There are dangers out there

Gerald Branch

1 John • Sermon • Submitted 7 years ago

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05-07-2017

Title: There are dangers out there

Text: (ESV) (Focus: v. 18-23)

1 John 2:18–28 ESV

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 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. 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.

STATEMENT: There are dangers out there…

As the Bible shows us, there have been dangers in this world ever since the devil tempted Adam and Eve…

on down through the times of the Old Testament period,

on through the New Testament period,

continuing on through the early years of the church,

as well as on through the Middle ages,

and the Reformation,

and the Enlightenment period,

and on through time to our present day.

The dangers are not just from evil despots

nor tyrants nor killers, nor thieves nor drug dealers…

In fact John is telling the Christians in his day, and as his letter makes this clear…

John is presenting that there are things going on,

real dangers from a spiritual source,

that are at work

trying to steal away the closeness of our fellowship with God…

AND, because we are NO different than those early men and women who followed Jesus,

we Christians today also really do need to be aware of these ever present dangers.

So what John is saying is very important to us Christians today also,

Now, as we know, we also need to always read Scripture in proper context,

and so it is also with this portion we are looking at this morning.

This means that we also need to read on down through the 28th verse as well

in order to get a more accurate view of the subject matter that John is dealing with.

So let’s read, verses 18 through 28, and then we’ll come back and concentrate on .

1 John 2:18–23 ESV

Then

(ESV)

1 John 2:24–28 ESV

Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 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. 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.

Now, remembering what we’ve seen so far in the letter of 1 John,

there were some things in the previous verses where John cautions us of...

These are some of the things that not only ‘can,’

but ‘will get in the way’ of solid fellowship with God…

Hopefully you remember those were mainly that:

John told us that IF we don’t obey the commands of the Lord, our fellowship suffers;

IF we fail to love the brethren…

that’s both our LOCAL church family but also, Christians all over the world,

then again, our fellowship with the Lord suffers;

IF we start loving the world more than God…

I.e. if we start to align ourselves more closely with the philosophies, the material stuff,

the ways of the world,

more so than we align ourselves to God and His Word, once again,

our fellowship with Him suffers.

And now, then in this portion of his letter, now John goes on to caution

that EVEN IF we think we have those things under control,

unfortunately, we still will face several dangers…

But these are NOT the dangers that are a result of actions that come from within ourselves…again,

those disobedience things,

That failing to love…

these are things we are directly responsible for,

they are choices we make…

but now John goes and tells us of the dangers that come against us

from the EXTERNAL as well.

This means then that John says that we need to keep our eyes or attention

not only upon our INDIVIDUAL person,

but also upon what may come against us from the enemy outside us…

this is the works of the Enemy who is constantly trying to seduce us away from the truth.

So then here in this part of the letter,

John points out a couple of important things…

So notice first, the ‘issue of Time or WHEN’…

in verse that

1 John 2:18 ESV

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.

John says, 18 Children, it is the last hour

Again, John uses that term of endearment we saw before…

children…

Again, John is expressing his love and concern for these Christians…

he really wants to protect them from the dangers

he knows that are out there lurking about trying to snare them.

Then I want to quickly touch on a phrase that he uses which tends to gets some people all excited…

John also refers to what he says, 18 ….

it is the last hour…

What is this reference to?

Well, some people back in John’s day saw this as John saying

that because Jesus had arisen,

then it’s NOT going to be very long at all before He returned,

so now they felt they only had a few more years left on the earth before Jesus would return.

Obviously looking back in time from our own time in history,

we see that Jesus didn’t return like they had anticipated,

and He still has not yet returned…

Again, what is interesting,

this shows us how susceptible we are to fall into that same way of thinking when it comes to this

‘when is Jesus coming back’ discussion…

But consider this…

Paul had written about this same thing to the church at Thessalonica a bit earlier…

He wrote in , trying to show the people

that there were certain things that still had to occur before

what he referred to as the ‘day of the Lord.’

It’s also why Paul spoke of the

‘great apostasy’

that would be seen first.

As John was saying when he wrote,

Paul earlier was basically saying the ‘day of the Lord’

might NOT be coming as quickly as people might hope.

Putting this into perspective,

Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians around 51-52 AD…

and John wrote 1 John around 85 AD…

30 or so years later…

so the discussion had been going on for awhile.

But we can go back even further in the New Testament,

and the Lord, Jesus Himself,

spoke of not getting caught up in

‘short-sighted thinking’

that His return was just around the corner…

He said this in part in what is known as the Olivet Discourse starting in Matthew chapter 24…

In part Jesus said, in (ESV)

Matthew 24:4–8 ESV

And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

The phrase John used, ‘the last hour’

or ‘the last time,’

was not a NEW concept…

But next The passage then lays out several other important issues that affect the Christian…

One, is that that we must recognize the very characteristic of the conflict itself…

This is a spiritual conflict,

which we see as we read this in verses 18-19 and 22-23,

so look at these, ok?

(ESV) 18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

1 John 2:18–19 ESV

(ESV)

1 John 2:22–23 ESV

22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.

1 John 2:22–23 ESV

Let’s deal with this issue first…

look at v. (ESV) …

1 John 2:18 ESV

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.

1 John 2:18 ESV

18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.

John 18 ESV

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed. Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die. So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

nd as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come

John is the only writer who uses this term, “ἀντίχριστος” or antichrist.

But what is it that John is really getting at here when he says the ‘antichrist’ and many ‘antichrists?’

You see The word ‘antichrist’ simply means:

"someone who stands instead of, or in place of, the real Jesus Christ"

Now this is where Christian church history is interesting and

helps shed some light on how this ‘antichrist’ might act or appear.

Over the course of time, different theologians

and scholars have had some different views.

Shortly after John’s time,

the predominant view held by the church on the ‘antichrist’

was actually a reference to a certain Jewish man.

It was believed that this person would arise from within the Jewish nation,

and during his time,

the Temple would be rebuilt.

Plus, this certain Jew would also possess tremendous powers and would be able to

woo the people his way with some of the works he would accomplish.

But most importantly, they believed that this man would start persecuting the Christian church

and through his slick and powerful speech, he would even lead many of the Christians astray.

By the way…this never happened, by the way.

Then there was another view that became very popular through the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church.

This view developed later during the Middle Ages which ran

5th century to 15th century.

It said that this antichrist was not necessarily a Jew,

but instead would be a great earthly leader or ruler with much power.

This antichrist would establish himself through powerful and skillful speaking

and also would do what appeared to be powerful works.

Like the early view in the church,

this man would also go on to persecute the Christian church,

but he would then be destroyed at the Second Coming of Christ.

This view is basically still the widely held view by the Catholic Church.

Then we find a new twist when we get to the time of

the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.

The Reformers were convinced that the antichrist was actually

Get this, ok.

the Roman Catholic Church,

and especially the pope.

In part using the passage here in

1 John, they believed the evil power,

or person,

came out of the body of Christians who were part of the Catholic Church…

and that this evil person wanted not only to oppose Christ,

but its ultimate goal was to take His place through deceiving and misuse of power.

The Reformers based their argument that since the antichrist would come out of

the church,

he had to “BE” the Roman Catholic Church which was led by the pope,

whose office, the papacy, in fact, actually did wield so much power.

In later years, the antichrist is seen as someone coming out of the middle east by some,

but not all,

who are considered dispensational in their theology.

Another subject.

But what we need to remember,

what is really important,

is that as John said, these antichrists have come…

they are deceivers; they are manipulators; they are perverters of Scripture to fit their agenda;

and they lead many, many astray

with some of their signs and wonders

and their tickle the ears preaching and teaching.

John is providing strong warning to be aware that

the powers of darkness are at work in this world

and their whole purpose is NOT to glorify Jesus Christ.

That leads me to John’s second key item…

NEXT then, John says that we then need to truly understand that

we have

the perfect way

to recognize this danger…

John is reminding us that we have the Holy Spirit as we see in verses 20-21 and v. 27…

so, look at these with me…

(ESV) 20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.

1 John 2:20–21 ESV

20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.

Then...

(ESV)

1 John 2:27 ESV

27 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.

So while the bad news is that

there is a REAL spiritual battle going on,

the really good news is this…

each and every born-again Christian

has the Holy Spirit in him or herself

and because we have Him,

we have the TRUTH…

Plus we have God’s power to Discern through the Spirit,

and we have His Word to give us Knowledge

by which we can Measure whether something is true or not…

whether what a preacher or teacher or anyone else says

is TRUE according to Scriptures…

not a belly ache or good feeling…

but the Word of God.

So, when you need to discern something, don’t go and rely on feelings…

rely on the Word and the Holy Spirit…

And then John tells us that we even have

the way to fight this ever-present danger.

You know, once again, what I found interesting is that this theme

of spiritual battles has been addressed in the New Testament several times,

so it’s not something new for Christians living around

85 AD or so,

nor is it new for us today.

A quick look in scriptures shows us that Peter dealt with this same theme in

2 Peter chapter 2.

And it’s dealt with in Revelation;

and we find that Paul dealt with it in one of the famous passages from

Ephesians chapter 6,

where he talked of the spiritual armor…

putting on the whole armor of God.

So God has provided what we need.

And it is PERFECT…

His shield is real.

But like the other parts of that armor,

we do have to pick it up and use it.

So while we live in this world, for however long that may be…

and I don’t know, nor am I dumb enough to try to tell you when I think Jesus is coming back…

The fact remains,

that Jesus Has LEFT us in this world to serve Him

and be His witnesses.

So, what are we supposed to do?

Well We could go and find a cave

or hole and pull the hole in after us…

but that isn’t what Jesus says in the Word that we're to do.

We could stop telling people, our friends,

or people all over the world who Jesus is

and what He has done for us and them…

we could stop living for Christ especially when

your friends or other people call you narrow minded.

So, are we supposed to be more concerned about our comfort,

And just go and bury our heads in the sand while the world goes rushing on

and says to keep your Jesus stuff to yourself? No.

As Christians, we are still called to be on mission “WITH”

and “FOR” Jesus Christ.

According to God’s Word, Jesus expects those of us who call ourselves Christians

to keep OBEYING HIM and be about doing His work

as His faithful servants rather than hiding in a closet;

or spending a bunch of our time getting caught up in end times arguments and speculations

and fooling ourselves into thinking that’s more important

than being on mission and faithful to Christ.

This Being on mission and being faithful servants of Christ mean that

we cannot ignore the fact that people need Jesus Christ…

our neighbors need Jesus;

our co-workers need Jesus;

our friends

and family need Jesus…

people in Nicaragua need Jesus…

People all over the world need Jesus.

People NEED Jesus as their Savior because the day IS coming when all will stand before Him in judgment…

that’s the end of that ‘last hour’ John spoke of…

But before that frightful time...

before that time,

people need to have made the decision to RECEIVE Jesus,

Because once they are standing there, according to the Bible,

it is TOO late to make the commitment…

People while they are LIVING here on earth

need to accept Jesus as being the only One Who can forgive

their sins and give them eternal life

with Him in Heaven instead of being condemned to Hell because of their unbelief;

this is why Christians are reminded that we are supposed to be the faithful and wise servant of Jesus…

as Jesus says in (ESV) 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.

Matthew 24:42–46 ESV

42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.

Ask yourself,

are you being a faithful and wise servant of Jesus?

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