Moving Toward Spiritual Discernment-2

MOVING TOWARD SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT-II—1John 3:10--4:21

Attention:

In these days when God’s people are wisely keeping themselves FROM gathering together, for fear of spreading disease(Corona Virus-2(COVID-19))...& In lieu of such gathering for encouragement & strengthening of the church, it is imperative that God’s people see the importance, the seriousness & the security that comes with their Moving Toward Spiritual Discernment.

Spiritual discernment is fulfilled thru love’s scrutiny.

The apostle John sheds light on this need for Spiritual Discernment in the Church.

Today as in previous millennia, Spiritual Discernment is a necessity in the Church.

•How is Spiritual Discernment in the Church achieved/accomplished?

--OR--

•What must be recognized in moving ourselves & the church & toward spiritual discernment.

15 things we must recognize when moving toward spiritual discernment.

I’ve chosen the word, ‘recognition’ here, to highlight a 'recognition' that goes beyond mere ‘acknowledgment’ or mental agreement. ‘Recognition’ of the things we’ll examine implies not only head knowledge, but heart knowledge which then drives a person to performance or action.

Last Sunday we found that:

Moving(yourself & the Church) toward spiritual discernment recognizes...

1. OPPOSING SIDES(3:10)

2—Moving(yourself & the Church) toward spiritual discernment also recognizes...

The FOUNDATIONAL MESSAGE(3:11)

Explanation/Argumentation:(3:11)

3:11—“For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,”

“For”—The reason that the above(:10) determinations are made is because it has always been God’s & thus Christ’s “message”, that brothers & sisters in Christ should “love one another”(Jn. 13:34-35; 1Jn. 2:9-11).

“The message” that we are to “love one another” is one the child of God has been familiar with(“heard”) “from the beginning”...

•From the beginning of what?...3 things:

1)From the beginning of creation(Gen. 4:7-8, 10-11).?Gen. 4:7-8, 10-11—God to Cain(the firstborn man)—“If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; & it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother & killed him.”.....“And He[YHWH] said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.

2)From the beginning of Jesus’ ministry on earth(1Jn. 1:1, 5; 2:7-8).

1Jn. 1:1, 5—“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, & our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life--“.....“This is the message which we have heard from Him & declare to you, that God is light & in Him is no darkness at all.

1Jn. 2:7-8—“Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him & in you, because the darkness is passing away, & the true light is already shining.”

3)From the beginning of their Christian lives—When undeserved forgiveness is experienced thru His loving grace(Eph. 2:8-9).

Eph. 2:8, 9—“For by grace you have been saved through faith, & that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

The “message” “that we should love one another” “is a “message” grounded in the very nature of God(4:7-8) & taught by Christ himself to his followers(Jn. 13:34-35; 15:12, 17).”—Daniel L. Akin in NAC[DLAkinNAC]

Jesus reiterated this “message” at the Last Supper(& is one which Judas missed):

Jn. 13:34-35—“A new commandment I[Jesus] give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Jn. 15:12, 17—“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”.....“These things I command you, that you love one another.”

A few other locations where this “message” is key:

1Jn. 2:9-11“He who says he is in the light, & hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, & there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness & walks in darkness, & does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”

1Pet. 3:8-9—“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”

1Pet. 4:7-11—“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious & watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory & the dominion forever & ever. Amen.”