WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.060 Well, good morning, church. 00:00:03.399 --> 00:00:11.400 Allow me to begin just by thanking the many of you who have opened your heart to us, 00:00:11.700 --> 00:00:13.599 supporting us with the birth of our son, Owen. 00:00:14.540 --> 00:00:19.699 It has meant a lot to us to know that this church is our family in Christ. 00:00:21.900 --> 00:00:26.879 So before we read God's Word, let's go to the Lord for help this morning. 00:00:27.879 --> 00:00:28.600 Let's pray. 00:00:30.660 --> 00:00:34.640 Oh, Lord, would your Word find a home in our hearts? 00:00:36.460 --> 00:00:40.600 Father, draw us by your Spirit to declare that Jesus is Lord of all. 00:00:42.120 --> 00:00:43.519 Father, give me love. 00:00:44.120 --> 00:00:47.340 Without love, I am just a resounding gong and a clanging cymbal. 00:00:48.280 --> 00:00:49.359 Without love, I am nothing. 00:00:50.219 --> 00:00:52.240 Help me to speak the truth in love. 00:00:53.019 --> 00:00:59.359 And Lord, would your people be like those noble Bereans who would test the things I say this morning 00:00:59.359 --> 00:01:00.939 to see if they accord with your Word. 00:01:01.679 --> 00:01:05.200 If it accords, would there be joyful obedience to your Word? 00:01:06.140 --> 00:01:08.500 If it does not accord, would they discard it? 00:01:09.920 --> 00:01:15.019 Gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim the honor and glory of your great name. 00:01:15.019 --> 00:01:16.920 Praise in Christ's name. 00:01:17.159 --> 00:01:17.399 Amen. 00:01:19.099 --> 00:01:23.539 Well, our text this morning is 1 John 4, verses 1 to 6. 00:01:24.280 --> 00:01:27.099 That can be found on page 960 of the Pew Bible. 00:01:27.099 --> 00:01:30.179 1 John 4, verses 1 to 6. 00:01:30.659 --> 00:01:32.179 Let's read God's Word together. 00:01:32.180 --> 00:01:42.260 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:45.920 For many false prophets have gone out into the world. 00:01:47.100 --> 00:01:48.980 By this you know the Spirit of God. 00:01:49.840 --> 00:01:54.780 Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. 00:01:54.780 --> 00:01:59.500 And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. 00:02:00.680 --> 00:02:08.719 This is the Spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard was coming and is now in the world already. 00:02:10.080 --> 00:02:14.280 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them. 00:02:15.280 --> 00:02:19.439 For he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:23.680 They are from the world, therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. 00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:25.520 We are from God. 00:02:26.480 --> 00:02:28.340 Whoever knows God listens to us. 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:31.300 Whoever is not from God does not listen to us. 00:02:31.920 --> 00:02:35.780 By this we know the Spirit of truth and the Spirit of error. 00:02:39.640 --> 00:02:46.920 During the second century, a Christian named Irenaeus became an early defender of the faith. 00:02:48.580 --> 00:02:51.740 Irenaeus was the spiritual grandson of the Apostle John. 00:02:53.680 --> 00:03:03.200 And Irenaeus was frequently heard disturbing reports. 00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:11.159 Not of persecution coming from the outside, but of peddlers of God's Word coming from within. 00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:16.180 Reports of churches welcoming wolves with open arms. 00:03:16.180 --> 00:03:25.140 The greatest threat to the church did not come from the outside of the camp, but came from deception from within. 00:03:26.460 --> 00:03:30.140 And like the recent wildfires, false teaching spread rapidly. 00:03:30.980 --> 00:03:35.520 And the smoke from the false teaching created a fog, making it hard to see. 00:03:35.520 --> 00:03:39.439 Many voices were claiming to speak for God. 00:03:40.580 --> 00:03:44.480 And sadly, false guides were leading people astray. 00:03:45.740 --> 00:03:50.360 Irenaeus contended not against doubters, but deceivers. 00:03:52.360 --> 00:03:54.540 It is the same in our day. 00:03:55.879 --> 00:03:57.360 Who can you trust? 00:03:57.360 --> 00:04:01.360 Who is a safe guide through life's wilderness? 00:04:02.040 --> 00:04:04.200 And who is a deceiver? 00:04:05.440 --> 00:04:06.820 What a pressing question. 00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:10.580 And the answer is not immediately obvious, right? 00:04:10.780 --> 00:04:15.780 It's not like we live in a world where deceivers make it easy to spot them. 00:04:16.199 --> 00:04:19.800 It's not like a person's name is Pastor Paul Palpatine. 00:04:20.439 --> 00:04:21.780 That raises a red flag. 00:04:21.779 --> 00:04:30.279 Or you walk into a church where deceivers wear a red name tag, introducing themselves as false teachers. 00:04:31.159 --> 00:04:31.359 No. 00:04:31.839 --> 00:04:34.859 No, rather they camouflage themselves, don't they? 00:04:35.299 --> 00:04:40.299 Kind of like an airport security guard who wears an official security badge. 00:04:40.899 --> 00:04:46.119 And the guard tells you urgently that the gates of your flight has changed and you need to follow them right away. 00:04:46.699 --> 00:04:50.500 And you start following, but then you realize you've been lied to. 00:04:50.500 --> 00:04:52.019 But it's too late. 00:04:52.720 --> 00:04:55.079 You're on the wrong plane going in the wrong direction. 00:04:56.180 --> 00:04:58.819 It was actually an imposter who led you astray. 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:04.639 In the text before us, John will give a much needed warning. 00:05:05.439 --> 00:05:08.860 And we need this warning for our spiritual safety. 00:05:10.019 --> 00:05:16.800 And up until now in the book of John, John has just finished giving us this glorious chapter on the nature of love. 00:05:16.800 --> 00:05:20.759 In the previous chapter, in verse 16, you recall, he said, 00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:25.020 By this we know love, that Jesus laid down his life for us. 00:05:25.360 --> 00:05:28.259 And we ought to lay our lives down for the brothers. 00:05:29.300 --> 00:05:33.319 And right after our text, John picks up this theme again of love. 00:05:33.819 --> 00:05:35.960 In chapter 4, verse 7, he says, 00:05:36.019 --> 00:05:38.660 Beloved, let us love one another. 00:05:38.660 --> 00:05:41.780 And the text before us is almost a parenthesis. 00:05:42.540 --> 00:05:46.060 Sandwiched between two sections on love. 00:05:47.380 --> 00:05:52.500 Why is John taking a detour to warn us against deceivers and false teachers? 00:05:53.280 --> 00:05:54.320 Well, two things. 00:05:54.660 --> 00:06:01.400 On one level, John knows that our love is shaped and fueled by the truth. 00:06:01.399 --> 00:06:05.779 The fire of our love needs the fuel of truth to burn hot and bright. 00:06:06.719 --> 00:06:10.620 High views of God lead to high worship and love for others. 00:06:11.479 --> 00:06:14.599 Low views of God lead to cold, dead hearts. 00:06:15.500 --> 00:06:17.739 And so to guard our love, we must guard the truth. 00:06:18.899 --> 00:06:26.279 But on another level, John has just introduced us to the Holy Spirit in that last verse of chapter 3. 00:06:27.079 --> 00:06:27.719 Remember he said, 00:06:27.719 --> 00:06:30.659 And by this we know that he abides in us. 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:33.659 By the spirit whom he has given us. 00:06:35.060 --> 00:06:37.359 John wants us to follow the Holy Spirit. 00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:39.620 But then he turns a sharp corner. 00:06:40.659 --> 00:06:43.399 And it seems John is quick to add, but don't trust every spirit. 00:06:44.739 --> 00:06:48.579 He wants them to know which spirits are safe and which are dangerous. 00:06:49.399 --> 00:06:53.399 And this is John's pastoral heart in our text this morning. 00:06:53.719 --> 00:06:56.759 Warning the church of spiritual danger. 00:06:57.379 --> 00:06:59.959 So we will look at this text in three parts. 00:06:59.959 --> 00:07:02.079 The warning against false teachers. 00:07:02.959 --> 00:07:05.199 Point number two, the weighing of all teaching. 00:07:05.739 --> 00:07:08.019 And point number three, the work of the spirit. 00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:11.659 So the warning, the weighing, and the work. 00:07:12.299 --> 00:07:13.620 And the last point is the shortest point. 00:07:14.680 --> 00:07:16.859 So point number one, the warning in verse one. 00:07:17.299 --> 00:07:18.519 Who should you trust? 00:07:19.859 --> 00:07:22.339 John's answer to that is not everyone. 00:07:22.339 --> 00:07:22.419 John. 00:07:23.060 --> 00:07:25.079 The passage begins with a warning. 00:07:25.359 --> 00:07:25.839 Verse one. 00:07:26.239 --> 00:07:29.399 Beloved, do not believe every spirit. 00:07:30.639 --> 00:07:32.119 Now don't miss that first word. 00:07:33.159 --> 00:07:34.519 John says, beloved. 00:07:35.620 --> 00:07:39.339 John loves this church as a pastor loves his flock. 00:07:40.079 --> 00:07:43.799 He says, beloved, beware of the danger of being deceived. 00:07:44.479 --> 00:07:45.399 Don't be gullible. 00:07:46.199 --> 00:07:47.799 Rather, sift it out. 00:07:47.800 --> 00:07:52.020 Don't have color blindness where you cannot distinguish right and wrong. 00:07:53.120 --> 00:07:56.680 Do not believe every spirit. 00:07:57.920 --> 00:08:03.800 And this idea of spirit is not referring to some deeply mystical practice where you're some demon hunter. 00:08:04.519 --> 00:08:07.080 No, he was referring to the spirit behind a person. 00:08:07.920 --> 00:08:09.199 He is talking about people. 00:08:09.199 --> 00:08:12.500 Not all that glitters it is gold. 00:08:13.199 --> 00:08:17.240 And likewise, not every pastor or teacher who cites a Bible verse to you should be trusted. 00:08:18.439 --> 00:08:22.339 Discern if what you are hearing is genuine gold or fool's gold. 00:08:23.180 --> 00:08:29.360 But in a sense, John is also saying there is a spirit behind a person motivating their ministry. 00:08:29.959 --> 00:08:31.680 The two are inseparably connected. 00:08:32.679 --> 00:08:38.460 At the end of verse six, John calls it the spirit of error and the spirit of truth. 00:08:38.460 --> 00:08:43.480 And that word error can literally be translated as deception. 00:08:44.580 --> 00:08:48.060 A spirit of deceiving behind the false teacher. 00:08:48.960 --> 00:08:50.259 You know, they use the right Christian lingo. 00:08:50.820 --> 00:08:52.240 They talk about loving Jesus. 00:08:52.780 --> 00:08:54.080 They seem so sincere. 00:08:55.360 --> 00:08:56.960 But they are deceivers. 00:08:58.060 --> 00:09:01.200 As you'll see, they present a false Jesus to us. 00:09:02.200 --> 00:09:05.500 Have you ever considered that you can be deceived? 00:09:06.379 --> 00:09:10.480 You can deceive yourself and others about your relationship with God. 00:09:11.399 --> 00:09:15.840 Jesus warns many deceived people will say to him on that final day, 00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:18.620 Lord, Lord, did we not do all these things in your name? 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:21.340 And what does Jesus say to them? 00:09:22.220 --> 00:09:23.159 I never knew you. 00:09:23.639 --> 00:09:24.259 Depart from me. 00:09:25.580 --> 00:09:27.340 You can be deceived. 00:09:27.340 --> 00:09:31.139 There's a lot at stake here. 00:09:31.860 --> 00:09:37.519 The difference between the real Jesus and a false Jesus is the difference between truth and deception. 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:41.580 It's the difference between salvation and judgment. 00:09:42.860 --> 00:09:45.660 According to Jesus, it's the difference between heaven and hell. 00:09:47.220 --> 00:09:50.240 And you'll remember Jesus said of false teachers in John 8, verse 44, 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:55.060 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. 00:09:55.879 --> 00:09:57.419 He was a murderer from the beginning. 00:09:57.799 --> 00:10:00.180 He is a liar and the father of lies. 00:10:01.019 --> 00:10:04.299 Rather than speaking truth, they bring lies. 00:10:04.759 --> 00:10:07.919 Rather than bringing light, they bring in darkness. 00:10:08.740 --> 00:10:11.419 Rather than giving life, they destroy. 00:10:11.659 --> 00:10:14.600 They are thieves who have come to steal, kill, and destroy. 00:10:14.600 --> 00:10:22.279 And when false teachers are believed, they create counterfeit Christians, leading to eternal destruction. 00:10:24.840 --> 00:10:26.220 Deceivers are not just wrong. 00:10:26.860 --> 00:10:27.700 They are dangerous. 00:10:28.259 --> 00:10:34.840 Like when a building is burning down and a person reverses the direction of the arrow on the exit sign. 00:10:35.460 --> 00:10:38.420 People are led astray to the dead end of destruction. 00:10:39.300 --> 00:10:42.420 False teachers commit spiritual murder. 00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:49.540 Now, some of us get a little uncomfortable when we talk about false teachers. 00:10:50.700 --> 00:10:53.540 You might say, can't we all just get along? 00:10:54.700 --> 00:10:56.740 Isn't the church already too divided? 00:10:58.200 --> 00:11:00.200 Doesn't Jesus say, do not judge others? 00:11:01.920 --> 00:11:06.820 Well, friend, on the one hand, we understand there are areas where Christians in good conscience can disagree. 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:10.279 And we can still affirm each other's faith in Christ. 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:14.519 Not every difference is the basis of an accusation of false teaching. 00:11:15.399 --> 00:11:23.799 We can be, we can charitably disagree with things like the mode of baptism, our church government, the end times. 00:11:24.459 --> 00:11:29.600 And the apostle Peter would even write, you know, some things Paul writes are difficult to understand. 00:11:31.059 --> 00:11:32.559 Many small group leaders are like, yes, amen. 00:11:32.559 --> 00:11:32.679 Amen. 00:11:33.939 --> 00:11:37.199 We call these secondary or tertiary issues. 00:11:37.959 --> 00:11:39.559 We need to be charitable with each other. 00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:46.259 Although all subjects in God's word are important, we can still affirm each other and our faith in Christ if we disagree. 00:11:47.379 --> 00:11:52.399 But on the other hand, friends, there are certain truths that are absolutely clear. 00:11:53.179 --> 00:11:55.639 Truths that Paul said were of first importance. 00:11:56.599 --> 00:11:58.559 Truths that are at the heartbeat of our faith. 00:11:58.559 --> 00:12:02.679 Truths that Christians have been prepared to die for. 00:12:03.979 --> 00:12:10.219 And when Jesus said, do not judge, what Jesus means is don't have a judgmental spirit and judge hypocritically. 00:12:10.979 --> 00:12:16.399 In the next verse, he says, before you pull the speck out of your brother's eye, take the log out of your own eye first. 00:12:17.099 --> 00:12:23.139 But in that same chapter, just ten verses later, Jesus warns, beware of false prophets. 00:12:23.839 --> 00:12:25.939 You will recognize them by their fruits. 00:12:25.940 --> 00:12:31.920 If you look close enough under the sheep's clothing, you'll notice they have sharp teeth. 00:12:33.020 --> 00:12:34.300 Be discerning, church. 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:43.160 You know, in fact, false teachers were a constant warning that the apostles and Jesus kept coming back to over and over again in the early church. 00:12:44.140 --> 00:12:47.120 Paul warned the elders in Ephesus in Acts 20, verse 29. 00:12:47.120 --> 00:12:54.580 I know that after my departure, fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 00:12:55.440 --> 00:13:01.060 And from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things to draw the disciples away from them. 00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:06.600 The fierce wolves would sneak into the eldership and twist the truth. 00:13:07.320 --> 00:13:10.620 In fact, we think John is speaking to the churches in Ephesus here. 00:13:10.799 --> 00:13:14.200 The very place where Paul warned that false teachers would arise out of. 00:13:14.200 --> 00:13:21.540 You will recall in the book of Galatians, false teachers injected law-keeping into the gospel of free grace. 00:13:22.460 --> 00:13:29.740 And Paul warned that even if he or an angel came to you preaching a different gospel, Paul says, let that person be accursed. 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:31.440 Damned. 00:13:32.280 --> 00:13:33.300 That's serious business. 00:13:34.240 --> 00:13:39.259 In the book of Colossians, false teachers combine mysticism and legalism, creating a deadly mix. 00:13:39.259 --> 00:13:43.899 False teachers are saying, Jesus is prominent, but you need more than Jesus. 00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:46.379 Paul says, absolutely not. 00:13:46.480 --> 00:13:47.439 Jesus is not prominent. 00:13:47.559 --> 00:13:49.299 He is preeminent in all things. 00:13:51.460 --> 00:13:56.100 The book of Jude is dedicated to contending for the faith once and for all delivered to the saints. 00:13:56.840 --> 00:14:02.480 And Peter warns in 2 Peter that false teachers would secretly bring in destructive heresies, 00:14:02.480 --> 00:14:05.860 and in their greed will exploit you with false words. 00:14:06.300 --> 00:14:07.220 The you being the church. 00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:10.159 The whole New Testament bears witness. 00:14:10.779 --> 00:14:15.220 Church history bears witness to be discerning about what you are hearing. 00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:21.800 And John explains why this warning to test the spirits is so urgent at the end of verse 1. 00:14:23.080 --> 00:14:26.259 For many false prophets have gone out into the world. 00:14:28.580 --> 00:14:31.139 Know with me the number of false prophets here. 00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:34.019 He doesn't say a couple of them have gone out. 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:38.139 Or they're limited to a certain geography or certain parts of the world. 00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:41.879 He says many have gone out into the world. 00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:45.159 The world is inundated with false teachers. 00:14:45.620 --> 00:14:47.360 The world is saturated with them. 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:50.539 Know there is a shortage of supply that can't meet the demand. 00:14:51.659 --> 00:14:52.740 And false teaching is aggressive. 00:14:53.419 --> 00:14:55.860 It's on so-called Christian television, on the radio. 00:14:56.399 --> 00:14:57.220 It's on YouTube. 00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:58.340 It's on blog sites. 00:14:58.399 --> 00:14:59.159 It's on podcasts. 00:14:59.220 --> 00:14:59.720 It's on Instagram. 00:14:59.720 --> 00:15:02.680 It's in New Haven, Hamden, Guilford, Milford. 00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:03.240 It's everywhere. 00:15:06.379 --> 00:15:11.180 Conrad Baywee, a pastor in Zambia, illustrated this truth. 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:17.420 Imagine, he says, the president of the country holds a press conference and says this. 00:15:17.419 --> 00:15:22.079 It's come to our attention that much counterfeit currency has gone out into the marketplace. 00:15:22.579 --> 00:15:23.779 Beware of these counterfeits. 00:15:24.079 --> 00:15:24.699 They're everywhere. 00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:27.439 It's a great illustration. 00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:29.459 And pause and think for a moment. 00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:31.919 What would you do in light of that warning? 00:15:33.459 --> 00:15:35.199 Well, I'll tell you what you wouldn't do. 00:15:36.199 --> 00:15:37.839 You would not be naive or gullible. 00:15:37.840 --> 00:15:43.540 You would not be careless when someone smoothly slides you a $20 bill across the counter. 00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:47.720 Every time someone hands you a bill, you would put it to a test. 00:15:48.899 --> 00:15:52.680 Putting it up to the sun to see if there's a security strip on it. 00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:58.819 In fact, you would become an expert at identifying the genuine article versus fake counterfeits in the marketplace. 00:16:00.659 --> 00:16:06.439 In fact, some of you right now would fumble out your wallets and purses and see if you have the genuine thing in your wallet right now. 00:16:07.799 --> 00:16:10.819 Friend, should we not do that for teaching in the church as well? 00:16:10.820 --> 00:16:14.080 Your soul is worth more than pocket change. 00:16:14.420 --> 00:16:16.320 Your soul is worth more than a $20 bill. 00:16:17.980 --> 00:16:19.060 We must be vigilant. 00:16:19.200 --> 00:16:20.200 That's what John is saying. 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:24.379 False currency and forged checks will not be accepted in the bank of heaven. 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:26.460 You will be turned away. 00:16:27.300 --> 00:16:28.680 Jesus will say to you, depart from me. 00:16:28.760 --> 00:16:30.280 I never knew you. 00:16:32.820 --> 00:16:38.180 The best defense to identify counterfeits is to know what the genuine article looks like. 00:16:38.800 --> 00:16:39.000 Amen? 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:41.940 So, friend, you must be well taught in the scriptures. 00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:46.340 You allow your Bible to collect dust at the peril of your own soul. 00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:49.320 Fill your soul with the word of God. 00:16:50.159 --> 00:16:52.419 Let it saturate your heart and your veins. 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:56.240 Or if someone pricks you, you start bleeding the Bible. 00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:58.440 As Spurgeon once said of John Bunyan, 00:16:58.740 --> 00:17:03.159 he couldn't speak without quoting a text because his soul was full with the word of God. 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:05.180 He bled the Bible. 00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:07.080 You too, friend. 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:07.620 Eat of it. 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:08.180 Drink it in. 00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:09.060 Meditate on it. 00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:11.799 God's word is your north star at night. 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:14.700 It's your compass in the storm. 00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:17.400 It's your lamp that gives light in the darkness. 00:17:17.900 --> 00:17:20.500 God's word is perfect in every single way. 00:17:21.600 --> 00:17:23.560 When scripture speaks, God speaks. 00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:25.839 And God is perfect in all that he does and says. 00:17:27.339 --> 00:17:32.319 And notice with me in verse 1 who John is telling to test the spirits. 00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:33.799 Don't miss this. 00:17:34.139 --> 00:17:36.500 He's not talking to the elders here or the deacons. 00:17:36.819 --> 00:17:37.740 Who is he speaking to? 00:17:38.399 --> 00:17:40.159 He's speaking to you, the congregation. 00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:42.820 This is all hands on deck. 00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:45.200 This is not a one or two man show. 00:17:45.860 --> 00:17:49.980 The best defense against deception is a congregation that knows the word of God. 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:58.600 All believers are expected to test the spirits to read, interpret, and rightly divide the scriptures. 00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:01.880 This is known as a priesthood of all believers. 00:18:02.660 --> 00:18:07.340 Every single believer can learn directly from the word by the help of the Holy Spirit. 00:18:07.339 --> 00:18:11.279 You might say, well, who am I to discern these things? 00:18:11.459 --> 00:18:12.720 I never went to seminary. 00:18:13.139 --> 00:18:15.879 I can't read the Bible in the original Hebrew or Greek. 00:18:17.399 --> 00:18:18.119 Who am I? 00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:20.619 But John is addressing you, friend. 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:23.699 All believers at all times in every continent. 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:26.459 Of course we can get things wrong. 00:18:27.139 --> 00:18:27.259 Right? 00:18:27.419 --> 00:18:29.079 We need to listen to each other. 00:18:29.159 --> 00:18:32.639 Just because the spirit is in us doesn't mean we recognize the spirit is in other people too. 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:34.799 We need faithful teachers. 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:38.139 We need good commentaries to humbly listen to church history. 00:18:39.319 --> 00:18:43.279 And we all have the same Holy Spirit by our union with Christ. 00:18:44.539 --> 00:18:48.799 Christians all share in that one spirit who is guiding us into all truth. 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:52.139 So testing the spirits is not just an elder's role. 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:55.099 It's your responsibility, Christian. 00:18:55.799 --> 00:19:00.079 And the church is stronger when there are men and women who can rightly divide the word of God. 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:02.480 So be attentive. 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:05.079 You know, don't be afraid to ask questions after the sermon. 00:19:06.419 --> 00:19:08.059 Study systematic theology. 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:09.939 Read good books. 00:19:10.059 --> 00:19:12.240 If you need recommendations, come ask one of the elders. 00:19:12.819 --> 00:19:13.679 Attend Sunday school. 00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:15.579 Learn church history. 00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:20.119 You know, Paul rebuked the Galatian congregation for failing to defend the gospel. 00:19:20.119 --> 00:19:28.739 In contrast, Paul commended the Bereans who would search the scriptures to see if what Paul said aligned with the word of God. 00:19:29.399 --> 00:19:33.199 You know, if Paul wasn't exempt, neither are the teachers here in this pulpit. 00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:39.919 No matter who is in this pulpit, examine what we are telling you to see if it accords with the scriptures. 00:19:40.439 --> 00:19:42.139 If it's not in the Bible, don't believe it. 00:19:43.419 --> 00:19:46.739 Remember, Paul said even he came to them preaching a different gospel. 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:49.359 He told the Galatian congregation, don't believe it. 00:19:50.660 --> 00:19:55.799 You know, as a quick aside, we need to beware of the temptation toward false teaching. 00:19:56.779 --> 00:20:02.720 You know, again, it's not like a false teacher comes up to you and says, have I got a great lie for you today? 00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:05.039 Are you ready for it? 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:05.740 Here it goes. 00:20:05.799 --> 00:20:09.099 It's going to deceive you, dishonor Christ, and destroy your relationships. 00:20:09.339 --> 00:20:09.940 Here it goes. 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:11.700 No, no, no. 00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:12.759 They don't do that. 00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:15.920 Rather, when Satan goes fishing, he brings the bait. 00:20:16.740 --> 00:20:18.759 Any good lie has a half-truth. 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:22.440 Instead, false teachers know a little sugar makes the poison go down. 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:24.359 The lie is plausible. 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:27.339 The teacher may even have a gold and silver tongue. 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:31.140 Rather, a false teaching goes something like this. 00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:38.299 Look, I didn't want to say anything, but the Holy Spirit is compelling me to speak out on the situation. 00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:44.319 The church is meant to be a place of love, compassion, humility, grace. 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:48.599 Jesus calls us to radical love for the outcast. 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:53.859 But Christians care more about definitions of Jesus' humanity than feeding the hungry. 00:20:54.439 --> 00:20:57.740 We care more about systematic theology than service. 00:20:58.439 --> 00:21:01.980 What's important is not our definitions, but our devotion to God. 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:04.220 We need to embrace all perspectives. 00:21:04.220 --> 00:21:09.420 A little sugar makes the poison go down. 00:21:10.140 --> 00:21:12.660 Christian morality without Christology is a counterfeit. 00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:16.500 As John will say in the next section, this person is against Jesus. 00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:21.480 This person is against Christ, what John will call the Antichrist. 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:23.860 This leads us to our second point. 00:21:24.579 --> 00:21:27.420 Point number one is the warning, and point number two is the weighing. 00:21:28.460 --> 00:21:31.440 We must weigh all teaching by testing the spirits. 00:21:31.880 --> 00:21:34.220 And that word test is a metallurgy term. 00:21:34.660 --> 00:21:38.559 It's to critically examine metal to see if it's the genuine article. 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:41.099 Is it genuine gold or fool's gold? 00:21:41.099 --> 00:21:43.639 And it's in the present imperative. 00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:47.579 Meaning John is saying, always be testing. 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:52.459 Morning, noon, and night, church, make this your consistent practice. 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:54.839 Always be testing the spirits. 00:21:55.719 --> 00:21:56.719 Okay, how do we do this? 00:21:57.159 --> 00:22:00.439 If verse one tells us why, verse two tells us how. 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:02.519 And John will give two tests. 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:08.299 The first test is to test them to see who they say Jesus is in verses two to three. 00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:14.200 And the second test is who do they listen to in verses five to six? 00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:17.000 Let's look at the first test. 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:18.700 Look at the way he puts it in verse two. 00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:21.019 By this you know the spirit of God. 00:22:21.899 --> 00:22:26.759 Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:30.500 And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. 00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:35.960 This is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard was coming. 00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:37.359 It is now in the world already. 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:40.659 John doesn't say, hey, look at their academic credentials. 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:43.700 Their ability to perform signs and wonders. 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:47.240 Not how winsome they are, not how bold they are. 00:22:47.879 --> 00:22:52.480 Rather, he says, listen carefully to who they say Jesus is. 00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:56.619 John uses a Christological test. 00:22:57.399 --> 00:22:58.759 Now, this is not the only test. 00:22:59.180 --> 00:22:59.279 Right? 00:22:59.339 --> 00:23:02.159 Jesus told us to test teachers by the fruit of their lives. 00:23:02.160 --> 00:23:04.840 But this was a test that was needed in John's day. 00:23:05.380 --> 00:23:15.460 Because in John's day, which continued through the times of Irenaeus, as best we can tell, there was a widespread heresy surrounding the humanity of our Lord Jesus. 00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:18.700 What we call the Gnostic heresy. 00:23:18.700 --> 00:23:23.559 The Gnostic heresy comes from the word gnosis, which means knowledge. 00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:26.200 A secret esoteric knowledge. 00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:29.920 A knowledge that separated insiders and outsiders. 00:23:31.120 --> 00:23:34.100 And Gnosticism taught that the body was a prison to be escaped from. 00:23:34.340 --> 00:23:37.440 So, of course, Jesus wouldn't actually come in the flesh. 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:39.799 He only appeared to come in the flesh. 00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:44.240 The mind was good, Gnostics taught, and the body was bad. 00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:46.700 The problem with the world wasn't sin. 00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:48.019 It was ignorance. 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:51.799 It was a special knowledge that only the Gnostics could give the people. 00:23:52.299 --> 00:23:54.980 But when applied to Christianity, it was devastating. 00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:57.700 Christ's person work became irrelevant. 00:23:58.819 --> 00:24:01.180 Gnostics denied the importance of the incarnation. 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:03.720 Denied the importance of the resurrection. 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:05.859 Denied the importance of the cross. 00:24:05.859 --> 00:24:08.259 And denied the importance of the humanity of Jesus. 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:12.759 Gnostic teachers were not messengers from heaven, but of hell. 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:14.859 They are not from the Holy Spirit. 00:24:15.139 --> 00:24:16.779 They have a spirit of deception. 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:20.019 And it was hard for Christians to pin down this heresy. 00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:24.019 Because what do you think the Gnostics responded with every time there was criticism? 00:24:25.119 --> 00:24:26.659 Well, of course you would say that. 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:28.359 You're still in ignorance. 00:24:29.619 --> 00:24:31.220 They could preempt any criticism. 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:36.299 And much of the spirituality in our day is just recycled Gnosticism. 00:24:37.379 --> 00:24:38.940 Finding your true authentic identity. 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:41.359 Even if it's at odds with your physical body. 00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:43.879 Obsessing over conspiracy theories. 00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:46.960 Needing specialized degrees just to begin to read your Bible. 00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:49.980 Feeling the church has been deceived. 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:53.779 For its entire history and only you and a few people have the truth. 00:24:54.059 --> 00:24:54.940 The secret truth. 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:58.680 What goes for new spirituality is just old heresy. 00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:03.359 But John here aims his sight and takes a shot right across the Gnostics. 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:07.879 You must confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. 00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:11.299 Now, that doesn't really sound like much of a test. 00:25:12.219 --> 00:25:15.659 You don't have to be a Christian to acknowledge that Jesus came in the flesh, do you? 00:25:16.379 --> 00:25:23.319 But if you look a little closer, notice the test is we must confess that Jesus, the Christ, has come in the flesh. 00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:27.799 We must confess that Jesus has come as the Christ. 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:29.500 Christ is a title. 00:25:30.159 --> 00:25:32.599 Christ is the Greek version of the Hebrew word, the Messiah. 00:25:33.399 --> 00:25:37.500 Jesus as the Christ fulfills all the promises of the Old Testament of a future king. 00:25:38.159 --> 00:25:42.419 A king who would come and bring the people out of darkness and into light. 00:25:42.939 --> 00:25:45.939 The king who would reign in righteousness from shore to shore. 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:49.559 The king that we've been waiting for. 00:25:50.200 --> 00:25:51.620 He's the long-awaited king. 00:25:53.080 --> 00:25:56.759 And he is the one whom the prophets look forward to and rejoice to see. 00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:59.600 He is the bread that's come down from heaven. 00:25:59.880 --> 00:26:04.019 He is the water from the fountain of life and gives water to the thirsty soul. 00:26:04.860 --> 00:26:06.860 And we confess this is all true. 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:13.100 Now, parents, you know that sometimes you can ask your kids to apologize for wronging their siblings. 00:26:13.620 --> 00:26:15.460 And they just kind of mumble, I'm sorry. 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:17.740 But this is not like that. 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:20.539 He does not mean confessing as going through the motions. 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:22.120 As just mouthing the words. 00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:24.779 You know, training a parent to repeat certain phrases. 00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:28.080 To confess is to acknowledge that something is true. 00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:31.160 It's a wholehearted allegiance to something from the heart. 00:26:31.620 --> 00:26:34.900 And this is the story we must confess our allegiance to. 00:26:35.080 --> 00:26:36.700 It begins in Genesis 1. 00:26:37.640 --> 00:26:39.240 God created the heavens and the earth. 00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:42.140 He created you and me to bear his image. 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:45.820 Because he made us, he has authority over us. 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:48.700 To love him above all else as our creator. 00:26:49.400 --> 00:26:51.360 And to reflect his image by loving others. 00:26:52.160 --> 00:26:53.900 But we have sinned against this good God. 00:26:54.400 --> 00:26:56.600 And your own conscience bears witness to this fact. 00:26:57.900 --> 00:27:03.620 By ourselves, we are under God's just condemnation and wrath because of our sin. 00:27:03.860 --> 00:27:07.460 Because he is holy, he will not let sin go unpunished. 00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:11.940 Not because he is harsh, but because he is good and he loves what is good. 00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:16.900 You have an appointment, friend, where you cannot cancel. 00:27:17.019 --> 00:27:19.340 And which you will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:22.700 Where every secret will be exposed. 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:26.019 Standing on your own merits. 00:27:26.019 --> 00:27:28.339 You will be condemned. 00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:31.859 Think about it. 00:27:32.400 --> 00:27:34.799 Imagine if you or I had a camera. 00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:38.720 And we recorded your life just for the past week. 00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:41.339 We recorded every thought. 00:27:42.339 --> 00:27:43.619 Every unspoken word. 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:46.200 What you do when you think no one is around. 00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:48.600 And we just played it on the projector. 00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:50.140 For all to see. 00:27:52.120 --> 00:27:53.420 Every secret is uncovered. 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:55.380 Every evil thought exposed. 00:27:56.380 --> 00:27:58.200 Could you stand in the presence of this congregation? 00:27:58.740 --> 00:28:00.080 Or would you hide your head in shame? 00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:03.559 If we cannot stand before others. 00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:07.299 How will you stand before a just and righteous God? 00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:12.500 How could you stand naked and exposed to the eyes of him who has given an account? 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:15.960 Will you plead your own righteousness? 00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:19.920 When all the secret sins come to light before his all-seeing eyes. 00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:23.299 But praise God. 00:28:23.380 --> 00:28:23.720 Hallelujah. 00:28:23.960 --> 00:28:24.220 Amen. 00:28:24.680 --> 00:28:27.299 Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:30.799 God's heart is full of mercy and grace. 00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:31.859 Toward you. 00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:36.460 The Father, out of his great love, sent his own son, Jesus. 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:39.440 Fully God and fully man to rescue us. 00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:44.100 Jesus, in his compassion, takes on the weakness of human flesh. 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:47.180 And unlike you and I, he never sinned. 00:28:47.860 --> 00:28:51.900 But despite never sinning, he goes to a cross to be condemned. 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.880 To be our substitute. 00:28:54.900 --> 00:29:00.740 He not only took our flesh, he took our guilt, our griefs, our punishments upon himself. 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:07.819 As Paul says, for our sake, he made him to be sin who knew no sin. 00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:11.680 So that in him, that in Jesus, we might become the righteousness of God. 00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:15.019 And God raised him on that third day. 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:17.720 And Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father. 00:29:18.839 --> 00:29:23.160 And he now commands everyone everywhere to turn from their sin and trust in him alone. 00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:26.600 And Jesus will never turn you away. 00:29:27.660 --> 00:29:30.880 He not only is willing to save, he is able. 00:29:31.800 --> 00:29:33.840 Just come, come today. 00:29:34.860 --> 00:29:39.880 Cast yourselves like a leper before his feet and beg that he would make you clean. 00:29:41.140 --> 00:29:43.160 Come to Jesus and find rest. 00:29:43.820 --> 00:29:46.800 If you are a Christian, go to him again. 00:29:47.779 --> 00:29:49.340 There is complete forgiveness. 00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:54.859 You know, this is not like a mistrial where the charges could be retried down the line. 00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:56.779 Or a probation sentence. 00:29:57.699 --> 00:30:00.359 Christ took the sentence of judgment in our place. 00:30:00.879 --> 00:30:04.099 And there is now a dismissal of every charge with extreme prejudice. 00:30:04.319 --> 00:30:05.459 Never to be brought up again. 00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:08.379 If God who justifies, who is going to condemn? 00:30:08.939 --> 00:30:09.220 Nobody. 00:30:10.859 --> 00:30:13.899 The kingdom of God is like a castle with the words emblazoned on a flag. 00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:16.919 Whoever comes to me, I will never cast out. 00:30:17.740 --> 00:30:18.599 But there's a catch. 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:21.679 Jesus is the only door to get in. 00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:24.639 But not only that, the door is unique. 00:30:25.379 --> 00:30:27.740 Because the door is low. 00:30:30.539 --> 00:30:35.839 You must stoop yourself down and bow your knees, humbling yourself before Jesus. 00:30:36.599 --> 00:30:39.199 You must bow the knee before the king of the kingdom. 00:30:39.200 --> 00:30:42.220 Can you say this is the story of your life? 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:45.700 That Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. 00:30:46.539 --> 00:30:49.779 If this is true of you, then you've confessed biblical faith. 00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:54.339 And all true teachers must make this confession. 00:30:54.339 --> 00:30:57.819 And here's a spiritual principle that John is putting down. 00:30:59.079 --> 00:31:04.000 If the teacher confesses an allegiance to Jesus Christ, that is how you know the true spirit of God. 00:31:05.179 --> 00:31:08.179 True spirit-filled teaching exalts Christ. 00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:10.019 I'll say that again. 00:31:10.019 --> 00:31:14.380 True spirit-filled teaching exalts Christ. 00:31:15.080 --> 00:31:18.980 The office of the spirit is to glorify the person and work of Christ. 00:31:18.980 --> 00:31:23.559 The spirit shines the spotlight on Jesus. 00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:28.059 Although being fully God, the spirit doesn't put the spotlight on himself. 00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:31.259 Jesus in John 16 would say, 00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:34.220 When the spirit of truth comes, he will glorify me. 00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:36.839 For he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:39.599 He puts your attention on Christ. 00:31:40.460 --> 00:31:42.099 The spirit makes Christ like the sun. 00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:43.339 The S-U-N. 00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:45.920 Everything in your life revolves around him. 00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:49.960 The spirit shows you the loveliness and beauty of Christ. 00:31:51.180 --> 00:31:54.119 In Ephesians 3.16, Paul prays for the church in Ephesus. 00:31:54.660 --> 00:31:59.460 That God may grant you to be strengthened with power through his spirit in your inner being. 00:31:59.460 --> 00:32:02.460 So that, and here's what the spirit is going to do for you. 00:32:03.019 --> 00:32:05.460 That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. 00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:10.279 To know the height, the width, the length of Christ's love for you. 00:32:11.559 --> 00:32:14.860 So friend, if you're looking for a church, let me give you some advice. 00:32:16.059 --> 00:32:20.980 Find a church that is obsessed with the person and work of Jesus. 00:32:21.840 --> 00:32:23.660 That church is filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:32:24.779 --> 00:32:26.940 Show me a church who is obsessed with anything else. 00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:35.559 Experiences, feelings, politics, social issues, therapy. 00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:41.140 And the message of Christ crucified is absent than is counterfeit Christianity. 00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:44.720 The true Holy Spirit puts the spotlight on Jesus. 00:32:46.160 --> 00:32:50.200 So the first test was to see who they say Jesus is. 00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:54.620 And the second test in verse 5 is who do they listen to? 00:32:54.619 --> 00:32:56.559 Look at verse 5 again. 00:32:57.399 --> 00:33:01.939 They are from the world, therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. 00:33:02.339 --> 00:33:03.419 We are from God. 00:33:03.959 --> 00:33:05.679 Whoever knows God listens to us. 00:33:06.299 --> 00:33:08.659 Whoever is not from God does not listen to us. 00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:13.099 Verse 5 explains why false teachers get a following in the first place. 00:33:13.879 --> 00:33:17.859 They are from the world, therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. 00:33:17.859 --> 00:33:21.740 That's why false teachers get noticed by all the right publications. 00:33:22.219 --> 00:33:24.959 They get crowds filling stadiums to hear them. 00:33:26.059 --> 00:33:28.799 The world hears their message and says, I like that. 00:33:29.359 --> 00:33:30.439 I can get behind that. 00:33:31.259 --> 00:33:33.839 False teachers in the world have the same values. 00:33:34.699 --> 00:33:38.740 But in stark contrast, verse 6 is shocking. 00:33:38.740 --> 00:33:42.180 John says, we are from God. 00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:44.900 Whoever knows God listens to us. 00:33:46.980 --> 00:33:50.539 John is saying, if you're with God, you're with us. 00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:53.519 If you're not with us, God is not with you. 00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:56.319 For him, it's black and white. 00:33:57.140 --> 00:33:59.200 If you're with God, you'll listen to me. 00:33:59.539 --> 00:34:02.339 If you're not with God, you will not listen to me. 00:34:03.519 --> 00:34:04.559 John doesn't want to be cool. 00:34:04.640 --> 00:34:06.480 He wants to be faithful to his master. 00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:09.119 He knows he doesn't write the mail. 00:34:09.199 --> 00:34:10.079 He just delivers it. 00:34:11.260 --> 00:34:14.119 But like the first part of the test, it's not passive listening. 00:34:14.440 --> 00:34:19.019 It's an actively, it's active listening, leading in receiving the gospel. 00:34:19.800 --> 00:34:25.920 But lest we misunderstand John, the apostolic authority he is claiming isn't bound up with the apostles themselves. 00:34:27.099 --> 00:34:33.199 Remember, Paul said that even if he came to the Galatian congregation and preached a different gospel, let him be anathema. 00:34:33.199 --> 00:34:39.159 Rather, the authority is bound up with the apostolic deposit they were entrusted to steward. 00:34:40.139 --> 00:34:43.519 This is a statement of John's allegiance to the scriptures. 00:34:45.139 --> 00:34:49.739 The apostles are like Olympic athletes, heading off the baton. 00:34:50.379 --> 00:34:53.000 What they received, they're delivering to the church. 00:34:54.039 --> 00:34:56.419 Beloved, who can you trust? 00:34:57.199 --> 00:34:58.939 Those who listen to the apostles. 00:34:58.940 --> 00:35:04.659 In other words, look carefully to see if they submit themselves to the scriptures. 00:35:05.780 --> 00:35:08.820 Trust those who listen to the apostolic witness. 00:35:10.159 --> 00:35:13.380 The Holy Spirit doesn't just put the spotlight on Jesus. 00:35:13.760 --> 00:35:15.400 He puts the spotlight on the scriptures. 00:35:16.880 --> 00:35:24.099 So if there's a professor who denies part of the New Testament, you know, they do their morning devotions in the original Greek and the original Hebrew. 00:35:24.099 --> 00:35:27.799 But they deny the apostolic witness. 00:35:28.079 --> 00:35:28.860 Don't listen to them. 00:35:29.059 --> 00:35:29.980 They are not from God. 00:35:30.839 --> 00:35:38.159 If you run into someone who claims to be a Christian but discards certain parts of the scriptures, then don't believe them. 00:35:39.299 --> 00:35:44.019 The Spirit puts the sword of truth into your hands and the Satan wants to take it away. 00:35:45.259 --> 00:35:48.599 Jesus used the word as a sword in the wilderness. 00:35:48.599 --> 00:35:55.079 To every assault and temptation he counters, it is written. 00:35:56.339 --> 00:35:58.739 Jonathan Edwards commenting on this verse says, 00:35:59.119 --> 00:36:06.259 Would the prince of darkness, in order to promote his kingdom of darkness, lead men to the sun, the S-U-N? 00:36:06.960 --> 00:36:11.440 He knows it to be that light which the kingdom of darkness is overthrown. 00:36:13.239 --> 00:36:15.639 God's word overthrows the kingdom of darkness. 00:36:15.639 --> 00:36:17.539 Would Satan bring you to the word? 00:36:18.339 --> 00:36:18.619 No. 00:36:19.319 --> 00:36:24.059 God's word is like a fire and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces. 00:36:25.719 --> 00:36:27.559 As has been said, the Bible is alive. 00:36:27.659 --> 00:36:28.400 It speaks to me. 00:36:28.659 --> 00:36:29.279 It has feet. 00:36:29.460 --> 00:36:30.639 It runs after me. 00:36:30.759 --> 00:36:31.400 It has hands. 00:36:31.579 --> 00:36:32.519 It lays hold of me. 00:36:33.119 --> 00:36:35.059 The scriptures are alive. 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:38.599 And they are a living sword in our fight of faith. 00:36:38.599 --> 00:36:42.900 Going to our last point, the first point was the warning. 00:36:43.579 --> 00:36:44.500 The second is the weighing. 00:36:44.960 --> 00:36:46.960 The last is the work of the Holy Spirit. 00:36:48.039 --> 00:36:49.319 You know, we can become proud. 00:36:50.799 --> 00:36:54.759 You know, we've discerned false teaching for 50 years. 00:36:55.940 --> 00:36:57.920 But John wants us to know something. 00:36:58.880 --> 00:37:02.099 Discernment is fundamentally a work of the Holy Spirit. 00:37:02.819 --> 00:37:04.139 John makes that clear in verse 4. 00:37:04.139 --> 00:37:09.000 If you look down, John wrote to a church that some members had drifted away. 00:37:09.879 --> 00:37:10.920 They rejected Jesus. 00:37:11.539 --> 00:37:14.900 They look like Christians, but then prove they never were. 00:37:16.159 --> 00:37:17.699 And if you remain, you would be wary. 00:37:18.519 --> 00:37:19.619 My friends have left. 00:37:20.420 --> 00:37:21.079 I'm alone. 00:37:22.359 --> 00:37:23.259 I'm heartbroken. 00:37:24.739 --> 00:37:26.679 My loved ones have departed from the truth. 00:37:28.400 --> 00:37:29.400 It's heartbreaking. 00:37:29.400 --> 00:37:36.280 In verse 4, John is like a wise parent, reassuring a child after a midnight nightmare. 00:37:37.160 --> 00:37:41.019 He says, you are from God and have overcome them. 00:37:42.000 --> 00:37:44.539 John is so confident, he puts it in the past tense. 00:37:45.039 --> 00:37:46.720 You already have overcome them. 00:37:48.280 --> 00:37:51.240 But if you were in this church, you'd be thinking, what? 00:37:52.079 --> 00:37:54.700 John, how could you possibly say that? 00:37:55.720 --> 00:37:58.840 John, you're ready to run the victory lap and we can't even get to the finish line. 00:38:00.400 --> 00:38:05.039 Don't you see the trials, the persecution, the false teaching? 00:38:05.539 --> 00:38:08.400 Our loved ones have left and we are like sheep to be slaughtered. 00:38:09.300 --> 00:38:11.440 How am I going to make it? 00:38:11.880 --> 00:38:13.139 I'm not going to make it. 00:38:14.280 --> 00:38:15.740 Maybe you have asked that question. 00:38:16.519 --> 00:38:17.360 Am I going to make it? 00:38:17.360 --> 00:38:23.380 But John, like a wise parent, comes to the bedside and gives his reason. 00:38:24.220 --> 00:38:26.599 Little child, remember this. 00:38:27.519 --> 00:38:30.880 That he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 00:38:30.880 --> 00:38:36.760 Christian, our hope is not in the strength of our faith. 00:38:37.800 --> 00:38:41.079 But our hope is on our hold. 00:38:41.340 --> 00:38:42.740 It's not in our hold of Christ. 00:38:43.280 --> 00:38:44.740 It's on his hold of us. 00:38:45.820 --> 00:38:48.160 God will hold you fast. 00:38:49.119 --> 00:38:53.099 John 10, Jesus says, no one can snatch you out of his hand. 00:38:53.099 --> 00:39:00.739 Jesus gives you eternal life and no one can break the grip of the good shepherds hold on you. 00:39:01.759 --> 00:39:06.559 As someone once said, the saints in heaven may be more sanctified, but they are not more secure. 00:39:06.559 --> 00:39:15.820 Even in a true Christian's darkest hour, the spirit of God has already triumphantly worked out your salvation. 00:39:16.699 --> 00:39:19.320 So beloved, why are you a Christian to begin with? 00:39:20.779 --> 00:39:23.440 It's because the spirit in you is greater than he who is in the world. 00:39:24.799 --> 00:39:33.759 And if you've been following Christ for 40 years, while friends have departed from the truth, why is that? 00:39:34.480 --> 00:39:36.079 It's not because you are smarter. 00:39:37.159 --> 00:39:41.139 It's because the spirit in you is greater than he who is in the world. 00:39:42.820 --> 00:39:49.019 And one day you and I and all Christians will give God glory before that great white throne. 00:39:49.900 --> 00:39:56.159 And our eternal song will be the spirit in us was greater than he who is in the world. 00:39:58.000 --> 00:40:02.360 Christian, you can sing that song now and for all eternity. 00:40:02.980 --> 00:40:03.440 Let's pray. 00:40:03.440 --> 00:40:12.380 O spirit of God, dwell in our hearts by faith to exalt the name of Christ in this church. 00:40:12.740 --> 00:40:14.780 Would Christ be your all in all. 00:40:15.320 --> 00:40:19.200 Would we rejoice by faith to behold the wonderful face of our Savior. 00:40:20.300 --> 00:40:21.420 We pray this in Christ's name. 00:40:22.220 --> 00:40:22.559 Amen. 00:40:22.559 --> 00:40:22.679 Amen. 00:40:23.460 --> 00:40:23.860 Amen.