A. SERMON SLIDES
Slide 1:
A Request and a Warning
2 John 4-8
Slide 2:
2 John 4–8 (ESV)
I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 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. 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. 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. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.
Slide 3:
“I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth…”
Slide 4:
The Joy:
Some are walking in the Truth
Slide 5
3 areas of essential doctrine John has made clear:
1) The man Jesus is the Christ (2:22)
2) The Son of God has been incarnated as a human (4:2)
3) The death of His Son is the atonement for our sins (2:2)
Slide 6:
The Burden:
Only “some” are walking in Truth
Slide 7:
I. John’s Request
II. John’s Warning
Slide 8:
“And now I ask you, dear lady”
Slide 9:
“…not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another”
John is not an innovator.
Slide 10:
John 13:34 (ESV)
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
Slide 11:
And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments
Slide 12:
We don’t get to say what truth is
We don’t get to say what love is
Slide 13:
Love is not God
God is Love
Slide 14:
John 14:15 (ESV)
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
Slide 15:
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.
Slide 16:
Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.
Slide 17:
Don’t lose what WE have worked for…
Slide 18:
Once saved, always saved
B. GROUP DISCUSSION
1) Read 2 John 4-8. What is John worried about? What is his warning? In what ways do these requests and warnings relate to you or the church today?
2) Only “some”from the church have been walking in the truth. Only some are living lives of authentic Christianity. So, what is happening that is keeping people from living true lives in Christ?
What is happening in our day today (in your opinion) that is keeping Christians from true lives in Christ?
3) John is relaying the message given to him by Christ. Almost everything John says can be traced back to what he heard Jesus say, and walk in. Why do you think that people are so interested in something more new or mysterious or enlightening today? Why do people want something more innovative?
4) Explain the difference in practical terms between God is love, or Love is god?
5) Have you ever struggled with how to love someone and be truthful? How did you work through it?
6) John is afraid that people will lose what so many had worked for on their behalf. Do you think it’s possible for someone to walk away from their justification through Christ? That some can walk away from the indwelling of the spirit?
7) Prayer and praise