This is the eighth in a series of verse-by-verse expositions of the book of 1 John. This message was delivered at Hillcrest Baptist Church on the evening of March 16, 2014. This message deals recognizing the threat of the many false teachers who have infiltrated the church, and the duty of the church leaders to expose such people. This post contains an audio recording of my message, along with my sermon notes. Please note that the sermon notes are not a full transcript.
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SERMON NOTES:
1 John 2:18-23
V.18:
This is the first occurrence of the term “antichrist.” Its usage is found only in John’s letters.
This first occurrence refers to the coming world ruler.
He will rule during the tribulation, and be energized by Satan.
He will seek to replace and oppose the true Christ.
Dan. 8:9–11
Dan. 11:31–38
Dan. 12:11
Matt. 24:15
2 Thess. 2:1–12
Rev. 13:1–5
Rev. 19:20
The next occurrence of the word is plural, and refers to many individuals.
This usage has more urgency for us, because it’s happening in the here and now.
In fact, this is how we can be sure that we are in the last days.
John was referring to false teachers who were perverting the Word of God, thereby opposing Christ.
These people can be very convincing, and Jesus Himself warned us about them.
Matthew 24:24
Mark 13:22
These false teachers continue on today, and they gain more and more followers, while the true church continues to decline.
Partly because today’s church leaders seem to be scared of calling these people out.
Anyone who preaches a false gospel is an antichrist.
They are wolves in sheep’s clothing, and we (esp. Leaders) should be bold about exposing them as such.
Acts 20:28-31
Ephesians 5:11
The light of the Gospel will expose their evil, and it is our duty to do so!
They run rampant today, and only a few dare to speak out.
Those overseers who have stood idly by, while these wolves ravage the flock, will one day answer to Christ for their apathy.
V.19:
The first characteristic we see, is that these people arise from out of the church. That’s what makes them so dangerous.
They know all of the religious terminology, and can be very convincing.
We see that they do not remain where they began.
They will leave the true church, and take many gullible people with them.
Their departure is their unmasking. That is how they are made manifest.
V.20:
John points out that true believers have an anointing from The Holy Spirit.
This anointing brings knowledge of the truth.
John 14:26
John 16:13
V.21:
By affirming that they know the truth, John confirms that he was, indeed, writing to true believers.
V.22:
Having established that they know the truth, it’s logical to conclude that they would know a lie.
On this note, John calls out these antichrist’s as liars.
He sets the example for all who are overseers in the church.
He points out the source of their lies, which is the second characteristic we see.
This is nothing less than a denial of Christ!
Anyone who does not believe the deity of Christ, denies Him.
Anyone who does not recognize the incarnation (humanity) of Christ, denies Him.
Anyone who does not believe in the resurrection, denies Him.
Anyone who believes that you must work for your salvation, denies Him.
Why do we treat these people as if they have a legitimate viewpoint?
Doing so gives them credibility they don’t deserve.
Galatians 1:8-9
1 Corinthians 16:22
With such a strong admonition against false teachers, why do we put up with such foolishness?
We should be shouting from the rooftops, exposing these people for who they are!
V.23:
You cannot deny Christ and have the Father.
John 8:19
John 10:30
Matthew 10:33
Likewise, if you accept the Son, you get the Father.
Matthew 10:32
However, lies stand in the way.
In order for people to know the Son, the lies must be exposed.
In Defense: The Blog 
Posted on March 18, 2014
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