Listen, the Lord has stronger coffee for us and a better breakfast.
So let's turn to 2 John, where we're going to continue our time in God's Word.
And as you're turning to 2 John, I want to ask you guys a question.
Speaking of food and beautiful things,
have you ever had a meal that was just absolutely perfect?
Have you ever seen a piece of art that you thought,
right where this is, every line, every stroke, it's perfect.
Perfect.
Just right.
Friends, out of all the things in the world,
in the whole of the world,
nothing, nothing is more perfect than the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Nothing is more just right.
Nothing is more untouchably complete than what Jesus has already given us.
And here's what we need to embrace as John takes a turn in the second letter.
Here's what we need to embrace.
That because the gospel is absolutely perfect,
to subtract anything from it or add anything to it is destructive.
And brothers and sisters, last night we had a good time around God's Word,
thinking about the combustion of the right combination.
This morning, on the flip side, we're going to look at the destruction of the wrong combination.
So if you would, turn to 2 John with me again.
And I think we're going to just read the whole letter.
We're going to focus on verses 7 on for this morning.
But I figure it's good for us to read the whole thing as we start out together.
And friends, as we do, this truth is going to emerge to us.
That as with love and truth, may they make us a people who protect and promote the very perfection of the gospel.
Let's read 2 John in its entirety.
The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth.
And not only I, but also all who know the truth,
because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever.
Father, grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father,
and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.
I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth,
just as you were commanded by the Father.
And now I ask you, dear lady, not as though I were writing you a new commandment,
but the one we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.
And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments.
This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning,
so you should walk in it.
For many deceivers have gone out into the world.
Those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh,
such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.
Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for,
but may win a full reward.
Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ
does not have God.
Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching,
do not receive him into your home or give him any greeting.
For whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
Though I have much to write to you,
I would rather not use paper and ink.
Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face,
so that our joy may be complete.
The children of your elect sister greet you.
Let's pray.
Father, continue your work among us through these words.
And Lord, reaffirm in our hearts the perfection of Jesus Christ
and his gospel, we pray.
In Jesus' name, so be it.
All right, so for this morning,
we're going to consider John's turning argument in three points.
So our first point, we're basing out of verse seven,
and that's destruction through subtraction.
And you could pick it up when we read the whole letter.
I mean, last night, weren't his words so warm?
But now those words turn to words of warning,
and they ought to get our attention,
and we see what he's calling for here.
Friends, what we need to embrace
is if Jesus and his gospel
are the love and truth
that are to be the life and warmth
of every believer and every church,
that if that's the case,
if Jesus, in his perfection,
in his truthfulness and love,
if they are threatened,
everything we hold dear is threatened.
John wants to stress this,
but it's coming out of his commitment
to truth and love
that there is a time to protect
and promote what is absolutely perfect.
Look at this in the beginning of verse seven.
For many deceivers have gone out into the world.
It's almost like a reverse Great Commission,
where we're sent to take the gospel
into the nations.
Now as the gospel is going forward,
the church has been around for some time
at John's writing,
but it's not only the gospel
that has been going forward.
As Jesus warned years before,
wheat would always grow among the tares,
and so as the truth and love
of the gospel has gone out,
so have deceptive and destructive lies.
They've gone out into the world,
and note this word, deceivers.
What do deceivers do?
Yeah.
I mean, they don't show you the full thing, right?
They're not like,
well, this is the full package.
This is what you're signing up for.
Sign on the dotted line.
They come with something that seems plausible,
something even good,
but you're being tricked.
You're being swindled,
and so we need to understand
that this air that's going out,
it's not always going to be obvious.
It might be pervasive,
but it might not pronounce itself
as clearly as it ought to,
and John wants the believers
to be aware of this.
Now, what exactly were they saying
that was so wrong?
What were they getting wrong about Jesus?
John actually tells us,
look at the next part in verse seven.
Those who do not confess
the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh.
What are they denying?
The incarnation.
John is big on the incarnation,
because frankly,
the incarnation is a really big deal.
This is not a doctrine we take out
with the Christmas decorations
around the holiday.
Oh yeah, it's that time of the year
we consider the incarnation.
The incarnation is wonderful,
so I don't have Sean's permission,
but I hope this works.
I want to take a little aside
to just love on the incarnation
for a moment here.
That's not even really the point
of the message,
but if we're going to be a people
that love the perfection of the gospel,
let's just look at this aspect
of the gospel for a moment.
This aspect that in John's time
was being threatened.
Here's just three things
that are just wonderful
about the incarnation.
First, the incarnation speaks
to the nearness
and likeness of God.
Of all the things
we need to know in life,
it's that our God is near
and not far.
And not only do we need to know
that God is near and not far,
we need to know
what God is like.
And how are we going to know
what God is like
when we can't see His face
and live?
The incarnation
answers these deep longings
of our humanity
more than anything else.
Listen to John
from John's gospel.
And the word became flesh
and dwelt among us.
And we have seen His glory.
In seeing Jesus,
we've seen the glory
of the Father
and we have lived.
Glory as of the only Son
from the Father.
Full.
Full of grace and truth.
And I'm going to just hop over
to 1 John and read you
the first three verses.
These are wonderful.
That which was from the beginning,
which we have heard,
which we have seen
with our eyes,
which we have looked upon
and have touched
with our hands
concerning the word of life.
The life was made manifest.
That's through the incarnation.
And we have seen it
and testified to it
and proclaimed to you
the eternal life
which was with the Father
and was made manifest to us.
That which we have seen
and heard,
we proclaim also to you
so that you may have fellowship
with us.
And indeed,
our fellowship is with the Father
and with His Son,
Jesus Christ.
Oh my goodness.
What we have in the incarnation.
These realities of God's nearness
and knowing what God is like
is the basis for our community.
But there's more than that
with the incarnation.
The incarnation speaks
to our substitute and mediator.
Consider this.
1 Timothy 2.
For there is one God
and there is one mediator
between God and men.
The man, Christ Jesus.
Romans 5.
As for by one man's disobedience,
the first Adam,
the many were made sinners.
So by one man's obedience,
the second Adam,
Jesus Christ,
the many will be made righteous.
Consider the Heidelberg Catechism,
the 16th question.
Why must He,
why must Jesus
be a true
and righteous man?
He must be a true man
because the justice of God
requires the same human nature
which has sinned
should pay for sin.
He must be a righteous man
because one who is himself a sinner,
he cannot pay for others.
There is no gospel
without the incarnation.
I need Jesus to be truly man
so that His sinless life
can cover my sinful life.
In order for this to be
an authentic
and acceptable sacrifice to God,
Jesus Christ must be man.
He must take on flesh.
That makes this work.
But He also must be God
because if He were not
and He were not sinless,
His sacrifice could not atone
for the sins of all the people
who would believe in Him
for all times.
The incarnation is huge.
One more, one more.
And this is timely.
This is timely.
The incarnation speaks to the humility
and glory of Jesus.
How many of you see
just such a rank lack
of humility in our culture?
Pride is elevated.
How Jesus is so different
than the world?
Here in the incarnation,
we see His humility
and glory in a way that
I don't know how we see
anything more beautiful.
Let me read it from Philippians 2.
Though He was in the form of God.
We even sang about this this morning.
Did not count equality with God
a thing to be grasped,
but emptied Himself
by taking the form of a servant,
being born in the likeness
of men, incarnation,
and being found in human form,
He humbled Himself
by becoming obedient
to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Therefore,
God has highly exalted Him
and bestowed on Him
the name that is above every name
so that the name of Jesus
every knee should bow
in heaven and on earth
and under the earth
and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord
to the glory of God the Father.
Friends,
this is not going away
with our Christmas decorations.
This is a truth
we want to hang out all year
and we cannot afford
to lose it.
So,
thank you for letting me
go off on the incarnation
for a little bit.
We're getting back on our tracks
tracks with John's argument,
but I just,
I wanted to love on that
together for a bit.
Here's what we need to see.
We don't know exactly
how they were denying
Jesus' incarnation
in John's day.
Most scholars,
though,
believe it had a Gnostic flavor,
which they would have seen
the body as bad
or unimportant.
So,
they may have come
with a subtraction like this.
Oh,
Jesus is too spiritual
to have a body.
Oh,
Jesus is,
his divinity,
there's no way
he could actually
take on flesh.
And you can see
where the deception
comes in,
there's always going to be
something that
catches us a bit.
But if we deny
that he actually
came in the flesh,
look at all the perfection
we are denied.
All are grounds
for truth
and for love.
And here's where John
starts getting pretty serious.
And you're going to see
these turns he makes
in 2nd and 3rd John.
In this way,
he's kind of like Gandalf.
At first,
you can think
he's just this nice old guy
that really knows
how to smoke a pipe.
And you're like,
oh,
nice Gandalf.
Gandalf gets into
a different gear
when it's time for it.
And we see that
with the apostle of love.
He can change a gear.
So,
what does John call
this kind of subtraction?
Read on in verse 7.
Such a one
is the deceiver
and the antichrist.
Whoa.
Now,
these are
loaded
accusations.
And I don't want us
to get lost in them.
I want us to
catch what John is saying.
Who else is known
as the deceiver?
Satan.
There is something
very satanic
about subtracting
from the gospel.
Then he says
antichrist.
Now,
don't get into
like Timothy mode
where you're trying
to think about
the antichrist
and figure out that.
No,
it's talking about
a position.
An antichrist
position
to be opposed
or against.
To subtract
is to be satanic.
To subtract
is to be
anti
or against
Christ.
These things
aren't,
oh,
that's a really
creative thought
that you have there
about the incarnation.
Yeah,
maybe Jesus,
no,
no.
That's satanic.
That's antichrist.
Now,
you can nuance
how you'll work
that out
in the community,
but John,
the apostle of love
is being very clear
in truth
with this section.
and it goes
for any doctrine.
We are looking
at something
that is
completely
perfect.
Why would we
think of taking
anything away
from it?
Usually,
that motivation
is because
we want to be
more accepted
by the people
around us.
We're tempted
to edit
the gospel
that it might
fit in our lives
with less trouble.
We'll get to that
as we go.
We have a second
point to get to.
Destruction
through addition.
This is where
we look at
verses 8
and 9.
Now,
there's a difference
between a hypothetical
threat
and an actual threat.
The threat
that John's
talking about
against the
perfection
of the gospel,
it's actual.
And it's actual
for us too.
And I want you
to see this
because this is
the weight
of verse 8
that we're meant
to feel.
Watch yourselves.
So that you
may not lose
what we have
worked for
but may win
a full reward.
Watch yourselves
is in the plural
imperative,
which means
it's a command
for the whole
community.
John is saying
to this
unspecified church
that he speaks
about in such
familial,
warm terms,
watch yourselves.
Watch yourselves.
we need to hear
this as a command
because the threat
is real
and active.
And what we need
to understand
is that there
could be a loss
here.
And indeed,
there is a loss.
This could,
depending on how
you understand the
Greeks,
speak of the
laborer's loss
or the listener's
loss.
But for us,
to lose anything
of the gospel
is to lose
the life
and the truth
that give us
all the warmth
and love we need.
To lose this
is to lose
what matters.
And the destruction
goes on.
How he describes
this is very
interesting.
Look at verse 9
with me.
Everyone who
goes on ahead
and does not
abide in the
teaching of Christ
does not
have God.
John's back
to these metaphors.
Very helpful
here.
Very helpful.
Anyone who
goes on
ahead.
What a picture
for not just
trying to destroy
the gospel
through subtraction,
but addition.
And I think
this can actually
be more tempting.
I just need
to add something
to the gospel.
It's like when
your kids are
on a hike
and they go
on ahead of you.
It's not actually
what you want
because they're
going outside
of healthy
and safe
boundaries.
But there seems
to be a tolerance
in the evangelical
church for going
on ahead.
Meandering off,
looking for more.
But John uses
another metaphor.
We're not to
wander off from it.
We're not to go
on ahead as though
that were needed.
We are to
abide,
John tells us,
to find our life
and our home
and our place.
To abide means
to stay
and build a life.
Friends,
the gospel
is the perfection
of God
for us.
Nothing can be
taken from it.
Nothing can be
added to it
without taking
away from it.
So remember
that perfect meal?
Well,
if you added
just one more
dash
of seasoning,
it's no longer
just right.
One more stroke
to a masterpiece,
it's no longer
a masterpiece.
It's divine
vandalism.
And John is
intolerant.
The apostle of love
is intolerant
of these kind of
threats to the gospel.
He's warning
the whole church
to be watchful
for these friends
and that's
so necessary
for us.
And I believe
it starts
with a discontentment
in our own hearts.
We become
gospel bored.
We tire
of hearing it.
That's a real symptom
when someone
talks about
the gospel
and your heart
no longer
alights to it.
Now you may ask me,
Andrew,
is it realistic
that I'll always
have affection
for the gospel?
Is it realistic
that who Jesus is
and what he's done
in all its perfection
will always
be captivating
to me?
Humanly,
we are very weak.
And I understand
why and how
we struggle.
But when we
actually think
about what this is,
we should never
get over this.
There is enough
in this.
And here's the deal.
There is enough
that we actually
haven't plumbed.
We don't need
to go beyond.
I don't need
to take away
from it
or add to it.
What it is,
there is more
for me to consider.
There is more
for us
to ponder
and dwell on.
So if you feel
those numbings
coming in,
the answer
is not to go
on ahead.
And the answer
is not to tailor
it and cut it back
so it fits better
in your life
is to behold
the perfection
and to live
in that.
The call,
friends,
here is not
to add to the gospel
but to abide in it.
And I would ask you
in your life,
is the gospel
the most sacred place?
The most safe place?
The most dear place?
It's meant
to be our place
for life.
And what are they
strained from?
It's the teaching
of Christ.
Did you see that
in the text?
Everyone who goes
on ahead
and does not abide
in the teaching
of Christ.
I'm shorthanding
that as the gospel
but what that includes
is teaching
about Jesus
and teaching
from Jesus.
Colossians calls us
to let the word
of Christ
dwell in us richly.
When Paul uses
that language
the word of Christ
is probably
a longer way
of saying the gospel.
Who Jesus is
and what he's done
that's meant
to steep in you
like a tea bag
steeps in tea.
And here we're called
to abide in his teaching
and that makes sense
with what we learned
last night.
Friends,
we must learn
this life
of abiding
because the danger is
when we don't
we no longer
have God
John says.
Does not have
God
or his exact
words.
Why is this?
I think
David Jackman
says it well
as soon as we
leave the basis
of God's revealed
truth
we begin to
venture
into unreality.
I remember
having
a conversation
with my aunt
in the car
and she asked me
Andrew what do you
think heaven
is going to be like?
And I go
well Aunt Julie
the Bible says
no no no no no
I didn't ask you
what the Bible said
what do you think
heaven's going to be like?
I'm like well
Aunt Julie
heaven's a real place
like I don't get
to make up
what it is
and isn't
and we started
having this conversation
she's like well
let me tell you
what I think
heaven is
and she just
goes into that
that's a form
of unreality.
Anytime
we say
or make
Jesus
something that
he's not
we are no longer
walking in the truth
we're walking
in unreality
and what is the
ground for all
our fellowship
and hope?
It's in the truth
of who Christ
is
unchanged
unfiltered
as it's been given
from the Father
to us.
So
that said
this is where
we're going to land
on this
third point.
We don't just
want to seek
to protect this
we want to promote
this.
We want to build
up godly convictions
and this is what
John is calling
his listeners
to do here.
This kind of
conviction
comes out of
our care
for the perfection
of the gospel.
Look at verses
10 and 11
with me.
If anyone
comes to you
and does not
bring this teaching
do not receive
him into your house
or give him
any greeting
for whoever
greets him
takes part
in his wicked
works.
Now I will admit
to you
I have misunderstood
and misapplied
this for a long
time.
In the city
we would get
JWs
Jehovah's Witnesses
by the house
all the time
and I'd always
talk to them
on the steps
never in the house
because I wanted
to be faithful
to John
you can't come
in my house
and I
wouldn't say
what's up
to the JWs
either
because I didn't
want to give
them a greeting
I'd be like
hmm
yeah
real kind
and warm
real actual
apologetics
right there
that's not
what John's
talking about
if we're
understanding
the cultural
context
to bring
someone
into your
home
a traveling
preacher
there were
good ones
and obviously
bad ones
in these times
to welcome
them into
your home
and to show
them any greeting
is to show
them your support
you're saying
you stamp
them
now I think
that looks
a lot
different
in our times
but I think
there are lessons
that we can learn
from John here
first John calls
out their air
there will be
deceivers
who go out
into the world
and after talking
to a few of you
you're like a church
that goes out
into the world
like you're here
for a little while
then you're there
I think God
has a special
calling on this
church
for that
I think
there is a lot
of kingdom
potential
and purposes
there
I'll talk
about that
later
but you guys
will be
in different
churches
different places
throughout your
life
and you're
going to run
into a lot
of things
John would
have you
be able
to discern
what is
the air
John says
very clearly
here in his
times
the air
is that
the incarnation
was at
threat
and that
threatens the
perfection
of the gospel
you need
to know
in your
times
and places
what are
the threats
around you
and what
are the
threats
facing God's
people
what are
these plausible
arguments
that are
sneaking in
that could
deceive them
and rob
them
from all
this life
and warmth
that truth
and love
bring us
and friends
we're going
to need
grace
for that
but John
would tell
you never
never take
away from the
gospel to make
that happen
never add
to it
instead
abide in
it
and friends
the more
it becomes
precious to
you
and you're
like this
is my
place
above all
places
the less
likely you
will compromise
it
when you
are in
a hard
situation
all right
we'll wrap
it up
here
so much
to say
I'm glad
we have
more sessions
together
here's the
deal
if you
love
anything
you're
going to
protect
it
you really
are
and again
we're talking
about the
apostle John
now we're
seeing a little
bit of a
different side
maybe the
son of
thunder is
reemerging a
little bit
but it's
coming out
of love
it's coming
out of love
we don't want
to be
convictional
because we're
self-important
that gives
off a vibe
doesn't it
you know
when someone
like is
being
righteous
but it's
really just
self-righteous
we need
convictions
that come
out of a
realization
of how
important
Jesus is
when we
come out
of those
and not
just that
he's
important
but he's
everything
to us
that warms
up the
whole thing
so John
just gives
this like
corporate
warning
and then
let's
consider how
he ends
the letter
the last
two verses
though I
have much
to write
to you
I would
rather not
use paper
and ink
instead I
hope to
come to
you and
talk face
to face
why John
so that
our joy
may be
complete
the children
of your
elect sister
greet you
friends
let us
not
forget
under all
this is
John's
desire
for our
joy
and that
joy
will only
be
complete
as we
together
protect
and promote
the completeness
and perfection
of the gospel
we have in
Jesus Christ
would you pray
with me
father we
we want to
thank you
together
we can
easily
confess that
we have
more in
Christ
than we
have yet
realized
so we
pray help
us
abide
Lord when
we are
tempted to
shave
when we're
tempted to
add
help us
abide
help us
find our
life
more and
more in
Jesus
who he
is and
what he's
done for
us
Lord
we thank
you we are
not alone
in this
thank you
that you
hear our
prayers
answer in
this moment
and in the
moments beyond
this moment
we pray
in Jesus
name
so be
it