Reading: 1 John chapter 3 verses 1-10.
Ill:
Chinese boy who wanted to learn about jade went to study with a talented old teacher.
• This gentle man put a piece of the precious stone into his hand;
• And told him to hold it tight.
• Then he began to talk of philosophy, men, women, the sun;
• And almost everything under it.
• After an hour he took back the stone and sent the boy home.
• The procedure was repeated for several weeks.
• The boy became frustrated. When would he be told about the jade?
• He was too polite, however, to question the wisdom of his venerable teacher.
• Then one day, when the old man put a stone into his hands,
• Immediately the boy cried, ‘That’s not jade!’“
The apostle John wants Christians to walk so close to Christ:
• That when we encounter that which is false;
• Like that little boy we can instantly say that isn’t right!
Question:
• How can we know good teachers from false.
• Remember his readers had not yet got a New Testament to turn to.
Answer:
• To that question is found in the key verse of this chapter;
• That is verse 10:
N.I.V:
“This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother”.
C.E.V:
“You can tell God's children from the devil's children, because those who belong to the devil refuse to do right or to love each other”.
In this chapter the apostle John teaches that a genuine Christian is known for two things:
• First: He or she practices righteousness (tries to live right);
• Second: He or she has a love for other Christians despite their differences.
• In verses 1-10 John deals with the first topic, the right kind of living.
• Then in verses 11-24 he deals with the second topic, loving others.
Ill:
John’s letter has been described as a spiritual staircase:
• Because he keeps returning to the same three topics;
• Love, obedience and truth.
• Practicing righteousness and loving other Christians;
• Are not new themes in this letter.
• These two important subjects;
• Have already been covered in the first two chapters of this letter,
Now once again in this chapter John goes back to them:
• Now he is not merely being repetitious by returning to these themes;
• In fact each time he returns to them, he looks at it from another angle (point of view).
In chapter 3 the emphasis concerning these topics are different:
• In the first two chapters the emphasis was on fellowship:
• A Christian who is in fellowship with God;
• Will want to practice righteousness and will want to love other Christians.
• So that they maintain their fellowship with God.
But now in chapters 3-5 he changes the emphasis:
• In chapters 3-5, the emphasis is on sonship:
• Because every Christian is "born of God," or “Children of God”.
• John emphasises the fact that since we are ‘of God’ we should be like God.
• So the Christian will practice righteousness and love others, like God would!
THE TROUBLE IS EVERY CHRISTIAN HAS AN ENEMY:
• We all have a problem that hinders us living right; that hinders us loving others.
• And so John deals with that enemy in these verses.
Ill:
• A reporter was interviewing an old man on his 100th birthday.
• "What are you most proud of?" he asked him.
• "Well, " said the man, "I don't have an enemy in the world."
• "What a beautiful thought! How inspirational!" said the reporter.
• "Yep," added the centenarian,
• "I’ve outlived every last one of them."
Ill:
• Every form of life has its enemies;
• Insects have to watch out for hungry birds,
• Birds must look out for cats,
• Cats must look out for dogs etc
• We humans have our enemies;
• We are constantly fighting germs which cause infections and disease
The Christian too has his enemies:
• One of those is what the Bible calls ‘sin’.
• Six times in verses 4-6 John mentions sin.
• Sin is more than just wrong actions, outward disobedience,
• It is a wrong attitude an inner rebellion or desire.
• Sin is disobedience to what God has said (Bible),
• Sin is living independent of God (very 1st commandment “Put God first”)
When somebody becomes a Christian there are three things to remember concerning sin:
(a).
• Regarding the PAST we are saved from sins PUNISHMENT
• It was dealt with at the cross – once and for all.
Quote:
“My sin – oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin – not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to his cross, and I bear it no more;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord O my soul”
(b).
• Regarding the FUTURE;
• The Bible teaches we shall be saved from sins PRESENCE.
• We shall be changed;
• Metamorphosis ill: caterpillar into a butterfly.
• 1 Corinthians chapter 15 talks about a new body, and a new heart!
• One that will enable us to spend eternity with the Lord.
(c).
• Regarding the PRESENT.
• Each Christian must do daily battle to experience God’s POWER over sin.
• Living a life that pleases God is not impossible;
• But very much possible!
• Within every Christian a battle is talking place (civil war),
• God’s Holy Spirit is pulling us towards him and his ways.
• But our old sinful nature, which finds sin attractive,
• Pulls us away from God towards those things that are wrong.
• We have to choose which one we want to win,
• The sinful nature or the new nature God has given us.
Ill:
• The new Christian and the two horses story;
• “Which ever horse I say ‘giddy up too!’”
Quote: One of the earliest Church leaders Augustine:
• Said he experienced three stages with sin:
• (1). “Lord, make me good, but not yet”.
• (2). “Lord, make me good, but not entirely.”
• (3). “Lord, make me good.”
John the apostle is saying that every Christian ought to be desiring that third stage:
• Lord make me good, make me holy, make my life pleasing to you!
• That is what John means when says “We should not sin”
• John is not saying be perfect, that is impossible;
• He knows that, which is why in chapter 1, he tells us what to do when we fail!
• To "Continue in sin” or “Practice" sin is to sin consistently, habitually;
• As a way of life. A life-style choice.
• It does not refer to committing occasional sins.
• But it is about a life-style choice to want both Jesus and a life of sin.
Ill:
• Kerry: “I’m a Christian, but I’m blowed if I’ll let Jesus interfere in my life!’
• She sleeps around and gets drink as often as possible – ladette in every sense of the word.
• She has chosen to live a sinful lifestyle, a deliberate choice;
• I hope I’m wrong but I can’t help thinking John had her types in mind as he wrote!
The difference says John (verse 1) is that a true Christian knows God:
• A counterfeit Christian may talk about God and get involved in "religious activities,"
• But he or she does not really know God.
• Therefore they are willing and content to be double minded;
• To make a life-style choice, of wanting both Jesus (religion) and a life of sin.
The person who knows God and loves God:
• He or she will wants to please them.
• True in all relationships.
• Ill: Husband I try to please my wife rather than offend her.
• Ill: Father I try to please my children rather than offend her.
IN THESE TEN VERSES JOHN GIVES US THREE REASONS FOR LIVING A HOLY LIFE:
(1). God the Father Loves Us (verses 1-3):
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure”.
God's love for us is unique.
• In fact verse I may be translated, "What unique, matchless, one of a kind,
• Out-of-this-world kind of love the Father has lavished on us."
• It is a unique love;
• Because we love those who love us.
• But God loved us even while we were His enemies (could not care about him);
• God cared about us! He loved us and set about rescuing us.
WE ARE TOLD THREE THINGS IN VERSES 1-3:
(1). What we are “Children of God” (Verse 1b):
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
• Being called "Children of God” is not simply a high-sounding name that we bear;
• It is a reality! We are God's children!
Ill:
• Expect higher standards from prince William & Harry;
• Than you do from a couple of brothers from the local housing estate.
• Why: Because they are royalty,
• They come from and are linked too and represent the palace! Royal family!
(2). What we shall be “Like him” (verse 2).
“Dear friends, now we are children of God,
and what we will be has not yet been made known.
But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”
• This verse is referring to the time of Christ's return.
• John has already mentioned this earlier on in chapter 2 verse 28.
• And we saw this morning that the return of Christ;
• Should act as an incentive for holy living.
Ill:
My children will try to copy me.
• Wear my hat or shoes, sit in my chair, want to drink from my cup.
• Why? Because they love me and want to be like their father.
Christians ought to want to be like their heavenly Father:
• One day we will be literally like him when Jesus returns,
• All Christians will have new, glorified bodies, suited to heaven.
• But that desire to be like him;
• Should start here and now!
(3). What we should be. “Pure” (verse 3).
“Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure”.
• In view of the return of Jesus Christ,
• We should keep our lives clean.
So John reminds his readers in verses 1-3 that:
• Since we as Christians have experienced the love of the Father,
• We should have no desire to deliberately, habitually live in sin.
• An unbeliever (non-Christian) who sins;
• Is a creature sinning against his Creator.
• But a Christian who sins,
• Is a child sinning against his Father.
• The unbeliever sins against law;
• The believer sins against love.
Ill:
• A group of teen-agers were enjoying a party,
• And someone suggested that they go to a certain bar for a good time.
• "I'd rather- you took me home," said the Christian who was among them.
• "My parents don't approve of that place."
• "Afraid your father will hurt you?" one of the gang said sarcastically.
• "No," replied the Christian,
• "I'm not afraid my father will hurt me,
• But I am afraid I might hurt him."
• That young Christian understood the principle that a true child of God,
• Who has experienced the love of God, has no desire to sin against that love.
(2). God the Son Died for Us (verses 4-8):
“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.
5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.
6 No-one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No-one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work”.
• John turns here from the future appearing of Jesus (v. 2)
• To His past appearing (his incarnation, when God became flesh and lived amongst us).
JOHN TELLS US SOME BASIC FACTS ABOUT SIN.
(1). What sin is (verse 4).
“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.
• Sin is the deliberate breaking of a law of God.
• Sin is to obey oneself instead of obeying God.
• It is saying; ‘My will be done’, not ‘Thy will be done’.
• Sin is disobedience.
Notice:
• The emphasis in these verses are not on sins (plural),
• But on sin (singular).
• Sins (plural) are the fruit,
• But sin (singular) is the root.
• In the Christian God gets right down to the heart of the problem.
• He will tackle sin at its very root and that will then reduce the fruit of sin.
Ill:
• Little boy who was riding in the car with his father.
• He decided to stand up on the back seat.
• His father commanded him to sit down and put on the seat belt,
• But he declined.
• He told him a second time,
• And again he refused.
• So the father tried the classic dad statement:
• "If you don't sit down immediately, I'll pull over to the side of the road and spank you!"
• At this the little boy obeyed.
• But in a few minutes he said quietly, "Daddy, I'm still standing up inside."
Sin is basically a matter of the will:
• We assert our will against God's will.
• That is rebellion, and rebellion is the root of sin.
(2). What sin does (verse 5)
5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.
• Sin brings terrible consequences;
• Judgement (lawbreakers are judged: home, school or work or in society)
• Death (Separation) from God.
• Both in this life and eternity.
John reminds us that:
• Christ came to take away our sins.
• He bore our judgement and experienced our death.
• Christians are to avoid sin;
• Because to sin is to bring back what he came to abolish.
(3). Why sin is (verse 6).
6 No-one who lives in him keeps on sinning.
No-one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
Sin in the Christian is the result of not remaining - ‘lives in him’ in Christ.
• When we walk in our own strength;
• When we try to follow Jesus our way, we will fail!
• Ill: John chapter 15 Jesus said;
• “Without me you can do NOTHING!”
• We sin when we try to live for Christ in our own strength;
• We are accidents waiting to happen.
• But if we remain in him ‘lives in him’;
• We can know his help and strength and gain the victory!
• Quote: “The day that starts with prayer ends in praise”
• “The day that starts without prayer, ends in confession”.
(4). Whence sin comes (verse 8a).
“He who does what is sinful is of the devil,
because the devil has been sinning from the beginning”.
• Sin comes from the devil:
• It is his very nature he can do nothing but sin.
• We sin for the pleasure we think it will bring us.
• But the devil sins as a matter of principle – it is his very nature.
Now the New Testament does not try and explain the devil and his origin:
• But it clearly teaches about him,
• And warns Christians of him.
• Jesus warned that we serve one of two masters God or the devil.
• To sin is to obey the wrong master.
(5). When sin was conquered (verse 8b).
“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work”.
• Sin is conquered because Jesus Christ went to the cross;
• And there he destroyed the works of the devil.
Ill:
Luke chapter 11 verses 14-23.
• Jesus compares this world to a palace that contains many valuable goods.
• A strong man is guarding this palace
• Satan is the strong man,
• And his "goods" are lost men and women.
• The only way to release the "goods" is to bind the strong man,
• And that is just what Jesus did on the cross.
• In coming to earth, Jesus invaded Satan's "palace."
• When He died, He broke Satan's power and captured his goods!
• Each time a lost sinner is won to Christ,
• More of Satan's "spoils" are taken from him.
Christ appeared to destroy the works of the devil:
• "Destroy" (1 John 3:8) does not mean "annihilate."
• Satan is certainly still at work today!
• "Destroy," here, means "to render inoperative, to rob of power."
• Satan has not been annihilated,
• But his power has been reduced and his weapons have been impaired.
• He is still a mighty foe, but he is no match for the power of God.
Counterfeit Christians were trying to convince true believers:
• That a person could be "saved" and still practice sin.
• John does not deny that Christians sin, but he does deny that Christians can live in sin.
• A person who can enjoy deliberate sin and who does not feel convicted;
• Ought to examine themselves to see whether or not they are really born of God.
Now after a person has become a child of God, a true Christian:
• He or she has no desire to want to go on practicing rebellion, lawlessness!
• They become aware that it was that life-style that caused Jesus Christ to be crucified!
(3) God the Holy Spirit Lives in Us (vs 9-10).
“No-one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.”
(1). New nature (verse 9).
The true Christian will not continue in sin because God's seed remains in him;
• That is he or she has a new nature.
• God has given us his Holy Spirit.
• That new nature cannot sin.
• John calls this new nature God's "seed."
Ill:
• St Augustine when on one occasion was being tempted to sin.
• As he battled with the temptation he was heard to say;
• “Thou fool! Doest thou not know, thou art carrying God in thy body!”
• This awareness helped him gain the victory.
• God has given us his Holy Spirit.
• Whose number one job is to make us Holy.
Ill:
Holiness preacher.
Ill:
• Just as physical children bear the nature of their parents;
• So God's spiritual children bear His nature. The divine "seed" is in them.
• A Christian has an old nature from his physical birth
• And a new nature from his spiritual birth.
• The old nature produces sin,
• But the new nature leads one into a holy life.
• A Christian's responsibility is to live according to his new nature,
• Not the old nature.
(2). New Power (verse 9):
“Because God's seed remains in him;
he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.”
Ill:
A converted Indian explained,
• "I have two dogs living in me-a mean dog and a good dog. They are always fighting.
• The mean dog wants me to do bad things,
• And the good dog wants me to do good things.
• Do you want to know which dog wins? The one I feed the most!"
As Christians:
• We must not feed the old nature with sinful opportunities etc.
• Instead we need to feed the new nature from the Word of God.
Ill:
• A Sunday School teacher was explaining the Christian's two natures;
• The old and the new-to a class of teen-agers.
• He had the class turn and read 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 45:
• Which talks about two Adams.
• He explained to them, "Our old nature came from the first man God created Adam,"
• "And our new nature comes from Christ, who is called 'the last Adam.' "
• "This means there are two 'Adams' living in every Christian,"
• So said the teacher: "What is the practical value of this truth?"
The class was silent' for a moment, and then a student spoke up:
• "This idea of the 'two Adams' really helps me in fighting temptation," he said.
• "When temptation comes knocking at my door,
• if I send the first Adam to answer, I'll sin.
• But if I send the last Adam, I'll get victory."
A true believer does not practice sin;
• A counterfeit believer cannot help but practice sin,
• Because he does not have God's new nature within him.
(3). New desires (verse 10).
This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.”
• Love for God.
• Love for others!
