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The Answer is Love!
Our Immerse reading for week 8 is from the writings of John. Today I will focus on 2 John, a short little letter with a powerful message for our congregation today.
There are two main opinions as to whom John is writing. “To the lady chosen by God and to her children…” is either a device to refer to the church (lady) and its members (children), or John is writing to a specific lady and the church (children) who meet in her home. Both options have Scriptural backing, and both options have been taught since the 100’s AD. What is important to understand is that John is writing to Christians, and this is his primary message to them:
“And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” - 2 John 5-9 NIV
Bits and pieces of this letter are often misused to argue with any practice that someone doesn’t like. “Change a tradition? Change music? Change order of worship? Clearly you aren’t continuing in the teaching of Christ!” Some politician makes choices you don’t like? “They’re the antichrist!” The problem is that isn’t at all what John is talking about.
The heresy that this letter addresses is the teaching that Jesus did not exist in the flesh, or to put it another way Jesus was simply a spiritual being...not really human. Gnostics began teaching this in order to justify all kinds of sexual immorality. Their reasoning stated that since Jesus was only a spiritual being, it didn’t matter what we did with our physical bodies...after all, he didn’t have a physical body. Notice how serious this false teaching is! Anyone who practices or teaches such is the antichrist.
The solution to this false teaching is pretty simple: love! According to John, when we walk as a community who loves each other dearly, we will trust one another and not fall into foolish controversies. Our love for one another can keep people from falling into sin. Our teaching, our view of Christ, and our relationships will be as God wants them because of our love for one another.
So the next time someone does something you don’t like, please don’t attack them, or call them a false teacher, or label them the antichrist. The Biblical approach is to love.
The Answer Is Love!
Our Immerse reading for week 8 is from the writings of John. Today I will focus on 2 John, a short little letter with a powerful message for our congregation today.
There are two main opinions as to whom John is writing. “To the lady chosen by God and to her children…” is either a device to refer to the church (lady) and its members (children), or John is writing to a specific lady and the church (children) who meet in her home. Both options have Scriptural backing, and both options have been taught since the 100’s AD. What is important to understand is that John is writing to Christians, and this is his primary message to them:
“And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” - 2 John 5-9 NIV
Bits and pieces of this letter are often misused to argue with any practice that someone doesn’t like. “Change a tradition? Change music? Change order of worship? Clearly you aren’t continuing in the teaching of Christ!” Some politician makes choices you don’t like? “They’re the antichrist!” The problem is that isn’t at all what John is talking about.
The heresy that this letter addresses is the teaching that Jesus did not exist in the flesh, or to put it another way Jesus was simply a spiritual being...not really human. Gnostics began teaching this in order to justify all kinds of sexual immorality. Their reasoning stated that since Jesus was only a spiritual being, it didn’t matter what we did with our physical bodies...after all, he didn’t have a physical body. Notice how serious this false teaching is! Anyone who practices or teaches such is the antichrist.
The solution to this false teaching is pretty simple: love! According to John, when we walk as a community who loves each other dearly, we will trust one another and not fall into foolish controversies. Our love for one another can keep people from falling into sin. Our teaching, our view of Christ, and our relationships will be as God wants them because of our love for one another.
So the next time someone does something you don’t like, please don’t attack them, or call them a false teacher, or label them the antichrist. The Biblical approach is to love.
Whatever It Costs, It's Worth It!
Our Immerse reading is almost complete! Week 7 covers Hebrews, James, & John. Today I want to focus on Hebrews. The anonymous writer basically sends a written sermon to Jewish believers who had confessed Jesus as the Messiah, and were now facing great persecution for their belief. Instead of giving up and turning back to Judaism, the Hebrew writer encourages these believers to continue in their faith, and does show by showing how much greater (superior) Jesus is than anything, or anyone else!
Here are some of the examples the Hebrew writer gives:
- God now communicates to the world through Jesus (1:1-4)
- Jesus is greater than Angels (1:5-14)
- Jesus suffered just like you, and will help you! (Chapter 2)
- Jesus is greater than Moses (3:1-6)
- In Jesus we find the ultimate Sabbath Rest (4:1-13)
- Jesus is the greatest high priest (4:14-7:28)
- Jesus established a better covenant relationship for us (8:1-9:28)
- Jesus is the greatest, eternal sacrifice (10:1-18)
In between these sections of comparison are encouragements to these persecuted Jewish Christians to keep their faith, and persevere even though it’s difficult to do so. And then the book comes to the main argument in chapters 11 & 12: Continue in your faith and run the race Jesus has set before you!
“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.”
Hebrews 11:1-2 NLT
According to the Hebrew writer, faith requires verbs! Action is a must! Faith isn’t something that just happens between the ears, it’s lived out. All of chapter 11 are examples of Biblical characters that were commended for acting on their faith. This is written to a group of Jewish Christians who would be persecuted for acting on their faith, and the Hebrew writer calls them to go full steam ahead! Don’t back down, don’t hide, live out your faith! RUN THE RACE! And we find our strength to run by considering what Jesus did for us!
“Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.”
Hebrews 12:3-4 NLT
In our sermon this week we’ll be looking at Mark 8 & 9 where Jesus reminds us that if we are to follow him, we must DENY ourselves, CARRY our crosses, and FOLLOW him (Mk. 8:34). Notice the VERBS?
Following Jesus isn’t easy. It isn’t always comfortable. As a matter of fact it may very well cost you your life. BUT IT’S WORTH IT!
Whatever you are going through this week, live out your faith. Deny yourself, carry your cross, and follow him. Whatever it costs you, it will be worth it to be His disciple!
3 Sins You Likely Ignore
Most followers of Jesus could probably recite the fruit of the Spirit. But Paul actually gives two lists in this passage; one list to live by, and one to avoid. Unfortunately we don’t do a very good job of avoiding the so called “acts of the flesh.” Do you know what’s on the list?
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21 NIV
Some of these are fairly self explanatory, but I’d like to focus on three that you may not have paid attention to.
Most of us would heartily agree that sexual immorality, fits of rage, drunkenness, orgies, idolatry and the like are clearly wrong. Of course living like this would keep someone out of the kingdom of God (v. 21). But causing division? Arguing? Rivalry? Really? Yes! A divisive person “will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
It’s clear that Jesus and the writers of the New Testament hated division. It’s almost always listed along with all those sins that we hate. And yet we seem to be ok with division for some strange reason. The only time it’s really ok to divide is from a divisive person. The church is supposed to have nothing to do with people like that! (Rom. 16:17)
So before we speak we need to check our hearts, check your motives, and carefully watch our words. We are the people who are called to build up the body of Christ, not tear it down.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:9 NIV