5.4.43 9.18.2022 1 John 2.7.-14 Love in General and Particular

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Entice: The NT authors a constantly inculturating the gospel message. The distance between Christianity and cultures of formative Judaism and waning Paganism was huge. We need to keep this in mind when we think that our world is far worse and the challenges we face are different. We are called to love the brethren and each of us always has one leg in the world. In the world and not of it will always be a challenging place for us, not unlike being between a rock and a hard place.

Engage: John can order us to keep the commandment to love until he's blue in the face. The real question, the question you may be asking is "How do I love the brothers? How do I in 2022 keep this old commandment fresh and invigorating?"

Expand: John anticipates that question. Remember, I have mentioned in virtually every message in this series that John's goal is to integrate belief and behavior. John wants us to ground our deeds in doctrine. This is the essence of real theology, and it is the most practical thing you could imagine.

1 John 2:7–14 ESV

7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. 8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. 14 I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

Excite: Learning to love like this must be learned because this kind of love is simply not what humans commonly think of when we use the term love, especially in English when one word is used to describe so many different kinds of affection. John gently teaches us how and why to love. He wants the Church to be the loving-est place on earth and the first-place people think of when they are overwhelmed with weariness from living in a fallen world.

Explore:

The Church should be a safe space for individuals to learn how to love.

Explain: In our text John presents the characteristics of a loving environment.

Body of Sermon: The first characteristic of a loving environment is

1. Powerful Illumination.

1.1 Understanding and abiding in the Gospel.

1 John 2:7 ESV

7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.

1.2 Fresh and Focused.

1 John 2:8 ESV

8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.

Illumination is the first characteristic. The second is

2. Practical Integrity.

2.1 Consistency.

1 John 2:9 ESV

9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.

2.2 Clarity.

1 John 2:10 ESV

10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.

2.2.1 The one who loves his brother

Is abiding in the Light

Does not cause stumbling.

2.2.2 The one who hates his brother.

1 John 2:11 ESV

11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Wanders in darkness.

Blunders in Blindness

The last characteristic of a loving environment is

3. Personal Instruction.

In this section John tailors his instruction to specific groups providing a personal framework for individually and collectively loving one another.

1 John 2:12–14 ESV

12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. 14 I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

John recounts how the facts of the gospel impact us through...

3.1 Forgiveness in Jesus. 12

3.2 Understanding. 13a

3.3 Victory over evil 13b

3.4 Knowing the Father and the Son 14a and b

3.5 Strength through abiding the Word. 14.c

Shut Down:

1. (Intellectual) It is not easy to love. Because it is so difficult, we rationalize. We think deeply about how to not do what is taught to us and expected from us. Much better to immerse ourselves ever more deeply in the Word. Better still to follow Jesus and learn from the love He extended to those who betrayed, beat, and ultimately killed Him. Don't give in to the temptation to say, "it isn't rational, it doesn't make sense." Loving our neighbor, our brother, and enemy is the way of the Cross and ultimate success.

2. (Emotional) The light exposes our defense mechanisms. Integrity requires a heartfelt investment in doing things differently from the world. Empowering love requires our full being. And we all need a person like John to speak truth to us as individuals; young, old, and everyone.

3. (Volitional) It can only happen to you; it can only happen for you when you decide to follow, He who is from the beginning. Your life can be revolutionized when you determine that you will make the old story fresh in your life as you live by faith and walk with Jesus. TIGWFU