1 John 2: 18-27
1 John 2: 18-27
February 10, 2013 Doug Smith In this part of the letter John is deeply concerned about the listeners belief in Jesus. He’s not instructing us to question, explore and investigate Jesus, he’s warning the churches about people who explicitly teach that Jesus was not God. Jesus’ divinity, death and historical resurrection are the hinges of the Christian faith. Without these truths, we are lost. V18 -‐John believes Jesus is about to return (Luke 12.40 / Matt 24.24). -‐His anticipation isn’t faulty. We should adopt his passion, attitude and urgency. Following Jesus well today matters, he may return any time. V18 -‐Anit-‐Christ vs. anti-‐Christs (2 Thessalonians 2.9-‐10, Matt 7.15, 24.11) -‐The Anti-‐Christ will come one day. The aniti-‐Christ’s John refers to are people who call into questions Jesus’ divinity and that is was who he said he was (God). -‐ This is a broken theology. Christianity stands on Jesus’ divinity. V19 -‐The departure of those who were teaching other wise proves his point. -‐Wrong teaching fractures community. Division flows from un-‐truth. -‐This reality breaks John (and Jesus’) heart. It flies in the face of the instruction to love one another. V20/21/22 -‐John encourages the believers that they’re not like the divisive false teachers. -‐They get the warning anyway. -‐They have the Holy Spirit to guide them in truth. -‐John circles back to make sure they’re absolutely sure on how to follow Jesus in clarity, love and truth. V24/25/26 -‐John says faithfulness will lead to eternal life. -‐We have the Holy Spirit to guide in truth. This does not mean we don’t listen to any teaching, just that we must be cautious and walk in the truth of God’s word and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Discussion Questions -‐Do you think that Jesus and his divinity are being questioned today? In what ways? -‐Why is Jesus’ divinity so important? -‐How do we guard against wrong thinking or teaching today?
-‐What dangers are there of mincing words concerning the importance of Jesus, his divinity and the Christian faith?
February 10, 2013 Doug Smith In this part of the letter John is deeply concerned about the listeners belief in Jesus. He’s not instructing us to question, explore and investigate Jesus, he’s warning the churches about people who explicitly teach that Jesus was not God. Jesus’ divinity, death and historical resurrection are the hinges of the Christian faith. Without these truths, we are lost. V18 -‐John believes Jesus is about to return (Luke 12.40 / Matt 24.24). -‐His anticipation isn’t faulty. We should adopt his passion, attitude and urgency. Following Jesus well today matters, he may return any time. V18 -‐Anit-‐Christ vs. anti-‐Christs (2 Thessalonians 2.9-‐10, Matt 7.15, 24.11) -‐The Anti-‐Christ will come one day. The aniti-‐Christ’s John refers to are people who call into questions Jesus’ divinity and that is was who he said he was (God). -‐ This is a broken theology. Christianity stands on Jesus’ divinity. V19 -‐The departure of those who were teaching other wise proves his point. -‐Wrong teaching fractures community. Division flows from un-‐truth. -‐This reality breaks John (and Jesus’) heart. It flies in the face of the instruction to love one another. V20/21/22 -‐John encourages the believers that they’re not like the divisive false teachers. -‐They get the warning anyway. -‐They have the Holy Spirit to guide them in truth. -‐John circles back to make sure they’re absolutely sure on how to follow Jesus in clarity, love and truth. V24/25/26 -‐John says faithfulness will lead to eternal life. -‐We have the Holy Spirit to guide in truth. This does not mean we don’t listen to any teaching, just that we must be cautious and walk in the truth of God’s word and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Discussion Questions -‐Do you think that Jesus and his divinity are being questioned today? In what ways? -‐Why is Jesus’ divinity so important? -‐How do we guard against wrong thinking or teaching today?
-‐What dangers are there of mincing words concerning the importance of Jesus, his divinity and the Christian faith?
