These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
II John 1:7-13
Review…
- The Author – an IMPATIENT – TROUBLESOME man – who could not even catch a FISH…
- But full of the HOLY Spirit – God made him into an APOSTLE and LEADER…
- Who wrote FIVE books of the BIBLE – to tell EVERYONE about Jesus!
- The Audience – the ELECT Lady and her CHILDREN…
- The LADY – refers to the CHURCH and the LEADERS [κύριος]
- The CHILDREN – refers to the CHURCH and the BELIEVERS [τέκνον]
- The Theme – the book of II John is broken up into TWO sections…
- II John 1:1-6 – Walking in the TRUTH
- II John 1:7-13 – Walking away from DECEPTION
- The way we know the difference between the TRUTH and DECEPTION…
- Is by obeying the COMMAND to LOVE – II John 1:5-6
- Walking in TRUTH…
- EVERYONE who KNOWS the TRUTH [Jesus] – LOVES the church…
- Because the TRUTH abides in us – giving us GRACE – MERCY – and PEACE…
- Allowing us to OBEY the COMMAND to LOVE one another!
- Ephesians 5:2 – “Walk in love – as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us.”
Walking strong…
- 1st – Be on Guard… vs. 7-8
- 1st – DECEIVERS… vs. 7
- Many deceivers have gone into the world!
- DECEIVERS [πλάνος] – where we get the word PLANET…
- In contrast to being from GOD many have GONE out – who are WORDILY…
- GONE out [εἰσέρχομαι] – can also be interpreted as POSSESSED!
- Luke 22:23 – “Then Satan entered [εἰσέρχομαι] Judas – surnamed Iscariot.”
- The world has literally been POSSESSED by those who want to DECEIVE us!
- Who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh!
- What is the LIE the DECEIVERS spread – Jesus did NOT come in the FLESH…
- They do not CONFESS [ὁμολογέω] – AGREE with the Gospel!
- God became a man – came in the FLESH – He was IMMANUEL – Isaiah 7:14
- Jesus came to do what no one else could – He lived a PERFECT life…
- Then Jesus – the only SINLESS man – died to PAY the price for our SIN – Romans 6:23
- Because they DENY what God did – IMMANUEL – they are a DECEIVERS!
- We need to be VERY careful to EXAMINE what people say…
- Someone might teach salvation through Jesus – but WHO is Jesus to them…
- To the MORMONS – Jesus is a created being – the BROTHER of satan…
- To the Jehovah Witnesses – Jesus is Michael the Archangel…
- Unless someone CONFESSES Jesus is GOD – who came down to DIE for our sins…
- Then they are NOT talking about the Jesus of the Bible – and that person is a DECEIVER!
- 2nd – The ANTICHRIST… vs. 7
- This is a deceiver and an antichrist!
- This is THE [ὁ] DECEIVER [πλάνος] – THE [ὁ] ANTICHRIST…
- ANTICHRIST [ἀντίχριστος] – 5x in NT – I John 2:18 – 2:22 – 4:3 – II John 1:7
- The name means to be OPPOSED to the Christ – to be AGAINST Jesus…
- The definite article [THE] is before the word – meaning THE Antichrist…
- But this does not seem to refer to the MAN who will rule during the TRIBULATION…
- Instead this is talking about the DECEIVER that will be in that MAN!
- Since his FALL – satan has always been OPPOSED to God…
- He knew salvation would come through the SEED of the woman – Genesis 3:15
- So satan fills the WORLD with LIES – all with one PURPOSE…
- To BLIND people to the SALVATION that only comes through Jesus!
- II Corinthians 4:4 – “The god of this age has blinded [those] who do not believe – lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ – who is the image of God – should shine on them.”
- 3rd – Full REWARD… vs. 8
- Look to yourselves – that we do not lose those things we worked for.
- But that we may receive a full reward!
- In light of the DECEPTION that has POSSESSED the world we live in – we MUST [imperative]
- LOOK [βλέπω] – to FOCUS on intently – so we are NOT caught off GUARD…
- We do NOT want to LOOSE [ἀπόλλυμι] – the word means DESTROYED [subjunctive]
- All that we have WORKED [aorist] for – our full [πλήρης] REWARD…
- REWARD [μισθός] – can also be translated as WAGES…
- What does it mean to not LOSE our full REWARD – TWO thoughts!
- LOSS of REWARDS…
- All our WORK for the Lord on earth will be TESTED by FIRE – I Corinthians 3:12-14
- Any selfish motive will be wood – hay – and stubble [burns up in the FIRE]
- Any pure motive will be gold – silver – and jewels [does NOT burn]
- Then at Bema seat of Christ – II Corinthians 5:10
- We will receive REWARDS – for the good things done for the Lord…
- We can then throw the REWARDS [crowns] at the feet of Jesus – Revelation 4:10
- If we are NOT careful – we can be DECEIVED and loose REWARDS…
- We can WASTE our TIME living for this life – rather than for Jesus…
- As a RESULT – we will get to heaven – but not with FULL rewards…
- We will not have as many CROWNS as we could have if we had lived for God!
- LOSS of SALVATION…
- Jesus gave a PARABLE about a DAYS wage – Matthew 20:1-16
- Men were hired throughout the day to WORK in a vineyard – promised a DENARIUS…
- When time came to give them their WAGE [μισθός] – Matthew 20:8
- Those who WORKED all day complained – got the same as those who WORKED an hour…
- But it did NOT matter how long they had WORKED – there was only one WAGE [μισθός]
- Matthew 20:16 – “For many are called – but few chosen [ἐκλεκτός].”
- Our compete – and only – REWARD is our SALVATION…
- And if we are NOT careful – we can be DECEIVED and not go on HEAVEN…
- We can get so caught up in this LIFE – we can miss out on ETERNAL life…
- Either way the verse is interpreted – the concern is REAL…
- There is a CONSEQUENCE to being DECEIVED – so we need to be on GUARD!
- How to be on GUARD…
- Considering the IMPORTANCE of being on GUARD – not receiving the REWARD…
- The question must be asked – how do we GUARD against DECEIVERS!
- 1st – DECEIVERS… vs. 7
- 2nd – Abide in Jesus… vs. 9-10
- 1st – Not ABIDING… vs. 9
- Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God!
- ALL [πᾶς] who TRANSGRESS [παραβαίνω] – to STEP aside – go the WRONG way…
- What causes someone to go the WRONG way – TRANSGRESS…
- Not ABIDING [μένω] in the TEACHINGS of Christ – the WORD of God!
- If I asked you a SIMPLE question – what is ONE plus ONE – you would say TWO…
- But if you were to count in BINARY [computer language] – the answer would be TEN…
- If you do not believe me – type the question into GOOGLE!
- The point being TRUTH can be very CONFUSING…
- People can give us FACTS – that sound right – but are really WRONG…
- How can we know the TRUTH – so we are not DECEIVED by LIES…
- The best way to be on GUARD – and receive a full REWARD – is read our Bible…
- Not just occasionally – we need to ABIDE [cling daily] in the WORD…
- The Bible will keep us from TRANSGRESSING – but SIN will keep you from the Bible!
- Psalm 119:11 – “Your word I have hidden in my heart… I might not sin against You!”
- Do NOT have God!
- Those who do not ABIDE in the WORD – do NOT have God!
- This would seem to suggest that the REWARD is SALVATION…
- Because those who are NOT on GUARD – and are DECEIVED…
- Can end up TRANSGRESSING – and going the WRONG way – back the WORLD…
- And in the END it means they do NOT have a relationship with God!
- 2nd – ABIDING in Christ… vs. 9
- He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son!
- If we ABIDE [μένω] in the TEACHINGS of Christ – the Word of God…
- ABIDE [μένω] 120x in NT – a word that John REALLY liked – 68x in his FIVE books…
- The Word means to CLING to something – and never let go
- When we ABIDE [present] in the WORD – we have [present] the Father and the Son…
- Because both will come and DWELL inside of us!
- John 14:23 – “If anyone… keep[s] My word… My Father will love him – and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”
- I had a missionary friend who went to WORK in the Sudan…
- He knew he was going into a WAR zone – and there were DANGERS…
- But when he arrived – he was given a bullet proof jacket and helmet…
- That is when it hit him just how DANGEROUS it was – and he CLUNG to his ARMOR!
- It may not seem like it – but we go out EVERY day into a WAR…
- We have an ENEMY who is out to DECEIVE us – wants to DESTROY us…
- And we do NOT want to go into the BATTLE unprepared…
- Therefore we get into the WORD daily – so we have a RELATIONSHIP with God…
- So we have the Father and Son in us – to GUARD us – be our ARMOR…
- To keep us SAFE from the ATTACK of our adversary!
- Romans 13:12-14 – “Let us put on the armor of light… put on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
- 3rd – Not RECEIVING… vs. 10-11
- If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine!
- What do we do if someone comes – and does NOT bring the TEACHING of Christ…
- This is NOT talking about people who do NOT know Jesus!
- According to Pew research – only 31% of the world identifies as Christian…
- Meaning at LEAST 69% of the world – does NOT know Jesus…
- If we AVOIDED them – how could we ever share the Gospel to a LOST world!
- This is talking about people – who come to DECEIVE with ANOTHER Gospel!
- When we get a knock on the door from a MORMON – or JEHOVAH witness…
- When someone comes to DECEIVE – how do we REACT!
- Do not receive him into your house!
- Do NOT [imperative] let him into your HOUSE!
- This may seem VERY harsh – it does not seem to represent the LOVE of Jesus…
- If someone comes to our door – we are to REFUSE to let them come in…
- But make no mistake – this is for our SAFETY!
- I knew a woman who had attended church for years – SOLID Bible studies…
- You would think she was well grounded in the WORD – knew the TRUTH…
- But one day she came in to say she was going to start attending the MORMON church…
- Because they were so NICE – and had been so KIND to her – when she LET them IN!
- We would NOT play with a POISONOUS snake – they are DANGEROUS…
- Even if they SEEMED nice – we know at any moment they could STRIKE…
- That is DECEIVERS – they may look good on the outside – but they are there to DESTROY…
- And we want NOTHING to do with them – do NOT let them in!
- Nor greet him!
- Do NOT [imperative] even TALK [greet] him…
- GREET [χαίρω] – the VERB form of the word GRACE [χάρις]
- Meaning we are NOT to even to be GRACIOUS to these DECEIVERS…
- Because they are COMING preaching a DIFFERENT Gospel…
- And their WORDS are well crafted to cause DOUBT – make us WAIVER in our faith…
- Therefore we are to treat them as what they are – ACCURSED!
- Galatians 1:8 – “If we – or an angel from heaven – preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you – let him be accursed.”
- For he who greets him shares in his evil deeds!
- Those who give GRACE [χαίρω] to DECEIVERS – end up SHARING in their EVIL works…
- SHARE [κοινωνέω] – to have FELLOWSHIP with!
- I have to admit – I have TALKED to these CULTS before – tried to share the GOSPEL…
- It has NEVER had any positive outcome – we might win the battle [words]
- But they are TRAINED in how to resist the WORD – and just walk away!
- The CONCERN is that we might build a RELATIONSHIP with them…
- Having them in our HOUSE – taking time to TALK to them…
- And that FELLOWSHIP will eventually have an effect on us…
- Little by little we might be DECEIVED by their false WORDS…
- And that could lead us to TRANSGRESS – walk away from the TRUTH!
- I Corinthians 15:33 – “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
- 1st – Not ABIDING… vs. 9
- 3rd – Fellowship… vs. 12-13
- 1st – Not just writing… vs. 12
- Having many things to write to you – I did not wish to do so with paper and ink!
- This was NOT the only thing John wanted to WRITE about…
- There were LOTS [πολύς] of other subjects he desired to go over…
- But he did not want to do it with INK and PAPER!
- We do NOT use ink and paper much anymore – we tent to use cell phone and computer…
- But I can relate to John – they are NOT the best way to communicate…
- EMAILS and TEXT lack emotion – intonation – and facial expression…
- They are OK for basic information – but they are no substitute for FELLOWSHIP!
- 2nd – Face to Face… vs. 12
- I hope to come to you and speak face to face – that our joy may be full!
- John HOPED [ἐλπίζω] to come and speak – MOUTH to MOUTH…
- To have GOOD fellowship by TALKING with each other…
- Which would RESULT in their JOY [χαρά] being FULL [πληρόω]!
- When we have FELLOWSHIP [κοινωνέω] with others who are ABIDING in Jesus…
- The result will be – we will have a FULL [same root word as verse 8] REWARD…
- And that will give us JOY – because we are WALKING in the TRUTH…
- Because we help PROTECT one another from those who try to DECEIVE us…
- We are here to ENCOURAGE each other in our WALK!
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “Two are better than one… if they fall – one will lift up his companion.”
- We NEED church…
- There are those who argue – CHURCH in not necessary…
- We can read our Bibles – worship – without other believers!
- Going to CHURCH does not save us – but it does keep us from getting off track…
- It is easy to do the wrong things and convince ourselves we are right…
- That is why God call us to FELLOWSHIP with one another in CHURCH…
- We help keep each other in check – keep our each other accountable to God!
- We NEED each other…
- Redwood trees are the tallest in the world – over 120m…
- Yet their roots are not very deep – they STAND – by being connected to one another!
- We also do not STAND alone in the life – God has given us a HUGE family…
- It is so important to have Godly brothers and sisters at our side!
- Hebrews 10:25 – “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together – as is the manner of some – but exhorting one another – and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
- 2nd – NOT alone… vs. 13
- The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen!
- As we mentioned last week – the CHILDREN [τέκνον] – likely refers to BELIEVERS…
- So the BELIEVERS from the ELECT [ἐκλεκτός] sister – other CHURCHES…
- GREET you [ἀσπάζομαι] – to welcome with a warm embrace!
- Because we are NOT alone – we have a HUGE family who STANDS with us…
- The Christian WALK – is NOT a lonely one – we have HELP…
- The KEY is to stay in FELLOWSHIP with others who are ABIDING…
- So we can EMBRACE one another – build each other up – until we receive our REWARD!
- 1st – Not just writing… vs. 12