2 John 1-13
Prayers & Announcements: Hand-out 2 and 3 John Overviews
Last Week: In 1 John 5:1-13, John concluded his first letter with a strong message about faith in which he makes seven different references to the significance of "believing." Here are two absolutely vital points of application on the topic of believing: 1. Believing God's witness to His Son is the foundation for our faith. If we believe in Jesus as the Son of God, we have the testimony in ourselves-the inner witness of the Spirit of truth regarding Jesus Christ. Externally, we have the witness of the objective testimony of the New Testament-all 27 books-through which the apostles testifies to the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. This foundation demonstrates that Christianity is not merely a philosophy or ethical system but a belief based on unimpeachable fact. Those who refuse to believe, whether intentional or accidental, call God a liar. 2. Believing God's witness to His Son gives us eternal life. John's summary of God's testimony-"that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son" (vv.11-12)-reveals three vital truths: (1) Eternal life is God's gift, not something we gain through our works or efforts. It doesn't require some kind of secret knowledge, like the deceivers taught. Like any gift, you need only to know about it and accept it. (2) God's gift is eternal life. Because of our sins, we were spiritually dead, separated from the life of God. But when we believe that Jesus is the son of God, God gives us as a present possession of not only unending life, but also His very life. Physical death will not rob us of eternal life with God. (3) Jesus Christ is everything. If you have Him, you have eternal life; if you do not have Him, you do not have the life. The most important question for any person in this world is the one Jesus asked His disciples in Mt. 16:15, "Who do you say that I am?" and Peter's answer in Mt. 16:16, inspired by God, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God," is the only correct one.
This Week: Today we will cover the apostle John's brief second letter, written from Ephesus during the 85-90 A.D. timeframe. John's message contains two themes: (1) living in the love of God in accordance with the truth of Jesus Christ and (2) a warning to use discernment regarding the offering of support to traveling missionaries and teachers who could possibly be spreading false doctrines about the person of Jesus Christ.
Read 2 John 1:1-3 - To the Lady Chosen of God and Her Children
1 The elder, To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth-and not I only, but also all who know the truth- 2 because of the truth, which lives 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 Son of the Father, in truth and love.
v. 1: "The elder, to the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth-and not I only, but also all who know the truth-" - John refers to himself as the "elder," which is probably both a reference to his advanced age (85-90) and his position in the church, and more important, as an apostle, he had authority from Christ over all the churches. The reference to "the lady chosen by God and her children" could possibly be an individual woman and her children but more likely is a figure of speech for a church and its congregation. Whether a person or a church, John declared she is loved by him and by all who have known the truth. John is focused on the idea of truth through all of his writings, which is exemplified by the statement in Jn. 14:6: Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me."
v. 2: "because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:" - John also affirms that the truth does not change-the truth will be true forever, and we will have this truth forever in eternity. This is absolutely contrary to the modern secular notion that truth is relative to the times and can change from generation to generation.
v. 3: "Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love" - This is John's salutation to readers, which is threefold: (1) "Grace" points to God's unmerited favor to sinners who deserve His wrath; (2) "Mercy" points to God's compassion toward us in the penalty we deserve for our sin; and (3) "Peace" points to the result of salvation, both the peace in our hearts and the peace with God. The succession of these three things marks the order from the first motion of God to the final salvation of man.
TRUTH 1: God's truth ___________ changes. God's truth will be true forever, and we will have this truth forever in eternity. This is absolutely contrary to the modern secular notion that truth is relative to the times and can change from generation to generation.
2 John 1:4-6 - How to Walk
4 I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father. 5 Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which 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, that you should walk in it.
v. 4: "I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father" - John is obviously concerned about the truth-he uses the word fives times in the first four verses. For John, the concept of truth centers on the person of Jesus Christ. In this verse, he also shows his pastor's heart, rejoicing to know that the "children" are walking in truth-the mark of a healthy church. Contrary to secular philosophies, the New Testament affirms that the truth is both absolute and knowable. The truth centers on all that the OT and NT affirms about Jesus Christ, and to know Him personally is to be in the truth. You don't have to be a theologian or a Bible scholar to be saved; you simply must recognize that you are a sinner in need of a savior and that Jesus Christ is that savior.
TRUTH 2: John's concept of "truth" in this lesson centers on the person of Jesus Christ. The truth centers in all that the OT and NT affirms about Jesus Christ, and to know Him personally is to be in the truth. You don't have to be a theologian or a Bible scholar to be saved; you simply must recognize that you are a sinner in need of a savior and that Jesus Christ is that savior.
v. 5: "Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another" - John tenderly reminds the lady/church of the first commandment of Jesus, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." (Jn. 13:34). John is concerned about both truth and love, using "love" four times in vv. 1-6. Truth and love cannot be separated, and truth on the fundamentals of the gospel must be the basis for fellowship and unity. Modern secular society espouses much about love and unity, but it's not tied to any absolute standard of truth.
TRUTH 3: The Christian concept of truth and love cannot be separated. Truth on the essentials of the gospel and love for one another must be the basis for fellowship and unity. Modern secular society talks much about love and unity, but it's not tied to any absolute standard of truth.
v. 6: "And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it" - John has emphasized truth five times and love four times, and now emphasizes obedience. The word "commandment" occurs four times in vv. 4-6. John says we are to "walk" according to these commandments, which include both truth (v. 4) and love (vv. 5-6). When John emphasized that readers had these commandments "from the beginning" (v. 5), he means that Christ Himself gave us these commandments and that obeying them should be item one in basic, first-level Christian teaching. We must understand that biblical love is not a matter of feeling or emotion but a matter of will that can be commanded-a deliberate decision. As we know, "walk" is a metaphor for the way we live our day-to-day lives, which by extension means we are commanded to walk in the love and truth of Jesus Christ, and all it means.
TRUTH 4: Love also means that we are to "walk" according to the commandments of Jesus Christ. Obedience to these commandments means they should be item one in basic, first-level Christian Teaching, specifically, that biblical love is not a matter of feeling or emotion but a matter of will that can be commanded-a deliberate decision. "Walk" is understood to mean the way we live our day-to-day lives-we are commanded to walk in the love and truth of Jesus Christ, and all that it means.
Read 2 John 1:7-9 - Warning Against False Teachers
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. 9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.
v. 7: "For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist" - Here, John abruptly shifts the subject to false teachers. False teachers were not only a danger in John's day but still pose a real threat to evangelical churches today. The immediate problem that concerned John was traveling missionaries who would take advantage of the Christian principle of showing hospitality. A "deceiver" and an "antichrist" described any teacher who did not confess that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. They opposed the real Jesus and preached a "substitute" Christ. This spirit of the antichrist which will one day find its fulfillment in The Antichrist who will lead humanity in the end-times rebellion against God. Today, there are many false cults that label themselves as "Christians" but sharply depart from the true person of Jesus Christ and the inerrant truth of the Bible (e.g., Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Unitarian Universalists, Christian Scientists, etc.).
v. 8: "Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward" - John warns his readers to "watch" themselves, so they won't "lose what we [the apostles] have accomplished"-namely, churches walking in the truth and love of Jesus Christ according to His commandments (vv. 4-6, above). For us today that means we must examine everything we see, hear, and read that claims to be "Christian" against the truth of the apostles' teachings, i.e., the entire NT. We must never forget that falsehood is one of Satan's most devious and dangerous weapons. The Bible teaches that we will receive rewards in heaven for our service (2 Tim. 4:8), and receiving "a full reward" takes place on two different levels: (1) On a church-wide level, pastors, leaders, and teachers are responsible for guarding the flock against false teaching. This means that those serving in these roles must study diligently to be firmly grounded in sound doctrine; and (2) Individual Christians must also be accountable to guard themselves against false teaching. This means having knowledge of the basic tenets of the Christian faith and guarding yourself against secular human ideas that conflict with Biblical Christian values. Every Southern Baptist church member should be generally familiar with the doctrines outlined in the Baptist Faith and Message (18 articles with about 8 pages of text). You don't have to be a theologian to understand it.
v. 9: "Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son" - By "goes too far" (or "transgresses" KJV), John refers anyone who advocates any belief that contradicts the teachings of the apostles. Very simply, a person who professes and teaches such beliefs "does not abide in the teaching of Christ," and is not saved.
TRUTH 5: As 21st Century Christians, we should examine everything we see, hear, and read that claims to be "Christian" against the truth of the apostles' teachings, i.e., the entire New Testament. This means having knowledge of the basic tenets of the Christian faith and guarding yourself against secular human ideas that conflict with Biblical Christian values. Every Southern Baptist church member should be generally familiar with the doctrines outlined in the Baptist Faith and Message (18 articles with about 8 pages of text). You don't have to be a theologian to understand it.
Read 2 John 1:10-11 - Dealing with False Teachers
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.
vv. 10-11 - John is referring to inviting persons identified as false teachers into your house (or church) for food and shelter. The phrase, "do not give him a greeting," even advises against allowing such people in for a conversation that could potentially confuse immature believers or children. But it certainly doesn't mean being rude or hateful. It also doesn't include other Christian denominations whose interpretation of Scripture varies slightly from our own beliefs (e.g., charismatics).
TRUTH 6: If a person is identified as a false teacher (Jehovah's Witness, etc.), your should not invite him or her into your church or your house. This prohibition doesn't include other denominations whose interpretation of Scripture varies only slightly from our own beliefs.
Read 2 John 1:12-13 - Conclusion
12 Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that your joy may be made full. 13 The children of your chosen sister greet you.
vv. 12-13 - Here, we see John expressing his desire to visit the readers in person so that they can share in the joy of genuine Christian fellowship. The "chosen sister" is the church he's writing from. In terms of Christian fellowship, both other believers and churches, we should guard ourselves from becoming too inward-looking to the extent that we cut ourselves off from other churches and Christians who love Christ and the truth.
TRUTH 6: We should guard ourselves from becoming too inward-looking to the extent that we disassociate ourselves from other churches and Christians who love Christ and the truth. As John tells us, there is a lot of joy in sharing Christian fellowship-that invisible bone of love-with Christians from other evangelical, Bible-believing churches. We are, after all, one body of Christ.
