Learning from the Little Books: 2 John

ADD Moment:

Pastor Aaron Jozwiak has been covering the Little Books in his current sermon series.  I thought it would be funny to have Bible studies of the same books.  Of course, a Bible study on 2 John would only be a week long. :-D

2 John

2 John 1 English Standard Version (ESV)

Greeting

1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.

Walking in Truth and Love

4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 5 And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we[a] have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

Final Greetings

12 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

13 The children of your elect sister greet you.

Main Points:

1. Commit to the truth

2. Commit to the holiness

3. Commit to gospel purity

Sermon Notes:

Why Commit your life to Jesus?

• God is our creator, and He created us.  C.S. Lewis said that cars run on gas, and people run on God.  We need God to work and operate our lives properly.
• Poured Himself to us and provided us with the Holy Spirit.
• Provides joy to our hearts.
• God's joy for us is when we commit and delight in Him.
• The joy of others (vs. 12), other believers, and others in our congregation.

1 John

Reaping and sowing is a theme in 1 John.  Love like Jesus did and discern what is godly.

Commit to the truth

What is truth?  Is it subjective? Timeless?  Many people in the U.S. 'decide' what is true, and think of truth as subjective.  "Whatever is true for you, is not true for me."  "It is absolutely true, that there are no absolute truths."

Jesus is the truth.  This is a common theme for John.

Commit to holiness

Following the commandments of scripture is how to be holy (vs. 5).  Show love to one another by being holy.  Not following Christ's commands is unloving  to other Christians.  I need to watch what I I am feeding into my heart (GIGO).

Commit to gospel purity

Don't add or take away from the gospel.  In 1 John, some people left the church because of their beliefs in an impure gospel.  We must be watchful of false teachers, antichrists (vs. 7 & 8).  An antichrist is one who is at war against the truth.

Just because you know facts about Jesus, doesn't mean you know Him.  Satan knows plenty of facts about Jesus, but does not know Him.

Don't allow false teachers in your home (vs. 10-11).  In the New Testament times, churches gave hospitality to their teachers.  How often do we validate that which is not true with family, coworkers, and friends?  It is unloving to validate false gospels.

Discussion:

What is True?

• God is for us, not against us.
• God gave us His all.
• God is powerful.
• God is sufficient.
• God provides.

How can we be holy?

• Confession of our sins to God and others.
• Read His words.
• Speak in a wholesome manner.
• Stay away from sexual immorality and impurity.

How do we keep the gospel message pure?

• Share it.
• Love others and remind others who we are.
• Remember we are sons and daughters of the King.