Aug 22, 2021 Sunday Morning Service

Good morning. Good to see everyone out this this morning. We're thankful that you're here with us, that we can worship our Lord together in spirit and truth. And, and as we've been talking about, we're excited about January coming in the year of Our Lord 2022. What we talkin about, Jesus Christ that whole year, and it's going to do us some good, you know, even though we're Christians. We don't know all things about Jesus Christ and we think, well, maybe that's just a little bit to fundamental for me. I'm here to tell you, we will not even play the deaths of the knowledge of Jesus Christ. From this study. We will just cover the surface. And yet, they'll be much, much more will still need to know, but you coming to learn about Jesus Christ, you will learn things, you will not have understood.

Or heard before. And so I'm looking forward to that time that we can share together in our studies, both in Bible classes and in our lessons on Lord's day, and so Just a reminder. We been in a study from the book of 1st, John. Entitled lighten up. And it's talking about the idea that we need to be illuminated with God's word. The Bible tells us in Psalm 119 130 that his word brings us life and gives us understanding his word does that. Now? The only way his word can do that is, if you go to the work to find that illumination, otherwise is riding to a group of people probably in Ephesus and he's riding to these folks to tell them. Be confident in their salvation to be, as sure of what they have learned, what they have come to believe because he goes on to say, it's the truth. and what he's doing is, he's pointing out the contrast between what he has taught them as an apostle of Jesus Christ with what some Who came from within that group begin to teach falsely? They began to teach that Jesus did not come in the flesh. That there was some sort of an impostor upon the cross and that really wasn't Jesus. Point was to say that it's the spirit that counts not the Flesh and it's the spirit that comes from God, and it's the flesh that's evil. And so they try to make that distinction. And so, therefore, they claim, Jesus could not be in the flesh because he could not have any sin whatsoever. They were called the gnostics. A word that means to know they were the know-it-all. Have you ever thought about this that every Schism every Division and every division from within the church? Usually comes from people claiming. They have Superior knowledge, Superior understanding that they know something that you don't. And they're called the gurus right there called the ones in the know. And all of us are just pleads. Following along the good thing is It says, Paul would writing a thesis chapter four concerning the coming of the faith. That would be fulfilled, which is the scriptures. He said you won't have to worry about passing to and fro caring about that every wind of Doctrine because you will have the completed faith and there and you can turn in the look to see what it said and compared to what other say, you can know the truth and it will set you free. And so that's what John is riding him about and he's telling him, I told you the truth. There are people that have come from within that are telling you things. I never taught a buzz and Beyond and Beyond what Johnta. I find it interesting and 1st Corinthians chapter 4 and verse 6. Paul says, do not even think. Going beyond what is written? What God has said in scriptures what God has said, its finality. You can't add to it. You can't take away from it. Joshua said, in chapter 1, verse 7 of that book. He said, neither shall we go to the left and neither shall we go to the right? And that brings us back to 1st Peter, chapter 4, verse 11, where he says, speak the Oracles of God. That work there for as is just as and the Greek word. Hot sauce means simply exactly speak. Exactly, as the Oracles of God, speak the way God speaks in his word. There will be no divisions that way. And yet we look out into the world and we see all kinds of religious division. the thing is, we have so many churches as one fellow said, we have some 33,000 denominations. Right there. All teaching, something different.

But why is there so many churches? Why is there so much division? Because we're not reading God's word properly if we're reading it at all. And so a lot of people like to put Faith in their preacher. Now, I don't mind. How do you trust me? But it's our responsibility together to speak as God has spoken, no more, and no less. We can't go beyond it. We can't fall short of it. And so we're here together to help each other to do just that. And I'll pray you help to keep me in check because sometimes I need to be pulled in rained in just a little bit, but that's true for all of us. So John is riding to a church that's been disturbed by false teachers and false teaching and he's trying to reassure them because now they're asking the question. Am I right? Am I saved? What's my predicament? And so, again, the letter is to reassure these. Christian's Paws. Also are a John's. Also writing about showing the difference between counterfeits? And the real deal, right? He's showing us. Who is a Christian and who claims to be a Christian. And who claims to be a Christian. So these things are important for us to understand and certainly was important for Paul or for trying to keep safe up for John to tell us these things. It was important for the audience to whom he's riding and it's important for us. Reminds me of. A little joke. I came across. What do you call a religious grasshopper? A praying mantis. All right, you can tell he's truly religious by what he's doing right by their fruits. You shall know them. And so it is with others. You can tell who's the phone and John is something you can do. You can do that. You can do that. And so it is possible. Here's the point. It is possible to be in the church and it not being.

Both consider themselves from their relationship with Christ even though they're still in the church. And we need to understand how important that is. But as we think about that this morning want to go to the first portion of that passage, which Kaiden read for us. The little children, it is the last hour. And as you have heard, that Antichrist is coming. Antichrist? You probably heard that in horror movies and scary movies and all of those things in the past and a lot of the people today, think and surprised to still come that, this Antichrist is going to fight a war with Jesus when he comes back to Earth. And that there's going to be a battle for some thousand years and that this is also the Beast that you read about in Revelation 13. If you have study Revelation with us, you would have known that in Revelation 13. The Beast is the is a man. And he says the number either 616 or 666 is the number of a man. So, it's not on and it's not the devil, because the devil is no man, but created spirit being and same thing with the Antichrist. He's talking about a mindset. We talked about in the singular and that mindset is going to affect people. It's going to influence people. Now let's hear John as he continues. He says you heard that Antichrist not the Antichrist. But answer Christ is coming even now many antichrists have, by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us for if they had been of us. They would have continued with us, but they went out that they might be made manifest that none of them are of us. So these Enterprise having a mindset of an assembly against Christ. Anti means against what? How were they against Christ? Well, here's the specific problem by John. He says, who is the liar? But he, who denies that Jesus is the Christ flower. They denied Jesus being the Christ. He says, this is the Antichrist, he who denies the father, and the son. All right, so they're denying Jesus.

That was a lot of people in the world today who have all different types of.

Ideas are Concepts about who Jesus is. In fact, some churches are even calling Jesus, not a real individual, but just a concept. So if you're living like Jesus, you're talking about living according to a tons. As opposed to an actual real literal individual. But here it's individuals who are rising up from within and you're dividing a church. There are churches as a whole who are actually driving individuals out because they're denying Jesus. In the remain stream of the religious world today, here, in the USA, some religions deny that Jesus Christ is deity.

That means that he's not God, that he's not Eternal. Some have gone so far as to say it was the father who created this Jesus. And so, he's not an eternal being and like the gnostics. There are some in the mainstream of the religious World here in the USA, will deny the humanity. Of Jesus Christ. Just like the gnostics were doing. You see, they were saying he was just a spirit being but he could not have flesh. Otherwise, God could not exist in the material world. Remember the false doctrine that they were including in? That was as Christians. You have a spirit within your flesh. So when you said and they were encouraging you to send, when you send your sin is not going to affect your spirit. So go and have a good time and all you want. It's only affect the Flash, not your spirit and soul John rides in chapter 1. Verse 8. He's, he's he's nipping. This in the bud real quick. He says, if we say, we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. He's attacking that very Doctrine. And some today or all that same mindset. And so either way what John is proclaiming to these people and to us is that Jesus is both Divine and human face 100% without understanding that concept. No notice what else he says. Every spirit that does not confess. Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist. What you have heard was coming and now is in the world already, and that was over two thousand years ago, now in the world already.

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ. In the flesh. There is the specific such a one as the fever and the Antichrist. And so we find here that there was this crisis arising in the first century church start here by the gnostics and it really wouldn't get defeated until the third Century around. 3:25 ad. Where the church unanimously stood up and said no Jesus Is God, he's got in the flesh and that God is a tri part. Being that is there's three parts to God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, three beings, who are God, three beings, who are part of the godhead. You know, the got the word godhead is simply an expression for godhood. Part of the godhood know, you're part of the hood. Jesus is part of the hood. Right? Just like you're part of your neighborhood. You're part of that hood and there's a multiplicity of people in your neighborhood. Will those ostle a plurality of beings in the godhead or God Hood? It's oh, Jesus, who is God Came In the Flesh? That's why Matthew rides God With Us, God With Us that dwelt among us. And we beheld, his glory, as of the glory of the only begotten of the father. and so, We find here that specific doctrine that was being taught here. And so again, it's springing up from within, not from outside sources. There are a lot of people on the outside that attack Christ there. A lot of people on the outside that attacked the church, but let me tell you, if you would text the church in Christ. Because Jesus is the head of his body, which is the church. So if you attacked one, you naturally attack the other. But here we find an example of what Paul was talking about. Finally, get to talk about book, what Paul was talking about, concerning the same principle that was happening here in Ephesus or to the people who John is riding and hear Paul is addressing. The church in Ephesus. He's addressing the elders at the church and he's saying this goodbye. It's a sad farewell to the elders because he knows he will never see them again. It's so he's reminding them of what he did for them who they are to be and what they are to do. And so he says, for, I know this that, after my departure, Savage will be coming up on you, not sparing, the flock also from among yourselves that is from within the eldership. Men will rise up speaking perverse, things to draw when the disciples after themselves there for a watch. And remember that for three years. I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. How about you?

Yep. Cheers when the church is torn asunder. Do you have tears when there's false Doctrine being taught and nothing is ever done to remedy it? It just manifest itself more and more and it leads people away. There are a lot of beautiful, a lot of nice people. Who are false teachers?

We need to make friends with Jesus. And not friends of the world. Jesus is our friend and we need to be loyal to Jesus. For Jesus says abide remain in my word. That's where we need to be. And sometimes as Jesus also mentioned before that. Sometimes, we might have to withdraw spiritual Fellowship from even our own family members. Remember, he said, I came to bring the store to not piece. The fact is that God's word does cause division because some people don't like to hear it. They're offended by and just the way they were offended by Jesus and what he was preaching. And so it is with us and so here, the church is being torn asunder from within. But now we coming to verse 20. And then there's this. But so he's you said, this is what's going on. You guys are being hurt by it. Then he says, but you have an anointing from the Holy One. And you know, all things. Now before I proceed any further. The religious World calls the anointing and unction some even say a wholly-owned. And often you'll find even on television, those televangelists you talking about. Oh, I feel what I'm 19 coming on today. And I begin to speak in tongues.

And everyone goes crazy.

That's our preacher right there. That's not exactly what John is talking about. So, what is an anointing? Yes, and anointing is miraculous. It's it's connected to that which is miraculous and every time the word anointing other with the word sheol, or with the word, Holy Spirit or Spirit. You're going to find that. It's miraculous. You remember that in Luke chapter 4, Jesus opens up the Bible and he starts quoting from Isaiah Wright. And he says, the spirit of the Lord is upon me. The 64 has sent me to preach the gospel. Do you see the connection there? His spirit is upon me because I have been assigned to preach the gospel. What does that mean? It means Jesus was human. And what all other humans, including the apostles. They could not preach the truth without the spirit was that anointing? Jesus, the spirit of you ever wonder why? When he was baptized and the Spirit came down upon him in the form of a dove. And then now he's just talking about the same idea and Luke chapter 4, that he's been Anointed with a spirit that the spirit is upon him because he has anointed me to preach the gospel. You have here, this idea this connection that the spirit was going to God, Jesus and his preaching that he would give the words to him to speak. Just the very way that the spirit gave the words to the apostles. Can you find that several times in scripture? How the spirit? Spoke through Christ Acts chapter 1, beginning verse 1 and 2, that Jesus spoke the Commandments by the spirit. All right, so he says and noticed he says he received this from the Holy One and you know all things. No, I know. I don't know. All things. I have a very limited brain when it comes to knowing things. Right. I mean, I cannot do jeopardy with too. Well, right? Lester specific groups categories. I might do well, but I don't know. All the great works of art and literature. I don't know. All the nation's capital world capitals. I don't know, all the great leaders. I don't even know some of the events that have taken place that people talk about. Do I have a limited knowledge in a limited understanding, and even the gentleman who won Jeopardy, who blew the doors off, everybody. Even, he has a limited knowledge. Especially when it comes to spiritual matters. Now known as he says, but you know all things will. How would they know all things? If you and beings? Can't know all things miraculously. Anointing. All right. Now notice. She says I have not written to you because you do not know the truth. Now, he's narrowing it down. So you understand what this annoying things about in about knowing all things, knowing all things is Central to truth. He says you did not know the truth. Because you know, and that's no lie is of the truth. But as God is faithful our word to you now, he who am I But you have an anointing from the Holy One and you know, all things that's the point and he says that twice and verse 27. He says and you know all things. So a lot of people today we'll say, well, I, if they had an anointing, then I have an anointing of what I want you to consider something. To pronouns of the text. He's writing to a group, a collective group. He's not riding to individuals per se, and when he says, you are all, that's the you in the King, James, UE means you always plural. So you can always understand that when you come across the word, he in the King James, you know, automatically that it's a plural you in our English Bibles. All other English Bible. It just says you and you and you and you and you and you I thought you might have five or six years and one person, but you don't know if they're single or Did any of that? We find here that he's talking about you all you all have an anointing, you the church to. I'm riding you have an anointing. Remember there were people in the first century Church who had the apostles, lay their hands upon them, and they were given all sorts of spiritual Supernatural gifts and they were within this group. In fact, it says he gave some to be Apostles and Prophets, some evangelist some teachers, and or pastors and teachers. That's all we have here. This group of people who had miraculous ability and not only that but they have the teaching of the Apostles. And so he says you the truth and you know it. So why are you being

Now here's the deal. We have the truth. Whatever was said orally was written down for us. And so we have the truth and Jesus said, if you continue in my truth, you are my disciples indeed and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. And not since this is our anointing, the word of God. We have it here and we can always know the truth, if we open the truth up and if we understand that, we can compare what people say, white people teach would what God's word teaches and therefore, we can know the truth. Now he says, he who establishes us. With you in Christ as anointed us is God. There's another point that I hear Paul is writing. This is Paul actually not 1st, John 2. This is 1st Corinthians chapter 1, beginning of verse 22. He says now he has anointed us who's us?

Let's get to the context But as God is faithful, our word to you was not yes or no, for the Son of God. Jesus Christ was preached among you but by me sylvanus and Timothy was not, yes and no, but in him was yes. Another words. We preach to you. Not doubtful things. Not things you couldn't discern but things that you could say yes, and no. To it was clear. That wasn't a clanging. Brass for a clanging cymbal. You heard the truth and you could tell it was. So he says for all the promises of God in him are yes, and in him Amen to the glory of God through, who's the US by me sylvanus and Timothy. Now he who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us. Are Christians come to this text and I think the usk means me. I'm part of the us that Paul must be talking about the US in the context is Paul. So they saying is going back there and Timothy us. That's why I've highlighted the US and the you so he's given us. Anointed us is God, who also has seen us and given us the spirit in our hearts, as a guarantee. Moreover. I called to God, as witness against my soul that to spare you. I came no more the current not that we Paul Sylvania. Saint Timothy have dominion over your face, but our fellow workers for your joy, for by the faith. You stand the word of God. And so, here it is. That Paul is saying we were noted and we preach to you. We established you, we gave you spiritual gifts. You have been established in God.

And so that's about the apostles, not about the individuals in the church.

But you don't want to leave you with this. Here's the point of the whole letter of which will address at another time, as well. These things I have written to you, who believe in the name of the son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life brother, and you can know without a doubt that you have eternal life. And it's number. We sing the song Standing on the Promises of God. We can look at the promises of God and we can understand that if we do those promises that he is required of, that is awesome. Us to do, we can be assured of where we stand with our Lord. And so we have here, the Assurance of what John is pointing to in our own hearts and we can know and do know that we have eternal life.

But eternal life begins with a commitment to Jesus Christ. That's why we're doing this study about Jesus Christ. Perhaps we need to be re committed to Christ. But the point is a commitment needs to be started with Jesus Christ. Jesus said he that believes and is baptized shall be saved. That's a promise. And its effects and we stand on that promise. We stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ believes that he is the Son of God and is baptized shall be saved a man. That's true. But some perhaps have not been faithful. At some of these folks here, but he says here, we commit yourselves change your minds about the direction. You might be going in and come back home to Jesus. Either way. If you're subject to the invitation of Jesus Christ, this morning, want to come as Together, We Stand and sing.