I John 4:17

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By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.

THE STUDY:

God’s universal love can be so lived out through us that others may see in some measure what God is like. We participate in God’s nature now: in this world we are like him (lit. just as that one is also we indeed are in this world; see 2:6; 3:7).

John expects believers to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus in love in the present (Lieu 1991, 90). Holiness is not reserved only for after death. Calvin said: “What God is in heaven, He bids us to be in this world, that we may be reckoned his children” (1959, 295). This astounding promise, to be like him, can hardly be overestimated. Sharing in the nature of God is a present possibility (2 Pet 1:4). It is a reality not withheld until after death. It is the only adequate preparation for death, when we stand before God on the day of judgment. This firm foundation is forever linked to God’s love at work among people. Confidence before God and Christian love go together (Bruce 1970, 113).^[1]

                   

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that God’s love is lived out through us in this present day. It is not something that is reserved for a later time (Heaven) but to be lived out in the same world that the antichrist dwells.

• We also walk away with the understanding that within this love the believer finds confidence in the future. This confidence is a sense of anticipation of the coming of Christ and not a reservation. We find that Christian love and confidence go hand in hand.

CONCLUSION:

          Hudson Taylor was interviewing some young people who had volunteered for the Lord’s service. He asked several practical questions to find out how well qualified they were for the life they were anticipating. “And why do you wish to go as a foreign missionary?” “I want to reach others across the sea because Christ has commanded us to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature,” one replied. Another said, “I want to go because millions are dying without ever having heard of Jesus, the only One who can save them.” Others have similar answers.

          Hudson Taylor looked at them thoughtfully for a moment and then said. “All of your motives are good, but I fear they will fail you in times of severe testing and tribulation—especially if you are confronted with the possibility of having to face death for your testimony. The only motive that will enable you to remain true is stated in II Corinthians 5:14. Christ’s love constraining you will keep you faithful in every situation.”

          Let us walk into this day with the Love of Christ and the confidence that goes with it.

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (149–150). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

I John 4:16

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So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

THE STUDY:

          John gives us a sense of conclusion to his point concerning the Love of God. He affirms the present experience of churches. They have knowledge (we know) and faith (rely on, lit. we have faith in, pepisteukamen). John describes past experiences that continue to impact the present. The force of these perfect tense verbs can be conveyed as we came to know and continue to know and we believed and continue to believe.

God and love are synonymous—“God is love” (repeating 4:8). God defines true love. This strong and clear equation is expanded by the idea of living (menōn, remaining—a present participle) in love, which is to live in God. The imagery is of settling down in God’s love, taking up secure residence in the heart of God. Christian faith is not occasional but constant. Faith is not just for big events but lived out in all the moments of life’s routine.^[1]

         

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that our knowledge and faith in Christ will permanently change us. We cannot go back to the same thinking and belief as we had before Christ. We have been exposed to the Love of God and that Love changes us. We can walk away from God and go back to the worldly ways but that knowledge and belief, even though it is not being used, is still there.

CONCLUSION:

           One of the greatest joys on earth is the joy of bringing others to a saving knowledge of Christ. I have heard people tell that when they were converted the whole world seemed different; that the sun seemed to shine with a new light; there was new music in the song of the birds; all nature seemed clothed with new beauty and glory.

          Once you taste the sweetness of Christ you can never satisfy that tasteful desire with anything else but Jesus. As we walk out the door, look out the window, or as we drive to our destination this morning let us see the difference Christ has made in our lives and rejoice in it.

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (148). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

I John 4:15

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Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

THE STUDY:

          The first two words in this verse “Whoever confesses” have to be looked at first due to the powerful implications they bring. John implies by using the word (hos), the door to salvation is open to any and all! Not just a select few but to the world. No one is excluded from God’s invitation. Anyone may come by confessing Jesus as God’s Son.^[1]

The word “confesses” is the requirement. The translation “confesses” might seem to suggest consent alone. But the verb conveys a more public and active sense of confessing (homologēsē) or making a public and life-shaping claim (Matt 10:32). In the Gospel of John, confessions of faith in Jesus could get one expelled from the synagogue (John 9:22; 12:42). In Rom 10:9–10 confessing Jesus as Lord is inseparably linked to God’s saving work.^[2]

         

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away with this understanding that ANYONE who makes a public and life changing claim (confesses Christ as the Son of God) God remains in him and that person remains in God! Simple but yet so mis-understood!

CONCLUSION:

           Let me conclude with this story from Wilbur E. Nelson.

My father was the senior elder in our church for many years. When I was a boy, eleven years of age, an evangelist held a series of meetings in our church. One night he asked every Christian to come forward and also asked those who desired to confess Christ to come with them. My father, of course, went up, and, as I felt the call of God, I followed after him.

          Just as he reached the front he turned around, and seeing me, said, “Johnnie, you go back; you are too young.” I obeyed him, as I had been taught to do, and at thirty-three I came again, but I did not know what I was coming for as clearly at thirty-three as I did at eleven. The church lost twenty-two years of service, while I lost twenty-two years of growth because my own father, an officer in the church, had said, “Go back.”

          Don’t let time be wasted and miss out on the blessings God has for you today. Confess Christ and watch the power that dwells inside you come forth and move in miraculous ways.

 

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

 

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^[1] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (147). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

^[2] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (147). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

I John 4:14

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And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

THE STUDY:

          In this passage of scripture there are two words that jump out at me: “seen” and “testify.” The indwelling God, whose presence is manifested in the midst of a loving Christian community, thus becomes in a sense truly visible to the eye of faith. Though no one “has seen” (tetheatai, “beheld”) God (v. 12), believers who abide in Him (v. 13) “have seen” (tetheametha, “behold”) the Son as He is manifested among loving Christians. Christians who behold this manifestation have in fact “seen” and can “testify” to the fundamental truth that “the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.”^[1]

          The phrase “have seen” is in recognition of Jesus’ glory and decision for faith in him. This is followed by the seeing of him, his person, and his works.^[2] The disciples were eyewitnesses not only of the baptism of Jesus, but also of his entire life. They saw, heard, and with their hands touched Jesus (1:1).^[3]

         

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

We walk away this morning with the understanding that a Christian not only has seen Christ in the world today buy testifies to the fact that Christ saves.

CONCLUSION:

           “You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

A witness is one who testifies to an act or an experience or a person. A witness usually determines the outcome of justice in a court of law. This means that a Christian is one who testifies to the presence and power of Christ. It also means one must attempt to share his/her experience with others.

          Today, if you have seen the power and love of God then share that testimony with someone who may need to hear it. Testify about the one who has changed your life so someone else may be changed!

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

 

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^[1] Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (1 Jn 4:14). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

^[2] Balz, H. R., & Schneider, G. (1990-). Vol. 2: Exegetical dictionary of the New Testament (136). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans.

^[3] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (336). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

I John 4:12-13 (Part 2)

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No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.

THE STUDY:

          John writes throughout in sharp disagreement with the secessionists’ claim they had a special, esoteric knowledge. But he insisted that he and all true believers in his community, possessed a definite knowledge of their own: “We know” (ginōskomen)! And what do Johannine Christians claim to know That “we live (abide) in him” and that God lives “in us.”

          Throughout, the text keeps grace clearly in view. God initiates, God abides/lives in, and God brings believers to completion. Christians are not, however, swept along irresistibly by his grace. We respond by welcoming his Gift.^[1]

         

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that by welcoming this gift that God has for us we can have the confidence of knowing we are in Him and He is in us. This is not a one shot, locked in deal! At any time we can walk away from this gift. By the Love that dwells inside and pours from us we can rest assure we are living in Him and He is us!

CONCLUSION:

           A four year old was at the pediatrician for a check-up. As the doctor looked into her ears with an otoscope, he asked, "Do you think I'll find Big Bird in here?" The little girl stayed silent. Next, the doctor took a tongue depressor and looked down her throat. He asked, "Do you think I'll find the Cookie Monster down there?" Again, the little girl was silent. 

Then the doctor put a stethoscope to her chest. As he listened to her heart beat, he asked, "Do you think I'll hear Barney in there?"  "Oh, no!" the little girl replied. "Jesus is in my heart. Barney's on my underpants."

          If a doctor was to do a CAT scan of your heart today what would they find: Jesus or someone else? Believe it or not, claiming to be a Christian, people are doing CAT scans on you every minute of the day. Let them see Jesus today! Show them who you are made of!

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

 

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^[1] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (146). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

I John 4:12-13 (Part 1)

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No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.

THE STUDY:

          The fact that God is an unseen God is emphasized throughout scripture. We first read about this in Exodus 33:20, “But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” In the New Testament we see God described as being ‘invisibles” (I Timothy 1:17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.)

          Although no one can directly see God, God is knowable to some extent since he lives in us as we live out his love for others. Love from God, incarnate in followers of Jesus, powerfully demonstrates God’s purpose in the world.

Even if God cannot be seen directly as gnostic heretics thought, God can be seen when his people act in love. John insists that divine love infused into us can be perfected. That is, it fulfills its purpose or achieves its end (telos), among us as we live in love.^[1]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that just because we don’t see God face to face doesn’t mean he is not present. We know he is because of the Love that is demonstrated: Love received and distributed. By this love we know God and we know of his presence.

CONCLUSION:

          One afternoon a little boy was playing outdoors. He used his mother's broom as a horse and had a wonderful time until it was getting dark. He left the broom on the back porch. His mother was cleaning up the kitchen when she realized that her broom was missing. She asked the little boy about the broom and he told her where it was.

          She then asked him to please go get it. The little boy informed his mom that he was afraid of the dark and didn't want to go out to get the broom.
His mother smiled and said "The Lord is out there too, don't be afraid." The little boy opened the back door a little and said "Lord if you're out there, hand me the broom."

          We serve a God who everywhere in the world. Today, we are not going to see the Father face to face, but we can see and distribute His LOVE to this world that is in need. Let today be a day that you look for God’s love and share God’s love with others. You never know who may need it today.

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

 

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^[1] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (145–146). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

I John 4:11

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Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

THE STUDY:

          The author’s purpose in explaining the nature of God’s love expressed in the sending of his one and only Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins (4:9–10) is very practical, and is related to the central purpose of the letter, that is, to reassure his readers that they are in the truth, and to furnish them with criteria by which to evaluate the false claims of the secessionists. The author is not giving a lesson about the love of God for its own sake, but to show that God’s love for us must cause us to love one another. Accordingly, he writes: Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. Since God so loved ‘us’, there is an obligation resting upon ‘us’ to love one another.^[1]

This love that sent the Son, John insists, “ought” to compel us “to love one another”. The word ought (opheilomen) suggests a moral debt owed (see Matt 18:28; Rom 13:8). The emphatic pronoun hēmeis, we, intensifies the statement, since it is already implicit in the verb ending. Right spiritual relationship in the vertical plane—God to humankind—will rightly manifest itself in a relationship of love on the horizontal—person-to-person.^[2]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that since God loved US, we owe it to God to love one another. This need not be looked at as an option but as something owed.

CONCLUSION:

          I believe every married couple has had a “DISCUSSION” now and then (Translating the word discussion: an argument or fight). In the heat of the moment you may not like one another. I remember once my wife looking at me and saying, “I don’t like you right now!” May actions may not have deserved her affection at that moment but I knew she loved me anyway. WHY? Because God loved us!

          There are going to be people in our lives that don’t live up to our morals or standards. They don’t live a life that is pleasing to God. Whatever the case may be, we are to love them.  Hate the sin but love the sinner. Today, let us look at the individuals in our life that are hard to love and love them anyway. Why? Because God loved us!

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Kruse, C. G. (2000). The letters of John. The Pillar New Testament commentary (161). Grand Rapids, Mich.; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos.

^[2] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (145). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

I John 4:10

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In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

THE STUDY:

          In this verse John spells out further what he means by saying ‘love comes from God’ and ‘God is love’. He does so by explaining what God did for us,^[1] sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. The word propitiation is also translated as: atoning sacrifice for (NIV), or expiation for (RSV)! The Greek word found in this passage is (hilasmos) which is defined as: means by which sins are forgiven.  

The coming of Christ addresses the need for sins to be removed or cleansed in expiation (Punishment). Sin in human life must be removed by a thorough purification.

By insisting on suffering due to sin and by suffering in behalf of sinful humanity, God demonstrates that (1) sin is serious and must be radically dealt with, and (2) God is gracious and makes the reconciliation possible (2 Cor 5:18–19). God reconciles by sending the Son.^[2]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that this love God has for us is not just “puppy” love but an agape love. A love demonstrated by a loving God that would pay (atone for) the ultimate price (sacrifice) for a world that was lost.

CONCLUSION:

          I am drawn to the passage of scripture found in 2 Chronicles 7:14, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Jesus Christ paid the full amount for our sins. All we have to do is become humble, pray, seek a relationship with Christ, and turn from sin.

          Today, let us humble ourselves! Set our pride aside and let Christ come in. Let us spend more time in purposeful prayer. Not just a quick little prayer but an intentional timely one. Let us seek a deeper relationship with Christ. Finally, let us ask Christ to forgive us and turn from our sinful ways.

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Kruse, C. G. (2000). The letters of John. The Pillar New Testament commentary (160). Grand Rapids, Mich.; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos.

^[2] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (145). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

I John 4:9

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In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

THE STUDY:

          This is the first of the two verses in which the author spells out what he means by saying that ‘love comes from God’ and that ‘God is love’. He does so here by recounting how God revealed his love to humankind.^[1]

The word manifested means “to come out in the open, to be made public.” It is the opposite of “to hide, to make secret.” Under the Old Covenant, God was hidden behind the shadows of ritual and ceremony (Heb. 10:1); but in Jesus Christ “the life was manifested” (1 John 1:2). “He that has seen Me,” said Jesus, “has seen the Father” (John 14:9).^[2]

                   

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the answer to one of the greatest question of all times: How do I know God loves me? JESUS CHRIST! John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”^[3]

CONCLUSION:

           I use to think God was some big mean God who sat up in heaven and watched all the sinful things I did. He was waiting for the right moment in time to punish me for it. But the truth of the matter is, He is this loving God who sent His Son to take the punishment for my sins so that I may receive his love for eternity. And all I had to do to receive this Love was ASK!

          God is not hiding His love from us Church. He has and is still, today, revealing His love to us through Jesus Christ. All we have to do is receive Christ.

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

 

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^[1] Kruse, C. G. (2000). The letters of John. The Pillar New Testament commentary (157–158). Grand Rapids, Mich.; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos.

^[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (1 Jn 4:9). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.

^[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Jn 3:16). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

I John 4:8

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Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

THE STUDY:

          Over the next few days we will see John emphasizing one of the main characteristics of God: LOVE! In verse 8 John is very blunt, “Anyone who does not love does not know God.” This present knowledge of God and the true nature of love is not a secret disclosed only to a select few. It flows out of a relationship available to all. Loving is to be a lifestyle. Thus, John states that to live in a habitual condition of not loving is to live as strangers to God. Those who live in this way do not know God because God is love. By manifesting love, we demonstrate that we know God. Our character becomes increasingly what we were created and redemptively re-created to be. When we are born of God, we begin truly to know God.^[1]

         

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that to know God is to love and to not love is to not know God. When we pursue God we will come into this loving relationship that will be exemplified by God and impersonated by us.

CONCLUSION:

          I remember when I was young in my walk with God. I had a daughter that was about 2 years old and God spoke to me saying, “She will marry a guy just like you!” My first thought was, “I will kill him!” Up to that point in my life I was not a great example for my daughter. But from that moment on my life changed because I knew she would be watching me. She would be imitating what she seen from me.     When we come into a relationship with God we will imitate God. Therefore we will love!

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (142). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

I John 4:7

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Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

THE STUDY:

          We have seen in scripture over the last few days that we are to speak as believers of Christ and not as the world (Vs 5). We are to listen to God’s word which is presented to us by His servants (Vs 6). Today we read that we are to “love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. “

          John is clear that the one who expresses God’s love toward others manifests the very character of God. Acting in love presents evidence that one is “born of God and knows God.” John brings together in born and knows the language of physical generation and intimate relation to enforce his point. This acknowledges God for who and what he is—a God of love. When John writes “Everyone who loves,” he is not saying that acts of love provide conclusive evidence that one is a Christian. The word agapōn (a present active participle), suggests continuous action and is best understood as everyone who keeps loving others. John stresses that an obvious lifestyle of love demonstrates that the life of God is truly present in us. On such a basis one “knows (ginoskei: he is presently knowing) God”.^[1]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning understanding that Love originates in God and flows out from God. God’s love comes to all, both by creation and from grace. Anyone can choose to receive and express this divine love.^[2]

CONCLUSION:

          One of the responsibilities as a parent is to help our children be successful. Success in life encompasses so many different things. One of those things is relationships. Learning how to have a healthy relationship is very important and can bleed over into so many other aspects of life. I tell my kids that loving someone is a choice, not based on what you receive in return but what is given from it; GOD! God is love and as a believer we have that love dwelling inside to be released, not horded inside. If we do nothing else this day, may be release love into our relationships and into the world. By this act they will know we are from God!

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (142). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

^[2] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (142). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

I John 4:6

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We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

THE STUDY:

          John contended that true believers would tune out messages from “the world” (v 5). They would refuse to give heed to the “false prophets” (v 1) who had left the Christian churches (“gone out into the world,” v 1). John calls his readers to reject the Gnostics. They should instead listen to him and those allied with him. He insists that when people do “not listen to us” and chooses to listen to a contrary gospel, they show themselves to be “not from God”.

         A positive statement of this principle appears in John 8:47: “He who belongs to God hears what God says.” For John, teaching alien to his views clearly placed person in the arena of falsehood or deceit. Listening to him was to listen to “truth.” A person will inevitably be mindful of one spirit or another.^[1]

Why do God’s people listen to preachers? Because preachers proclaim God’s Word, and that Word has divine authority. God’s people hear his voice when the preacher speaks.^[2]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that being of God (A believer of the faith) we will tune out the world and hear God! Not just hear Him but heed to his word. The opposite is true as well: Not of God we will have an open ear to the world.

CONCLUSION:

          Our friends and the social contexts we embrace incline us toward certain habits. Our associates affect how we entertain ourselves and how we spend our time and money. Admittedly, we cannot always choose our environment. But we are always to choose for the holy, rather than contrary to it. Susanna Wesley advised her son John,

Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off your relish of spiritual things; in short, whatever increases the strength and authority of your body over your mind, that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may be in itself. (Wallace 1997, 109)^[3]

          My friends, pursue God in everything we do so that we may “BE OF GOD” and not of this world. My challenge to us today, whatever is pulling us away from God REMOVE IT!

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (140). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

^[2] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (329). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

^[3] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (141). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

I John 4:5

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They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them.

THE STUDY:

          There a few things we need to remind ourselves when it comes to this verse. 1) John is referring back to “the spirit of the antichrist … in the world” (v 3). 2) The world represents the devil and all opposed to God.

This verse reiterates a passage from Johns Gospel: “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” (John 15:19).^[1]

One’s allegiance, John contends in 1 John 4:5, affects both how one hears and how one speaks. Those allied with the world and the leader “who is in the world” (v 4) have learned to speak the same language. The Greek text literally says of/from the world they speak (ek tou kosmou lalousin), though viewpoint (found in the NIV) does catch the sense. The use of “from” is not intended in the sense of separation and distance, but rather refers to origin and nature.^[2]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that Christians will not look or sound like what the world does. This is not necessarily meaning materialistic things. It is perfectly fine to have nice houses, cars, money, etc. What needs to be different from the world is our character, morals, ethics, language, and purpose of life.  

CONCLUSION:

          Even Christians Gardens are to be different from the world:

First, plant five rows of peas: Preparedness, Promptness, Perseverance, Politeness, and Prayer. Next to them plant three rows of squash: Squash Gossip, Squash Criticism, and Squash Indifference. Then five rows of lettuce: Let us be Faithful, Let us be Unselfish, Let us be Loyal, Let us be Truthful, Let us Love One Another. And no garden is complete without turnips: Turn up for Church, Turn up with a Smile, Turn up with Determination.

          Let today be a day that you find yourself different from the world. Let today be a day you find yourself the same as Christ: that SPIRIT that lives inside you pouring out so others may see.

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

 

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^[1] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (140). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

^[2] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (140). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.