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Sep18

2 John: From Ephesus with Love

by Roby on September 18th, 2011 at 11:49 AM

1. Introduction: The Design of Love (vv. 1-4)
The text tells us that John wrote this letter. Style, vocabulary, and grammar are much like 1 John.
He identifies himself as elder because of his age and position. Various estimates of his age, bottom line is that he was old. He never let his age get in his way.
Who is this chosen lady of God. A church? An actual lady and her children. while compelling arguments exist for both arguments, we should take the face value of the text unless context indicates otherwise. Therefore it is most likely a woman and her children.
“The Truth” would indicate the Gospel here.
Her faith is not in question.
2. The Definition of Biblical Love (vv. 5-6)
Love your neighbor. Through Jesus we have the embodiment of this. It is not new. How has Christ shown love to me, my family, my church?
V. 6 this is love that we walk according to his commandments. Not referring to the 10 commandments. He is summarizing the thrust of scripture. Love the Lord your God, love your neighbor as yourself.
It is a circle, obedience produces love, and love produces obedience. The more we are saturated with Gods love the more we obey. Etc.
3. The Deception of False Love (vv. 7)
These false prophets deny Jesus in the flesh and therefore the Gospel. Gnostics. The best counter is knowledge and teaching.
4. The Distinction of Discerning Love (vv. A. Distinct outcomes (vs. Be sober minded. Be diligent. Stand strong in the faith. Do not lose what we have accomplished.
The reward is fruitful.
B. Distinct teachings (vs. 9)
There is not more to come. There is no more progression needed. It is possible to go to far. All that we need is in the Word.
5. Conclusion: The Delight of Love (vv. 12-13)
His purpose is to go and speak with her, not use pen and ink.

We must get the doctrine and theology because it matters.
Theology matters to our ethics.
Our love can never be overlooked. Our doctrine leads to a brotherly love. Do you love what Jesus loves?
Our support of missions needs to be discerning.

└ Tags: GCC, notes, paul lamey

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Jul24

1 John 4:7-16 A Closer Look at Biblical Love

by Roby on July 24th, 2011 at 11:38 AM

Posted In: Christian, Grace Notes

Sermon by Paul Lamey
1. The premise of biblical love (vv. 7-8)
Present tense action. This is a tangible love in the life of the believer.
This Love describes a consuming passion for the well being of others. This is not be obeyed when it is easy, or only half way. If God is your Father, there will be a family resemblance.
The negative side. The one who does not love, does not know God. The unbelievers nature is opposed up God. Believers will struggle and have seasons of unlove. This is speaking to those who have NO evidence of love.
“for god is love. ” grammar is clarification of what he is saying. Predicative nominative. Grammatically you can not flip this. God is love does not equal love is God. He is describing God.
2. The demonstration of Biblical love (vv. 9).
A. He revealed Himself
B. He gave Himself (vv. 10-11)
Through his putting on of humanity and submitting to the point of death.
Note that God does not love us because we loved Him!! That would make us wise and ultimately prideful, the center of our salvation. John is very clear and simple on the order. He, God, loved us first.
Whether we believe it or not, whether you FEEL it or not, doesn’t matter. He does! We ALL have rejected him, of our own free will, and Gods wrath is against us. His satisfaction is through Christ’s death for our sins. You cannot please God by trying to be better. The only pleasing sacrifice was Christ.
What difference does it make? BECAUSE Christ loved us, we should love one another.
3. The assurance of Biblical love (vv. 12-16)
A. The gift o the Spirit (vv. 12-13)
No one has seen God at any time. This is very point blank, yet we have masses of books where people have had visions or have seen God. Seen is not only to include the eyes, but to include rightly understanding God.
B. The testimony of the apostles (vv. 14)
C. The confession of the Faith (vv. 15-16)
Confession is not enough. To know and believe and abide.
ABIDE. To live constantly with a focus. To parent, to restore in love, to help others, etc.
You can be assured in your faith IF you love like this.

└ Tags: GCC, notes, paul lamey

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Jul17

1 John 4:1-6 Christians are Discerning

by Roby on July 17th, 2011 at 11:51 AM

Posted In: Christian, Grace Notes

How can you spot a fake?
How you think is shown in how you evaluate truth from error. The more you love God the less likely you will be to theological error. A robust Christian is at odds with gullibility. Look at Proverbs!!
Look at 2 Peter 2.
Look at Acts 20.
Every believer is responsible to understand what Gods word teaches. Every believer is to guard the truth.
Vs. 1
The Need: Discern between truth and error. “beloved” = He first loved us.
What is meant by spirits? They have a spiritual influence on people. They are false prophets.
“test them”. Refers to testing coins. See I there message is derived from God.
Vs. 2-3
2. The Test: Discern their teaching about Christ.
Do they confess Christ? What one person believes about Christ explains what they believe about their religion. Tha is one good example of where other cults differ from Christianity (Mormons, Jehovas Witness, etc. ).
Vs. 4-6
3. The Result: Discern the outcome of their teaching.
Why can we overcome? Because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Look at what the outcome of their doctrine is. Are they and their followers more like christ as time goes on?

Practical thoughts
Avoid sensationalism. Highlighting things that aren’t the “real” issues.
Be full of the word of God and fruit-bearing. This is the best remedy against false teaching.
Watch out for “new” things. Being more oriented on experience. Faithfulness is to what is fixed and proven (Word) is the priority.

Note: thanks for reading. This was done on my iPhone so there is likely spelling and other errors.

└ Tags: GCC, notes, paul lamey, sermon

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Jun30