I John 3:11-12 (Part 1)

View Video Blog, Right Click Link: I John 3:11-12 (Part 1)

For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous.

THE STUDY:

When we look at this verse we may read it in a simple form. But when we look at it in the Greek it takes on a whole different flavor. John uses the Greek word “houtos” that is translated in the ESV as THIS. This Greek word is not just a simple formed word but one that pacts a punch. This is what the scholars call a demonstrative word — A demonstrative pronoun singles out an object or person, and often acts as an adjective, modifying a noun. For example, in the sentence “That dog is vicious,” the demonstrative pronoun “that” modifies the noun “dog.” What dog? THAT Dog!

John is saying “this is the message” meaning there is no other message that someone can refer to. The only message John is pointing to is the message from God which is “that we should love one another.” This message is one that “you have heard from the beginning” not a message that has been tweaked, added too, or slightly refined over time. God’s message has been the same from creation and will always be.

Why would John point this out to those who were “so called” believers? Because of the false teachings that those of the faith were being swayed by.

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• What we might be tempted too walk away with is the idea that “No one is trying to sway us away from Christ” or better yet, “There are a multitude of different ways to God!” Satan would love for us to buy into these ideas. We are living in a day and time that is not far removed from those kind of days which John and the rest of the Apostles lived in.

• I write to you this morning, for the same reason John wrote to his flock, so that you may understand THE TRUTH! Not some tweaked, added too, or slightly refined over time message of the Gospel. Christ is the only way to the Father! How do we know this? We have heard it preached, we sing songs about it, and we have seen it lived out in the saints of old. We have known it from the beginning!

CONCLUSION:

          Today’s world is filled with a better way, a more sophisticated way, a more modern way, a more enlightened way, and even a more powerful way other than that of Christ. Jesus tells us, “I am the way, the truth, and the life …” Church, there is no other way! So as we walk out of our houses today and into this sinful world let us remember the message that was from the beginning, LOVE!

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod