Discerning Light & Dark

Introduction:

· Review: Moral & Social tests…BUT: distinguish between Admission & Diagnostic tests:

LET’S LOOK AT WHAT JOHN IS TESTING FOR, WHAT THE TEST IS, AND HOW TO ENSURE WE WILL REMAIN SPIRITUALLY HEALTHY.

I) What are We Testing? (vv. 18-20)

A. We are Testing for the Presence of “Antichrists”

i. The Last hour is here (vs. 18)

1. Did John mistakenly believe that Jesus’ return was immanent?

2. No; the “Last Hour” is like the second part (not the last chapter) of a book

ii. And the LH brings Antichrists who are “instead” of Jesus

1. In the “Last Hours” will come “The Antichrist”

2. But there will also be “antichrists” who will teach contrary to God’s word

B. We Are testing to see who is a part of the Invisible Church (vs. 19)

i. The Invisible & the Visible Church: Knowing the difference

1. The Visible Church includes all who meet, gather, sing, pray etc.

2. But: The “Invisible” church includes genuine believers

ii. Some of the “Visible” church left because they were not authentic believers

1. Professing believers departed the faith b/c they weren’t genuine believers

2. EXAMPLE: Modern day, J. Harris, The Clergy Network

THEY ARE “ANTICHRISTS” – SMALL ‘A’, PLURAL; THE QUESTION: HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY THEM?

II) What is the Test? (vv. 21-23)

A. Why Should We Even Test for Doctrine?

i. Doesn’t doctrine divide?

1. A person can be moral, and loving, but still not a believer, so: Doctrine!

2. But: Isn’t doctrine divisive & exclusive?

ii. Everyone holds to a “doctrine” that is by nature exclusive

1. It’s true – but even THAT is a doctrine, and we are ALL exclusive!

2. EXAMPLE: TCN does extensive vetting to keep out believers

B. DO you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? (vv. 21-23)

i. False believers denied that Jesus was the Son of God incarnate (vv. 21-22)

1. There are many, many beliefs we can disagree on, but not this one!

2. Gnostic believers taught that Jesus was a man, elevated, then demoted

3. EXAMPLE: Mormons, JW’s hold similar beliefs about Jesus

ii. But the test of genuine faith is belief in God incarnate (vs. 23)

1. Christians must profess that Jesus is the Christ

2. Christians must profess that Jesus is God in the Flesh

UNDERSTAND THAT JOHN’S CONCERN IS “APPLIED THEOLOGY” – THAT IS, HE’S CONCERNED OVER WHAT HAPPENS WHEN BAD THEOLOGY IS APPLIED.

III) How Do We “Pass” The Test? (vv. 24-27)

A. We will “pass the test” by persevering

i. Genuine believers must persevere until the end

1. John’s concern is pastoral – teacehrs, leaders, books, TV etc. will mislead

2. What John wants of us is that we remain faithful until the end

ii. Does this mean we can “lose” our salvation?

1. Did false teachers “lose” their faith? Can we?

2. NO: Salvation is not a reward for those who persevere; perseverance is a Hallmark of those who are saved.

B. We persevere by Abiding in Christ

i. Genuine believers persevere by the gift of the Spirit (vv. 20, 27)

1. God gives the HS to teach us, lead us into truth – who will guard us against false teachers

2. BUT: Teachers are necessary though not to introduce to new fads etc.

ii. Genuine believers persevere by fostering their devotional relationship w. Christ

1. Perseverance: feeding on the gospel as a means of drawing close to Christ (vs. 24)

2. EXAMPLE: A personal example, observation

Transition:

Conclusion

Abide in Christ, that you may persevere!