all apply to him (such as those given specifically to Israel).

But promises that reveal God's unchanging love for all believers are precious to him.

The PPP verses contain promises that he has trusted God to keep, and God has proven that He is true to His Word.

We too would benefit by discovering and believing God's promises.

As we read God's Word, let's search for the promises that apply to us.

Then as we act on them, they will become precious promises proven.

Apparently there were those who sought to undermine the readers’ conviction that Jesus is the Christ and that they had eternal life through Him.

In verse 26 John reminds them that he has warned those genuinely know God and know His truth (2:12-14, 21) of those who wanted to deceive them concerning Jesus and His teachings.

Apparently there were those who sought to undermine the readers’ conviction that Jesus is the Christ and that they had eternal life through Him.

In verse 26 John reminds them that he has warned those genuinely know God and know His truth (2:12-14, 21) of those who wanted to deceive them concerning Jesus and His teachings.

“These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you.”

Anti-christs attempt to deceive true believers through manipulative talk and made up doctrines.

Jesus Himself warn us of them in .

That is the reason we must anchor our faith deep in the written Word of God.