A Purifying Hope

And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.

3 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

John shares two incentives for a Christ like life

A call for Christ-like living (2:6)

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

A. A call for Christ-like living (2:6)

1. John shares three incentives for a Christ like life

These combine to make up John’s purifying hope

The return of Christ is central to this hope

1. John had recorded the Lord’s promise ()

2. Later he wrote of it in the Book of Revelation

3. His heart tuned to this truth

Why did John choose purity of life?

Because he didn’t want to be ashamed

Because he appreciated his position

Because he anticipated a personal meeting with Christ

John chose purity of life......Because he didn’t want to be ashamed

A. Because he didn’t want to be ashamed

There is nothing more sure than Christ’s return

Just look at the promise of Jesus

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

(KJV) Mansions: (Greek) μονή [mone /mon·ay/] 1 a staying, abiding, dwelling, abode. 2 to make an (one’s) abode.

Jesus is not telling us that heaven has compartments or that we will have little places in which to live. In the ancient culture, a father's house was where the extended family lived. Rooms were often added on as the family grew through birth and marriage. What Jesus was doing was using the present day illustration of a loving, tight, family community. So, Christ is saying that He is preparing a place for us in heaven where we will dwell with God in close communion with Him and that there is room in heaven for all whom God calls to salvation.

Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

Jesus is not telling us that heaven has compartments or that we will have little places in which to live. In the ancient culture, a father's house was where the extended family lived. Rooms were often added on as the family grew through birth and marriage. What Jesus was doing was using the present day illustration of a loving, tight, family community. So, Christ is saying that He is preparing a place for us in heaven where we will dwell with God in close communion with Him and that there is room in heaven for all whom God calls to salvation.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

The return of Jesus will occur in a moment

b. The promise of angels ()

c. The promise of Paul ()

2. Christ will come when least expected ()

(Message) But let me tell you something wonderful, a mystery I’ll probably never fully understand. We’re not all going to die—but we are all going to be changed. You hear a blast to end all blasts from a trumpet, and in the time that you look up and blink your eyes—it’s over.

Some will be ashamed

3. His return will occur in a moment ()

Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary language (). Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.

a. Some will be ashamed

Caught in acts of sin

Minds filled with evil thoughts

Speaking words that will grieve God

John’s intent was to live clean and not be ashamed

He lived a holy life intentionally

John was ready for the world’s rejection

1. Two things John couldn’t find words to express

a. The love of God (, )

b. That sinners are made sons ()

2. A simple fisherman, a child of the most high God

3. This high position made John grateful

a. He wanted to live worthy of his position

b. He wanted to live like a child of the King

4. He was ready for the world’s rejection

He didn’t pay attention to it because his main desire was to be like Jesus

John chose purity of life......Because he anticipated a personal meeting with Christ

John wanted to live as close to Christ as possible

2. John wanted to live as close to Christ as possible

He longed to see and be with His savior

This hope kept him pure

Has the hope of Christ’s return changed you?

Are you ready for the Lord’s return today?

The countdown is on

A. Do you, like John, long for purity of life?

Let the hope of life eternal purify your life

B. The countdown is progressing

Now is the time to practice a lifestyle of purity

Now is the time to get ready for Christ’s return

Now is the time to practice a lifestyle of purity

Let the hope of life eternal purify your life