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The Truth in Us

TEXT2 John 1-3

INTRODUCTION:

A.  SHORT BOOK, BIG LESSON.

B.  OUR AIM.

          1.  Introduce the Book.

          2.  See the Place of Truth In It and In Our Spiritual Lives.

I.  BACKGROUND OF 2 John.

A.  THE AUTHOR – John the Elder.

          1.  John, the same as 1 John and the Gospel.

                   - Common terms:  walk, abide, truth, in phrases, Father and Son, new

                             commandment, joy made full.

          2.  The Elder,  presbuteros.

                   a.  Office in the church like Peter (1 Pet. 5:1-3).

                   b.  Member of the Sanhedrin (Matt. 16:21Acts 6:12).

                   c.  An older man (1 Tim. 5:1Luke 15:25).

B.  THE DATE -  After 1 John and the Gospel.

          1.  Late enough for the Gnostic heresy.

          2.  65 – 100 A. D.

C.  THE READERS –

          1.  Elect Lady.

                   a.  Eph. 1:41 Pet. 5:132:9.

                   b.  2 John 13.  Common to exchange greetings between congregations.

          2.  Her children – Spiritual brood.

                   a.  Paul (1 Cor. 4:14-151 Tim. 1:12Rom. 8:16).

                   b.  John (1 John 2:1).

II.  THE BASIS FOR FELLOWSHIP.

A,  vs. 1b.  LOVE IN TRUTH WITH THOSE WHO KNOW THE TRUTH.

          1.  What brings us together?  (1 John 1:3-4).  What we know and believe.

          2.  Fellowship with God is the basis of our fellowship (vs. 4).

                   a.  Dependent on faith and knowledge (vs. 3-4).

                   b.  Dependent on walking in the light (vs. 6-7).

                   c.  Dependent on obedience (1 John 2:4).

                   d.  Dependent on NOT presuming (2 John 9).

          3.  Can our fellowship be threatened? (1 John 1:62:42 John 9Gal. 5:4).

          4.  How does this affect our fellowship together? (Eph. 5:11).

B.  vs. 2.  AFFECTION BECAUSE OF FELLOWSHIP.

          1.  For truth’s sake (John 13:34-35Rom. 13:9-19).

          2.  Abides in us (1 John 2:2-6, 21, see 2 John 4, 6).

          3.  What is truth? (John 17:17).

          4.  Be with us forever (Luke 21:331 John 2:17).

C.  vs. 3.  GRACE, MERCY, PEACE SHALL BE WITH US.

          1.  Grace, charis, favor or blessing (James 1:17Eph. 1:3).

                   a.  Our salvation (Rom. 3:23-24Eph. 2:8).

                   b.  In the Bible, unmerited, not unconditional favor (Rom. 5:81 John 4:9-10).

          2.  Mercy – Forgiveness.

                   a.  An act of kindness (Luke 10:36-37).

                   b.  Our salvation (1 Pet. 1:31 Tim. 1:13).

          3.  Peace.

                   1.  Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-21Eph. 2:14-16).

                   2.  Assurance (Rom. 8:31ff.;  Phil. 4:4-7).

CONCLUSION:

A.  OURS FROM GOD AND JESUS.

B.  TRUTH AND LOVE BEING AT THE CENTER.

C.  BUT WE MUST WALK IN TRUTH (vs. 4, 6).