1 John
Believe
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. 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. 24 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. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. 1 John 2:21-25 (ESV)
1 John helps us answer key questions:
• How do we discern between truth and deception? (1 John 2:18-28)
• How do we know we are right with God? (1 John 2:29-3:10)
• How do we know we are right with one another? (1 John 3:11-24)
How do we discern between truth and deception?
1. Hold up against the standard of truth: himself (2:21-23).
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. 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 2:21-23 (ESV)
2. in Jesus (2:24-25, 28).
24 Let what you heard from the beginning in you. If what you heard from the beginning in you, then you too will in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.
28 And now, little children, in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 1 John 2:24-25, 28 (ESV)
3. by the Holy Spirit who lives in you (2:26-27).
26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 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. 1 John 2:26-27 (ESV)
“Discernment” questions I’ve found helpful:
- Is the person accountable to someone else?
- What’s the person’s posture toward authority?
- Is the person in alignment with what we believe?
Notes
The Imperatives of Life on Mission with Jesus
Luke 10:1-3
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go … Luke 10:1-3 (ESV)
“To Love Jesus is to realize that He alone is enough. To live His mission is to not have gotten enough of this Jesus we claim to love.”
3 Imperatives according to Luke 10:1-3:
1.
2.
3.
Matthew 2:9-11
9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. – Matthew 2:9-11 (ESV)
Types of people looking for peace with God:
1. Peace for those in .
2. Peace for those in .
3. Peace for those in .
4. Peace for those in .
The Peace of Jesus at Christmas
1. We Jesus’ peace when we for it (2:9).
9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. Matthew 2:9 (ESV)
2. We Jesus’ peace as we who He is (2:10).
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. Matthew 2:10 (ESV)
3. We Jesus’ peace when worship us (2:11).
11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 (ESV)
Value 7: Launching Leaders
1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 13:1-3 (ESV)
22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antiochfor a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. 27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 11:22-30 (ESV)
24 But the word of God increased and multiplied. 25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark. Acts 12:24-25 (ESV)
Value 7: Launching Leaders
Launching leaders requires that….
1. We pray for our leaders (13:2-3).
2 While they were and , the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after and they laid their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 13:2-3 (ESV)
2. We identify our leaders (11:25-26, 13:1).
3. We and our leaders (13:2).
2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:2 (ESV)
4. We our leaders (13:3).
3 Then after fasting and praying laid their hands on them and . Acts 13:3 (ESV)
Acts 2:44-47
Value 6: Thriving in Community
44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. – Acts 2:44-47 (ESV)
Value 6: Thriving in Community
To have biblical community we need to….
1. biblical community (2:44).
“and all who believed were …” (2:44)
2. biblical community (2:45).
45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. – Acts 2:45 (ESV)
3. biblical community (2:46).
46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, Acts 2:46 (ESV)
PGBC Discipleship Pathway
Stage 1: Discover – “I’m new here.”
Stage 2: Develop – “I’m finding a place.”
Stage 3: Disciple – “I’m growing.”
Stage 4: Duplicate – “I’m serving and helping others grow.”
Stage 5: Deploy – “I’m leading and multiplying.”
Acts 2:32-37
Value 5: Steward Generously
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 2:32-37 (ESV)
Acts 2 and 4 generosity….
1. Recognizes that generosity is a .
2. Reminds us that all we have to God .
3. Reveals that Jesus changes the which changes the .
The Giving Ladder
On Ramp: Potential Giver
Step 1: Emerging Giver
Step 2: Regular Giver
Step 3: Tither
Step 4: Extravagant Giver
Acts 2:44-47
PGBC Values
· We practice Christ-centered worship.
· We bleed the gospel.
· We multiply disciples.
· We love every home.
· We steward generously.
· We thrive in community.
· We launch leaders.
44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. – Acts 2:44-47 (ESV)
Value 4: Love Every Home
1. “As any had need” implies about needs.
2. “As any had need” implies about needs around us.
3. “As any had need” implies what you have to what you see.
Acts 14:21-23
Value 3: Grow and Multiply Disciples
21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. – Acts 14:21-23 (ESV)
1. The gospel is the of discipleship (14:21).
21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. – Acts 14:21 (ESV)
2. People are the of discipleship (14:22).
21 … Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. Acts 14:21-22 (ESV)
3. Multiplication is the of discipleship (14:23).
23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. Acts 14:23 (ESV)
Acts 2:39-41
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. Acts 2:36-41 (ESV)
Value 2: Bleed the Gospel
1. To bleed the gospel, we must it (2:36-38).
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:36-38 (ESV)
2. To bleed the gospel, we must it (2:40).
40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” Acts 2:40 (ESV)
3. To bleed the gospel, we must it (1 Cor. 11:23-29).
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 1 Corinthians 11:26-29 (ESV)