2019-05-19 – 1 John 2.24–29 – Abiding In Him
Bible Text: 1 John 2.24–29 | Preacher: Pastor Jerry Higdon | Series: 1 John | 2019-05-19 – 1 John 2.24–29 – Abiding In Him
2019-05-12 – 1 John 2.18–23 – The Last Hour
(Baptist Children’s Home, Mother’s Day, Disaster Relief, Praise Concert)
Good morning everyone. It is so nice to be able to spend some time with you all in fellowship with the Lord. Thank you and God bless you for being with us today.
Disaster Relief – Quad Cities
Last Sunday we studied verse 18 of 1 John chapter 2, where John started out by saying, “Children, it is the last hour”, which was a perfect start because it was Mother’s Day. But John was talking about the end of times. We read through the start and the ending of the Bible book of Revelation, where he wrote that we would be to hear those words. It was a blessing indeed. The main thought is that it is the Last Hour and we should be paying attention and living like we believe it.
Today we are going to continue in that theme however the focus is on how we should endeavor to abide in Him as the end draws near.
Please turn in your Bibles to 1 John 2:24, pg 1083 in the Pew Bibles, The Inspired, Infallible and Living Word of God, and let us start with Prayer.
1 John 2
24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life. 26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.
A common related verse that many of you probably know, Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way they should go: and when they are old, they will not depart from it”. Of course that is intended to address our children, but the same thing for new Christians regardless of their age. We need to train them up, teach them God’s word, and that truth will never leave them. They might wonder or backslide, we all know some who are sadly on that path, but if they get God’s word in their heart and head, then there is a good chance they will return.
The world’s ways are enticing, but once they get a good dose of the fallen world, like the prodigal son did, then hopefully they will get tired of it and come back into the fold. Until then we should be praying to God on their behalf.
Last week we read through the verses that proceeded these, where the focus was on the antichrist(s). Jesus said we should expect that they would be endeavoring to be spread a false gospel. They were doing that then, and they are continuing to do that now. I will suggest to you that anyone who preaches or proclaims to know God, but doesn’t use the Bible as their main source and reference are probably among those that are trying to lead you astray. When you run across those “preachers” I suggest you just turn the channel, or slowly back away from them. Do not become one of their victims. Again, the bible should be our primary source for God’s word. The more you know it, the more you hide it in your hearts and your heads, the better you will be and those that you might have the opportunity to influence.
27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
Anointing with Oil. Anointing with God’s Word. Anointing with the Holy Spirit. We talked about those previously. In our context today we are talking about the anointing with God’s truth and His Holy Spirit.
This context also reminds me of the 23rd Psalm, maybe you can say it with me? “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me besides still waters, He restores my soul. He leads me in the path of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; for You are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me; You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever”. I love these memory text, don’t you?
The key verse related to our context today is “You anoint my head with oil, my cup runneth over”; and notice that is while we are at the table with our enemies.
Brothers and Sisters, may I be so bold to suggest that we are all currently at the table, in the presence of our enemies, weather you want to acknowledge it or not. But God has anointed you for this, and you are not alone, He is with you.
The origin of the word anointing was from when the shepherds would pour oil on the sheep’s head, making the wool slippery, therefore making it impossible for insects to get near the sheep’s ears. From this, the word anointing became symbolic of blessing, protection, and empowerment.
As we talked about last week, the New Testament word for “anoint” is chrio, which means “to smear or rub with oil”. Several places in the New Testament, anointing with oil, was connected with healings. James 5:14 for instance says, “Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord”.
I carry with me in my car, the Lord ’s Supper elements, in case I visit a homebound saint, to share with them. I also carry some anointing oil, and I will use it if all are in agreement, and we will pray for their situation. However, anointings should never be viewed as a “magic potion.” If and when we use oil, it is only a symbolic act of what God is doing for that person, and it allows us to concentrate on their issue and to exercise our faith in our Creator.
Another meaning or purpose for anointing is to set apart a “chosen one.” To dedicate for office or religious service. In Old Testament times, people were anointed with oil to signify God’s blessing or His call on a person’s life to be a king or a prophet. The Bible says that Jesus Christ was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit to spread the Good News and free those who have been held captive by sin. Then after Christ left the earth, He gave us the gift or “anointed us” with the Holy Spirit (John 14:16). The Bible also says that all Christians are anointed or chosen for a specific purpose in furthering God’s Kingdom.
Here is a wonderful truth: under the New Covenant/contract in Christ Jesus, every believer is anointed by God for His service. Every person who believes in Jesus Christ is forgiven and sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.
2 Corinthians 1:21 says, “It is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (2 Corinthians 1:21–22).
Again, as Christians, you are anointed to remain in Christ. Then at verse 28 and 29 of 1 John 2, our last verses today, provide us a message of hope:
28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.
The term “when he appears” of course it referring to Jesus Christ’s second coming.
In His first coming, Jesus Christ came to earth as a baby in a manger in Bethlehem, just as was prophesied. Jesus fulfilled many of the prophecies of the Messiah during His birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection. However, there are some prophecies regarding the Messiah that Jesus has not yet fulfilled.
The second coming is when Jesus will fulfill the remaining prophecies. In His first coming, Jesus was the suffering Servant. In His second coming, Jesus will be the conquering King. In His first coming, Jesus arrived in the most humble of circumstances as a baby in a manger. In His second coming, our Bible says Jesus will arrive with the armies of heaven at His side.
I was listening to Dr. David Jeremiah the other day. He made reference to how many Christmas cards quoted Isaiah 9:6 where it says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, All Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace”. Do you know that verse?
That verse is a prophesy that was written a thousand years before Jesus was even born as a child. So as it says “a child was born” that has now been accomplished. However, the second part, where it says, “the government was on his shoulders” hasn’t happened yet. Jesus has not yet assumed that role. That event is yet forthcoming. When Christ returns, He will reign and lead our world for a thousand years or a millennium.
When that happens, when He returns, we all will stand before Him in judgement. However, there will be two very different judgments conducted then. Those who are not Christians will be judged against God’s commandments and even their own measure of right and wrong. Sadly none of them will pass that test, and they will be subsequently sentenced to an eternity in hell, where the Bible says there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. It will be a punishment of seclusion, pain and sorrow, darkness and regret. It is sorrowful for us to even contemplate such things. The other type of judgement that is forthcoming is for those that belong to Christ. The Bible tells us that we will stand before Jesus and we will be judged for the works we did all as Christians. Those good works will be counted to our favor and we will be rewarded accordingly. So there is really nothing for us Christians to fear at all.
Which kind of judgment are you going to choose? The judgment of your sins, or the judgment of your good works? As Christians, we are now God’s children, these last verses we read again make that clear. And to that I say, thank You Jesus. For it by His works, His righteousness, His pain and suffering that we will be able to enter into God’s Holy Heaven. Our penalty has been bought and paid for by Jesus Christ. His holiness and blessed sinless state has been gifted to our account. How unworthy am I. Thank You Lord Jesus.
If you appreciate what Jesus did for you on the cross then heed His warning here today. Watch out for and stay away from those that would lead you a stray. And stay in His will by praying, serving, and dipping deep into His loving and anointing Word. That is what He would tell you today if you are willing to heed it.
Finally, the title of this message is Abiding in Him and as it is our main theme,
if you look at all the verses we shared today. John uses the word remain, or abide six times in just 4 verses. According to our author, remaining or abiding in Christ is equated to abiding in His Word, and in His Way. As we endeavor to do that, the Holy Spirit teaches us, molds us, like the Potter does the clay, into the image of God’s Son, Christ’s likeness. I know I have been molded through the years, how about you? And the good thing is, He ain’t done yet. His work continues in me.
The word “abide” is a very important word in John’s writings, particular his gospel. Abide is also the word that Jesus uses in the promises He makes to His disciples the night before His crucifixion. In John 15:4, Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
To abide, in Greek means “to remain, stay, reside, dwell in, or to rest in.” This word is practical, it’s inviting, and warmly personal. It is a calling to us to join in on a genuine relationship and enjoy the fellowship with our Creator that lasts for all eternity. Are you abiding in Christ? Are you prepared for the final judgement?
What if Jesus returns for us today? Would you be ready to meet Him face to face? Or would you say to Him something like, “Not yet Jesus, I have some things in my life I need to clean up first.” Or what if Jesus were to want to take a walk through your house, would there be things that you wouldn’t want Him to see? Please don’t get me wrong, Jesus doesn’t want you live in guilt or shame, but instead He wants you to experience His freedom today.
As these verses convey today, we must grow in our knowledge of the Lord, to deepen our understanding through careful study, and to teach His truths to others. But no matter how much we learn, and however hard it gets, we must never abandon the basic truths about Christ. Jesus will always be God’s Son, and His sacrifice for our sins is permanent. No truth will ever contradict these teachings in our Bible.
Are you abiding in His Word, and is His Word abiding in you? Do you want to start truly enjoying eternal life? Are you experiencing His intended blessings in this life here and now? You can, it all can be yours today. Please stand. Let us Pray..