Walking strong 

• 1^st – Be on Guard… vs. 7-8
  • 1^st – 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!
  • 2^nd – 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.”
  • 3^rd – 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!

• 2^nd – Abide in Jesus… vs. 9-10
  • 1^st – 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!
  • 2^nd – 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.”
  • 3^rd – 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.”

So we can EMBRACE one another – build each other up – until we receive our REWARD!

3^rd – Fellowship… vs. 12-13

1^st – 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!

2^nd – 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.”

2^nd – 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…