So, just to think for a few moments, what do we mean by Christian endurance?
You know, endurance is one of those words, it's like perseverance, resilience.
It's a quality that we value in ourselves.
We want to grow in our ability to stay the course and stickability.
It's something as parents we want to see develop in our kids.
What do we mean?
What comes to our mind when we think of endurance?
You know, perhaps we think of the extremes, the Ironman, the ultra-marathon endurance races.
Perhaps you think of someone like Ernest Shackleton.
I've just begun reading the diary of the sailing of the endurance as Shackleton attempted to cross Antarctica,
a well-named boat, because his story was one of endurance.
Him and his crew endured as their boat was trapped in pack ice in the midst of the Weddell Sea,
and then endured through a 16-day, 800-mile voyage on a small lifeboat to find help for the rest of the crew,
left stranded, going through huge stormy seas and freezing conditions,
to rescue men enduring freezing conditions, camping on a rock of ice for 128 days.
So, we think of endurance, perhaps that's where we go.
My question is, is that a helpful picture for Christian endurance?
John writes to believers who need to endure.
They are facing danger.
It's interesting that either side of our text, so chapter 2, verse 26, he says,
I'm writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.
And then in chapter 3 and verse 7,
Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray.
So, this is a church experiencing the danger of drift.
They have seen in their experience a division within their church,
the departure of some of their leaders who it turns out were false teachers.
And on top of that, they are experiencing within the Roman Empire this daily reality of being a marginalized minority,
beginning to be more and more targeted, living on the margins of society,
a weak church at this stage.
And endurance for them, and probably endurance for us in our circumstance,
endurance is not primarily going to be about the spectacular exploits of the Iron Men or of the adventurers like Shackleton.
Endurance is about living the life of faith in the face of opposition and attack.
It's enduring in a daily walk of Christian obedience,
of practicing the truth,
of committing to love their neighbors,
of pursuing integrity.
It was a hard calling then.
It's often a hard calling now.
And it's interesting that John, throughout his letter,
gives us the key to Christian endurance.
So, here in chapter 2 and verse 28,
it begins,
And we've said this before,
it's the abiding word.
The key to Christian endurance is abiding in Christ.
Jesus himself famously used that image in John 15,
I am the vine,
you are the branches,
we need to remain to abide in him,
by the Spirit,
if we are to find strength,
vitality,
and life from Jesus,
if we are to bear fruit.
That's the secret to Christian endurance.
And that's what we're going to think about,
as John gives us some instruction,
and some wonderful truth in this section.
It's so interesting to think about their experience,
and why he's writing,
is to understand that John believes,
that when we struggle as Christians,
when there are difficulties facing us,
what we need is good doctrine.
We need gospel hope in suffering.
We need something that is secure and true,
if we are to have hope,
and if we are to persevere.
And so he brings gospel truths,
about God's great love for his people,
and the promise of future glory,
at the return of Christ.
And all the way along,
he is encouraging believers,
remember God has worked,
God is working,
God will work for your salvation,
therefore endure.
Stay the course,
follow the way of Christ.
So let's get into our text.
And the first thing I want us to think about is this,
we are called by John to continue in Christ,
confident about his return.
Again, just to say one more thing about the context,
chapter 2, verse 18,
we looked at this a few weeks ago,
John describes the time that they are living
as being the last hour,
and a time of many antichrists.
So we are to picture a time of intense,
spiritual opposition,
a time of discouragement and confusion,
perhaps, for the church,
as there are those who deliberately set out
to oppose Christ,
to be anti,
to be against Christ Jesus.
And what does John say to believers
in that kind of situation?
What's our need?
We need to focus on our certain future with Christ.
And now, dear children,
verse 28,
continue in him
so that when he appears,
we may be confident
and unashamed before him at his coming.
So there's a certain knowledge.
Christ will return.
He will appear.
His glory will be revealed.
Everyone will see him
as he returns as victorious, conquering king.
The same idea is there in chapter 3, verse 2.
We know that when Christ appears.
So that's a certain hope for the future.
And there's another certainty
in verse 28.
We will stand before Jesus Christ
at his coming.
And one thing that John anticipates,
and Jesus does the same,
is that standing before Jesus at his coming
will either be a moment of joy
or a moment of profound shame.
There will be those who are true believers
who will welcome Christ the King
at his appearing.
And there will be those
who will cry out to the rocks,
fall on us.
How can we be confident on that day
to welcome Christ as our King?
John says it's as we continue in Christ,
as we abide in him,
with our faith in him,
drawing power from him,
receiving grace and the Spirit.
That's the key to security in the present
and hope for the future.
Persevering in Christ,
enduring in faith,
is the basis for us to have real confidence
as we think about the return of Christ.
But here's the really crucial thing
for us to understand,
and it's there throughout the Bible.
This is a work of God's grace
in his people.
Our confidence rests always in God
and in Christ
and not in ourselves.
So that's why we heard from John chapter 10.
Here is Jesus,
and he describes himself as a good shepherd.
And as a good shepherd,
he calls his sheep to him,
and he speaks with such authority and power
that his sheep follow him.
He gives the gift of eternal life,
and his authority and power and love
are so strong
that no one can take a believer
out of Jesus' hands,
no one can take a believer
out of the Father's hands.
There is security,
not because of our faith,
but who our faith is in.
Philippians chapter 1, verse 6.
Here is something we can be confident in,
being confident in this,
that he who began a good work in you
will carry it on to completion.
When it comes to salvation,
God always finishes what he starts.
And so believers can be confident.
Romans chapter 8,
Paul again,
nothing can separate us
from the love of God
that is in Christ Jesus.
Because it's God's unbreakable commitment
to save his people for his glory
that enables us to persevere and endure.
And we're presented with this wonderful outcome
for the true believer.
When Christ appears,
rather than hiding in fear,
there is this confidence.
And that word,
the confidence word there,
has the idea of
there's a joyful access
to our God and our Savior.
There's an ability to speak freely
because we have a real living relationship
based on love.
The difference, in a sense,
is the difference between
the first two people
that we meet in the Bible,
Adam and Eve,
before and after they fell into sin.
So if we begin at Genesis 3,
if we begin after they disobey God,
they take the forbidden fruit,
they say no to God's word
and God's authority.
Sin interrupts their fellowship with God.
They have this reality of shame and guilt.
So when God comes to speak with them,
they hide.
They cower in the shadows.
But we know that that wasn't true before sin.
Beforehand,
created perfectly in the image of God
to know and enjoy Him,
God met with them.
God spoke with them openly.
And they enjoyed life
with their creator,
their king,
and their friend.
And here is what John is saying.
When Jesus returns,
that relationship
that Adam and Eve enjoyed
that was lost
because of sin and the fall,
that will be fully restored.
Never to be broken again.
And so John teaches us,
just as for a believer,
we have bold confidence
to come to the throne of grace today.
whenever we pray,
we're invited to come with confidence
to our Father
to find grace and mercy
and help in our time of need.
We will have the same bold confidence
when Jesus comes back.
But we'll have that reality
in a whole new way
because then we'll see Him face to face
and we'll think about that.
And then in verse 29,
He reminds us
that future hope
makes a difference
for how we live today.
If you know that He is righteous,
this one who is appearing,
you know that everyone
who does what is right
has been born of Him.
And so the logic
that John gives us
is that likeness
is a proof of relationship.
He says that's true
in a biological family
and it's also true
in God's family,
that those who have been
born through the work of Christ,
by the work of the Spirit,
by the Father's love,
will look like
and pursue
a life of righteousness.
Jesus is the one
who is truly
and perfectly righteous,
but the life of a believer
will be characterized
by doing what is right
according to God's will.
Now we will not do that perfectly,
but that's our direction of travel.
That the family of Christ
will persevere
in pursuing righteousness.
righteousness.
So John writes
to the believers then
and by extension to us
and he says we need
a focus
that is on our future,
that is Christ-centered
as we live today,
knowing what will be true
of us then,
drawing on the grace
that He supplies
by the Spirit,
enabled to endure
because we have this hope
that when Jesus returns
there's a glorious
eternal homecoming
for us
as those who belong to Him.
So we are to continue
in Christ
confident
about His return,
but we're secondly
to continue in Christ
confident
in the Father's love.
That's the beginning
of chapter 3.
And just before we get
to our text,
just to think about
a phrase that we use a lot,
you know,
we perhaps talk about
things being out
of this world.
Lots of people talking about,
you saw Hallin's goal
midweek,
out of this world.
We sometimes use it
of really simple things
like a meal
or an experience.
But John wants
to capture that language
and wants believers
to appreciate something
that truly and genuinely
is out of this world.
And it's this,
it's God the Father's
love for His children.
Verse 1,
See what great love
the Father has lavished on us
that we should be called
children of God.
That word see,
if you're familiar
with the authorized version,
behold.
It's the idea
of contemplating.
Here is what we need
to meditate on,
to focus our attention on,
and it's the Father's love
for His children.
When it says,
See what great love
the Father has lavished,
what kind of love,
what manner of love,
literally,
John is saying,
this is love
from another country.
This is a love
that is foreign.
In other words,
it's utterly unique.
The love that God
the Father has for us
is the out of this world
love that He wants us
to appreciate,
and we find it
in the gospel.
And in the context
of what John is writing,
he says,
if we are to keep enduring,
to use Eugene Peterson's language,
to pursue that long obedience
in the same direction,
here is something
we need to know
and to think about.
It's how deep
the Father's love for us is.
We need to let that sink
deep into our heart,
our mind,
and our soul.
He says,
this love
gives the believers
a new name.
See what great love
the Father has lavished on us
that we should be called
children of God.
By God's gracious initiative,
our identity
is transformed.
No longer what we are
by nature
because of sin,
enemies of God,
rebels against His will,
strangers to His grace,
now because of God's work
for us in Jesus,
children of God.
And he says,
this out of this world
love from the Father
gives us a new status.
Verse 1,
that's what we are.
We are children of God.
Verse 2,
dear friends,
now we are children of God.
Something has happened.
There's been a legal action
that's taken place.
Then there's been
a change of status
freely granted to us.
Now we are children.
Now we are heirs
of God,
our Father.
It's a transformation
that is so great
that John says
it's like the world
doesn't recognize us,
just as it didn't
recognize Jesus.
Now we are this
new community
with a new citizenship
being made more and more
like the Lord Jesus Christ.
Adopted into the family of God.
How do we receive this love?
How do we receive
and enjoy this new identity?
It's through God's work
for us in the gospel.
And it's the truth
of the gospel
that we need to behold,
to understand
that it's in the gospel
that we see
on full display
the Father's love for us.
Because it's in the gospel
we discover,
how is it that sinners like us
can be reconciled
to a holy God?
How can people like us
be in the family of God
despite the reality
of our sin
and our guilt?
And so in the gospel
we learn about
this idea of justification.
We encounter a God
who is both loving
and just.
A God who cannot
simply turn a blind eye
to sin.
He cannot ignore
our faults.
He cannot sweep
our guilt
under the rug
but because He is holy
He must punish.
His justice
must be satisfied.
So God is just
but He's also loving.
And we see His love
in the gospel
as the Father
sends His Son.
The righteous one.
The pure one.
And the punishment
that we deserve
is poured out on Him.
He becomes
the means
of atonement.
Dealing with
covering our sin
because of
His sacrifice.
And by faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ
our sin is forgiven
and guilt is removed.
This great exchange
happens where
Jesus is counted
as if He were the sinner
and we are counted
as if we were the righteous.
And now
because of this
great work of God
as we are credited
with Christ's
perfect righteousness
we can be adopted
by God's grace
to become
His children.
The goal
of being justified
being declared
right in God's sight
is that
we would be
adopted
into
His family
to know
the love
of
the Father.
And notice
that just as John
began this section
thinking about
the return of Christ
John connects
these two truths
in our next couple
of verses
the truths
of the Father's love
and the return
of Christ.
And again
it's for the basis
of our hope
and endurance
to remind us
of God's love
and God's grace
and what He's laid up
for us.
So chapter 3
and verse 2
dear friends
now we are
children of God
and what we will be
has not yet
been made known.
So here's a wonderful
reality.
As much
as the greatest
minds
in all of church
history are able
to fathom
something of the
depths of theology
nobody will ever
be able to
comprehend
what God
has in store
for those who
love Him.
We can get
a true sense
but we will never
get a complete sense
of how wonderful
our eternity
will be.
God is so
kind
to give us
tastes
and glimpses
in the gospel
but they are
just a reminder
and anticipation
of a feast
to come
that it's so
good
that we cannot
get our heads
around it.
And yet having
said that
John does bring
three wonderful
truths to
our attention.
First
here's the first
thing we know
verse 2
we know
that Christ
will appear.
So we've said
that already
we know
there is a day
coming
when God's
glory in Jesus
will be on full
display.
The first time
Jesus came
in humility
born
in a stable
placed in a manger
the second time
He comes
the sky will be
split open
and everyone
will see Him
as He comes
as conquering
King of glory.
Connected to that
here's the second
thing we know
we shall be
like Him.
Which at very
least
means that
when Jesus
comes
glorified
resurrected
Savior
we too
will be
glorified
we too
will have
resurrection
life
resurrected
bodies
1 Corinthians
15
It means
at very least
Revelation 21
that we will
live for
eternity
free from
sin
and suffering
and death
and it means
2 Corinthians 3
that we will be
then transformed
into His
glorious image
by the Spirit
that process
that the Spirit
is involved
in now
making us
more and more
like Jesus
will be completed
when He returns
and the third
thing that we know
is that we
shall see
Him
as He
is
so now
it's true
for us
as believers
we walk
by faith
and not
by sight
we have
the wonderful
gift of
faith
and the
gift of
faith
enables us
to have
these
glimpses
of Christ's
glory
and we
experience
the joy
of His
presence
but we
know all
too often
as believers
that those
moments
are real
but they
often feel
faint
and they're
hard to
keep hold
off
you know
it's wonderful
isn't it
when we have
those moments
perhaps in a
church service
or when we're
reading our
Bibles
or when we're
praying
and we know
that God
is close
and we
experience
His love
in a particular
way
but that's
really hard
as much
as we love
to try
and keep
hold of
that
so often
it comes
and it
goes
it's one
of the
reasons
why we
need
worship
it's why
as Ian
said
we need
to be
reading
God's
word
we need
to be
hearing
the gospel
we need
to be
sharing
the Lord's
Supper
these are
all chances
opportunities
for us
to see
Christ
by faith
but at
His return
then we
see by
sight
then we
see perfectly
then there's
no coming
and going
but we have
that perfect
fellowship
perfect love
and this is
the goal
of our
faith
it's the
center
of our
hope
to see
Jesus
as we
are made
like Him
like those
men who
came
to the
disciples
shortly
before
Jesus
would go
to the
cross
we want
to see
Jesus
the longing
of our
heart
we want
to see
Jesus
when Jesus
returns
that longing
is answered
Psalm 27
verse 4
the longing
of David
one thing
I desire
to gaze
on the
beauty
of the
Lord
the promise
of Jesus
in Matthew
chapter 5
blessed are
the pure
in heart
for they
will
see God
Revelation
1 verse 7
look he is
coming with
the clouds
and every
eye
will see
him
and so
John takes
discouraged
and weak
Christians
who have
seen some
of their
church depart
and are
tempting them
to believe
lies and
untruths
he takes
them to
the glory
of the
father's
love
and he
reminds them
listen the
father who
loved you
enough in
Christ to
make you
his children
is the
father who
will love
you and
bring you
home to
heaven and
to the
new creation
saying to
them and to
us if we
are to
persevere
we must
hold our
gaze
to hold
our ground
to fix
our eyes
on God's
love for
us in
Christ
to
contemplate
to consider
the
electing
unshakable
eternal
love God
the father
has for
his
children
and then
there's
verse 3
of chapter
3
all who
have this
hope in
him
purify
themselves
just as
he is
pure
and there's
this interesting
and we've
thought about
some of the
moral tests
that we find
in John's
first letter
and here's
another
he says
if our
future hope
is truly
fixed on
Christ and
seeing him
and being
like him
that has
implications
for how
we live
today
it means
we will
want to
be as
like him
as we
can be
today
Christ
is
pure
so we
want to
participate
with the
spirit
in a
purifying
process
if heaven
is our
true
home
if that's
where our
true identity
our citizenship
is
then holiness
is the
road we are
going to be
walking on
until we
get there
some of us
are familiar
with the
idea of
culture shock
you move
to a
different
place
a different
country
and everything
seems so
different
as believers
we want
to avoid
culture shock
in heaven
because we
want to be
living today
and tomorrow
the values
of heaven
here on
earth
as we
know he
is pure
and perfect
by the
help of
the spirit
and the
grace that
Jesus supplies
that is this
ongoing
purifying
in our
lives
making us
more and
more like
Jesus
and so it's
interesting for
John that these
glorious truths of
the Father's
love and
future hope
have a very
practical
outworking
they lead us
to persevere
in seeking
after moral
purity
in conclusion
thinking about
this little
section
John is
saying to
us
Christians
true believers
will endure
because of
God
and the
gospel
because of
truths about
God and
his work
in salvation
how are we
to stay
the course
it's through
God's work
to return to
Shackleton's
voyage for a
moment
Captain
Worsley
wrote a
really nice
diary
an account
of the
voyage
and early
on when it
became apparent
that this
ship the
Endurance was
going to have
to be left
behind that it
was going to
sink
he wrote
this
he said
Shackleton
had a
genius
it was
neither
more
nor
less
than
that
for
keeping
those
about
him
in
high
spirits
we
loved
him
every
man
among
us
had
unbounded
faith
in
Shackleton
we knew
that if
mortal man
could lead
us to
safety
Shackleton
was that
man
it was a
great tribute
to that
adventurer
as a
leader
but you
know my
gut reaction
was
wow
I am
no
Shackleton
and then
I started
thinking wow
if that's
the kind
of leader
that a
church
needs
if a
church
is going
to survive
then we're
in trouble
because that's
not me
and that's
why we need
to hear
the gospel
because our
endurance
is not
on me
and it's
not on
you
and it's
not our
ability
to endure
who's the
leader that
we place
our faith
in
one who
is infinitely
greater than
Shackleton
who's the
genius that
gives us
our unbounded
unshakable
confidence
it's the
Lord Jesus
Shackleton
failed
he never
made it
across
Antarctica
but the
Lord Jesus
he never
ever
fails
and he
is how
we will
stay the
course
in the
Christian
life
to come
back to
reality
come back
to Monday
morning
how will
I pursue
a life
of faithfulness
how will
I love
my neighbor
how will
I speak
and act
with truth
and integrity
in my
workplace
how will
I serve
family
friends
colleagues
coursemates
mercifully
we don't
need the
heroic
character
of a
Shackleton
because our
perseverance
and endurance
begins
and ends
with God
he calls
he keeps
he gives
eternal life
those who
abide in
Christ
those who
continue
in him
we draw
from his
supplies of
grace
we find
strength from
him in our
weakness
we can
bear fruit
as he
supplies
the spirit
we can
continue
in Christ
with
confident
hope
that
Christ's
first coming
his work
on the cross
demonstrates
the
father's
love for
us
and
Christ's
return
will bring
us into
an eternal
experience
of that
perfect
love
and so
we're
called to
take
heart
when our
hope is
in Christ
knowing that
God will
finish what
he starts
that God
perfectly loves
and never
lets go
of his
children
and God's
commitment
makes sure
that his
children will
keep going
until our
faith does
become
a perfect
site
and
to
go
to
the
heart
and
to
heart
!