R sbc
October 14, 2007
Series: “Christ The Sum & Substance of The Bible”
Subject: “THE STABILITY OF KNOWING CHRIST”
TEXT: 2 JOHN
Intro: I would like to introduce this one chapter with the verses themselves before we move to the main thought for this morning...
1. The authority of this book: vs 1 “ The Elder”
2. To whom it is written: vs 1 “ The Elect Lady & her Children”
3. The motive of this letter: vs 1 Love in the truth
4. The purpose of the epistle: vs 2 “ Truths sake”
5. The reality of the epistle: vs 2 dwelleth in us” will be with us forever”
6. The joy of John vs 4 “ Found thy children walking in truth”
I wish to speak to three main thoughts this morning: 1. The source of our stability: vs 3
2. The enemy of our stability: vs 7-8 3. The Foundation of our stability: vs 9-13
I... “THE SOURCE OF OUR STABILITY” VS 3
It is the grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. Grace moves mountains of sinners hearts, it and it alone through Christ is where we stand or fall. If it is not of grace Paul says in Romans then it is of works.. Ro 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
(1.) Christ is full of grace: John 1-14
(2.) Christ dispenses that grace to his own:
a. Saving grace: Eph 2-8-9
b. Sustaining grace:
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
c. Justifying grace:
Tit 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
d. Accessible Grace:
Heb 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.
II... “THE ENEMY OF OUR STABILITY”..VS 7-8
We had a whole sermons on this in the 1st epistle of John. I tis my opinion that the antichrist is anyone or anything that is against the LORD JESUS CHRIST. An antichrist is many things to many occasions and in many generations...Some things never change about them... the system is always the same...
(1.) Deceiver’s vs 7
Christ warns us of this:
Mt 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Christ reveals their identity by what they would do..notice what he says...
(1.) Come in his name:
Mt 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
(2.) What they would say: “ I am Messiah”
The reality of this has been witness in history, by many men. They have attached our LORD and referred to themselves as Christ. The spirit that is in them is clear... it is the spirit of anti-christ.
Since the days of Christ there have been many. In fact I looked on the internet and discovered all types. Messianic Jews who believe that Jesus is the lesser god, Messianic Jews who believe that he was not God, and yet claim Christianity... and still believe in the worship of OT. So-called individuals who have started modern day movements against the LORD JESUS CHRIST...
(3.) They would deceive many:
Once the text of Christ says “MANY” it is easier to believe half truth, than whole truth... the bible says the LORD would send them a strong delusion that they might believe a lie and be dammed..
Look at what he says to them: vs 8 “ look not to yourselves”
Don’t trust the flesh, don’t put any confidence in it. Don’t trust men, but trust in the living Lord.. Who will deliver your soul. Ro 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Ro 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
III.. “ THE FOUNDATION OF OUR STABILITY”... “The doctrine of Christ” vs 9-13
He has some clear truths to think upon:
(1.) The clear reality ..vs 9
(2.) The test..vs 10-11
I want to look at the foundation of Christ’s doctrine for it and it alone helps us to be stable and not be turned with every wind of doctrine that comes by the slight of men.
What of this foundation:
1st. It is unsinkable .....
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
2nd. It stands sure:
2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
Matt 7-24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Note what Jesus says here:
a.. Hearing and doing are synonymous with each other: vs 24
b. Hearing and doing will produce a wise man: vs 24
c. Hearing and doing will produce stability: vs 25
d. Hearing but not doing produces instability: vs 26-27
e. Hearing produces a profound effect: vs 28-29