Purifying Hope
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
INTRO
RS: A pessimist sees a glass half empty, but an optimist sees one that is half full. The difference in interpretation comes from the hope that each one has, one is hoping it will all soon be gone, whereas the other is hoping more will soon be added to it. We all need hope to keep our spirits up when things around are falling apart.
TS: John reminds us of the hope we share as God’s children. Hope that Jesus will return for us one day. This life under the sun is. It all there is. There is much more out there in eternity. John spike of this hope in
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
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?
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.
And you know the way to where I am going.”
RS: Today, we see here a call for Christian living:
1. John shares 3 incentives for living a Christ centered life.
2. These combine to make up a purifying hope.
Why did John choose to live the pure life?
I. Because he Didn’t Want to be Ashamed
I. Because he Didn’t Want to be Ashamed
And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.
How we live now will directly affect how we stand before Christ when He returns.
How we live now will directly affect how we stand before Christ when He returns.
and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Christ is surely coming again.
Of that there can be no doubt!
His return will happen in the moment.
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
Sadly, some will be ashamed
How will it feel to be ashamed at His coming because of what we spent our time doing while waiting for Him?
What if He comes and we are in the act of shameful behavior.
a. Some will be caught in acts of sin
b. Some will have minds full of evil thoughts
c. Some will be saying words that grieve the Lord.
Imagine standing by the crystal sea and answering the question, “What were you doing when the Lord called us home?” And you had to answer something shameful.
That is why John says the hope of His return is purifying.
d. Worst of all are those who never repented of their sins.
There is more shame in that than anything else.
John intended to live his life and not be ashamed of Christ at His coming.
If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
He urges us to live every moment righteously.
He urges us to live every moment in uprightness.
5. Paul said the same thing as he said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ”
II. He Appreciated His Position
II. He Appreciated His Position
1. There were two things John couldn’t’ find words to express
a. The love of God
b. That sinners are able to become the sons of God
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.
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.
John is overwhelmed with the love of God and adoption.
John wrote:
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
John went from being a simple fisherman to being a child of the most high God!!!
What a rags to riches story and it is the same for each of us!
This high position made John very grateful.
a. He wanted to live a life worthy of his position.
b. He wanted to live like a child of the King.
He was ready for the rejection of the world.
Why? His main desire was to be just like Jesus and to introduce them to others.
John wanted to spread the good news.
He couldn’t contain it!
Sadly, not everyone wants to do that.
Dwight L. Moody once brought a pew full of boys and girls from the street to a church he anticipated joining. The presence of Moody’s guests so disturbed the aristocratic church that when he presented himself for membership, the church board suggested Moody take a month to pray about his desire to join their church. A month later Moody was asked by the board, "Did you follow our suggestions?" Moody affirmed he had. "And what did the Lord say?" Mr. Moody said, "He told me not to feel bad about it, because he has been trying to get into this church himself for the last twenty-five years
IL: Dwight L. Moody once brought a pew full of boys and girls from the street to a church he anticipated joining. The presence of Moody’s guests so disturbed the aristocratic church that when he presented himself for membership, the church board suggested Moody take a month to pray about his desire to join their church. A month later Moody was asked by the board, "Did you follow our suggestions?" Moody affirmed he had. "And what did the Lord say?" Mr. Moody said, "He told me not to feel bad about it, because he has been trying to get into this church himself for the last twenty-five years
III. He Anticipated a Personal Meeting with Christ
III. He Anticipated a Personal Meeting with Christ
1. Why? Because then he would be just like Jesus
a.
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.
John wanted to live every day as close to Christ as possible.
This was a common trait among early Christians.
b. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple…
And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,
And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
He lived each day a life worthy of the high calling of Christ.
He longed to see Him
This hope kept him pure
Has it made you want to live a pure life?
Are you ready for His return?
Do you, like John, long for a pure life?
The countdown is progressing
Now is the time to get ready for His return.
Conclusion:
How has the hope of the return of Christ changed you?
Has it made you want to live a pure life?
Are you ready for His return?
Do you, like John, long for a pure life?
Each day we draw closer to the day of His appearing.
Now is the time to get ready for His return.