This is the manuscript for the seventh in a series of messages from John’s first epistle “The Counsel of a Spiritual Father to His Children.”
We’ve been talking about counterfeit Christianity. John says that it is the things in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Last week we talked about the results of counterfeit Christianity which is the denial that Jesus is the God-man, born of a virgin, who was crucified for our sins and rose the third day to overcome death. Today I want to talk about the the antidote to Counterfeit Christianity. It consist of three ingredients, the Word, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the second coming of Jesus.
I John 2:24 NKJV Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
For an audio recording of the sermon click the YouTube link at the end of this manuscript.
You can see the entire service from September 13,2020 on the Christ Church YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/G7LtSVL38hY
Scripture
I John 2:24-29 NKJV Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.
Text
I John 2:24 NKJV Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
Introduction
We’ve been talking about counterfeit Christianity. John says that it is; the things in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life
I John 2:15-17 NKJV Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Last week we talked about the results of counterfeit Christianity which is the denial that Jesus is the God-man, born of a virgin, who was crucified for our sins and rose the third day to overcome death.
Today I want to talk about the “The Antidote To Counterfeit Christianity
The temptation to be faithless is the number one problem among Christians—and it always has been. This is the counterfeit Satan has so successfully perpetrated in a variety of ways among believers.
He often uses other people in his determination to weaken a Christian’s faith. He seizes vulnerable people, deceives them, and victimizes them by counterfeiting spiritual realities.
We talked about those people last week.
I John 2:19 NKJV They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.
Satan's approach is always based on what isisn false and misleading. John identified the counterfeit and the counterfeiter.
I John 2:22-23 NKJV Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
The greatest lie Satan has ever perpetrated is that Jesus is not Christ, God's Anointed One. He tries to spread this lie in many ways. In our day, he takes the intellectual, rational approach by denying the virgin birth of Christ, or saying things like "how can Christ be the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit at the same time? How can He be both the Son and the Father".
One person Satan uses is the cynic, who raises doubts in the Christian’s mind.
This person has the syrupy “Did God really say . . . ?” which is the same approach Satan used with Eve.
Genesis 3:1 NIV Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
That’s the cynic.
Then there is the hypocrite who looks like a Christian and talks like a Christian but whose conduct is inconsistent. There is a book “The Christian Atheist by Craig Groeschel, that describes a Christian Atheist as a person who believes in God but lives as if He doesn’t exist. That is a characteristic of a hypocrite.
Satan also uses popular ideas to distort the truth. For example, things like “One religion is just as good as another as long as you are sincere.” Or, “You have to be realistic. The Bible doesn’t always mean what it says.” Or, “You don’t need to go to church to be a Christian.”
John gives some antidotes, or ways to counteract the problem of faithlessness.
We’ve been talking about counterfeit Christianity. John says that it is the things in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Last week we talked about the results of counterfeit Christianity which is the denial that Jesus is the God-man, born of a virgin, who was crucified for our sins and rose the third day to overcome death. Today I want to talk about the the antidote to Counterfeit Christianity. It consist of three ingredients, the Word, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the second coming of Jesus.
I John 2:24 NKJV Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
For an audio recording of the sermon click the YouTube link at the end of this manuscript.
You can see the entire service from September 13,2020 on the Christ Church YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/G7LtSVL38hY
Scripture
I John 2:24-29 NKJV Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.
Text
I John 2:24 NKJV Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
Introduction
We’ve been talking about counterfeit Christianity. John says that it is; the things in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life
I John 2:15-17 NKJV Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Last week we talked about the results of counterfeit Christianity which is the denial that Jesus is the God-man, born of a virgin, who was crucified for our sins and rose the third day to overcome death.
Today I want to talk about the “The Antidote To Counterfeit Christianity
The temptation to be faithless is the number one problem among Christians—and it always has been. This is the counterfeit Satan has so successfully perpetrated in a variety of ways among believers.
He often uses other people in his determination to weaken a Christian’s faith. He seizes vulnerable people, deceives them, and victimizes them by counterfeiting spiritual realities.
We talked about those people last week.
I John 2:19 NKJV They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.
Satan's approach is always based on what isisn false and misleading. John identified the counterfeit and the counterfeiter.
I John 2:22-23 NKJV Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
The greatest lie Satan has ever perpetrated is that Jesus is not Christ, God's Anointed One. He tries to spread this lie in many ways. In our day, he takes the intellectual, rational approach by denying the virgin birth of Christ, or saying things like "how can Christ be the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit at the same time? How can He be both the Son and the Father".
One person Satan uses is the cynic, who raises doubts in the Christian’s mind.
This person has the syrupy “Did God really say . . . ?” which is the same approach Satan used with Eve.
Genesis 3:1 NIV Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
That’s the cynic.
Then there is the hypocrite who looks like a Christian and talks like a Christian but whose conduct is inconsistent. There is a book “The Christian Atheist by Craig Groeschel, that describes a Christian Atheist as a person who believes in God but lives as if He doesn’t exist. That is a characteristic of a hypocrite.
Satan also uses popular ideas to distort the truth. For example, things like “One religion is just as good as another as long as you are sincere.” Or, “You have to be realistic. The Bible doesn’t always mean what it says.” Or, “You don’t need to go to church to be a Christian.”
John gives some antidotes, or ways to counteract the problem of faithlessness.
1. The first antidote John gives is the Word of God
I John 2:24-26 NKJV Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us—etem.h dornal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.
How does Jesus become real to a new believer?
Through Scripture!
What are some of the first, basic truths we learn?
A. That Jesus is God’s Son
John 1:14 NIV The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 3:16-18 NIV For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
B. He died on a cross for our sins and rose the third day,
Luke 24:46-47 NIV He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NIV For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
We learn this from scripture, God's Word
C. We also learn from scripture that He promised to return to receive us unto himself.
John 14:1-4 NIV “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
D. Along with these great truths, in Scripture, is the amazing realization that God knows us by name
Psalms 139:1-7 NIV You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord , know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
E. And we learn from Scripture that God is always available to hear our prayers and answer them according to his will.
I John 5:14-15 NKJV Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
But it doesn’t take long for Satan to start whispering doubts to a young Christian. To try to undermine the antidote.
F. So what is the antidote for these attacks from Satan?
John simply said to hang on to that which we learned at the beginning of our walk with God. What we learned from scripture.
I John 2:24 NKJV Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
Stay in the Word!
John used the word “abide,” which means to remain in the sense that someone is at home, comfortable, and conversant with Bible truths. We are not merely to “taste” the Word; we are to ingest it, depending on the Holy Spirit to help us digest it so that it can be absorbed into our lives.
I John 2:27 NKJV But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
I John 2:24-26 NKJV Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us—etem.h dornal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.
How does Jesus become real to a new believer?
Through Scripture!
What are some of the first, basic truths we learn?
A. That Jesus is God’s Son
John 1:14 NIV The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 3:16-18 NIV For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
B. He died on a cross for our sins and rose the third day,
Luke 24:46-47 NIV He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NIV For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
We learn this from scripture, God's Word
C. We also learn from scripture that He promised to return to receive us unto himself.
John 14:1-4 NIV “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
D. Along with these great truths, in Scripture, is the amazing realization that God knows us by name
Psalms 139:1-7 NIV You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord , know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
E. And we learn from Scripture that God is always available to hear our prayers and answer them according to his will.
I John 5:14-15 NKJV Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
But it doesn’t take long for Satan to start whispering doubts to a young Christian. To try to undermine the antidote.
F. So what is the antidote for these attacks from Satan?
John simply said to hang on to that which we learned at the beginning of our walk with God. What we learned from scripture.
I John 2:24 NKJV Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
Stay in the Word!
John used the word “abide,” which means to remain in the sense that someone is at home, comfortable, and conversant with Bible truths. We are not merely to “taste” the Word; we are to ingest it, depending on the Holy Spirit to help us digest it so that it can be absorbed into our lives.
I John 2:27 NKJV But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
2 The second antidote is the anointing of the Spirit
A. John referred to “anointing” as the coming of the Holy Spirit at salvation to abide in us.
John 14:16-17 NKJV And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
Romans 8:9-11 NKJV But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
This anointing, or indwelling is never repeated. It's permanent. We may grieve the Holy Spirit by disobedience and sin, thus allowing self to take the place of the Spirit’s leadership.
Ephesians 4:30-32 NKJV And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
The anointing that John is talking about here is here forever.
B. Because of the anointing of the Holy Spirit we receive at salvation, John said, “You do not need anyone to teach you”
I John 2:27 NKJV But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
He meant that we do not constantly need to be taught the elementary truths of the gospel, for that is one of the Holy Spirit’s ministries. Also, the Holy Spirit provides a glorious “check and balance” within us.
I John 4:1-3 NKJV Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
The Holy Spirit is always present to verify the teachings we receive from others.
When the believer reads God's Word, it is the Spirit of God, living within us, who reveals God's words and thoughts to us.
3. The third antidote is the second coming of Jesus
A. John reminded his readers that the next great event on eternity’s calendar is the second coming of Jesus.
I John 2:28-29 NKJV And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.
He did not set any date; rather, he was saying, “Whenever he comes—and it could be at any moment—be found liv- ing in such a way that you will not be ashamed to stand before him!”
B. Christians should live before God as Enoch did.
The Bible says that Enoch walked with God, and he was not found, for God took him.
Genesis 5:24 NKJV And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.
Enoch lived in such close and constant communion with God that his transition from earthly existence to heavenly existence was a very simple thing. This is how we should live. We should walk with God. How do we know if we're walking with God? By reading and studying God's Word, the Scriptures and by being filled with or being guided by the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
What part does God’s Word play in your life? Does it “abide” within you? And what about the Holy Spirit? Does he have complete control in your life? Do you anticipate Jesus’ coming with joy? Are you living so close to him, consistently walking by his side, that his coming will be a welcome transition?
Our personal faith is the only acceptable response to the Christian gospel. I'm not talking about intellectual assent. It is one thing to know the gospel on an intellectual level. It is one thing to try to conform to a set of moral standards. But life’s bottom-line question begs to know if you have personally transferred your trust from your own human efforts to Christ and His finished work for your eternal salvation.
Standing at the grave of Lazarus, Jesus proclaimed,
John 11:25-26 NKJV ...“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Do you believe this?
Colossians 2:6-10 NKJV As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
A. John referred to “anointing” as the coming of the Holy Spirit at salvation to abide in us.
John 14:16-17 NKJV And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
Romans 8:9-11 NKJV But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
This anointing, or indwelling is never repeated. It's permanent. We may grieve the Holy Spirit by disobedience and sin, thus allowing self to take the place of the Spirit’s leadership.
Ephesians 4:30-32 NKJV And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
The anointing that John is talking about here is here forever.
B. Because of the anointing of the Holy Spirit we receive at salvation, John said, “You do not need anyone to teach you”
I John 2:27 NKJV But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
He meant that we do not constantly need to be taught the elementary truths of the gospel, for that is one of the Holy Spirit’s ministries. Also, the Holy Spirit provides a glorious “check and balance” within us.
I John 4:1-3 NKJV Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
The Holy Spirit is always present to verify the teachings we receive from others.
When the believer reads God's Word, it is the Spirit of God, living within us, who reveals God's words and thoughts to us.
3. The third antidote is the second coming of Jesus
A. John reminded his readers that the next great event on eternity’s calendar is the second coming of Jesus.
I John 2:28-29 NKJV And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.
He did not set any date; rather, he was saying, “Whenever he comes—and it could be at any moment—be found liv- ing in such a way that you will not be ashamed to stand before him!”
B. Christians should live before God as Enoch did.
The Bible says that Enoch walked with God, and he was not found, for God took him.
Genesis 5:24 NKJV And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.
Enoch lived in such close and constant communion with God that his transition from earthly existence to heavenly existence was a very simple thing. This is how we should live. We should walk with God. How do we know if we're walking with God? By reading and studying God's Word, the Scriptures and by being filled with or being guided by the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
What part does God’s Word play in your life? Does it “abide” within you? And what about the Holy Spirit? Does he have complete control in your life? Do you anticipate Jesus’ coming with joy? Are you living so close to him, consistently walking by his side, that his coming will be a welcome transition?
Our personal faith is the only acceptable response to the Christian gospel. I'm not talking about intellectual assent. It is one thing to know the gospel on an intellectual level. It is one thing to try to conform to a set of moral standards. But life’s bottom-line question begs to know if you have personally transferred your trust from your own human efforts to Christ and His finished work for your eternal salvation.
Standing at the grave of Lazarus, Jesus proclaimed,
John 11:25-26 NKJV ...“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Do you believe this?
Colossians 2:6-10 NKJV As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
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