1st John Christian Preppers

“Survivalism is a movement of individuals or groups (called survivalists or preppers) who actively prepare for emergencies, including possible disruptions in social or political order, on scales from local to international. Survivalism also encompasses preparation for personal emergencies, such as job loss or being stranded in the wild or under adverse weather conditions. The emphasis is on selfreliance, stockpiling supplies, and gaining survival knowledge and skills. Survivalists often acquire emergency medical and self-defense training, stockpile food and water, prepare to become selfsufficient, and build structures such as survival retreats or underground shelters that may help them survive a catastrophe.” From Wikipedia Christian Preppers1 Jn.2:28-3:3 Do you believe in life after death? Do you believe in life after life after death?? Do you believe in life before death? If so, what would “life before death” look like if you believed in life after life after death? That is what I believe John is encouraging his readers to consider in our study today. Point: When a believer’s life is properly manifested, God Himself is manifested So, what does the kingdom of God look like? It looks like Jesus Abide in Christ….Why? So we can have confidence and not shame when he appears John uses “meno” 66 of the 112 times it occurs in the NT. ---- 40x in his gospel, 23x in 1 John, 3x in 2 John. It’s important that we see this in connect to the theme of fellowship Is 1 John a test of eternal life or test of fellowship? Yes. Eternal life is not simply something to be possessed , but experienced (internally) & expressed (externally) I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. Jn.10:10 It is by means of fellowship that we experience and express that which we possess When God wanted to send the best message He could; He sent a person, not a book. He still does How well are we communicating His message? Your son is the spittin image of you If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth (practicing ESV) righteousness is born of him. I Jn.2:29 What kind of “righteousness” are we speaking of here? What is right – the kind that Christ enjoined---treating others the way Christ did But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Mt.6:33 Prepping for Jesus return Power over or power under? Note the struggles going on here But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this. A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Luke 22:24-30 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.” And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. Luke 22:31-39 What were thy struggling with? Self interests, self confidence, power over For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God…. but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. I Cor. 1:18,23-25 The Great Temptations And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Luke 22:39-45 And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” Luke 3: 5-8 “The devil knows the best way to defeat the kingdom of God is to empower the church to rule the kingdom of the world.” Greg Boyd. “People will be won over by the way we replicate Calvary to them.” Greg Boyd No matter how noble its ideals (life, liberty, and justice for all), no worldly government can be equated with the kingdom of God Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has said he will donate $1 million from his campaign to Republicans Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue as they prepare for runoff elections in Georgia. Graham spoke to Fox News' morning show Fox & Friends on Thursday about the January 5 elections, which will be crucial in deciding control of the U.S. Senate now former Vice President Joe Biden has been declared the winner of the presidential election. Loeffler will face Democrat Rev. Raphael Warnock, while Perdue's Democratic challenger is Jon Ossoff. If the Republicans lose both elections, the Senate will be tied at 50-50 and the vice president will be able to cast deciding votes. This would effectively give Democrats control. Newsweek So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil.2:1-11 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil.2:1-11