1 John: Faith and Fellowship 12

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1 October 19, John: Faith and Fellowship Lesson Scripture: 1 John 4: Memory Verse God s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:9 Dig Deeper? You can do additional reading and research on 1 John using the Intervarsity Commentary at and Step by Step through the Week Monday: Begin your week of study by praying that the Holy Spirit would reveal God s truth to you and provide the wisdom you will need to obey God s word. Read and meditate on the 1 John 4:1-12. What words, phrases, or ideas stand out to you? What truth(s) could the Lord be revealing to you? Reread the passage. What is God teaching you about fellowship with Him and/or other believers? Reread the passage. What do you need to be praying for based on the truth God has revealed to you? Tuesday: Read 1 John 4:1-3. If possible, read the passage in two or three different versions of the Bible. Multiple versions are available at Observe: 1 John 4:1-3 What is the key word (most repeated) in this passage?

2 What are the two types of spirits John contrasts here? What does he say about each one? In this context, does the word antichrist refer to a man or a belief system? Reread 1 John 2:18-23 before you explain your answer. Examine: 1 John 4:1-3 TESTING THE SPIRITS: In 1 John 4:1, believers are commanded to test the spirits to see whether they are from God. This same command is echoed in other parts of Scripture as well (1 Thess 5: ). These two passages are just a few of the many that warn Christians to test the message that people or spirits proclaim. This is true in all situations but most importantly when a person or spirit is claiming to speak for God. The reason for the admonition to test the spirits or test all things is that there are many false prophets or wolves in sheep s clothing that try to lead Christians astray. Sadly, there are many people who claim to speak for God who are presenting a false gospel that is powerless to save. People who are deceived into thinking everything is fine will be more resistant to the truth. In 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Paul warns us that such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. So the reason for testing the spirits, for testing all religious teaching is to see if it is truly from God or if it is a lie from Satan and his servants. The test is to compare what is being taught with the clear teaching of the Bible. In Acts 17:10-11, the Berean Jews were commended because, after they heard the teachings of Paul and Silas, they examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Testing the spirits means that one must know how to examine the Scriptures. Rather than accept every teaching, discerning Christians diligently study the Scriptures. Then they know what the Bible says and therefore can test all things and hold fast to what is true. We must let its light shine on the teachings and doctrines of the day; the Bible alone is the standard by which all truth must be judged. (adapted from Michael Houdmann, gotquestions.org) Why did John warn his readers about false spirits at this point in the letter? Refer back to 1 John 3:24 to understand the context of John s message.

3 Apply: 1 John 4:1-3 What are some examples of modern-day belief systems that deny the truth about Jesus Christ? What do they say about Him? Wednesday: Read 1 John 4:4-6. If possible, read the passage in two or three different versions of the Bible. Multiple versions are available at Observe: 1 John 4:4-6 What does John say about those who are from God? What does he tell us about those who are from the world? According to John, why is it important to know the distinction between the two? Examine: 1 John 4:4-6 SPIRIT OF TRUTH: The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of truth a few times in the books of John and 1 John, but 1 John 5:6 is a little different in that it states the Spirit is truth. We can learn about the authority of the Holy Spirit from this verse, and it also is consistent with the theology of the Trinity. The first part of this verse references the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made in order to save mankind. We have learned in previous devotionals that the Spirit is also vital to the doctrine of salvation. The Spirit s role in salvation, in light of this verse, can be further explained in Paul s first epistle to the Corinthians: But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God (1 Cor 2:10). Paul told the Corinthians that God reveals truth to us through His Spirit, particularly the mystery of Christ s work on the Cross. Paul also stated that the Spirit knows all things, as God knows all things. In Acts, we read that when Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit, he was guilty of lying to God (Acts 5:3 4). We can easily conclude with these

4 passages that the Spirit is God. So when we read that the Spirit is truth, this should come as no surprise. Since the Spirit is truth, He is our absolute authority in every area. Jesus said the following about the Spirit of truth: However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come (John 16:13). We should continually look to the Spirit to reveal truth as we read Scripture, as we are all fallible human beings that rely on our own philosophies and bias at times, rather than the truth of God s Word. We should also consider the amazing concept that believers actually have the Truth the Spirit dwelling within them (1 Cor 6:19). (adapted from Jeremy Hamm, answersingenesis.org) Read Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 1:30, 2:6-16; Philippians 1:9; Hebrews 5:11-14; James 1:5. How can a believer become more spiritually discerning? Apply: 1 John 4:4-6 When was the last time you personally recognized false teaching? How did you know it was wrong? Thursday: Read 1 John 4:7-12. If possible, read the passage from a different version of the Bible. Observe: 1 John 4:7-12 How does John state the definition and purpose of God s love? Locate the three love one another statements. Why should we love one another? Why did God send His one and only Son?

5 Examine: 1 John 4:7-12 PROPITIATION: The definition of propitiation is to appease or to satisfy. In many religions, people seek to appease God or the gods with a variety of actions or rituals they believe will make their God or gods pleased. In contrast, Christianity reveals that Jesus Christ is our propitiation, the One who has satisfied the Father on our behalf so we can be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life. How did Jesus become our propitiation? Hebrews 2:17 explains, "Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people." By taking on a human form, Jesus came and offered Himself as a sacrifice on our behalf through His death on the cross. Three other passages in the New Testament also note the important role of Christ's propitiation. Romans 3:24-25 says we "are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith." Here, the blood of Jesus shed on the cross is emphasized as what appeased God or served as our propitiation. In 1 John 2:2 we also read, "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world." This verse reveals the extent of Christ's propitiation. Christ's sacrifice was sufficient to pay for the sins of every person in the world. This does not mean that every person is saved and will go to heaven. Instead, it refers to the truth presented in John 3:16 that God will give eternal life to anyone who believes in Jesus Christ. First John 4:10 offers an additional insight regarding the biblical view of propitiation: "In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." God's love led to the radical decision to send Jesus to die in order to pay the penalty for our sins. Propitiation, or satisfying God's requirement for salvation, was paid for by Christ Himself. (compellingtruth.org) Read Romans 3: How do these verses expand your understanding of 1 John 4:10? Apply: 1 John 4:7-12 How have you experienced love from other members of your church? How have you shown love for them?

6 Friday: Read 1 John 4:1-12 and the following devotional by Charles Haddon Spurgeon: The distinguishing mark of a Christian is his confidence in the love of Christ, and the yielding of his affections to Christ in return. First, faith sets her seal upon the man by enabling the soul to say with the apostle, "Christ loved me and gave himself for me." Then love gives the countersign, and stamps upon the heart gratitude and love to Jesus in return. "We love him because he first loved us." In those grand old ages, which are the heroic period of the Christian religion, this double mark was clearly to be seen in all believers in Jesus; they were men who knew the love of Christ, and rested upon it as a man leaneth upon a staff whose trustiness he has tried. The love which they felt towards the Lord was not a quiet emotion which they hid within themselves in the secret chamber of their souls, and which they only spake of in their private assemblies when they met on the first day of the week, and sang hymns in honor of Christ Jesus the crucified, but it was a passion with them of such a vehement and allconsuming energy, that it was visible in all their actions, spoke in their common talk, and looked out of their eyes even in their commonest glances. Love to Jesus was a flame which fed upon the core and heart of their being; and, therefore, from its own force burned its way into the outer man, and shone there. Zeal for the glory of King Jesus was the seal and mark of all genuine Christians. Because of their dependence upon Christ's love they dared much, and because of their love to Christ they did much, and it is the same now. The children of God are ruled in their inmost powers by love--the love of Christ constraineth them; they rejoice that divine love is set upon them, they feel it shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto them, and then by force of gratitude they love the Savior with a pure heart, fervently. My reader, do you love him? Ere you sleep give an honest answer to a weighty question!