5.3.42 9.11.2022 1 John 2.1-6 Belonging to the Believing Community

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Entice:

1 John 2:1–6 ESV

1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

A more colloquial translation might say...

Hey kids, listen up!

John continues his words of encouragement in a way that is tender-hearted and tough-minded. We need such encouragement today. We need to be unified by the message we have heard. We need to take individual action and be collectively accountable.

Engage: That means seeing sound theology as an aspect of correct behavior. And correct behavior as a dimension of right theology. We too often think of theology as being for some imagined elite. It's for everyone who is called to obey and follow Jesus.

Theology is the gasoline in the tank of Christian behavior.

Expand: John did not seem to write with any other agenda than teaching sound doctrine and grounding everyday Christian behavior in that doctrine. He repeats himself. He circles back to give more detail or color to issues he has already discussed. He is accessible and deep at the same time. We benefit when we model our lives on this combined axis of correct thought and correct behavior. This is essentially what Jesus did. It is a central theme in the NT.

Excite: Church. Body. Flock. Vine. These are different terms describing the same reality. The new, believing community founded by Jesus. John was deeply devoted to and passionately focused on what it means for individual believers to be incorporated in this believing community. Here in Grayville, we are a local, embedded example of that Body. John's words still resonate. We have some of the many questions and face some of the same issues.

How do we stay pure amid impurity?

How do we love the unlovely?

How does the truth of the Gospel fit in a world with rampant idolatry?

Explore:

The power of Jesus flows to His Body through Biblical teaching and Biblical behavior.

Explain: In today's text John writes several "things" to us.

Body of Sermon: First John describes a

1. A Promise to Guard us.

1 John 2:1–2 ESV

1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

1.1 Pastoral instruction of John.

…I’m writing these things to keep you from sinning

1.2 Heavenly Advocacy of Jesus.

…If you do act sinfully Jesus is our heavenly counsel

This is possible because of Jesus'

1.3 Atoning sacrifice.

He is the sacrifice for all who are saved…(us and the whole world

Next John describes

2. A Pattern to Guide us.

1 John 2:3–4 ESV

3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,

Mrs. Beckman has accumulated a rather hefty stash of crochet patterns. Some were expensive. Some were cheap. Not all are valuable, and sadly, the value is not always reflected in the price. Some patterns provide great diagrams and no instruction. They are very hard to follow. Others provide detailed, specific instructions but no good blueprint of the project. Some are just plain wrong. About the only thing worse than no pattern is a bad pattern. A bad pattern leads to blind frustration, needless repetition, and errors. If followed to the end a bad pattern creates a dysfunctional mess.

We need a good pattern. John has one, reminding us that

A good pattern provides...

2.1 Direction.

This is how we know Him...Keeping His commandments

A good pattern provides

2.2 Correction.

Whoever claims they know God, while disobeying is a self-deceived liar.

Even when you have a great pattern we each need correction. The best pattern cannot protect against “user error.” We need to know how to stop deceiving ourselves, correct our behavior, and get on with it following the pattern provided.

Finally, John highlights

3. A Purpose to Galvanize us.

1 John 2:5–6 ESV

5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

3.1 Maintain the message.

Whoever keeps His Word

3.2 Mature in love.

(Truly the love of God is perfected.)

3.3 Mimic His walk.

Abide in Him

does our talk match our walk? "Whoever says...ought to walk...

Shut Down:

1. (Emotion) Life can be difficult. We don't want to make it any harder than it has to be. There are times when we will feel closer to Christ, other times more distant. At various times we will be more aware of our sinfulness, more confused about Christian living, more vulnerable. John writes these words to provide certainty. Certainty based on the facts of the Gospel as they are worked out within the life of the Church, certainty which provides emotional security.

2. (Intellect)Since we were young, we all sang the line:

The Bible tells me so.

This should not merely be a syrupy sentiment from childhood songs. Like a theologically driven Joe Friday, John relentlessly personalizes the message of Jesus giving us daily direction; "just the facts!" Don't sin but rely on the saving facts of Jesus' passion. Let the love command guide your unfolding Christian walk. Knowledge of God comes through obedience and imitation.

3. (Volition) We don't use terms like obligation nearly enough. In a world of spiritual seekers and slackers we have become unfocused and undisciplined. If you want to claim Jesus as Savior, you are obligated to walk as He did. This is more than a feeling. You gotta decide. You must decide. He has given a purpose. He has established a pattern. He has provided a promise to uplift us. You. Are. On the Clock. TIGWFUT