STUDIES IN FIRST, SECOND, & THIRD JOHN

Lesson 8   The Urgency and Importance of Abiding in Christ

TEXT : I John 2:18 - 29

1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

A. The urgency of the situation
1. It is the LAST time. 'Last' - eskatos - the final, the extreme, that which concludes anything.
The LAST trumpet? If this (1 Cor 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.) means that this is the last trumpet that shall ever sound, then we must logically say also that there has been no time since John announced the last hour 2,000 years ago!
The last days Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
A woman died LAST of all Mat 22:27 And last of all the woman died also. She was the last in that series of deaths but certainly not the last of all deaths.
The LAST trumpet is the final one in that particular series of trumpets. This is the final in a series of hours for man to make a choice of service to God. After this age ends, man has no further choice or opportunity as he now has.

2. The antichrist shall come. 2 Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2 Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

3. NOW there are many antichrists. (That which sets itself in opposition to Christ)
a. In denial. 1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
b. In deceiving - 2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
c. In lawlessness - defiance - 2 Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

A. THEY - The antichrists - went out from us. It is the spirit of antichrist that causes men to rebel against the truth and depart from the Church that Jesus left to conduct His business. These are men who knew the truth, who are leaving it. 1 Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1. Sooner or later those who are not really Baptists by conviction of mind will make it known by their actions and depart.
2. Those who are OF us will continue with us. Nothing but the spirit of antichrist will separate anyone from the body of Christ and those who are lead by the Spirit of God cannot be run off!

1 John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

UNCTION - an anointing.
Psa 133:1 A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Psa 133:2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
Psa 133:3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
This is the fellowship of the Spirit - Phil 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
This Spirit is the Spirit of Truth and He guides the Church into ALL truth.
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
(emphasis is mine)
1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

1 John 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

I am writing because ye KNOW - are aware of these truths. To appeal to one to serve the Lord on the basis of the importance of the church relationship, that one must be aware of the importance of the Lord's Church. The Holy Spirit will make us aware if we will allow Him. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.

1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

That denieth - to say 'no to; to refuse; to decline; There are other words used to denote utter rejection, this carries the meaning of refusing to obey the truth though recognizing it as truth.

1 John 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

To have fellowship with the Father, one must hear and obey the Son. John 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
John 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

1 John 2:24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

A. LET _ allow - We don't have to beg God to dwell in us and use us but simply to permit Him to do so.
B. That which ye heard from the beginning. 2 John 1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. In this way we continue abiding in the Son and in the Father.

1 John 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

God has made some unconditional promises to us. John 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

1 John 2:26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

There are many who would seduce - lead you astray -2 Tim 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.2 Tim 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

The Holy Spirit will abide with the Church forever (abide - to remain - to stay- to endure) John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

Live Now in Him
A. That we may have confidence - freedom of speech - when we give account of our stewardship
B. And not be shamed away from Him. Depart from me!

1 John 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

Righteous living is to imitate the righteous one.! To be a Christian is to be Christ-like;


Next: Amazing Love - Its promise and effect