This is the second in a series of verse-by-verse expositions of the book of 2 John. This message was delivered at Hillcrest Baptist Church on the evening of August 31, 2014. This message explores what it means to walk in truth and love. Please note that the sermon notes are not a full transcript.
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SERMON NOTES:
2 John 4-6
v.4:
Apparently, as with any congregation, not everyone was walking in the truth, but some were. (John will warn about false teachers later)
In today’s society, we tend to glorify sin. Sin amuses us, we joke about it, and often times even encourage it. To an outsider looking in, it would probably seem like sin is what gives us joy.
It permeates our tv, our movies, our schools, and every part of our culture. As such sin has also infiltrated our churches.
We tend to turn a blind eye to it, and sometimes even wink at it. We flirt with sin and make a game of it. We somehow think that we are in control.
As much as we laugh and joke at sin, the reality is that there is no joy in it. No good can come of it. In the end, sin can only bring misery and death. It is the wage of sin.
John; however, found no joy in sin. Instead, he found joy in the fact that some of the congregation was walking in the truth.
What a depraved world we live in, when we mock those who walk in the truth, and praise those who live in sin!
Our joy should be found in the truth!
As we have previously noted, John personalizes the “truth”. The truth actually refers to Christ. So the recognition is that some are truly walking in Christ.
This, in fact, is as the father commanded (v.4b). This is the precise command that John cited in 1 John 3:23
This seems to be meant as an encouragement to those who are walking in the truth, and should serve as an example to all Christians.
Encouragement is a good way to keep each other from becoming hardened through sin.
Hebrews 3:13
We should strongly encourage those who are doing right, walking in the truth. We should encourage them to continue in the truth, thus helping ourselves to walk in the truth also.
v.5:
Now comes a specific request, a pleading and urging.
The request is that the church persist in their mutual love for one another. By making this request he is not seeking to lay on members of the church any new obligation; he is calling on them to obey the command they both received ‘at the beginning’.
1 John 1:1-3
He stresses that this is not a new command, and he has made this point before.
1 John 2:7-11
1 John 3:11
The command to love one another is a command which persists throughout Scripture.
If we want the church to be righteous, we need to love and encourage those who practice righteousness.
v.6:
True love is characterized by following in the footsteps of Christ, as He characterizes love.
In fact, Scripture has much to say about what love is. Many of love’s attributes are spelled out in 1 Corinthians chapter 13.
1 Corinthians 13:4–7
As I’ve noted many times, Biblical love is different from what the world defines love to be. Biblical love is far more than a mere emotion. Love requires action.
Also, love is not simply doing something nice for someone, or enabling them to continue in sin. True love does what is best for another, even if it is not well received by them.
For a believer to truly act in love, sometimes requires thought and judgment. We should know what action to take in order to bolster someone’s relationship with Christ.
Philippians 1:9-11
True love always points to Christ. To love is the command from the beginning, and it should characterize our daily walk.
To practice love is good for you, good for others, and pleases God. Let’s resolve to live a life of love.
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Posted on September 5, 2014
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