[The following is the full manuscript of my slightly abridged sermon delivered on the 15th of November, 2015. Look for the video on our Vimeo channel, http://vimeo.com/pilgrimreformedchurch.]
Philip, Paul, Barnabas, Peter, John, and others spread the Gospel of Jesus far and wide. Churches sprang up - in homes, in caves, anywhere two or more could gather in Jesus’ name. To stay in touch and share the word with all these far-flung congregations, the Apostles wrote letters and had them passed from church to church so that as many believers as possible could hear from them.
Our scripture this morning comes from the second such letter that the Apostle John wrote, in which he addresses a threat that is still very much a concern today. Listen and follow along as I read from 2nd John - there is only 1 chapter - verses 5 through 11, and I will be reading from The Living Bible…
Our scripture this morning comes from the second such letter that the Apostle John wrote, in which he addresses a threat that is still very much a concern today. Listen and follow along as I read from 2nd John - there is only 1 chapter - verses 5 through 11, and I will be reading from The Living Bible…
5 And now I want to urgently remind you, dear friends, of the old rule God gave us right from the beginning, that Christians should love one another. 6 If we love God, we will do whatever He tells us to. And He has told us from the very first to love each other.
7 Watch out for the false leaders—and there are many of them around—who don’t believe that Jesus Christ came to earth as a human being with a body like ours. Such people are against the truth and against Christ. 8 Beware of being like them and losing the prize that you and I have been working so hard to get. See to it that you win your full reward from the Lord. 9 For if you wander beyond the teaching of Christ, you will leave God behind; while if you are loyal to Christ’s teachings, you will have God too. Then you will have both the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to teach you, and he doesn’t believe what Christ taught, don’t even invite him into your home. Don’t encourage him in any way. 11 If you do, you will be a partner with him in his wickedness.
--2 John 5-11 (TLB)
Let us pray… Father, we do love You, and we truly try to love one another just as Your Son Jesus loves us. Speak to us, Lord, exactly what we need to hear. Counsel us with Your Holy Spirit so we can better follow Your voice. In the blessed name of our Lord Jesus we pray. Amen.
Since part of our message today originates in the Old Testament of our Bible, I thought you might enjoy a condensed version of Genesis and Exodus, according to a grade school Sunday School class.
Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating one bad apple, so they were driven from the Garden of Eden. (Not sure what they were driven in, because there were no cars yet.)
Adam and Eve had a son, Cain, who hated his brother as long as he was Abel.
One of the next important people was Noah, who built a large boat and put his family – including his wife, Joan of Ark – and some animals on it.
Then there was Moses, who led the Israel Lights out of Egypt and away from the evil Pharaoh after God sent ten plagues on Pharaoh’s people. The plagues included frogs, mice, lice, bowels, and no cable TV.
After God helped the Israel Lights escape, He fed them every day with manicotti from heaven. Then He gave them His Top Ten Commandments. These include: Don’t lie, cheat, smoke, dance, or covet your neighbor’s bottom.
[From “The Old Testament” in A Laugh a Day!, Day 306.]
It’s easy to chuckle at what kids can come up with when trying to explain complex concepts. I don’t know about you, but I’d really like to try some of that manicotti from heaven.
Our Bible is full of complex concepts. Some have been debated by scholars, often heatedly, for hundreds of years. But I think today’s text is easier to grasp. It contains a quick reminder, and then a warning – one that we are well-advised to heed.
First the reminder, and in verse 5 John tells us it is an urgent reminder at that, one we must not forget. John wants us to remember the rule God gave us from the very start: that we believers should love one another. If we love God, really love Him, then we will do what He says, and He says to love one another.
John wasn’t the first to remind us of this. Jesus might even have said it better, as recorded in the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 22, verses 37 through 39…
Since part of our message today originates in the Old Testament of our Bible, I thought you might enjoy a condensed version of Genesis and Exodus, according to a grade school Sunday School class.
Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating one bad apple, so they were driven from the Garden of Eden. (Not sure what they were driven in, because there were no cars yet.)
Adam and Eve had a son, Cain, who hated his brother as long as he was Abel.
One of the next important people was Noah, who built a large boat and put his family – including his wife, Joan of Ark – and some animals on it.
Then there was Moses, who led the Israel Lights out of Egypt and away from the evil Pharaoh after God sent ten plagues on Pharaoh’s people. The plagues included frogs, mice, lice, bowels, and no cable TV.
After God helped the Israel Lights escape, He fed them every day with manicotti from heaven. Then He gave them His Top Ten Commandments. These include: Don’t lie, cheat, smoke, dance, or covet your neighbor’s bottom.
[From “The Old Testament” in A Laugh a Day!, Day 306.]
It’s easy to chuckle at what kids can come up with when trying to explain complex concepts. I don’t know about you, but I’d really like to try some of that manicotti from heaven.
Our Bible is full of complex concepts. Some have been debated by scholars, often heatedly, for hundreds of years. But I think today’s text is easier to grasp. It contains a quick reminder, and then a warning – one that we are well-advised to heed.
First the reminder, and in verse 5 John tells us it is an urgent reminder at that, one we must not forget. John wants us to remember the rule God gave us from the very start: that we believers should love one another. If we love God, really love Him, then we will do what He says, and He says to love one another.
John wasn’t the first to remind us of this. Jesus might even have said it better, as recorded in the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 22, verses 37 through 39…
37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’"
--Matthew 22:37-39 (NKJV)
Jesus makes two points here. The first, that we shall love our God, comes from ancient times, as John infers. Listen to what Moses wrote in Deuteronomy chapter 6 verse 5…
5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
--Deuteronomy 6:5 (NKJV)
The second point, about loving our neighbor, also comes from Moses, in the Book of Leviticus, chapter 19 verse 18…
18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
--Leviticus 19:18 (NKJV)
Can we doubt the message here? It does come to us from very authoritative sources. We are to love God, first and foremost. And because we love Him, we will do what He says and that is to love each other, just as Jesus loves us.
So the reminder that John left for us and those early Christians is pretty straight-forward. But why the urgency of the reminder? To answer that, we have to first understand how the Gospel was spread in those early days, so long before modern means of communication.
Evangelists and apostles during this period basically traveled from town to town, preaching and teaching and spreading the word. This is what Paul himself did, and how he planted so many churches throughout the region. These evangelists and apostles usually sought and received the hospitality of local residents who would provide food and shelter during their visit.
Not only were good solid Christians like Paul and Barnabas engaging in this practice, but also those who delivered a somewhat skewed take on the Gospel. Many taught things that simply were not what Jesus actually did and taught Himself. Paul called this type of people false prophets or false teachers. John refers to them as false leaders here in verse 7, because they did indeed present themselves as church leaders just out spreading the word of God. But what they were spreading was false doctrine.
One of these that John mentions specifically, in verse 7, is that they didn’t believe that Jesus came to earth as a Man, in human form, just like one of us. We know that’s not true, or how else could we relate to Him if He had not come and lived and suffered and died just like we do? But the fledgling believers back then did not have access to all the information we have today, and they were easily led astray by these false teachers and leaders and prophets. And because they were to love everyone, they too often took these false leaders into their homes, giving them aid and comfort and encouragement.
John wasn’t the only Apostle to issue this warning. Listen to what Peter says in his 2nd letter, chapter 2 verses 1 and 2, and this time I will read from the Contemporary English Version of our Bible for added clarity…
So the reminder that John left for us and those early Christians is pretty straight-forward. But why the urgency of the reminder? To answer that, we have to first understand how the Gospel was spread in those early days, so long before modern means of communication.
Evangelists and apostles during this period basically traveled from town to town, preaching and teaching and spreading the word. This is what Paul himself did, and how he planted so many churches throughout the region. These evangelists and apostles usually sought and received the hospitality of local residents who would provide food and shelter during their visit.
Not only were good solid Christians like Paul and Barnabas engaging in this practice, but also those who delivered a somewhat skewed take on the Gospel. Many taught things that simply were not what Jesus actually did and taught Himself. Paul called this type of people false prophets or false teachers. John refers to them as false leaders here in verse 7, because they did indeed present themselves as church leaders just out spreading the word of God. But what they were spreading was false doctrine.
One of these that John mentions specifically, in verse 7, is that they didn’t believe that Jesus came to earth as a Man, in human form, just like one of us. We know that’s not true, or how else could we relate to Him if He had not come and lived and suffered and died just like we do? But the fledgling believers back then did not have access to all the information we have today, and they were easily led astray by these false teachers and leaders and prophets. And because they were to love everyone, they too often took these false leaders into their homes, giving them aid and comfort and encouragement.
John wasn’t the only Apostle to issue this warning. Listen to what Peter says in his 2nd letter, chapter 2 verses 1 and 2, and this time I will read from the Contemporary English Version of our Bible for added clarity…
1 Sometimes false prophets spoke to the people of Israel. False teachers will also sneak in and speak harmful lies to you. But these teachers don’t really belong to the Master who paid a great price for them, and they will quickly destroy themselves. 2 Many people will follow their evil ways and cause others to tell lies about the true way.
--2 Peter 2:1-2 (CEV)
Just as false prophets misled the children of Israel in times past, false teachers sneak around and speak harmful lies to us. Yes, even us today! Sadly, Peter notes that many people will take up after these deceivers and cause even more lies to be told about the true Christian faith.
And I’ve already mentioned Paul. He cautions against false teachers and false doctrine many times in his letters, but listen to this one specific instance where he wrote to his protégé Timothy, in his 1st letter to his young friend, chapter 4 verses 1 and 2, again from the Contemporary English Version…
And I’ve already mentioned Paul. He cautions against false teachers and false doctrine many times in his letters, but listen to this one specific instance where he wrote to his protégé Timothy, in his 1st letter to his young friend, chapter 4 verses 1 and 2, again from the Contemporary English Version…
1 God’s Spirit clearly says that in the last days many people will turn from their faith. They will be fooled by evil spirits and by teachings that come from demons. 2 They will also be fooled by the false claims of liars whose consciences have lost all feeling...
--1 Timothy 4:1-2 (CEV)
No less authority than the Holy Spirit Himself attests to the sad fact that believers will turn from their faith because they have been fooled. They will hear and be enticed by evil spirits and the teachings of demons. They will be fooled by the false claims of liars who have no conscience.
Family, please make no mistake – this is the work of Satan, doing his level best to draw souls away from the path of righteousness and lead them on the road to ruin. This is the warning John gives, in verse 9: if we wander beyond the teachings of Jesus, we will leave God behind.
Like I told the kids earlier, John tells us in verse 8 that we must be careful not to fall sway to these false leaders or we risk losing everything that we’ve worked so hard for. We risk losing the rewards God has set aside for us in heaven. We risk losing our very salvation if we wander too far. But in the last half of verse 9, John assures us that if we stay true to Jesus and His teachings as recorded for us here in our Holy Bible, then we will keep not only Jesus but His Father, our God, as well.
John concludes this cautionary text with one final, and very stern, warning. We must be absolutely sure of the credentials of who we choose to listen to and heed. If they don’t believe what Jesus taught, if they don’t follow Biblical lines of belief and of living, then do not, under any circumstances, invite them into your home. Don’t encourage them in any way, or you will be found guilty as their accomplice.
Provide any of these false teachers with any form of encouragement that allows them to keep going and keep misleading others, and you will be seen as partners with them in their wickedness. You will have joined their efforts in deceiving others. You will have entered into a deceptive partnership, and one God will judge you for.
Family, please be very careful about who you allow into your home. And I’m not talking only about those folks who might come around knocking on your door wanting to tell you about their brand of religion, one that doesn’t entirely agree with what our Bible says. I’m also talking about those you might invite into your living room through your TV sets or your books or your newspapers. Be very careful in discerning their meaning and intent.
Do they believe in the Jesus of our Bible, the one true Son of God, existing alongside the Father and the Holy Spirit from before time began and throughout all eternity, not created but born of God? Do they teach that there is only one way to salvation and that is from the Father through the Son, or do they say there are many avenues to heaven? Do they promise great riches and rewards and good health here on earth if you only have enough faith, or do they point to the example of Jesus and Paul and the rest of the disciples when noting that while this life may not be at all pleasant, greater rewards await us in heaven than we can even imagine here on earth?
Do they explain that certain parts of the Bible don’t really apply to us today because of how much the world has changed, or do they state that the Word of God is timeless, unchanged and unchanging, as sure today as yesterday and as certain tomorrow? Do they pick and choose from the scriptures using only the parts that support their views, or do they present the entire Bible as the truth from God that points precisely to Jesus Christ our Lord?
Watch out for the false leaders, for there are many of them around. Heed the words of John and Peter and Paul and be very careful of who you listen to, and what you believe. Understand that there are many out there who would drag you into to a deceptive partnership with them by first deceiving you.
Be careful, be discerning, and be faithful and true to the Son of God, our Lord Jesus. Amen.
Let us pray… Father God, You have given us a book filled with many interesting characters and amazing exploits, and everything in it is for our good. From it we gain instructions, warnings, reminders, encouragement, assistance, and counsel. And everything in it ultimately points to Your Son Jesus and Your great plan of salvation for us and for this world, all through the sacrifice made by Jesus on our behalf. Thank You so much for this wonderful book, Father, and please forgive us when we fail to follow Your word given to us in its pages.
Hear us now, Lord God, as we come to You in the silence and lift up to You our unspoken needs and prayers, straight from our hearts…
Lord Jesus, Your apostles warn us to take care who we pay attention to. Help us, please Lord, discern the truth from the false doctrine that is floated by some. Help us see who we can trust with our faith, who will be true to God’s word rather than try to deceive us for Satan’s wicked reasons. Please point us to that truth as contained in our Holy Bible so we can know who to partner with and who to avoid. This we pray in Your blessed name, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Family, please make no mistake – this is the work of Satan, doing his level best to draw souls away from the path of righteousness and lead them on the road to ruin. This is the warning John gives, in verse 9: if we wander beyond the teachings of Jesus, we will leave God behind.
Like I told the kids earlier, John tells us in verse 8 that we must be careful not to fall sway to these false leaders or we risk losing everything that we’ve worked so hard for. We risk losing the rewards God has set aside for us in heaven. We risk losing our very salvation if we wander too far. But in the last half of verse 9, John assures us that if we stay true to Jesus and His teachings as recorded for us here in our Holy Bible, then we will keep not only Jesus but His Father, our God, as well.
John concludes this cautionary text with one final, and very stern, warning. We must be absolutely sure of the credentials of who we choose to listen to and heed. If they don’t believe what Jesus taught, if they don’t follow Biblical lines of belief and of living, then do not, under any circumstances, invite them into your home. Don’t encourage them in any way, or you will be found guilty as their accomplice.
Provide any of these false teachers with any form of encouragement that allows them to keep going and keep misleading others, and you will be seen as partners with them in their wickedness. You will have joined their efforts in deceiving others. You will have entered into a deceptive partnership, and one God will judge you for.
Family, please be very careful about who you allow into your home. And I’m not talking only about those folks who might come around knocking on your door wanting to tell you about their brand of religion, one that doesn’t entirely agree with what our Bible says. I’m also talking about those you might invite into your living room through your TV sets or your books or your newspapers. Be very careful in discerning their meaning and intent.
Do they believe in the Jesus of our Bible, the one true Son of God, existing alongside the Father and the Holy Spirit from before time began and throughout all eternity, not created but born of God? Do they teach that there is only one way to salvation and that is from the Father through the Son, or do they say there are many avenues to heaven? Do they promise great riches and rewards and good health here on earth if you only have enough faith, or do they point to the example of Jesus and Paul and the rest of the disciples when noting that while this life may not be at all pleasant, greater rewards await us in heaven than we can even imagine here on earth?
Do they explain that certain parts of the Bible don’t really apply to us today because of how much the world has changed, or do they state that the Word of God is timeless, unchanged and unchanging, as sure today as yesterday and as certain tomorrow? Do they pick and choose from the scriptures using only the parts that support their views, or do they present the entire Bible as the truth from God that points precisely to Jesus Christ our Lord?
Watch out for the false leaders, for there are many of them around. Heed the words of John and Peter and Paul and be very careful of who you listen to, and what you believe. Understand that there are many out there who would drag you into to a deceptive partnership with them by first deceiving you.
Be careful, be discerning, and be faithful and true to the Son of God, our Lord Jesus. Amen.
Let us pray… Father God, You have given us a book filled with many interesting characters and amazing exploits, and everything in it is for our good. From it we gain instructions, warnings, reminders, encouragement, assistance, and counsel. And everything in it ultimately points to Your Son Jesus and Your great plan of salvation for us and for this world, all through the sacrifice made by Jesus on our behalf. Thank You so much for this wonderful book, Father, and please forgive us when we fail to follow Your word given to us in its pages.
Hear us now, Lord God, as we come to You in the silence and lift up to You our unspoken needs and prayers, straight from our hearts…
Lord Jesus, Your apostles warn us to take care who we pay attention to. Help us, please Lord, discern the truth from the false doctrine that is floated by some. Help us see who we can trust with our faith, who will be true to God’s word rather than try to deceive us for Satan’s wicked reasons. Please point us to that truth as contained in our Holy Bible so we can know who to partner with and who to avoid. This we pray in Your blessed name, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
