This is the third and final 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 September 7, 2014. This message outlines the duty that a Christian has toward false teachers, and touches on the necessity of church fellowship.
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SERMON NOTES:
2 John 7-13
True believers have a Biblical duty regarding false teachers, and 2 John 7-13 detail four of those duties.
V.8:
1) We are to first look at ourselves, 2 John 8a
We should examine ourselves against the light of God’s Word, to be sure that our hearts, motives, and doctrines are pure.
2) As believers, we should make sure that we don’t lose the rewards which we have gained, 2 John 8b
By examining our lifestyle and obedience to God’s Word, we can ensure our rewards and be insulated against false teachings.
V.9:
3) Once we have thoroughly examined ourselves, we are to judge their doctrines, 2 John 9
John gives us a simple formula for judging the false teacher, whether or not they abide in the doctrine of Christ.
The Bible makes it clear that you cannot deny Christ and have the Father. It doesn’t work that way.
John 8:19
John 10:30
Matthew 10:33
We should take great care to judge everything against the Word of God, because these false teachers can be very convincing.
1 John 4:1
They are such a big threat, that Jesus Himself warned us about them.
Matthew 24:24
Mark 13:22
Matthew 7:15
Paul echoed this warning.
Acts 20:29
VV.10-11:
4) We are not to receive such people, 2 John 10
To receive such people would give them credibility that they do not deserve.
A false Gospel is foolishness which leads people to hell. We have no business harboring it or its ministers.
The warning is primarily against the danger of allowing a false teacher to come into the church, as a pastor or a teacher or even as a visiting speaker, who would not bring “this doctrine” that Jesus and the apostles had taught.
This doctrine is not just one or two least-common-denominator statements about Christ to which all nominal Christians could give assent, but the entire body of teachings that had come from Jesus.
Since Jesus taught that all the Old Testament is inspired and authoritative, this “doctrine of Christ” includes all the counsel of God.
Acts 20:27
From Genesis through Revelation, it is all God’s word, and all His doctrine.
How important it is not to allow false teaching to get a foothold in a local church.
Galatians 1:8
VV.12-13:
John acknowledges that there is much more he might say, but he recognizes that it will be more effective if he were to say it in person.
When the community of believers enjoys fellowship in Christ, one of the results of their fellowship is the joy of the Lord.
This is also an acknowledgment of the necessity of believers to regularly meet together.
The assembling of the saints provides encouragement and strength that you cannot get when you refuse to go to church.
It has been stated by May that you don’t need to go to church to worship God, that you can worship Him anywhere.
That’s true, but how likely are you to truly worship, if you aren’t with others who are worshipping?
You can’t be encouraged by other believers when you aren’t where they are.
You can’t draw strength from other believers if you aren’t where they are.
Evangelism and good works would be far less prevalent if believers didn’t regularly meet.
Hebrews 10:24-25
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Posted on September 11, 2014
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