Introduction:
If culture were to put you on trial for being a Christian, would you be found guilty or not guilty? As Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, we are known for what we believe, and we are marked by our behaviors. The question we must continually ask ourselves is do our beliefs and our behaviors match up.
“ …The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.” —Acts 11:26b
God places His seal upon our lives to show ownership and authority. We are marked as followers of Jesus Christ, and we should reflect this through our behavior in culture. Believers can have confidence because we are marked by Him and for Him.
“You were marked with him with a seal” —Ephesians 1:13 (NIV)
“13I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14This is the confidence we have before him: …” —1 John 5:13-14a
In this seven-week collection of talks, we will uncover the marks of a true believer as seen in the book of 1 John and learn how to live with confidence.
Text: 1 John 2:29-3:10 (CSB, New Testament)
“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” —Philippians 3:9
Today’s Takeaway: Righteousness is not found in us; it’s found in Jesus.
MARKED WEEK #4: MARKED BY RIGHTEOUSNESS
I. THE
OF THE RIGHTEOUS (2:29-3:3)
A. They remember the
“For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering, 4in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” —Romans 8:3-4
“For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “’Abba’, Father!” —Romans 8:15
B. They remember the
“My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” —Philippians 1:20-21
“16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” —1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (KJV)
C. They feel the
“Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.” —Romans 8:10
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.” —2 Peter 3:18
II. THE
OF THE RIGHTEOUS (3:4-7)
A. They
“We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also.” —Ephesians 2:3
“… walk just as he walked.” —1 John 2:6
B. They
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” —John 1:29
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” —1 Peter 2:24-25
C. They
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.” —John 15:7
“This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe.” —1 Thessalonians 2:13
D. They
“testing what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them.” —Ephesians 5:10-11
“Dear friends, although I was eager to write you about the salvation we share, I found it necessary to write, appealing to you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all.” —Jude 3
Your behavior must match your belief.
III. THE
OF THE RIGHTEOUS (3:8-10)
A. They live a
Non-Believer ———————– Believer
Satan (Isa. 14:15-18) ————— Jesus (John 10:10b)
All Sin (John 8:44) —————– No Sin (Heb. 4:15)
Old Life (Rom. 6:6) —————- New Life (Col. 3:10)
Old Character (Gal. 5: 24) —– New Character (Gal. 5:17)
In Character to Sin —————- Out of Character to Sin
B. They live a
This person sins but does not keep
“Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace.” —2 Peter 3:14
This person longs to
“And do not offer any parts of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness.” —Romans 6:13
C. They live a
It is evident in
“If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. —1 Peter 4:11
It is evident in
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of him.” —1 John 5:1
CONCLUSION: Are you marked by RIGHTEOUSNESS?
“…for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” —Hosea 10:12b (KJV)
DEEP DIVE QUESTIONS
What is the difference between righteous and self-righteous? How do the differences impact Christianity?
Define cancel culture. How can cancel culture potentially affect the Gospel? How does cancel culture affect forgiveness?
Read Jude 3. How can we contend for the faith in our culture today?
Pastor Gary challenged us to live a Savior-focused life that is evident in living and loving. How can you put this into action this week?
Missing a fill-in? No problem! Just select the email option below and the notes will arrive to you all filled in.