I John 3:3 (Part 1)

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And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

THE STUDY:

          Believers strive for a life of purity because Christ “is pure.” The pronoun “he” translates the affectionate pronoun ekeinos (lit. that one), a term often used in 1 John to refer to Jesus. The pronoun makes specific designation—that one. The incarnate, earthly Jesus (2:6) defines the purity in view.

The word “pure” (hagnos) means holy, belonging to God. The purity of Christ calls for his disciple to embrace that same purity. Yet, interestingly, hagnos (Pure) is never used in the Gospels to identify Jesus (Brown 1982, 397). The verb form (hagnizō) appears only here and in John 11:55 in the entire writings of John.

The measure of true holiness is Christlikeness. Holiness is not first and foremost adherence to rules or standards. Rather it is the divine life being lived out through us. The phrase just “as he is pure” involves the possession of the same kind of character Christ displayed. We will see Christ “as he is” and that unhindered seeing leads to a purity of life that is like his.^[1]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• What we can walk away with this morning is the understanding that Holiness is not “regulations” but “revelation.” It is Christ being revealed through us in our daily walk with Him.

CONCLUSION:

          Paul tells us to live victoriously and to avoid excesses of the flesh. Moody once illustrated this truth as follows: “Tell me,” he said to his audience, “How can I get the air out of this glass?” One man said, “Suck it out with a pump.” Moody replied, “That would create a vacuum and shatter the glass.” After many impossible suggestions, Moody smiled, picked up a pitcher of water, and filled the glass. “There,” he said, “all the air is now removed.” He then went on to show that victory in the Christian life is not by “sucking out a sin here and there,” but rather by being filled with the Spirit. ^[2]

          Living a life of Holiness is not removing sin here and there but a life that dies out each every day to Christ: Asking to be filled with the Holy Spirit and letting His ways be yours 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 (112). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

^[2] Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times. Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.

I John 3:2

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Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

THE STUDY:

          In studying the Word of God one of the things to look for is repeated words or phrases. When we see this we need to pay close attention to it. There is a reason the writer repeats these words or phrases. An example in our day and time; “Son, I want you go throughout the house and empty all the trash cans. After you have finished that take the trash out to the garage. Once all the trash is collected take it out to the street for the garbage collectors to pick it up.” Repeated word is “Trash!” Why? The word “trash” is the main focus of the conversation.

          In this verse the word “WE” is repeated 5 times. John is trying to reconnect the believers with the one true God. It may appear they have been swayed by the teachings of the Gnostics. John says WE …

1. … are God’s Children!
2. … will be gloriously resurrected! 
3. … know all about Christ! 
4. … shall be like Him in the resurrection!
5. … shall see him as He is!

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that everything God has done is because He LOVES us! We are His children because he loves us. We will be gloriously resurrected because He loves us. He has revealed Christ to us because He loves us. He sent His son so that we may be like Him because he loves us. We shall have an opportunity to be in heaven with God because He loves us.

CONCLUSION:

A young woman grew up in dire poverty in the heartland of the country. A benefactor made it possible for her to take a trip to the coast where for the first time she saw the ocean. Captivated, she stood gazing at its vastness. In awe she was heard to say, “Thank God for something of which there is more than enough!” So it is with God’s love. We stand in awe of its vastness. There is more than enough!

If you don’t know this I want to make sure you walk away this morning hearing it from me, “God Loves You!” He always has and He always will. It’s what we do in response to this love that makes the difference.

         

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

I John 3:1 (Part 2)

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I John 3:1 (Part 2)

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

THE STUDY:

          God’s children experience the love of God. We profess him as our Father, for we have an experiential knowledge of God. We put our trust and faith in him who loves us, provides for us, and protects us.

          The hostile, unbelieving world, however, does not know the children of God. Unbelievers cannot understand us, says John, because they do not know God (compare John 16:2–3 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me.)

“The world does not recognize us because it never recognized him.” The unbelieving world lives separated from God and will never know the significance of our spiritual relationship with God. If we were to become worldly, we would forfeit our status as children of God. By rejecting us, however, the world confirms our relationship with God the Father.^[1]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away, this morning, with the understanding that those who comprehend our ways are those who are believers as well. The world cannot understand “US” because they do not know God!

• We should not find it confusing to the fact that the world rejects us. This is actually a confirmation to the fact that we are believers in Christ.

CONCLUSION:

          I am not sure if it is the fact that I am getting older or the world is getting crazier. I am finding that in our world, I am not of the norm. I don’t think up is down, left is right, and sin is acceptable in certain situations. For the longest time I would be frustrated by this fact and feel that I was not normal. I am coming to an understanding that knowing Christ and having a personal relationship with Him, I am normal.

My encouragement to you today is to accept the fact that the world is not going to understand us (believers). You are not abnormal but normal! Embrace it and continue to do what the Holy Spirit guides you to do. All of this for the Glory of God!

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (294). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

I John 3:1

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See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

THE STUDY:

John does not say “the Father loves us.” If so, he would be describing a condition. Instead, he writes, “the Father has lavished [his love] on us” and thus portrays an action and the extent of God’s love. John has chosen the word Father purposely. That word implies the Father-child relationship. However, God did not become Father when he adopted us as children. God’s fatherhood is eternal. He is eternally the Father of Jesus Christ and through Jesus he is our Father. Through Jesus we receive the Father’s love and are called “children of God.”^[1]

          The love of the God is not based on a condition; if we love him, only then, will He love us. God loved us from the very beginning as we were thought of and created by Him. It was all about love!

          A good way to comprehend this thought of God’s love for us: Being a parent to our children. I do not display love for my children only when they are good or do nice things for me. My love for them started at the very moment I knew of their existence. I have loved them in spite of their faults, mishaps and disobedience. I don’t condone their sin but I love them regardless of it.

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• This morning I hope we walk away with the understanding that God’s love is not a conditional love but a love that is extended out to each and every one of us. It is up to us to receive it and live in it!

• Just as we love our children in spite of all their faults, shortcomings, and sins, God loves us. He doesn’t condone our sins but he loves us in spite of them. As sinners, we must repent and accept the grace God extends to us because of His love for “His Children.”

CONCLUSION:

          Charles Spurgeon preached a great sermon from a very short text. The text consisted of only four words: “If children, then heirs.” (Rom. 8:17). The truth and force of those words came through as Spurgeon stripped them of what they did not say.

The words did not say, if creatures, then heirs. Many people think that we are automatically in the family of God, but the Bible does not say that we are heirs just because we are His creation. Neither does the text say, if children of Abraham, then heirs. That is what many Israelites believed. They thought they were automatically children of God because they were children of Abraham. However, to some of them, Jesus said, “Ye are of your father, the devil.” (John 8:44).

The text also ruled out baptism, church membership, confirmation, and other works and rites. We must be spiritually born into God’s family. If children, even “the poor of this world (are) … heirs of the kingdom.” (Jas. 2:5).

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (292–294). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

I John 2:28-29 (Part 2)

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And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

THE STUDY:

It is obvious to the fact there are two parts to this verse: 1) John is telling his readers that if they know in their hearts “that he is righteous,” 2) they also will learn to know that righteous Christians are born of him. John is reminding the believers that Jesus is “the Righteous One” (2:1)?^[1] This may be something the Gnostics didn’t believe and is one of the cornerstones to the believer’s teachings.

We know that this verse is pointing ahead in the letter so we can interpret “born of him,” as referring to God. The overall thought in this verse is the understanding that everyone should know that the Father and the Son are “Righteous” and that those who practice righteousness are believers as well. As a believer we will be known by what we live and what we live is what we believe to be the truth.

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away, this morning, with the understanding that, as a believer, knowing the Father and Son to be righteous is evident in our lives by what we practice: Righteousness. We do right because we are re-born of it. We long to please the Father more than ourselves. It is His will not ours that rules us.

• Is it more important for the will of God to be done in our lives or is there still a battle between our will and His? Let those around us today see the righteousness that’s been re-born in us. Let them see Jesus!

CONCLUSION:

It was Leigh Richmond, who dropped a gospel tract on the pavement in England and prayed that a bad man would pick it up.

          A bad man did pick it up. He carried the tract with him to prison and he was converted, and he wrote Pilgrim’s Progress, which turned millions to righteousness. He was John Bunyan.

          I pray that through our righteousness, others may become believers.

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (288). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

I John 2:28-29 (Part 1)

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And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

THE STUDY:

          These two verses form a bridge between two chapters. Verse 28 is a brief summary of chapter 2. The next verse is a prelude to chapter 3. Both verses are short and because of their respective contents, they do not form a unit. For this reason, some scholars place a division between these two verses. For the sake of conformity to the chapter divisions, however, we include them in chapter 2.^[1]

          John uses the phrases “little children” and “abide in him” at the beginning of this verse. I am not going to address these phrases due to the fact that it has already been discussed in earlier devotionals. The thing that may be obvious to us but appears not so obvious to those who John is writing to is the phrase “when he appears.”

Believers understand that Jesus will return. John mentions the first coming of Jesus in the flesh—“our hands have touched” in 1:1. In chapter 2 he writes about the certainty of Jesus’ second coming (v. 28). The epistle has few references to his appearing, but this verse and 3:2 are clear in presenting the truth of Christ’s return.^[2]

How do believers respond to the news of Jesus’ return? They obey God’s commands, continue in Christ, and are confident at the prospect of Jesus’ return (compare 3:21). The word confident actually means that believers readily, frankly, and boldly speak about their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They communicate their faith.^[3]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away, this morning, with this question in mind: How do we communicate our faith? As a believer we know Christ is returning! As a believer we are to remain in him and follow his commandments. This is some of the ways we communicate His return.

CONCLUSION:

          In communicating our faith we must be confident in the promises found in the Bible. Both the Old and New Testaments are filled with promises of the Second Coming of Christ. There are 1,845 references to it in the Old Testament, and a total of seventeen Old Testament books give it prominence.

 Of the 260 chapters in the entire New Testament, there are 318 references to the Second Coming, or one out of 30 verses. Twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books refer to this great event. For every prophecy on the First Coming of Christ, there are 8 on Christ’s Second Coming.

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (287). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

^[2] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (287). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

^[3] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (288). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

^[4] Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times. Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.

I John 2:27 (Part 2)

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But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

THE STUDY:

          I keep repeating to you that John is reacting to a false teaching of Christ. This is radiating from the Gnostic's and John is reminding the believers that they have all they need in Christ.

          “His anointing teaches you about all things.” That is, the Spirit of Christ will teach the believer everything (John 14:26) and will guide him in distinguishing truth from error. All believers receive the Holy Spirit and all of them are equally equipped to oppose those teachers who proclaim the lie instead of the truth.^[1]

          The heart of this verse, however, lies in the last three words which form a command to have fellowship with Christ. The encouragement is direct: “abide in him.” In view of John’s reference to Jesus’ return (v. 28), the words in him relate to Jesus Christ.^[2]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• As a believer, we walk away with the understanding that Jesus is all we need. There is a passage of scripture that sums this up, “I (Jesus) am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) Jesus is the way: The way we should think, the way we should act, and the way we should talk. Jesus is the truth in our life and that truth will set us free. Jesus is the life we should live.  

CONCLUSION:

          I remember walking into the Nazarene church for the first time. I was scared, nervous, and even a little intimidated, but after hearing the song, “He’s All I need,” I realized this group of people was not people who I needed to fear, to be nervous around, or even intimidated by. They were people just like me who needed Jesus.

          In this walk with God I can testify to this: Everything I need, to live a life that is pleasing to God, is found in Jesus. Everything you need this day is found in Christ. Don’t forget what you already know, Jesus is all you need.

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (285–286). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

^[2] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (286). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.