1-3 John

1 John, 2 John , 3 John Sunday School

The Author does not provide strong evidence that the Apostle and Disciple John was the Author. We do not know exactly when this is written. John MacArthur “John in his advanced age, as living and actively writing during his time at Ephesus in Asia-Minor”

[1] This is something that Biblical Scholars Argue with, but they do agree that John was not a young man and most likely in “85-95 AD”[2] This is right around the same time that the Fourth Gospel that we covered Last week was.

Author and date

Location

The Author of the Book does not provide direct evidence that the Apostle and Disciple John wrote this. (Meaning John whom I believe wrote the 1-3 does not say his name as the Author in the text. We do not know exactly when this is written. John MacArthur “John in his advanced age, as living and actively writing during his time at Ephesus in Asia-Minor” [1] This is something that Biblical Scholars Argue with, but they do agree that John was not a young man and most likely in “85-95 AD”[2] This is right around the same time that the Fourth Gospel that we covered Last week was.

We do not have any hard-hit evidence but mentioned above Biblical Scholars believe it matches up with Ephesus." “Ephesus was a wealthy and highly influential port city in the Roman province of Asia, and it was renowned for its temple of Artemis {Art-em-is} (Diana).[3]

Location

Purpose

We do not have any hard-hit evidence but mentioned above Biblical Scholars believe it matches up with Ephesus." “Ephesus was a wealthy and highly influential port city in the Roman province of Asia, and it was renowned for its temple of Artemis {Art-em-is} (Diana).[3]

Written to several churches in Asia Minor and most likely the Postal Route in which he was writing to them. John is Writing to give encouragement that there are evil deeds out there and we must be strong and follow the words of God. This would be equilievent to your grand-Father giving you advice on how to live in life to his young grandchildren or his students. “John Affirms that he as written to provide assurance of eternal life to those who believe in Jesus as the Son of God. ”[4]

John 5:13 ESV

Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place.

Purpose

Genre

Written to several churches in Asia Minor and most likely the Postal Route in which he was writing to them. John is Writing to give encouragement that there are evil deeds out there and we must be strong and follow the words of God. This would be equilievent to your grand-Father giving you advice on how to live in life to his young grandchildren or his students. “John Affirms that he as written to provide assurance of eternal life to those who believe in Jesus as the Son of God. ”[4]

Prophetic Literature “Prophetic Literature should be viewed as “God’s view of the News” and not simply telling the future. Prophetic Literature does not need to have anything to do with the future. Prophecy is most often divided into condemnation or blessings, sometimes within the same book. Sometimes prophetic Literature is simply to expose sin. A Prophet speaks on God’s Behalf.”[5]

Genre

Outline[6]

Prophetic Literature “Prophetic Literature should be viewed as “God’s view of the News” and not simply telling the future. Prophetic Literature does not need to have anything to do with the future. Prophecy is most often divided into condemnation or blessings, sometimes within the same book. Sometimes prophetic Literature is simply to expose sin. A Prophet speaks on God’s Behalf.”[5]

· {1:1-2:2}

o John provides a framework and test of what is Good and Bad.

Outline[6]

1 John 1:5–10 ESV

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

· {1:1-2:2}

· 2:3-17

o The Test of morals including Obedience in 2:3-6

o Love in 2:7-17.

5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. [7]

· 2:18-21

o

o The Antichrists depart from the Christian fellowship

· John provides a framework and test of what is Good and Bad. Verse 7 is saying that the Blood of Jesus is like water and soap that washes away the sins and the transgressions against our father. This is stronger than ox clean and tide working together. John also says in Verse 8 that we just say we do not sin then we are fooling ourselves but if we confess our sins to our father that he will forgive us. The key concept or principle is to confess our sins to our father. We messed up and we cannot do anything without our father. You can try but it will end up challenging and difficult for the journey.

· 2:22-25

§

o Antichrists deny the Christian Faith

· 2:3-17

· 2:26-27

o The Test of morals including Obedience in 2:3-6

o The Antichrists Deceive the Christian Faithful

o (ESV)

· 2:28-3:3

o The Purifying hope of the Lords Return (Goes to Escategocial - endtimes)

3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

· 3:4-24 and 4:1-3

o To Keep his commandments requires the relationship of being a follower of Christ. To be a follower means to follow his commandments and to have a change. You can not follow the ways of the world but say that you are a Christian. We must be loyal to him since he sent his son to die on the Cross. We just covered this in after hours this week and it was shocking how the response of everyone that we see it from everyone around us.

o The Christians incompatibility with sin

o Love in .

o The demonic source of the false doctrine

§ This is A Restatement of (ESV)

· 4:4-6

§ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

o The need for sound doctrine

Scripture stating the same thing is a way that this is Important. Repetition is key just like a child our Heavenly Father is reminding us through John to show love to each other.

· 4:7-10 and 4:11-21

· 2:18-21

o God’s Character of love

o The Antichrists depart from the Christian fellowship

o God’s requirement of love

§ This is the start of the mention that there will be spirits and people who are claiming to be Christ coming back.

· 5:1-5 and 5:6-12

· 2:22-25

o The victories life in Christ

o Antichrists deny the Christian Faith

o The Witness of God for Christ

§ The Antichrist will deny Jesus which Denys the Christian Faith. What separates us from outer religions that are in this world is that we have a savior who put himself in the box while maintaining the box and take the punishment of our sins.

· 5:13-17

· 2:26-27

o The certainty of eternal life and answered prayers.

o The Antichrists Deceive the Christian Faithful

· 5:18-20

· 2:28-3:3

o The certainty of victory over sin and Satan, Belonging to God and Christ being the true God.

o The Purifying hope of the Lords Return (Goes to Escategocial - endtimes)

· 5:21

· 3:4-24 and 4:1-3

o Working for Christ

o The Christians incompatibility with sin

* denotes approximate date; / signifies either/or; † see The Date of Jesus’ Crucifixion, pp. 1809–1810

o The demonic source of the false doctrine

Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008). Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 7:59 AM July 12, 2018

· 4:4-6

o The need for sound doctrine

· 4:7-10 and 4:11-21

Author and date

o God’s Character of love

o God’s requirement of love

John and Close to the Writing of 1 John and Revelation

· 5:1-5 and 5:6-12

The document itself identifies its author as “the elder” (v. 1)[8] The term elder is the Apostle John claiming his role as the Pastor. (85-95 A.D.)

o The victories life in Christ

o The Witness of God for Christ

Location

· 5:13-17

o The certainty of eternal life and answered prayers.

Biblical Scholars Believe that this matches up with where 1 John was written also 3 John in Ephesus.

· 5:18-20

o The certainty of victory over sin and Satan, Belonging to God and Christ being the true God.

Purpose

· 5:21

o Working for Christ

The Purpose of 2 John is to address the church to guard against False Teachers. There were many false teachers who were going about trying to trick and deceive others. Satan was alive and well in this day and is today in Fort Myers.

·

(ESV)

* denotes approximate date; / signifies either/or; † see The Date of Jesus’ Crucifixion, pp. 1809–1810

Greeting

Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008). Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 7:59 AM July 12, 2018

1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

Walking in Truth and Love

Author and date

4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 5 And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

Final Greetings

Apostle John writes this Close to the Writing of 1 John and Revelation

12 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

The document itself identifies its author as “the elder” (v. 1)[8] The term elder is the Apostle John claiming his role as the Pastor. (85-95 A.D.)

13 The children of your elect sister greet you.

Location

Elect Lady

are believed to be written in Ephesus when John was working on his ministry.

Apostle John uses the term the elected lady to address the church.

The reason this makes sense is the word “Church in Greek is Femine”. Additionally, In Revelation (, ) The church is called the Bride. This would make sense in calling the congregation or the church the elected Lady. However, many feels that the Elect lady is an actual person in the Church. Many Biblical Scholars believe that it was the woman that was the woman that maintain the house that church was meeting. – They did not have fancy buildings and meet in living rooms or anywhere they could.

Purpose

Outline

The Purpose of 2 John is to address the church to guard against False Teachers. There were many false teachers who were going about trying to trick and deceive others. Satan was alive and well in this day and is today in Fort Myers.

1-3

The introduction and establishing the premis of the book of Love and Peace.

(ESV)

Greeting

4-8

1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

Apostle John is retelling and showing the importance of the commandment to love one another. Additionally, he states that there will be those that try and trick the church and mentions the antichrist. Be careful and do not be tricked because a full reward will be gained. This reward is partying in Heaven with Jesus at the Marriage supper of the lamb.

Walking in Truth and Love

9-13

Elect Lady

Those that do not believe in the teaching are not believers and do not receive them. The last part of the book and the chapter (only one chapter) is that there is so much to go over but he is traveling to them to talk together to worship and learn.

Apostle John uses the term the elected lady to address the church.

The reason this makes sense is the word “Church in Greek is Femine”. Additionally, In Revelation (, ) The church is called the Bride. This would make sense in calling the congregation or the church the elected Lady. This is what I believe the Text is stating However, many feels that the Elect lady is an actual person in the Church. Many Biblical Scholars believe that it was the woman that was the woman that maintain the house that church was meeting. – They did not have fancy buildings and meet in living rooms or anywhere they could.

Purpose

Outline

1-3

The point of Writing this letter from the Apostle John was providing Guidance to help them deal with the issues of the day. They were dealing with Pride in the Church Leaders and I believe is something that is still rampant in the church today In America.

The introduction and establishing the premis of the book of Love and Peace. Every book or story has a beginning and this is the setting of the stage.

Intro to the People

4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 5 And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward

Elder - Pastoral Leader and the term had been in use in Ephesus for 20 years prior. This is to Be the Apostle John and makes sense since he is providing counsel to Other churches. He was the Mentor and was providing Guidance.

4-8

Gaius – A Faithful Christian Believer who was working closely to provide help to visiting Missionary’s.

Apostle John is retelling and showing the importance of the commandment to love one another. Additionally, he states that there will be those that try and trick the church and mentions the antichrist. False Teachers are appearing to be Christians however, they are wolves in Sheep Clothing. They are selfish and only in it for themselves and not others. They are not concerned with their flock but themselves and what they can get. They are not the ones that will work a full day of work and then go to the hospital when all they want to do is sleep. This could be another jet or the next book deal. The key concept is to be careful and do not be tricked because a full reward will be gained. This reward is partying in Heaven with Jesus at the Marriage supper of the lamb. Earthy rewards give us earthy consequences in Hell or Godly rewards for following the commandments that our Heavenly father has set for us to follow. We as humans need structure, rules and guidelines because if not then we would have more dangerous roads and people would be getting sick in restaurants much more often.

Demetrius- A church leader that is mentioned to be an example of the right thing to do. He is working selfishly and his testimony is known to others.

. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

Final Greetings

12 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

Diotrephes- Selfish all for himself Church Leader. That was not for others but for himself.

13 The children of your elect sister greet you.

Outline

9-13

Those that do not believe in the teaching are not believers and do not receive them. They are Fake Christians or my favorite saying is Sunday Christians where they go to church on Sunday morning but act in the earthy ways on Sunday Afternoon. This is not a Christ follower but a wolf in a suit. The last part of the book and the chapter (only one chapter) is that there is so much to go over, but he is traveling to them to talk together to worship and learn.

5-8

The support of traveling Christian workers is noble and needful.[9]

Purpose

(Verse 7)John is supporting this by saying that Gaius (Ga-Ius) Treats strangers just like friends and they are thankful and telling John of these things that he has done. The Key thing that comes up is Accepting nothing from the Pagans – The Travelers do not want to put themselves in that position to be Tempted.

The point of Writing this letter from the Apostle John was providing Guidance to help them deal with the issues of the day. They were dealing with Pride in the Church Leaders and I believe is something that is still rampant in the church today In America.

9-10

Intro to the People

Church discipline can be necessary for healthy ministry to flourish.[10]

Elder - Pastoral Leader and the term had been in use in Ephesus for 20 years prior. This is to Be the Apostle John and makes sense since he is providing counsel to Other churches. He was the Mentor and was providing Guidance just like how Pastor Rich and Chuck provide me with guidance, correction and positive feedback when needed.

Diotrephes (Dio-Tre-Phes) has rejected the Guidance of the Apostle John believing that he is being prideful and thinks that John has no Authority over him or that it is a local church matter and does not concern him. However, Apostle believe form the context of the Passage is not trying to be prideful or Seek Authority over Diotrephes (Dio-Tre-Phes)

But to help him.

Gaius (Ga-ius) – A Faithful Christian Believer who was working closely to provide help to visiting Missionary’s.

11

The integrity of faith is proven by actions.[11]

Demetrius (Dem-etr-ius)- A church leader that is mentioned to be an example of the right thing to do. He is working selfishly, and his testimony is known to others.

(Verse 11)

3 John 11 ESV

Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.

John is telling us that we cannot imitate what is bad and be seen by God. This goes back to what Pastor Rich said on his message last week. There is a transformation when we become believers and if there is not a transformation then really did you have the belief in the Trinity.

Diotrephes (Dio-Tre-Phes) - Selfish all for himself Church Leader. That was not for others but for himself.

Verse 12

Outline

Demetrius- This mention continues with the Intro I stated previously. If we are not well thought of by outsiders – the world then we will fail into the snare of evil. ()

TO Boil it down that if we are being Sunday Christians than we are losing this battle for God and we are not being good Christian Soldiers.

(ESV)

Verse 13-15

Support and Opposition

5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

The Final Greeting. The Apostle John is wrapping up the Letter and is saying that he has more to say but wants to talk face to face. John in Verse 15 tells the reader to greet fellow believers by name one by one. This signifies friendship and love that we are commanded to show to each other.

5-8

[1] John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary: Unleashing God’s Truth, One Verse at a Time (Nashville, Tenn: Thomas Nelson, Inc, 2005).

The support of traveling Christian workers is noble and needful.[9]

[2] gary burge and Andrew Hill, The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary. (Baker Publishing Group, 2012).

(Verse 7) John is supporting this by saying that Gaius (Ga-Ius) Treats strangers just like friends and they are thankful and telling John of these things that he has done. The Key thing that comes up is Accepting nothing from the Pagans – The Travelers do not want to put themselves in that position to be Tempted.

[3] Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2428.

(ESV)

[4] Archaeology Study Bible ESV (Wheaton , Illinois: crossway, 2017).

9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.

[5] Dr. Richard Schnieders, “Biblical Genres” (Fort Myers, Florida, June 2018).

9-10

[6] MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary.

Church discipline can be necessary for healthy ministry to flourish.[10]

The key is that when someone in the church receives this discipline that they understand that they are not doing it to be mean but to show love because the person is doing something that is wrong and needs correction.

[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

Diotrephes (Dio-Tre-Phes) has rejected the Guidance of the Apostle John believing that he is being prideful and thinks that John has no Authority over him or that it is a local church matter and does not concern him. However, Apostle believe form the context of the Passage is not trying to be prideful or Seek Authority over Diotrephes (Dio-Tre-Phes)

[8] Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2439.

But to help him.

[9] Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2443.

(ESV)

11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

[10] Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2443.

Final Greetings

13 I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.

[11] Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2443.

15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name.

11

The integrity of faith is proven by actions.[11] Actions speak louder than words.

(Verse 11)

John is telling us that we cannot imitate what is bad and be seen by God. This goes back to what Pastor Rich said on his message last week. There is a transformation when we become believers and if there is not a transformation then really did you have the belief in the Trinity.

Verse 12

Demetrius- This mention continues with the Intro I stated previously. If we are not well thought of by outsiders – the world then we will fail into the snare of evil.

( (ESV)

7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

TO Boil it down that if we are being Sunday Christians than we are losing this battle for God and we are not being good Christian Soldiers.

Verse 13-15

The Final Greeting. The Apostle John is wrapping up the Letter and is saying that he has more to say but wants to talk face to face. John in Verse 15 tells the reader to greet fellow believers by name one by one. This signifies friendship and love that we are commanded to show to each other.

[1] John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary: Unleashing God’s Truth, One Verse at a Time (Nashville, Tenn: Thomas Nelson, Inc, 2005).

[2] gary burge and Andrew Hill, The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary. (Baker Publishing Group, 2012).

[3] Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2428.

[4] Archaeology Study Bible ESV (Wheaton , Illinois: crossway, 2017).

[5] Dr. Richard Schnieders, “Biblical Genres” (Fort Myers, Florida, June 2018).

[6] MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary.

[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

[8] Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2439.

[9] Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2443.

[10] Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2443.

[11] Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2443.