Hope Community Church
November 23 2025

      • Psalm 100NASB95

      • 1 John 2:18–23NASB95

  • Introduction:

    When you hear “tic toc, tic toc,” what comes to your mind?
    For some, it’s the familiar sound of a clock—an onomatopoeia that mimics time marching forward.
    But depending on your age, your interests, and what’s shaping your world, this simple phrase carries different meanings.
    If you’re between 18 and 34 years old, “TikTok” isn’t about time at all.
    It’s a social media platform that dominates your screen—over 46 million users in that age group here in the U.S. alone.
    That generation hears “TikTok” and thinks about trends, influencers, and constant content.
    But if you’re a little older—like me—you feel something different when you hear “tic toc.”
    You feel urgency.
    You feel time slipping.
    You feel the weight of moments passing that you can’t get back.
    The poet Jane Taylor (1783–1824) captured this feeling well in her work Rhymes for the Nursery (1806):
    “The clock is ticking loud and clear,
    It tells us time is passing here.”
    Church, if time is passing,
    then truth must be protected.
    Because while the clock keeps ticking…
    the false teachers keep talking.
    Tic toc… tic toc…
    And everybody who’s talking ain’t teaching.
    That’s why John writes with such urgency in 1 John 2:18–23.
    He draws a line between two realities:
    There is a singular Antichrist who will rise in the last days, attempting to imitate Christ.
    And there are many antichrists—false teachers—active right now, denying who Jesus truly is.
    This entire passage is deeply Christological.
    John is saying: Your confession of Jesus determines your connection to God.
    To deny the Son is to deny the Father.
    You cannot worship God while rejecting the One He sent.
    It is clear that the church John writes to had just gone through a painful, divisive moment—some had left the fellowship.
    John doesn’t give details; maybe intentionally.
    Instead, he calls the remaining believers to stand firm in truth, remain loyal to Christ, and resist deception.
    He places this moment inside a broader spiritual conflict—a battle between:
    truth and falsehood,
    children of God and children of the devil,
    love and hatred,
    the Spirit of God and the spirit of error.
    And church—those battles didn’t end in the first century.
    They’re still ticking today.
    Tic toc… tic toc…
    The clock is still talking,
    and so are the antichrists.
    Text: 1 John 2:18–23
    1 John 2:18–23 NASB95
    18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. 21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.

    Textual Idea:

    John exposes the rise of false teachers as a test of genuine faith.

    Sermon Idea:

    True believers discern truth from deception by staying grounded in Christ and guided by the Spirit.

    Interrogative:

    How do we answer false teachers and antichrists in our generation?

    I. Recognize the Reality

    1 John 2:18 NASB95
    18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.

    Explanation

    John wants believers to stop being naïve—deception is not coming; it’s already here. Not every spiritual voice is a godly voice.
    Greek Moment:
    “John uses the word ἀντίχριστος (antichristos)—and that word doesn’t just mean against Christ.
    It also means instead of Christ.
    It describes someone who tries to take Christ’s place, speak with Christ’s authority, or offer a truth that replaces His truth.
    So when John says ‘many antichrists have appeared’, he’s warning us that the world is full of voices
    trying to sound like Jesus,
    look like Jesus,
    lead like Jesus—
    but they are not Jesus.
    That’s why discernment matters.
    Because every voice that sounds spiritual isn’t from the Spirit.”
    Matthew 24:4–5 Many will come claiming Christ, deceiving many.
    Matthew 24:4–5 NASB95
    4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 5 “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.
    Matthew 24:11–12 False prophets will mislead multitudes.
    Matthew 24:11–12 NASB95
    11 “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. 12 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.
    Acts 20:29–30 Wolves enter the flock and twist truth.
    Acts 20:29–30 NASB95
    29 “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
    2 Peter 2:1–2 False teachers secretly introduce destructive heresies.
    2 Peter 2:1–2 NASB95
    1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned;

    Illustration

    Just because someone has a microphone, a platform, or a podcast doesn’t make them a preacher. Sound is not the same as doctrine.

    Argumentation

    Jesus, Paul, Peter, and John all warn the church—more false voices come in the last hour, not fewer.

    Application

    Don’t be impressed by charisma—look for character.
    Don’t chase excitement—look for Scripture.
    Everybody who’s talking ain’t teaching.

    II. Recognize Their “D.D.”Their Deception, and Their Departure

    1 John 2:19 NIV
    19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

    Explanation

    John says false teachers may come with credentials, titles, and influence—but their true “degree” is exposed by their deception and their departure. They may have letters behind their name, but they don’t have the Spirit within their heart. Their doctrine proves who they are before their exit does.
    **“John uses the word ἐξῆλθαν—exelthan- they went out.’
    This verb doesn’t just mean they walked away.
    It means they withdrew, they separated, they removed themselves from the truth.
    Their feet left the fellowship because their hearts had already left the faith.
    The aorist tense says their departure was decisive—
    a one-time action that revealed their real identity.
    Church, don’t miss this:
    Their exit exposed their error.
    Their departure revealed their deception.
    They didn’t just leave the building—
    they left the truth long before they left the room.”**
    Jude 19 NASB95
    19 These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.
    Acts 15:24 NASB95
    24 “Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls,
    2 Timothy 4:3–4 NASB95
    3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
    Matthew 7:15 NASB95
    15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

    Illustration

    A fake diploma might look legitimate from a distance, but a trained eye can see the flaws. Some teachers look polished, educated, and spiritual—but when you examine the fruit, you see forgery.

    Argumentation

    John is not attacking education—he is exposing deception.
    The issue isn’t degrees but doctrine.
    Not credentials but Christ.
    Their departure reveals their deception: they left the truth long before they left the church.

    Application

    Don’t be impressed by titles.
    Don’t be moved by charisma.
    Measure a teacher by Scripture, not a résumé.
    If their degree doesn’t align with their doctrine, don’t follow them.

    III. Rely on the Spirit’s Anointing

    1 John 2:20–21 NASB95
    20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. 21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth.

    Greek Moment for Point 3 – The Protection From Antichrists (vv. 20–21)

    “John says, ‘You have an anointing from the Holy One.’
    The word for ‘anointing’ is χρῖσμα (chrisma).
    It originally referred to oil poured on someone to set them apart for God’s service.
    But here John uses it to describe the Holy Spirit—
    the One who sets you apart, seals you, strengthens you, and gives you discernment.
    Then John adds the word πάντες (pantes)—meaning all of you.
    Not some of you.
    Not the leaders only.
    Not the spiritually elite.
    Every believer has the Spirit’s anointing.
    And church—
    if the Holy Spirit lives in you,
    you are not helpless,
    you are not unprotected,
    and you are not easily deceived.
    False teachers talk…
    but the Spirit teaches.”

    Explanation

    John reminds believers they are not helpless—the Holy Spirit gives discernment, clarity, and spiritual insight.
    John 16:13 NASB95
    13 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
    1 Corinthians 2:12–14 NASB95
    12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
    Ephesians 1:13–14 NASB95
    13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.
    2 Timothy 1:14 NASB95
    14 Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.
    John 14:26 NASB95
    26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

    Illustration

    The lighthouse doesn’t remove the rocks, but it keeps the ship from crashing. The Spirit doesn’t remove false teachers but reveals their danger.

    Argumentation

    Discernment is not about intelligence—it’s about illumination.
    The Spirit makes truth clear and error visible.

    Application

    Before you hear a preacher, ask the Spirit to help you listen.
    Before you accept a doctrine, ask the Spirit to test it.
    Lean on the anointing, not your assumptions.

    IV. Reject Lies That Deny Christ

    1 John 2:22–23 GW
    22 Who is a liar? Who else but the person who rejects Jesus as the Messiah? The person who rejects the Father and the Son is an antichrist. 23 Everyone who rejects the Son doesn’t have the Father either. The person who acknowledges the Son also has the Father.

    Explanation

    Every false teacher attacks Christ—His person, His work, His identity, or His relationship to the Father. Denying the Son is rejecting God.
    “In verse 22, John asks, ‘Who is the liar?’ Then he uses the same word again—
    ἀντίχριστος (antichristos)—
    the one who denies Jesus and tries to replace Jesus.
    The Greek is clear:
    To deny the Son is to dethrone the Son.
    To reject Jesus is to reject the Father.
    You cannot worship God while removing the One He sent.
    So John says—if their teaching lowers Jesus,
    distorts Jesus,
    or replaces Jesus…
    that voice is antichrist.
    And the church must reject it.”
    John 8:24 To deny Jesus is to die in your sins.
    John 8:24 NASB95
    24 “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
    John 14:6–7 No one comes to the Father except through Christ.
    John 14:6–7 NASB95
    6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. 7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”
    Deceivers deny Christ’s incarnation.
    2 John 7 NASB95
    7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
    Jude 4 They distort grace and deny Jesus.
    Jude 4 NASB95
    4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
    Titus 1:16 They profess God but deny Him in works.
    Titus 1:16 NASB95
    16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

    Illustration

    A lamp disconnected from the outlet cannot shine. Anyone who disconnects Jesus from the Father disconnects themselves from life.

    Argumentation

    Every major heresy begins with a small compromise about Jesus.
    Get Christ wrong → you get everything wrong.

    Application

    Cling to a biblical Christ—fully God, fully man, only Savior.
    Reject every teacher, movement, or message that reduces Jesus.
    Protect your heart by protecting your Christology.
    Here is a strong, sermon-ready conclusion that ties Tic Toc → Time → Eternity, with two Scripture references and a fitting hymn line.

    Conclusion: “Tic Toc… Into Eternity”

    Tic toc… tic toc.
    Church, the clock isn’t just counting seconds—
    it’s counting souls.
    Every tick brings us closer to one of two eternities:
    everlasting life with Jesus
    or
    eternal separation from God in hell.
    For the believer, when the final tick of earthly time strikes,
    we step into eternity with Jesus .
    Psalm 16:11 KJV 1900
    11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
    Because in Jesus’ presence, clocks lose their meaning.
    There is no night, no aging, no endings—just forever with Him.
    Revelation 22:5 KJV 1900
    5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
    Yet today—while the clock is still ticking—
    grace is calling,
    truth is speaking,
    and Jesus is saving.
    Tic toc… tic toc…
    There’s still time to repent.
    There’s still time to believe.
    There’s still time to choose eternal life. And when the redeemed reach glory,
    time dissolves into worship.
    John Newton writer of Amazing Grace Tells us:
    “When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
    bright shining as the sun,
    we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
    than when we first begun.”
    Because in heaven—
    the ticking stops,
    but the praise never ends.

    “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” — Charles Wesley (1739)

    Key Stanza:
    “O for a thousand tongues to sing
    my great Redeemer’s praise,
    the glories of my God and King,
    the triumphs of His grace.”
    It points to eternal worship and the endless glory of Christ.
    “And church, if a thousand tongues aren’t enough to praise Him—
    and time shall be no more when we see His face—
    then eternity isn’t long… it’s just the beginning.”

      • 1 John 2:18–23NASB95

      • 1 John 2:18–23NASB95

      • 1 John 2:18NASB95

      • Matthew 24:4–5NASB95

      • Matthew 24:11–12NASB95

      • Acts 20:29–30NASB95

      • 2 Peter 2:1–2NASB95

      • 1 John 2:19NASB95

      • Jude 19NASB95

      • Acts 15:24NASB95

      • 2 Timothy 4:3–4NASB95

      • Matthew 7:15NASB95

      • 1 John 2:20–21NASB95

      • John 16:13NASB95

      • 1 Corinthians 2:12–14NASB95

      • Ephesians 1:13–14NASB95

      • 2 Timothy 1:14NASB95

      • John 14:26NASB95

      • 1 John 2:22–23NASB95

      • John 8:24NASB95

      • John 14:6–7NASB95

      • 2 John 7NASB95

      • Jude 4NASB95

      • Titus 1:16NASB95

      • Psalm 16:11NASB95

      • Revelation 22:5NASB95

Hope Community Church
hopeccchurch@hopecchurch.org
(443) 759-9277
http://hopecchurch.org
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