Chesswood Baptist Church Where Everybody is Somebody Pastor Howard Daniel, Jr. 4357 US Hwy 59 South P.O. Box 343 Livingston, Texas 77351 936-327-8870 MINISTRY OF THE WORD FOR MANY DECEIVERS ARE ENTERED INTO THE WORLD PASTOR HOWARD DANIEL JR. SUNDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 1, 2015 SCRIPTURE READING: 2 JOHN 1:1-13 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. 1. BACKGROUND a. The Apostle John is the author of this small epistle. b. It was written between 85 and 100 AD. c. Don’t be mislead by its brevity. d. I realize that it is only 13 small verses, but they are very potent. e. John provides instructions to the believer on what constitutes truth and how that truth relates to the Lord Jesus Christ. f. Let’s come to grips with what is truth. g. God narrows truth down to three major elements. 1. The inspiration and preservation of the Scriptures. a. All Scripture is inspired by God. 2 Peter 1:21, For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Timothy 3:16, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: Psalms 12:6-7, The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7: Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. b. The Scriptures are the absolute and final authority of God. Psalms 119:160, Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. Romans 3:4, God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. 2. The Deity of Christ. a. Where do we stand concerning the Deity of Christ? Was He God in the flesh? b. 1 Timothy 3:16, And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. Psalms 45:6, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. FEBRUARY 1, 2015 2 JOHN MORNING MESSAGE Page 1 3. Jesus Christ died on the cross for mankind and we are justified only by faith in Him. a. He was bodily resurrected and presented His blood at the Throne of God to cover sin. Romans 3:22, Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: b. When we have these three elements, we have the truth. 1 Corinthians 15:14, Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2: By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3: For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4: And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: h. When the Apostle Paul outlined these three key elements, he said in 1 Corinthians 13:13, And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. i. If we were to insert the word “truth” into this lineup, it would go; truth, love, faith, and hope. j. The Lord Jesus Christ referred to the Apostle John as the son of thunder. Mark 3:17, And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: k. He not only is the son of thunder but he sends forth a lightning strike when he says if we do not exhibit love to the brethren we are not a child of God. 1 John 4:20-21, 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? 21: And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. l. We have many saints today who are cold toward certain members of the family of God. m. They look at them in the same light that the world does. If they do not meet certain expectations of ours we don’t want to have much to do with them. n. We tend to run them down, gossip and talk about them derogatorily. o. In the message several Sundays ago from 1 John he lays out what it takes to be born again and what the trademarks are of a true believer. p. There are several key elements, that if we will keep them in mind, they will help us understand from what perspective we are looking. q. We deal with John, the Apostle Paul and Peter. The apostle John writes of the family of God, Paul writes of the church of God, while Peter addresses the government of God. r. If we were to keep this background in mind while we read and study the epistles, it would be extremely helpful in our understanding. s. The theme of this epistle is for truth’s sake. t. When truth comes in conflict with anything else, truth always has top priority. u. We must respect the preserved Word of the Living God. It is indeed our roadmap which tells us how to get to Heaven. v. It must not be tampered with in any way, shape or form or we might miss the main FEBRUARY 1, 2015 2 JOHN MORNING MESSAGE Page 2 w. x. y. 2. road that God has for us in order to achieve our goal of having a home in Heaven. Psalms 119:89, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. If we were to regress for a moment, and look at the first epistle, it distinguishes the difference between children of God and children of the devil. 1 John 3:10, In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. The only way we can have the righteousness of Christ is we must receive Him as personal Saviour. If we bear these marks we will love our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. John 3:16 is the guide for lost sinners. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. God holds the unbeliever to the message of the cross. INTRODUCTION a. In this epistle John talks in detail about our relationship to false teachers. This is very potent and plain. Sometimes it is so plain that believers tend to miss it. b. Let’s look at our priorities again: truth, love, faith, and hope. This is God’s line-up and no one has the right or authority to change His order. c. When it comes to the truth, false teachers - those who deny the Deity of Christ are not to be fellowshipped with. 2 John 1:9-11, Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10: If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. d. We live in a time where we want to totally disregard the truth, the doctrines of the Word of God which include the Deity of Christ, the fact that we are saved by the blood of Christ, and His bodily resurrection. We must keep these things uppermost in mind. e. If a person does not confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh; he is a deceiver and an anti-Christ. 1 John 4:1-3, Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2: Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 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. f. The NIV says “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2: This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3: but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” g. Notice that “confess” has been changed to “acknowledge” in verse 2 and 3 and “come in the flesh” is totally omitted in verse 3. h. I ask you, is not this a shift in doctrine? i. The demons and the devil acknowledge, but a child of God must confess in order to be saved and born again. James 2:19, Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. Romans 10:9, That if thou shalt FEBRUARY 1, 2015 2 JOHN MORNING MESSAGE Page 3 j. k. l. m. n. o. p. 3. confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. We must be aware of doctrinal shifts as many deceivers are in the world. Ephesians 4:13-15, Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15: But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: In order to be saved and born again we come to the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no other way. John 14:6, Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. When we put this in the right perspective, this epistle will fall right in line because He wants us to know the truth and to walk in truth. If we walk in the truth we will bear the trademarks of the Lord Jesus Christ in all we do. 2 John 1:6, And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. 1 John 3:10, In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. Some additional themes of this great Epistle are: 1. Antichrists are in the world and they seek to deceive us. 2. Obedience and love are inseparable. 3. A believer’s participation in activities that deny the inspiration of the Scriptures and that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh are partakers of that evil. 4. Great joy comes to those who help others grow in the truth. ELEVEN POINTS TO THE MESSAGE a. The elder unto the elect lady and her children. 2 John 1:1, The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the 1. truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; 2. This is a very personal letter from the elder to the elect lady and her children. 3. We can ponder this in some detail, but I believe that it could have one of two meanings. a. First of all, the term “elder,” John is expressing the fact that he is now of age. His age at this particular time is approaching 100yrs. b. Elder means those who have a position in the church. 1. All of us have a position in the church when we look at it from God’s perspective. 2. There is no room in the local church for spectators. 3. We need to step-up and be willing to do God’s work, whatever it happens to be. 4. The term, “elect lady” could refer to a lady in the church or that this is written to the local church and the members. 5. When John speaks about “her children” he is speaking about spiritual children. 6. When we know Jesus Christ as personal Saviour we belong to Him. We are all FEBRUARY 1, 2015 2 JOHN MORNING MESSAGE Page 4 7. members of the family of God. I have always loved that song that says: You will notice we say "brother and sister" 'round here, It's because we're a family and these are so near; When one has a heartache, we all share the tears, And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear. I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God, I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood! Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, For I'm part of the family, The Family of God From the door of an orphanage to the house of the King, No longer an outcast, a new song I sing; From rags unto riches, from the weak to the strong, I'm not worthy to be here, but PRAISE GOD! I belong! 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. b. The Apostle John goes straight into the matter. “whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;” The Christian’s love can only be expressed in the bounds of the family of God; in those who have the truth and love it. The truth is the Word of God; moreover, the Word is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. “whom I love in the truth;” – John is saying two things. The object of his love must be other genuine believers in Christ and that expressing his love is not just words. James 2:26, For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Many times we use the words “I love You.” The question is what is behind that, is it really a statement from the heart? “and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;” – The truth reflected in us will be an out flowing to the rest of the members of the body of Christ. For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us. 1. 2 John 1:2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. 2. When we know the truth we will tend to be guided by the truth especially if we are saved and born again. 3. Jesus expressed in John 14:6, Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 4. When we know the truth we are very careful not to allow one iota of the doctrine of Scriptures to be tampered with. The Lord Jesus Christ’s position must never be downgraded in any fashion. Psalms 138:2, I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. 5. We are very careful to make sure that truth dwells in us. FEBRUARY 1, 2015 2 JOHN MORNING MESSAGE Page 5 6. The only way truth can dwell in us is we must have received the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour. 7. Notice that this truth is with us forever. “shall be with us for ever.” 8. God has not changed His mind. Malachi 3:6, For I am the LORD, I change not;… 9. Sometime ago I heard a man say that “God got it right the first time.” 10. The truth is unchangeable. It cannot be altered in any way, shape or form. 11. When we alter the truth we alter the Word of God and we change the very essence of Jesus Christ who is sitting at the right hand of the Father. Deuteronomy 4:2, Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. 12. Jesus is the Truth. He is the Word. John 1:14, And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. c. Grace be with you. 2 John 1:3, Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and 1. from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 2. What a potent verse! 3. There are three words that are dynamite; grace, mercy and peace. 4. When we analyze all these verses, we see they all encompass what Christ has done for us. 5. He gives us grace. Ephesians 2:8-9, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9: Not of works, lest any man should boast. 6. He gives us His mercy. Ephesians 2:4, But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 7. Many times men and women say they want justice. We do not want justice; we must have God’s mercy. 8. Because of grace and mercy, when we come to know Jesus Christ as personal Saviour, we can have peace with God 9. Peace with God is a relationship. Romans 5:1, Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 10. This peace can never be broken. 11. Ephesians 2:5, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) This is a wonderful Scripture that encompasses all three of the aforementioned words. 12. Before anything was created, God expressed a love toward mankind. Ephesians 1:4, According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 1 Peter 1:20, Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 13. Our message several Sundays ago laid to rest the problem with the trinity in the minds of God’s people. 14. Jesus is God. God the Father is God and God the Holy Spirit is God. They were all present when the world was created and they had no beginning and no FEBRUARY 1, 2015 2 JOHN MORNING MESSAGE Page 6 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. d. ending. All of the demands of Almighty God had to be satisfied before we could come to Him. Those demands were all satisfied in none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12, Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Jesus Christ provides that grace for us. As a result of God’s mercy we can come to Him as a lost sinner and call upon Him and be saved. Romans 10:13, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. We not only need John 3:16, but we also need Romans 3:26, To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. In order to be justified by God we must put our faith in Jesus Christ. When we establish that relationship we have the privilege of having the peace of God which is fellowship. Grace is what God provides to save us, and mercy is provided by the Saviour. When you have all of this then the peace of God will keep our heart and minds stayed on Him. Philippians 4:7, And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Colossians 3:15, And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Grace, mercy and peace are from the Lord Jesus Christ who died for us. He is the Son of the Father. That is His position in the trinity. In truth and love: Love must be exercised in the context of truth. You and I must remain true to the Word of God in all of our teachings. I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth. 2 John 1:4, I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we 1. have received a commandment from the Father. 2. I take the position that the children are members of this local church who are walking in the truth. “I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth,” 3. We must not only know the Word of God but we must live the concepts and precepts of God’s Word. 4. Every single day we should be getting better as we are obedient to God’s Word. 1 Corinthians 9:27, But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1 Corinthians 15:31, I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 5. God has no room in His program for rebellious people. He has indicated to us in 1 Samuel 15:23, For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 6. After we have received the commandments from the Father we are to walk in the light as He is in the light. 1 John 1:7, But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his FEBRUARY 1, 2015 2 JOHN MORNING MESSAGE Page 7 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Son cleanseth us from all sin. These believers; these children were walking in the truth. How can we have the truth if we do not have the Preserved Word of the Living God? Truth is not something we make up and develop in our own mind. It does not lend itself to compromise or negotiation. 1 Kings 17:24 And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth. John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. These days, people are developing their own doctrine by the seat of their pants. They decided this is something they want to do and move forth without one verse of Scripture rightly divided to support what they are about to do. If it cannot be supported by Scripture, it is not of God and is not worth anything. e. Now I beseech thee, lady. 2 John 1:5, And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new 1. commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. 2. This does not refer to the beginning of creation; this refers to the beginning of the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ and His incarnation. 3. The teachings of Jesus Christ in John 14:15, If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 13:35, By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 4. The Lord Jesus Christ has instructed us to love one another. 5. He also challenges us to walk in the truth. As we do this we display love for each other. 6. There are many who talk about Agape love and don’t know what it really means. 7. Agape means we are to love unconditionally. 8. Bottom line: God is love and because of that love He provided a Saviour for us in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 4:8, He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 9. Jesus came to identify with sinful mankind, was crucified, bodily resurrected and He is seated at the right hand of the Father to make intercessions for the believer. Luke 5:32, I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. 10. He gives us the comfort that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Hebrews 13:5, Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. f. And this is love that we walk after his commandments. 2 John 1:6, And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the 1. commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. FEBRUARY 1, 2015 2 JOHN MORNING MESSAGE Page 8 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. g. The Lord Jesus Christ gives us a definition of love. We are not commanded to keep the Ten Commandments because the Lord Jesus Christ has already done that for us When we take on Christ as our personal Saviour we take on all of His righteousness and His love and the Holy Spirit comes to live within us. 2Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. We live on a higher plane that the Ten Commandments. We are told to display the fruit of the Spirit at all times. Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23: Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Love is not made up in a test tube and developed. Love comes from knowing Jesus Christ as personal Saviour. You cannot love someone unless you have concern for him or her, especially for their spiritual welfare. If we walk after His commandments, we do what is right in the sight of God. Ecclesiastes 12:13, Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Beginning with Titus, the Roman world was brutal and cruel. In the midst of all that cruelty there was a ray of light as the Lord Jesus Christ came and laid down His life for us. John 1:4-5, In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5: And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. “This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.” This is not something we should think about; this is something we do merely because we have the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. For many deceivers are entered into the world. 2 John 1:7, For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not 1. that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 2. “An antichrist” is not “the antichrist” who will reveal himself during the Tribulation Period. 3. As we know he will make a covenant with the Nation Israel and he will deceive that whole nation and as a result they mistake him for the Lord Jesus Christ. 4. We live in a day of gross deception. We must be very careful. 5. Notice that these antichrists are those who deny the inspiration of Scriptures, those who deny the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, and those who deny the fact that He provided redemption for us in His death on the cross and His bodily resurrection. 6. If we are to be strong in the Lord, we must be fed by the solid, Preserved Word of God. Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 7. It is not about rituals, entertainment, or emotion; it is about what we do for Christ Jesus. 8. I want you to notice the acid test. “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver FEBRUARY 1, 2015 2 JOHN MORNING MESSAGE Page 9 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. and an antichrist.” The acid test, is did Jesus Christ come in the flesh or not? The Bible says in 1 Timothy 3:16, And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. John 1:14, And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. We know the Bible teaches the Lord Jesus Christ did come in the flesh. When we look at some of the new versions, especially the NIV, 1 John 4:3 has significant changes. 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. KJV. Notice the absence of “come in the flesh” in the NIV: 1 John4:3, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even have heard is coming and now is already in the world. As a result of this absence of “come in the flesh” it does not meet the acid test to be the Preserved Word of God. In Revelation 13 it talks about two individuals. One is a religious ruler who will imitate Christ and cause the world to worship the first beast. There is also a political ruler who is to come in the future. Everything we see is preparing the way for this to happen. We as believers are letting our guard down and moving toward the one world church and embracing the new world order. Gross deception will take place in the last days. This deception is on every hand. As an example look at Isaiah 14:12, How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! Revelation 22:16, I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. KJV Isaiah 14:12 How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! Revelation 22:16, I Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony of the churches. I am the Root and the offspring of David, and the bright and Morning Star. NIV The NIV is stating that Jesus is being cast out of heaven. We are headed toward the battle of Armageddon that will consume the whole world. The one world religion will take us to that point. I believe we are getting in a position right now, as we accept the new versions that take away the Deity of Christ, and the virgin birth in some cases is being substituted for a young woman, means there is gross deception. People are very disturbed when you point out these things to them. Remember the acid test is: Do we know that Jesus Christ came in the flesh? FEBRUARY 1, 2015 2 JOHN MORNING MESSAGE Page 10 Not acknowledge but confess He is come in the flesh. h. We lose not those things which we have wrought. 2 John 1:8, Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have 1. wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 2. Let’s pause, look and listen to this verse. 3. We do not lose our salvation because of our strange fellowship with people who deny the Deity of Christ. 4. We lose our rewards. 5. Our rewards are coming at the Judgment Seat of Christ. 6. It is a dangerous thing to identify with people who deny the inspiration and preservation of the Scriptures and the Deity of Christ and justification by faith. 7. I know it is not comfortable to talk about what each other believes or about doctrine; but, God tells us we must agree with Him on these issues. 1Corinthians 1:10, Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 8. Everything center around the death, burial and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, whether Christ is Deity and came in the flesh and whether the Scriptures are inspired and preserved. 9. As a result of this we must understand that God has a standard and if we do not meet that standard we are in serious trouble. 10. Every believer ought to be working for a reward. To be able to hear Him say “Well done thy good and faithful servant.” 11. At the end of his life, Paul was able to tell young Timothy 2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 12. During his lifetime Paul was sure that he was approved of God as he obeyed the Lord Jesus Christ and did what God called him to do. 2 Timothy 2:15, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. i. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. 2 John 1:9, Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, 1. hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” 2. This verse is self-explanatory. It needs no further clarification. 3. I would like to highlight several addition points. “transgresseth, and abideth” 4. We abide in the doctrine of Christ by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour. 5. Sometimes we come across people who think they have super knowledge. More times than not, this super knowledge is not able to be backed up with Scripture. 6. We must abide in the doctrine of Christ and when we do, we have both the FEBRUARY 1, 2015 2 JOHN MORNING MESSAGE Page 11 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. j. Father and the Son. We are commanded to continue stedfastly in the apostle’s doctrine. Acts 2:42, And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. There is no question when we have the Father and the Son, we have access to God. Romans 5:2, By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. How do we get that access? We get it by faith. 2 John 1:9, Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. We have the privilege Hebrews 4:16, Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. To abide means to remain. It is a permanent arrangement. Once saved and born again there is no way we can undo what God has done; he has established the relationship. John 18:9, That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. John 10:29, My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. We can however lose fellowship but never a relationship. Then God gives us a stern warning. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine. 2 John 1:10, If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive 1. him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 2. What a very strong statement. 3. God tells us who we can fellowship with and who we can’t. 4. “bring not this doctrine,” – This is the doctrine of Christ. The fact that He is Deity, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, salvation and redemption by faith in His blood and the fact that He went to the cross and died for our sins and is making intercessions for us at the Throne of God right now. John 7:17, If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 5. This is the basis for true fellowship. If we have not this doctrine we are a false teacher. John is trying to get this point across. 6. “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:” – I have heard many believers quote this concerning the Jehovah’s Witnesses. 7. The interesting thing is the new versions of Scripture match up in many respects with the New World Translation, which is the Jehovah’s Witness Bible. 8. Most believers would not tolerate a Jehovah’s Witness Bible; however, many don’t mind the new versions. They both come from the same corrupt Greek and Hebrew Text. 9. Jehovah’s Witness do not believe in the Trinity and the New Versions line up with that mind set. 10. They flatly deny the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ and believe HE was a created being. 11. If Jesus Christ was a created being, we are ALL lost and doomed for Hell. FEBRUARY 1, 2015 2 JOHN MORNING MESSAGE Page 12 k. 4. For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. 2 John 1:11, For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. 1. 2. When we become a partaker and we know the truth but we just go along with the program; the Bible says we are a partaker of their evil deeds. 3. The Lord Jesus Christ indicates very plainly that when we know the truth the truth will set us free. John 8:32, And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 4. If we refuse to believe the truth God will send us a strong delusion. 2 Thessalonians 2:11, And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: CONCLUSION a. Do you know the Saviour, my friend? b. If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour you need to come to the side of the Crucified Christ today. c. Don’t be a partaker of something you know that is wrong just to go along with the crowd. 2 Corinthians 6:17, Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, d. Matthew 11:28-29, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29: Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. e. Romans 6:23, For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. f. Romans 3:23, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; g. Romans 10:9-10, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10: For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. h. Would you come to the side of the Living Saviour Today and let Him give you that peace in the heart? Let’s reflect on a few verses that will provide you with assurance of your salvation: 2 Peter 1:4, Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. John 10:27-29, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29: My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 2 Timothy 1:12, For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39: Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 John 5:13, These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. FEBRUARY 1, 2015 2 JOHN MORNING MESSAGE Page 13