Would you turn or swipe with me to 2 John. There are Bibles some place under a chair in front of you if you need one.  Or, you can just look up on the screen.

2nd John was written by… John.  The apostle John.  2nd John is called 2nd John because its not 1st John or 3rd John.  It’s about identifying which John it is not a chronological thing.  Point being that it was written about the same time as 1st John and 3rd John.  Its like the other Johns only different.

As we get into 2nd John we’re going to see that 2nd John is a huge letter of encouragement.  Life is filled with fatigue, frustration, failure, fear, and false ideas about how to live life - tons of stuff to get discouraged about - tons of voices out there working to pull us away from our relationship with Jesus.  Things that we come up against as we try to walk through life following Jesus.

2nd John is a huge letter of encouragement in all that - a pat on the back - a keep going you’re doing good great - kind of letter.  Which is why the thumbs up.  By time we’re done this morning, prayerfully all us will hear in John’s words a thumbs up for how we’re living our lives.

2nd John starting at verse 1.  These first 3 verses are John’s Greeting.  Let’s say that together.  “John’s greeting.”  Let me read these for us and then we’ll go back an unpack them.

2 John - verse 1:  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:  Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

Let’s unpack John’s greeting.

John is in Ephesus - western Anatolia - on the coast of what is now Turkey.  Which in the chronology of John’s life means that John has been to Rome where the Emperor Domitian tried to make him a martyr.  God had other plans.  He’s been exiled to Patmos - where he wrote The Revelation of John.  Now he’s back in Ephesus where he’s written his gospel and these short letters of 1,2,3, John.

These three letters - 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John were written in the mid 90’s AD and John himself is probably pushing 90 - which even if you’re in your 90’s is old.  Some have even speculated that John was pushing 100. 

John describes himself as “the elder” - meaning both that he has a position of earned respect and honor and leadership in the church - and also that John is up there in years.

2 John is the only letter in the New Testament that’s written to a woman.  John writes to “the elect lady” - elect meaning chosen -  meaning that she’s a believer.  “The elect lady and her children.”

There is some question - scholars needing things to debate about - some Bible scholars believe that this letter is written to a specific lady and her children - meaning biological children - flesh and blood descendants.  Which is a very valid understanding of who John is addressing this to.

However - based on what John actually is writing about - it is very probable - and the understanding of this that we’re going to use this morning - that John is writing to a Godly lady who had a congregation of believers meeting in her home - maybe even those who were spiritually her children - those that she may have led to salvation in Jesus.

Notice also - here in his greeting - that John is lays out two outstanding words that he’s going to focus our attention on as we move through this letter.  Two outstanding words which are?  Truth is the first.  Right?  The second is love.  Truth and love.

Notice in verse 3 how he links those two words together.  “Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.”

Jesus was amazing in the way He kept truth and love in balance.  He could deal with a struggling sinner with such huge tenderness - such amazing compassion.  And yet - Jesus could - with a blistering word shred a Pharisee until the sin of that Pharisee’s inner life was revealed.  Jesus spoke the truth and dealt in love and He kept them perfectly in balance.

One of the great challenges of the Christian life - as we go along following Jesus - one our great challenges is to work these seemingly opposing things together and keep them in balance.

If we emphasize truth and center on doctrinal and theological matters - insisting that Scripture be followed - but at the expense of love - even though what we’re saying may be 100% right - we end up being rigid and cold and judgmental - sometimes even cruel in the way we say things - or the way that we act towards others. 

On the other hand - if we make the mistake of emphasizing love at the expense of truth - we can end up accepting everyone and everything and pursuing all kinds of false ideas - and end up getting all of us in real trouble.

In Ephesians 4:15 Paul writes that we need to learn to speak the truth in love.  Which means that how we live in truth must be shaped by how we live in love. 

In verse 3 - John lays out these themes - of walking in truth and walking in love - and this encouragement - that as we learn to live with both of those given the proper place in our lives - that we will experience the grace and mercy and peace that comes to us from our Heavenly Father through His Son - our Savior Jesus Christ.

Let’s go on to verses 4 to 6 - which are John’s Encouragement to this lady and congregation.  Let’s say that together:  “John’s encouragement.”

Verse 4:  I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children - meaning not all of them - some are - some aren’t - I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we 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 that you should walk in it.      

John writes that he rejoices to find some in the congregation who are “walking in truth.”  Walking in truth meaning that they’re living authentic -genuine - real - truly Christian lives.

There’s encouragement in that.  John the elder giving a huge thumbs up.  Some of you are authentically following after Jesus.

John’s definition of walking - or living - authentically Christian - is living obedient to God’s commandment to walk in love.  Do you hear the balance point in that?  Walk in truth by walking in love.

The old commandment is what?  Its in what we looked at when we looked at the Ten Commandments.  What Jesus summarized.  Love God supremely.  Love others sacrificially.

Start with God - with God being supreme in every part of our lives.  Those who love God supremely will seek to obey God completely - to honor and glorify Him with all that we are.  Our lives are about God not us.  Start with God.

Second - if we get loving God supremely we’re going to get loving others sacrificially.  The evidence of our authentic relationship with God - John writes - our authentic relationship with God is demonstrated in love for others - emphasis “that we - sacrificially - love one another.”

Are we together?  Maybe.  Let’s make sure.

Back in Genesis God speaks to Abraham.  God tells Abraham - take your only son - the one through whom I said I would fulfill My promises - your only son - the one you love - that you bobbled on your knee - doted over - taken pride in - watched grow up into a young man - take Isaac - go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering at the place I’m going to show you.

Imagine hearing God tell you that.  How do we work that out in our mind?  Abraham isn’t some person who “heard voices” and went off and killed someone.  He’s well in possession of his faculties.  Abraham is man centered on God.  Loves God supremely.

But even with all that.  Wouldn’t we struggle just a tad with what God is asking?

Why?  Why would God ask me to do something like this?  This is the son of promise.  God are you nuts?

It took them 3 days to make the trip.  For three days - traveling from Beersheba to Moriah - in Abraham’s eyes Isaac is already dead.  Every time he looks at his son - hears his voice - watches what he does - Abraham knows that very soon Isaac will be sacrificed.  What am I suppose to tell Sarah when I come back without Isaac? 

When they get there Abraham takes the wood for the burnt offering and gives it to Isaac to carry.  Abraham takes the fire and the knife - the instruments of death.  The two of them walk alone together up the mountain to the place for the sacrifice that God is going to show them.

Isaac asks his father,  “Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

Wouldn’t a question like that just rip you apart - as a father?

We know - because we’ve read the account - that God does provide the sacrifice - which in fact becomes a huge foreshadowing of the sacrifice Jesus.

Hebrews 11 - starting at verse 17:  By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he - Abraham - who had received the promises was in the act offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”  He - Abraham - considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.  (Hebrews 11:17-19)

No matter what happens - trust God.  Win or lose.  Joy or sorrow.  Comfort or pain.  In sickness or in health.  Humiliation or exaltation.  Riches or poverty.  Whether it makes sense to us or not.  With the flow or against the tide.  Live or die.  Even in death - trust God.  God will fulfill His promises. 

Do you see love God supremely in that?  Are we together?

When Paul - in Romans - comments on this event - Paul writes that God saw Abraham’s faith - saw what was going on in Abraham’s heart - and God counted Abraham as righteous.  James - in James - when James comments on this event - James writes that men look at Abraham’s works and count Abraham as righteous.  (Romans 4:1-5; James 2:18-23)

God tells Samuel, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  (1 Samuel 16:7)

That’s why Jesus responded to people’s faith - what was going on inside them in their relationship with God - Jesus responded to their faith by healing them - outward response - tangible - visible - response to their inward authentic faith.  The outward healing demonstrated what was already true about their relationship with God.  What went on outwardly  -that men could see - demonstrated what was going inside of them - what God could see. 

Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  (John 13:35)

Loving God supremely is inward.  Loving others sacrificially is outward.  But, if we’re not loving God supremely something way different than God inspired love is going to be demonstrated outwardly.

John writes, “I am rejoicing because some of you are living that way.  The relationship you have with God is coming out in the way you’re loving on each other.”  The truth - the authenticity - of your relationship with God is coming out - is being demonstrated - by the depth of your sacrificial love for each other.

Wouldn’t it be encouraging to hear those words applied to Creekside?  To your life?  Especially here in the congregation.  But also in your relationships at home or wherever God takes you.

The reality is they could be.  This is an amazing congregation to be a part of.  A congregation of people who share meals with those in need.  Who share rides.  Who hang out and hang in there with each other.  Who pray for each other.  Who with authentic love actually look out for each other.  A congregation that’s learning how to worship and serve God together.

One of my first experiences here at Creekside was with a bunch of people stripping the roof off of Phylisa’s house.  Which was something she needed done.  I thought, “Man, these people are amazing.”  Many of you remember what it was like to tear out the courtyard lawn and paint this building.  We could go on with ways we’ve served each other and served with each other.

Point being that - that was fun doing all that together.  Work.  Yes.  But fun - loving God - loving each others.

Rejoice.  Be encouraged.  Thumbs up.  Let the love of the brethren and sisteren increase.

Verses 7 to 11 are John’s Warning.  Let’s say that together.  “John’s warning.”

Verse 7:  For many deceivers have gone out into the world

Remember verse 4.  Some are walking in truth.  Some are not.  Verse 7  -these are the some are not.

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.

Verse 9:  Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in - does not live by - 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 house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked words.

Who are the “deceivers”?  A deceiver is a fraud - an imposter - the opposite of authentic.  Which means that these deceivers claim to be living as authentic followers of Jesus - but they’re not.  They claim to speak for God - but they don’t.  They may have hung around God’s people - they claim to be God’s people - but they aren’t.

There are two errors that these deceivers are caught up in.  Error  number one - verse 7 - they “do not confess the coming of Jesus in the flesh.”

Foundational to what we believe as Christians is that Jesus is God - the God - Who came into the world - born of the virgin Mary by a work of the Holy Spirit - and took on what it means to be human.  Jesus is fully God - fully man.

Fancy theological word:  Incarnation.  Think Carne Asada.  “Carne.”  “Flesh.”  God in “carne.”  God in the “flesh.”

Incarnation means God doing what we could never do for ourselves - being the perfect sinless once for all - God in our place - sacrifice for our sins on the cross.  Jesus is fully God.

Without incarnation there is no human representative able to take our sins and the penalty for our sins upon Himself.  Jesus is fully man.  (Philippians 2:1-11; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 2:14-18)

Meaning that without incarnation - Jesus being fully God - fully man - without the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh we’re toast.  We have no Savior.

Then notice this.  John doesn’t write “they have not confessed” or “they did not confess” but John writes that they “do not confess.”  Do you see that?  In the original Greek its in the present tense.  That’s not a typo.

The reality of incarnation doesn’t just stop at the cross - or at the resurrection - or even with Jesus going up to heaven in a cloud and the disciples standing on a mountain with their tongues dragging on the ground.

The Bible teaches - we confess - that Jesus rose bodily from the grave - ascended bodily into heaven - and He’s coming back in a real body to take us bodily to be with Him.  Amen?  (Acts 1:9-11)

Let’s be careful.  We know - because Scripture tells us - we know that the body we’re going to have for eternity is not the body we have now.  Amen to that.  We get a body that won’t break down over time - an imperishable body.  But a body none the less.  (1 Corinthians 15:35-58)

Grab this - Jesus isn’t some centuries ago dead and decaying human who escaped the cross and ran off to the south of France with Mary Magdalene to propagate a line of Frankish kings.  Jesus isn’t some idea or philosophy.  He’s not some super prophet who God is going to bring back at some point.  His return isn’t some kind of spiritual awakening or metaphysical religious wishful thinking.

Point being that to deny the incarnation of Jesus - Jesus being fully God and fully man - the only Savior of the world - bodily resurrected and bodily returning for those who are trusting in Him as our Savior - to not confess - meaning to daily live with that hope - confessing that Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh is an error with eternal consequences.

No matter what a person may say they are - even claiming to be an authentic Christian - or a spokesperson for God - they’re living an error with eternal consequences.  Claim what you want but at the core you don’t know God.

John goes on in verse 9.  “Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in - lives by - the teaching of Christ, does not have God.  Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.”

Error number one is a wrong understanding of Who Jesus is.  Error number two is a wrong understanding of what Jesus taught.

That takes care of all groups that hold that the Bible is not an adequate revelation of God and say that we need something else.  Modern man has grown beyond the simplicity of the Bible.  We’re too enlightened - too scientifically aware - to accept the simplistic teachings of the Bible.  Or, religiously - we need to add to what God has revealed in the Bible - or to correct the mistakes that have crept into God’s word.   

They may be very persuasive - very sincere - morally upright - really good people - but if they do not abide - meaning that if the Bible isn’t God’s infallible inspired word - the one true revelation of God and the ultimate written authority by which they live their lives - then - at the core of who they are - they don’t know God.

John writes in verse 7 that “such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.” - one who is against Christ - against God.  Church history is littered with people who have spoken as Christians - claimed to be authentic Christians - but who don’t know God - who are working against Jesus - with gut wrenching disastrous consequences.

Are we together?

For a moment - walk with me through Church history.  Something we’ve been doing on Sunday nights for the last few months.

In the fourth century there were attempts to distort the truth - heresies were introduced - taught in the Church - doctrinal struggles over the nature of God - who Jesus really is.  Great Church councils came together to debate and discuss these teachings - which were being taught by people claiming to be Christians.  Following those heresies large numbers of people were led away from the truth.

In the 7th century Mohammed learned about Christianity from people who talked like Christians but had no clue as to who Jesus is.  Today Islam claims Jesus as a prophet but denies His deity.  Hundreds of millions are living in darkness as a result.

At the end of the 10th century - in a way that was like what we saw at the turn of the millennium just a few years ago - at the end of the 10th century there was a widespread expectation that Jesus would return in the year 1000.  The economy of the world was paralyzed by false teaching by those claiming to be Christians - prophesying His return.

The Crusades - in the 11th century - the Crusades began with a heretical zeal that captured the emotion of the time.  A whole movement claiming to be Christian but distracting people from Jesus and the things of God.

In the 13th century there was the Inquisition and the consolidation of papal power in a manner that was decidedly antichrist.  The 15th century saw Martin Luther - and the reformers - rise up against heresy that was rampant in the Church.  Martin Luther was a good thing by the way.

The 18th century saw the rise of German rationalism - teaching that claimed to be Christian - but denied the supernatural working of God - reduced the truth of the Gospel of Jesus to a lifeless - worthless - philosophy.

In the 19th century - especially here in America - there was an infestation of cults - Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, the First Church of Christ - coma - Scientist, Unitarianism - led by antichrists like Joseph Smith, Charles Russell, Mary Baker Eddy - people claiming to be followers of Jesus but denying the truth of who Jesus really is and what Jesus taught.

In the 20th century we found out that God is dead - unless of course we believe in the god of all religions.  Today it doesn’t take much to imagine a one world religion.  A religion that has at its core - perhaps its single unifying belief - the ascendancy of humanity as our own god - and the inevitable denial of the truth of who Jesus Christ is and what Jesus taught.  A lie that is embraced by millions claiming to be Christians.

All of which is nothing new.  It’s a an old lie that Satan continues to peddle through those who choose to deny - either by design or delusion - who choose to deny the truth of Jesus Christ and what Jesus taught.  A lie that continues to delude and deceive and lead billions into darkness and ultimately to damnation.

In verse 8 - John warns this Godly lady and the congregation - in response to the deceivers - John writes, “Watch yourself”

“Watch yourself” has the idea of taking a realistic look at who we are.  Get a grip on yourself.  Take yourself down a notch or two… or three.  Grab some humility and make sure you really are walking authentic.  At the core of who you are what is your relationship with God?  Because what’s inside - what you truly believe - will come out in how you respond to those around you.

Have you ever noticed how some people are really good at telling everyone else how they should be living but their own lives are a mess?

Remember what Jesus said?  Take the log out of your own eye before trying to help your brother with the speck in his.  (Matthew 7:1-5)

We have this tendency to want to bash people over the head with a rolled up Torah.  Or to point out error in the community around us while excusing our own failures.

How many conversations have you had with someone who is totally turned off to Jesus and His Church because of the hypocrisy of God’s people?  Maybe because they’ve had a front row seat watching God’s people act ungodly - either in the church or in the community.

Doesn’t it seem to make sense that people would be a whole more inclined to listen to us and even believe the truth of the gospel if Christians actually lived out the truth of the gospel?  Doesn’t seem like the counter punch to the lies of Satan is the reality of Christians living authentic lives in love with God and each other?

That’s walking in truth by living in love.  Watch yourselves.  Pay attention to your own heart and relationship to God. 

John’s warning in verse 8 goes on, “so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.”

The result of living authentic loving lives in Christ is that we hang onto what we’ve gained in Christ.  The hugely rewarding life that it is ours in Jesus - God given grace, mercy, and peace.  In fact - we win a full reward!   

John isn’t talking about somehow loosing our salvation.  What he’s talking about is loosing what it means to live as a follower of Jesus.

Which is John’s warning in 10.  John writes - “Do not receive these deceivers into your house.  Don’t even greet them.”

In other words - do not receive these people in such a way as to imply that we are authenticating - that we’re in agreement or accepting - their teaching.

Let’s be careful.  If we can treat people graciously - thoughtfully - kindly - as fellow human beings - but without endorsing their wrong ideas then we need to do that - have contact with others - even a degree of friendship.  But what John is getting at is that we’re not to share in their wicked work or endorse or give the impression that we endorse what they believe.

Point being - we need to first pay attention to our own heart - our own relationship with God - how we’re living in obedience to God.  Beyond that to reach out in love to others.  But, there is a point to which we cannot go.

Instead of getting all wrapped up in error and pursuing what ultimately is worthless - wasting the years that God has given you.  What we gain is a life of purpose and meaning - living what is hugely valuable in the lives of others - even being used by God in His work of buying back mankind from sin.

That’s encouraging.  Isn’t it?  The antichrists lie - deny who Jesus is.  They don’t know God.  But you - elect lady and her children - you walk in the truth.  You confess who Jesus is.  You know Him.  You know God. 

Praise God that we can be a part of a church where people know and love the Lord Jesus Christ and are seeking to live in obedience and a deepening relationship with Him.  Amen?

God is using you.  God has a great reward for you.  Thumbs up.  Keep going.

Verses 12 and 13 are John’s Blessing.  Let’s say that together.  “John’s blessing.”

Verse 12:  Though I have much to write 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.

So much for Facebook.  Presence is huge.  Being used by God in each other’s lives.  Live authentic and God uses us to be a blessing to others.

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Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®  (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.