Sunday we worked our way through 1 John 2:15-17, considering the command “Do not love the world or the things of the world”. To love the world is to live according to the things the world values. To love the Father is to live according to the things that He values. In the sermon I...
Tag: 1 John
The “One Another” Commands
Throughout the New Testament there are a particular class of commands that have been labeled the “one another” commands. These commands are to help Jesus followers relate to “one another” in life. In my opinion they all flow and expound from the “new commandment” that Jesus gives in John 13:34-35, the command to “love one...
Obedience Borne of Love – Milton Vincent
For the past couple of weeks I have been reading an excerpt from A Gospel Primer for Christians each morning. This past week I read this section that fits so well with 1 John 2:3-6 and the directive to “keep His commandments”. Milton Vincent writes: To love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and...
If We Don’t Confess Our Sins
In 1 John 1:9 we read this brilliant promise, “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Because of Jesus atoning work we – sinners – can be forgiven. The stipulation is we must confess our sin; we must humbly acknowledge our...
Holiness of God
John’s message is this: God is Light (1 John 1:5). That message has been interpreted a few different ways, but I do believe the primary understanding is a reference to His moral purity or holiness. This is the point Martyn Lloyd-Jones makes: I say it with reverence that before I begin to think and consider...
Nicene Creed – An Important Moment in Church History
During this past Sunday’s sermon – 1 John 1:1-4 – I briefly mentioned the Nicene Creed and it’s importance in establishing the humanity and deity of Jesus. Though we are 1700 years removed from this council I am grateful for their defense regarding the person of Jesus. Daniel Akin summarizes the situation well: One final...
Hinderances to Fellowship
Recently at Meadowview we were working our way through 1 John 1.1-4 and discussing our fellowship with the Father, Son, and Saints. This fellowship (partnership, shared life, shared commitment) is often hindered and therefore limits our joy. As I was preparing I noted these helpful diagnostic paragraphs from Lloyd-Jones on various hinderances to our fellowship:...