Sept 12, 2021 Sunday Morning Service

Paul said I've been crucified with Christ as no longer I who live but Christ lives in me, and that's partly what that song is about. And we're thankful that we have Brethren here who are devoted to Jesus, and who want Jesus to shine in their lives. So that other people can see Jesus living in them. That's what our Christian life is all about letting others. See Jesus within us and what an attraction that is and we pray that you continue to do that. Pray that you continue to shine for Jesus Christ. I normally bring 15 or 20 minutes sermons. So today is just going to be a little longer and I just bringing that up front right now. John is writing to a group of folks. In the book of 1st, John. A book, A book concerning a group of people who were struggling because of other people that arose up from within and I began speaking and preaching things. They ought not And I caused a lot of trouble in the church. I know those people have left. And John rides they went out from us, but they really were never part of us. And so the people are struggling because let's face it in churches. We make relationships with folks. That's why it's a family. The church is designed to be a family, not just some organization and that will help one another and that loves one another and that helps and loves all those about our family. And so, are these people were struggling that they're, they're part of their family left in Burgaw. That's what John is. Also writing to comfort them and to let them know. They have salvation in Christ, Jesus. And so he gives three tests or three ways in which you can determine a true Christian as opposed to a bogus Christian. And that is the first test. Is that the true Christian believes that Jesus Christ came in the flesh and that he died upon the cross for our that's what a true Christian beliefs. The second test that John writes about is that a true Christian walks in the lot, we walk in the light, as he is in the ship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ. His son cleanses us from all sin in that a blessing. That's one of the all blessings that we enjoy being in Jesus Christ. The Forgiveness of sins as we walk in fellowship with him. And with one another And so what up a beautiful design that is. Now the walking in the light aspect doesn't mean we're walking perfectly. None of us could ever walk perfectly. Can't be done, not without the help of Jesus Christ in his blood. And so, as we're walking in the light, John reminds us. All, if we say, we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in US. And so we have to admit our shortcomings. We have to admit our, our failures. We have to admit that we indeed do send from time to time whether intentional or not. We do sin. And so Christ came to bring us the remedy, which is his blood, the forgiveness of sin. And then the third test that John talks about is the fact that we love one another. That's the third test. Now, John doesn't write an linear factions in circles because what he's talking about is all connected to one another. Those three tests are not separate entities are connected. So if you believe that, Jesus Christ came in the flesh and died upon the cross for our sins, then guess what? You're going to walk in the light and if you're going to walk in the Brethren and if you love your brother and it's because you believe that Jesus Christ came in the flesh and died upon the cross for our sins, and when you believe that you begin to obey God walking the line. And then the cycle continues. And so John is pointing that out in circular Fashions. And so we can't go to chapter one and say, well, he's talking about Christ in the flesh. Here in Chapter 2, is talking about walking in the light here in chapter 3, stalking about loving your brother. It's all connected and it's all over the letter and a short letter just five chapters. I hope you take the time to read it during your devotional time and home. And so again, John is riding to demonstrate that there is such a thing is bogus Christianity. And there is such a thing is bogus Christians. And those three tests generally will expose both, that's all I want to bring our attention now to the text, which was read and bring it to our attention. Again that If you talk about from John chapter 3 beginning, and verse 11. You remember last week left off in verses 9 and 10 at a verses 9 and 10. It talks about how yes, you can. Distinguish between those who are children of God and those who are children of the devil. He makes it very plain. We'll get to that just a moment. But now we pick up in chapter 3, verse 11, Whoever has been born of God. Does not send for his seed remains in, because he has been born of God in this, the children of God. And I'll just go to stop there, because sometimes we say something or read a passage and we get cognitive dissonance.

We can't move on to anything else because we're not understanding what I just ran. So let's back up and let's talk about what he just said. He said, whoever has been born of God. Does not send. The brother tell, Jenny just saying, first in the first chapter and verse, if we say, we have no sin, we deceive ourselves in the truth is not us. Yes, he did. So why you saying? We cannot then if we've been born of God because of the tents? Present tense in the Greek. Grammar is continuous action. And so let's read it. This way. Whoever has been born of God, does not continue sitting. For his, she remains continues in him and he cannot continue sending because he has been born of God in this, the children of God and the children of the devil.

In the devil are manifest. Whoever does not practice righteousness, is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother? And so, the tents of the context really makes all the difference in the world. He's not talking about our every occasional sin things that we do intentionally. Things that we don't know that we're doing, he's not talking about he's talking about a specific attitude of heart in mind, which was represented by The gnostics Who were part of that movement at the time part of the church, but they began to teach that they could send and not affect their spirit so they can do whatever they want and they would still be forgiven. But John exposes that and he admits he says, if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. The truth is not in his. But if we confess our sins,, he is faithful and just to forgive us, our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. You see the gnostics said, if they send, it didn't affect them. Therefore, they didn't need to confess their sin. But John says you do said and therefore you do need to confess your sin, totally different message. Then what John was preaching? That these Gnostic for bringing in righteousness of god notice. He doesn't say he who practices perfection. But he knew practice is, right? Doing righteousness. Remember just in a few verses back and verse 7. He says, my little children. Do not be deceived. He, who practices righteousness is righteous, just as he, Jesus Christ is righteous, but that's part of the, the root word is the word we get for Works. He who works righteousness. And so some translations say practice, but whatever the case is, he's not talking about perfection. He is talking about implementing those Works. He's Implement. He talking about implementation of of this practice of doing what is right. Another words obedience obeying with Jesus tells us to do and what he tells us not to do. And so it is that when we have these things in our life and we're practicing them, he saying you are a true child of God. And that could be demonstrated by what we do. And so, but not as he says, whoever does not practice righteousness, is not a god, nor is he who does not love his brother? So he closes the verse out of the section out with those who might not love their brethren. And so in this, he's really exposing to lies that. The devil tells and that is the first of all is that love is a second hand emotion.

Remember that song right? One of my favorite songs from the 80s right? What's Love Got to Do With It? Got to do with a second hand emotion. No, it's not. By far, is it not a second hand emotion? And really, it's not just an emotion. There's more to love Than A Feeling, right? The Greeks had four different words for love. They had one for married couples. They had one for friendship. They had one for family, and they had one for Christians.

Look for others because you're more interested in them than yourself. It's a Selfless Love. You're going to do good and do right for others, because it's the right thing to do. It's the right thing to do, because your brother. And or anyone else living in the world is made in the image of God and therefore, their special. You're not the only one made in the image of God. We need to respect the fact that all people are made in the image of God. And that God died for them. Just as much as he died for you. And I said, God, Jesus Is God. And as we consider the idea of Jesus being a substitute for our death, we find out. Where true? Grace lies. We're true Grace. Lasso. We can't believe the lad that Satan tells many of us. Not his love comes later that you really have to put your focus in dr. Right? You got to do this and you got to do that and you got to make sure that you you've crossed all your t's and dotted your eyes and then maybe if you have enough within you than you could know that's a second hand emotion. The Love Is A Verb. Love is something that you do. It's not merely a now. I said, when he says, love your brother, he means to be in their lives, to be in their lives. To love your brother, to love your sister. I'm so Jesus said it from the very beginning, love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind. And with all your strength. and, Love your neighbor as yourself. So Jesus tells us right off the bat in the beginning of his ministry that we are to love God and love others. So it's something that we need to do love his Doctrine, by the way, because it's commanded. We are commanded to love. God. We are commanded to love others. But we get to a point where Christians who love God so much that they love others so much, and we begin to be Dying For Love or dying to love. And to express the love that Christ Express want to be like Christ. And so, as we consider the type of love under consideration, we're dealing with that Noble love of Agape, highest form and expression of Love, there is And so we are to love one another.

Also in first, John chapter 5 and verse 3, we get a definition of love. Oh, just as we get, a definition of works, and James chapter 2, and verse 26. And just as we get a definition of righteousness and 1st, John chapter 3 verse 7. Now. We're getting a definition that's found here in first. John, chapter 5 verse 3 concerning, what love is. Here's why I love is not an emotion. For this is the love of God. That you keep his Commandments and his Commandments are not burdensome. This is the love of God, that you keep his Commandments, and his Commandments are not burdensome. That's love and soul of dictate to us that we need to love others. Love, never Rises higher than God's law is what constrains it compels us to love, but when we do that and we begin to practice that righteousness, we begin to practice the right doing. It's no longer a command for us because we just are dying to love. Just as Jesus was dying to love. I told as we consider again. In a first John chapter 3 verse 11. We already read that but I want to bring back to this aspect of it by this. We know, love because he laid down his life for us. That's love. And so you would expect John or any other Rider to safe because he laid down his life for you. Don't you think you ought to lay down your life for your brother? How much do you love? Your brethren is based upon how much you love Jesus? And Jesus was willing to die for you and me for the whole world. You didn't even know us. But we were part of that plan.

And you wanted everybody to be saved. That's what he was hoping for. And so, he laid down his life for you and for me, and now John says, and we also ought to lay down our lives for the Brethren. You see, you can't love Jesus, and not love your brother or your sister. It doesn't make any sense. It's in congruous because having love for Jesus actually compels us to love our brother. They go hand-in-hand. And so it's also part of the command for that. We are to keep understanding. The definition of Love is keeping his Commandments which means we are to love our brother. So love

But it's on equal footing when we begin to practice it. And there's no law against such practicing at. So, the whole point is, is that we need to show the love that we have for our Brethren, you remember? I don't know if you do or not, but one of my favorite movies was filmed back in 1957, The Bridge on the River Kwai. And I remember watching that in the seventies and black and white television with Dad, Dad was interested in war movies. And so was I and so we started watching a movie and it was over my head. I didn't really understand it and then sometime or TV and I begin to watch that movie one more time with Dad. And now that I'm a little older and understand what the message was. And the message was about forgiveness and please forgive me if I give it away to you and you've not seen the movie, but it's about these British soldiers, who were captured by the Japanese are held in Camp in prisoner camp on the island of Burma. And it was a horrible Place. Horrible conditions, that these prisoners had to go through and they were beaten almost daily and they were forced to build this railroad through jungle. That's so they built this railroad through the jungle and it got to the point where they had a crossed the River Kwai. S o. The British commander said, well, listen, we were told to surrender. So we surrendered and we're going to do the best work that we can do as British soldiers. And so inspired all the prisoners and they got together and start working on, make the finest bridge. This world has ever known and so they began to construct and build the bridge upon completion.

They have roll call and the Japanese leaders. There went through the tool check. They had a tool check to make sure all the tools are still there. Well, they went to the check and they realize there was a shovel missing. And so, the commanding officer of the Japanese regiment said if no one steps forward. To admit that they're taking the shovel. I'm going to kill you all remember the whole job has been done. And so while he puts a gun to the man's head, one prisoner steps forward and says, I did it. I stole the shovel. By which, and in which the commander took the shovel or a shovel and beat him to a pulp till he died. And so, they carry the bloody body and they buried the body and then they all came back to order and they had another tool count and they realized, after the account that someone had miscounted, that all the shovels were there. And so, they soon realized that the man who stepped forward did so to save their lives. That's what Jesus did for you and me the selfless kind of love that we are to have for one another.

It's a high standard, isn't it? But it's something that we can attain to God doesn't give us something that we cannot do. But he sent Jesus to melt our hearts and I'm melting our hearts. We now have the opportunity to express love in ways in which this world cannot. Because of Jesus.

It's all just say it here. Do you love Jesus? If you do. And you have not been become a Christian. You have not put Jesus Christ on, in baptism in Jesus, is still saying that's how you love me. Remember, keep my Commandments if you keep my Commandments, you love me. And so he says he that believes and is baptized shall be saved. And if you're willing to do that this morning, you're demonstrating now only to God with all of us. Your love for Jesus. Your love for God that you're willing to submit and to give your life for him because he gave his life for you. Now, if you've done that, and you've not been walking in the light, which is one of the two, three tests that we are to go through to show that were true Christians. They have not been walking in the Latin. You wandering into other pads. Jesus still says, come back home Christian. Come back home, child. And forgiveness will be given upon repentance. If you're subject to the Lord's, invitation this morning and you want to come and Faith to be baptized or you want to come and Faith. Repent. Of your sins. Want to do so. Now Together We Stand and say,