Love Righteousness Do Not Love the World Beware of Antichrists. 1 John 2:1-29

1 Love Righteousness Do Not Love the World Beware of Antichrists 1 John 2:1-29

2 Love Righteousness Do Not Love the World Beware of Antichrists 1 John 2:1-29, 1. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 7. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. 8. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. 9. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 11. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

3 12. I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake 13. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 14. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 18. Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 20. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 21. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 22. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. 24. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

4 25. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. 26. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 28. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 29. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. Commentary: The Atoning Sacrifice 1 John 2:1, My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: I. If in this world we can never be done with sin, why strive for holiness? A. Our goal in serving God is to improve with the passage of time, to avoid sin to a greater and greater degree. B. We strive for holiness because we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, who will help us in our battle with sin. 1. Our Attorney is the Judge s Son! 2. Jesus speaks to the Father on our behalf.

5 C. My little children may refer to John s age at the time of this writing to younger Christians or to John s converts. 1. Paul said, Ye have not many fathers in the gospel. 2. This expression, My dear children, may also have indicated they were young in the faith and vulnerable to the devil s wiles. (Womack) 3. Womack also observed that the expressions, My dear children, dear children and dear friends indicate John s love for his readers. 4. John had been called a son of thunder, but he had become the disciple of love. II. Jesus Christ is the ultimate Righteous One! *Sectional headings follow Womack, Morris M. in 1, 2 & 3 John, The College Press NIV Commentary, College Press Publishing Company, Joplin, Missouri A. The Christian goal is to sin not, to live as righteously as possible. 1 John 2:2, And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. I. Christ is the propitiation (expiation), the atoning sacrifice for our sins. II. This propitiation (sacrifice) is for Christian disciples and for the whole world. III. The gospel is for all! IV. The atoning sacrifice is not unconditional.

6 A. The sacrifice provided by grace must be accepted by faith! Keeping God s Commandments 1 John 2:3, And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. I. Assurance that we have a saving knowledge of Christ is based on our keeping His commandments. A. John 14:21, 23, 24, He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. B. John 14:15, If you love me, you will keep my commandments. II. We must have personal knowledge of Jesus as our Saviour. 1 John 2:4, He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. I. If we claim to know God in the pardon and forgiveness of our sins, but do not keep his commandments... II. We are liars and don t understand the truth of the gospel. III. Know in this verse is derived from the Greek word (gnosis) from which the word Gnostic comes.

7 A. True and false spiritual knowledge are here contrasted. B. Gnostics refused to believe that God s Son had come to earth in flesh, in the form of a man. IV. Womack raised the question, How can I know that I am a Christian? A. Those who obey Christ s commands are Christians. B. Those who do not obey Christ s commands are not Christians: 1. They are liars as well! 2. This included the Gnostics. 1 John 2:5, But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. I. Whoever keeps God s commands evidences by this that God s love has been perfected, made complete in him. A. We keep God s commandments to show our love for him, not legalistically to observe rules to escape the fires of hell. B. The Gnostics had no true knowledge of Christ, certainly no superior knowledge. II. By obeying the commands of the gospel, we are assured that we are in Christ where salvation is found. III. God s love and obeying his commands are inseparable. IV. The claims of superior knowledge by Gnostics may have made faithful disciples wonder about their knowledge of Christ.

8 1 John 2:6, He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. I. Those of us who claim to live, abide in Christ must live as Jesus lived. II. We walk in His Steps, doing as He did! What would Jesus do? A. 1 Peter 2:21, For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: B. We are to live righteously just as Jesus lived righteously. A New Commandment 1 John 2:7, Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. I. John gives no new commandment, but reiterates the old commandment, the gospel which the disciples had from the beginning of the Christian era. A. John 13:34, 35, A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. B. Love is the sine quo non of discipleship, without which there is nothing. II. These Christians needed no new teaching (knowledge), but an emphasis on what had been taught by Jesus. We tell the old, old story nothing new!

9 III. Dear friends has been variously translated, Womack wrote, dear friends, brethren, beloved. A. The literal translation is brothers or brethren. (Womack) IV. The command to love as defined by Jesus was new at the time Jesus introduced it, but, by the time John wrote this epistle, it was no longer new having been preached since Jesus proclaimed it. 1 John 2:8, Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. I. The new commandment is love (agape) that dispels the darkness of sin. A. Moses had commanded love of neighbors. B. Jesus commanded that his disciples love as he loved! This was new! C. John 13:34, I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. II. Darkness and light are contrasted here. A. Darkness is fading. The true light Jesus radiated had already begun to shine. Walking in the Light or in Darkness 1 John 2:9, He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

10 I. If a person claims to be walking in the light and hates his brother... A. Hatred is incompatible with walking in the light. B. Neutrality is not enough. To walk in light we must actively love others. II. He continues in the darkness of sin until this present time. III. There must be no inconsistency between profession and conduct. 1 John 2:10, He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. I. Love of the brethren, abiding in the light, and avoidance of stumbling in our Christian lives are inter-related and contingent one on the others. A. John 8:12, Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. II. Gnostics, Womack wrote, related darkness to the evil god and was to be avoided while light represented the good God and was to be sought. A. John specified that the real meaning of light includes loving one another, others. (Womack) B. Love of the Father cannot exist without love of the brethren. 1. 1 John 4:20, If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

11 2. 1 John 2:5, But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. C. The love of God, Womack noted, involves God s love for man, man s love for God and/or God s kind of love. D. Womack also wrote that no characteristic of humanity including love can be made perfect apart from Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross. 1. 1 John 4:16, And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 2. 1 John 2:5, 6, But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. E. Those who walk in darkness stumble along. Those who walk in the light Christ gives can walk without stumbling. 1. John often used such contrasts in his writings. 1 Johm 2:11, But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. I. Hating our brother is convicting evidence of our walking in the darkness of sin. II. Those who hate their brother are in darkness, walk in darkness, and know not where they go.

12 Song: A. John is here referring to Gnostic heretics who hate the brethren, walk in the heretics who hate the brethren, walk in the darkness of sin not knowing where they are going. B. They are spiritually blind! C. Example: mammoth cave fish/physical darkness led to total loss of vision Love Lifted Me I was sinking deep in sin, Far from the peaceful shore, Very deeply stained within, Sinking to rise no more; But the Master of the sea Heard my despairing cry, From the waters lifted me Now safe am I. All my heart to Him I give, Ever to Him I ll cling, In His blessed presence live, Ever His praises sing. Love so mighty and so true Merits my soul s best songs; Faithful, loving service, too, To Him belongs. Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves; He will lift you by His love Out of the angry waves. He s the Master of the sea, Billows His will obey; He your Saviour wants to be Be saved today. Chorus: Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help, Love lifted me. James Rowe, 1912 Howard E. Smith, 1912

13 John s Reasons for Writing 1 John 2:12, I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I. Coffman noted that my little children (teknia) is a reference to the Christians to which John wrote and is an expression of his Christian love for them. A. Womack wrote that I write unto you is used eleven times in book of 1 John. B. Womack quotes Augustine via Stott as saying little children refer to newborn Christians, young men to more developed Christians and fathers to mature Christians. II. John wrote to them because their A. Sins are forgiven 1. Forgiveness of sins (salvation) is the prime purpose of Christianity. 2. All other benefits of Christianity are secondary to forgiveness of sins. B. for his (Christ s) sake, on account of the name of Christ. 1. Sins are forgiven by Christ or they are not forgiven at all. 1 John 3:13, I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

14 I. Having addressed all his readers as my little children (teknia), John now divides them into three categories for further instruction; viz., A. fathers. 1. You know him who is from the beginning. 2. These people may have actually seen Jesus during his earthly ministry, known Jesus since the beginning of the church or for a long time having been Christians for many years. B. young men. 1. You have overcome the evil one (Satan). C. little children (paidia). 1. You know the Father. Note: Those addressed are listed in descending order based on age. Women are not listed here. Are these terms to be understood literally or figuratively? II. The expression, You know him who is from the beginning, You have overcome the evil one, and You know the Father are essentially synonymous. 1 John 2:14, I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. I. In this verse the categories addressed are reduced to two; viz., fathers and young men.

15 II. Fathers are addressed because they know him who is from the beginning. III. Young men are addressed because they are strong, the word of God abides in them and they have overcome the evil one. Note: What is said in this verse is essentially a repeat of verses 12 and 13. Christians and the World 1 John 2:15, Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. I. Do not love (have affection for) the world, darkness, evil, mammon. A. 2 Corinthians 4:18, While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. B. Womack pointed out that the world wold is found in 1 John at least twenty times, but meanings vary among these uses. C. God s creation was said to be good, but corruption and evil in the world originated with the devil himself. II. Do not love the things that are in the world. A. Matthew 6:24, No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. B. 1 Peter 2:11, Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

16 C. Ephesians 2:11, 12, Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: D. John 17:15, 16, I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Note: Coffman observed the word world with different meanings is found more than twenty times in this epistle. Multiple uses of this word provides emphasis to the concept being presented. III. If any man loves the world, A. God s creation is good. 1. Genesis 1:10, 12, 18, 21, 25, And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. B. The evil in the world is of the devil and is to be avoided by Christians.

17 1. John 15:19, If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 2. Romans 12:2, And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3. 1 John 5:19, And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. C. Christians must avoid the evils of this world and love the world to come far more than this earth. IV. the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:16, For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. I. All, everything that is in the world, A. the lust, cravings of sinful man, the flesh, the old fallen nature of mankind. (Coffman) 1. sensuality. B. the lust of the eyes 1. materialism, avarice. C. the boasting, vain glory, pride of life regarding what he has and does. 1. ostentation, egotism. D. Human nature has not changed since Adam and Eve.

18 II. Is not, comes not of the Father, but is from, of the world. III. Satan used these three avenues to tempt both Eve and Jesus. A. Eve. Genesis 3:1-6, Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. B. Jesus. Matthew 4:1-11, Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt

19 fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. 1 John 2:17, And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. I. The world passeth away and A. The world is disintegrating, falling apart and will end in fire. II. The desires lusts of the world pass away. A. Why invest in things that will not last? B. Sin and sinners will be destroyed! III. He that does the will of God abides forever. A. 2 Corinthians 4:18, While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. B. Righteousness and the righteous are eternal. Warning Against Antichrists 1 John 2:18, Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. I. Little children, II. it is the last hour:

20 A. John now addresses most forcefully the false teachers, Gnostics, who were endangering the spiritual well-being of these disciples who were so near and dear to John. B. The Bible speaks many times of the last days. 1. Acts 2:16, 17, But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 2. 1 Timothy 4:1, Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 3. Isaiah 2:2, And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 4. Daniel 12:9, And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 5. Micah 4:1, But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. 6. 2 Peter 3:3, Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, C. These scriptures refer to the Christian, Messamic Age, the time since Pentecost of Acts 2. III. You have heard that the antichrist comes,

21 A. Matthew 24:24, 25, For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. B. Womack explained that antichrist is one standing in opposition or in competition to Christ. C. Scriptures: 1. 1 John 2:18, 22, Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 2. 1 John 4:3, And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 3. 2 John 1:7, For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. IV. even now have there arisen many antichrists; V. Whereby, this is how we know that it is the last hour. A. Those opposed to the Messiah were to appear in the Christian era. B. When John saw those who so opposed Christ, he knew it was the last hour, days.

22 C. No one knows when Jesus will return; therefore John was not speaking of living in the time immediately preceding Christ s second coming. 1 John 2:19, They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. I. They went out from us, A. The false teachers, antichrists had once been counted as Christians. II. but they were not of us; A. They were not firmly established in the faith once for all delivered to the saints. B. If they had held the faith in a pure conscience they would not have been led away by the Gnostics. C. Perhaps they had always had reservations about the truth of the gospel. D. 1 Timothy 4:1, Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; III. if they had been of us, IV. they would have continued with us: V. they went out from us, VI. that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us, none of them belonged to us.

23 1 John 2:20, But ye have an unction (anointing) from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I. You have an anointing from the Holy One, Christ Jesus A. Christ means anointed. The anointed Holy One anoints his faithful disciples with the Holy Spirit. II. and you know all things, all of you know the truth. 1 John 2:21, I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. I. I have not written unto you II. because you know not the truth, III. but because you know it, A. The anointing has enabled the faithful to know the truth. IV. and because no lie is of the truth. A. Those who have remained faithful to the anointing have the truth and are not liars. (Womack) 1 John 2:22, Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. I. Who is the liar A. Womack pointed out that the Gnostics believed that they had a secret revelation or knowledge from God which made them think they were special. B. Holding to this false view and teaching it to others made them liars.

24 II. but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? III. This is the antichrist; that is the one who denies the humanity of Jesus. A. Womack wrote that a prominent Gnostic teacher, Corinthus, held that Christ was not truly divine, but was adopted by God probably at his baptism. B. Womack also noted that the docetic teachers denied that Jesus was truly human, that it only seemed he was human. IV. even he that denieth the Father and the Son. A. There can be no fellowship with those antichrist who denied that Jesus is Christ and God is his Father. 1 John 2:23, Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. I. Whosoever denies the Son, II. the same has not the Father; III. he that confesses the Son has the Father also. Note: To have one is to have both. To be without one is to be without the other. It is both or none. 1 John 2:24, Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. I. As for you, II. let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning.

25 A. See that what you have heard (the truth of the gospel) from the beginning (the beginning of the Christian Era) remains in you. B. Womack stated that disciples were not then and are not now to chase after new fads and innovations of religious practice. C. If disciples remain in the truth of the gospel they remain in both the Son and in the Father. III. If that which you heard from the beginning abide in you, IV. you also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father. 1 John 2:25, And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. I. This is the promise which he promised us, II. even the life eternal, eternal life. A. This is the promise God through Christ promised the faithful, even eternal life! B. Eternal life for the faithful begins in this world and continues forever. 1. 1 John 5:12, He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 2. John is not here teaching eternal security; that is, once saved always saved. 1 John 2:26, These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. I. These things I have written unto you

26 A. I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. (NIV) II. concerning them that would lead you astray. A. John was deeply concerned that false teachers would not lead any of the faithful astray. B. False teachers not only held erroneous beliefs, but also tried to convert as many as possible to their views. 1 John 2:27, But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. I. And as for you, II. the anointing which you received of him abides in you, A. John, Womack wrote, was not overly concerned about those to whom he wrote; just cautious. B. The anointing these faithful had received had a protective provision enabling them to know the truth. III. and you need not that any one teach you; IV. but as his anointing teaches you concerning all things; A. The anointing provided inspiration and conveyed a knowledge of the truth. V. and is true, and is no lie, VI. and even as it taught you, VII. you abide in him.

27 God s Love for Us/ Our Love for One Another 1 John 2:28, And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. I. And now, my little children, A. John turns to those whom he wrote, whom he loved and extended words of advice and direction. II. abide, continue in him; A. It is vital that those who are in Christ remain there. B. If it were not possible to stop abiding in Christ, John would never have given this direction. III. that, if he shall be manifested, appears, IV. we may have boldness, confidence V. and not be ashamed before him at his coming. A. Jesus will return! B. Be faithful and meet Jesus in peace. 1. 1 John 4:8, He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 1 John 2:29, If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. I. If you know that he is righteous, A. If you are fully convinced that Christ is righteous,

28 II. You know that every one also that does what is right, righteousness is begotten, born of him. A. We are born of Christ by righteousness, not superior Gnostic knowledge. Note: This is a transition to the topic in the next chapter; that is, Christians are children of God.

29 Questions 1 John 2:1-29 1. Who were the My dear children addressed in verse 1? 2. Why did John write to these dear children? 3. Is it possible to live without sinning? If not, why did John write that his readers should not sin? 4. If anybody does sin, what remedy is available to him?

30 5. Christ is the for our, and not only for but also for the of the. 6. Define and explain the meaning of atoning sacrifice. 7. How can we be certain that we know Christ? 8. Who were the Gnostics and what did they believe? Were they faithful Christians? 9. Who is the liar mentioned in verse 4? What lie did he tell?

31 10. How can God s love be made complete in us? 11. How can we know we are in Christ? 12. Does verse 6 order Christians to walk the talk? What does verse 6 say? Paraphrase in your own words. 13. What was the old command mentioned in verse 7?

32 14. What is the new command mentioned in verse 8? In what way is it new? 15. The world is full of sin. How could John say the darkness is passing? 16. Anyone who to be in the but his is still in the. (NIV) 17. Whoever his in the, nad there is nothing in him to make him. (NIV) What does stumble mean in this verse? 18. Whoever his is in the and around in the ; he does not know where he is going, because the has him. (NIV)

33 19. Define darkness and light as used by John in this chapter. 20. Define dear children, young men and children as used in verses 12-14. 21. Why did John write to dear children? 22. Why did John say to young men?

34 23. Why did John write fathers? 24. What does world mean as used in this chapter? 25. Do not the or anything in the. If anyone the, the of the is not in him. (NIV) 26. Everything in the world comes not from the Father but from the world. (NIV) What are the things which are in the world? 27. What will happen to the world? What will happen to the person who does the will of God?

35 28. How could the time John wrote 1 John have been the last hour when approximately 2000 years have passed since then and the world still stands? 29. Who is the antichrist? How many antichrists are there? What made them antichrists? 30. How did John know he was living in the last hour? 31. Of whom was John speaking in verse 19?

36 32. Why could it be thought that verse 19 teaches once saved always saved? 34. What is the anointing mentioned in verse 20? Who is the Holy One? What connection is there between being anointed and knowing the truth? 35. Who is the liar, the antichrist of verse 22? What is the lie of which John wrote in this verse? 36. Is it possible to have the Father without the Son or the Son without the Father?

37 37. John warned his readers of those who were trying to lead them astray. Are there people who are trying to lead us astray? If so, who are they? 38. How did God s anointing teach John s readers about all things? 39. How can we be confident and unashamed at Christ s second coming? 40. Everyone who what is has been of. (NIV) Who is him?