TEXT: 1st John 2:12-14
TITLE: Little Children, Young Men, Fathers
SERIES: Letters from John
TOPIC: Spiritual growth
OCCASION: Burnside Christian Church, Jan 15, 2011
PROP.: John describes three levels of Spiritual maturity and makes note that his letter is for everyone!
INTRODUCTION: Good morning! Today’s text is 1st John 2:12-14.
Once again, we are studying Letters from John.
And the reason we’ve called this series “Letters From John” is because we are studying letters written by John. There’s just something about letters, isn’t there? Very few things are as comforting and meaningful as a handwritten letter. ESPECIALLY in today’s culture. There are so many ways to communicate that are easier, faster and simpler. Text Messages. Email. Phone call. So to receive a personal letter must mean that there is something special that the sender of the letter had in mind!
Well the same thing could be said of John in his day. There wasn’t a postal service. Pen and paper weren’t in great supply. So for John to take the time and expense to WRITE a letter and to have someone take the letter and deliver the letter…there must be a special reason the writer had in mind when he wrote. And that’s exactly right!
John was writing this letter…this sermon…to be shared among the church throughout Asia minor. John’s desire for Christians scattered all through these churches is for them to be growing…maturing…obeying Christ! The Christ that John saw with his own eyes, touched with his own hands and followed the majority of his life. Now John is over 80 years old…and still his message is the same to those who seek to be Christians -- Know Him. Follow Him…Jesus!
Let’s read our text this morning. 1st John 2:12-14
12 I write to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
13 I write to you, fathers,
because you have known him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, dear children,
because you have known the Father.
14 I write to you, fathers,
because you have known him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.
T.S.: John addresses three groups of people. And with these three groups of people, they are at different levels. Spiritually speaking. He’s not speaking of how many years they’ve been alive; he is speaking about how ’grown up’ they are in regards to their spiritual life.
First John addresses:
I. Little Children - (vs. 12, 13)
Two times in our text, John addresses LITTLE CHILDREN. John often times, addresses his readers as “Children”. That’s nothing new..
(A. John compares his physical age to that of his readers )
In those instances, I believe John is referencing his age as compared to the age of those he is writing to. John is a man in his 80’s and so he is expressing both the relationship of age as compared to those he addresses
but also…
B. John describes the love He has for them
It is true they are his brothers and sisters through Jesus Christ, but John loves and cares for the readers of these letters as a father cares for his children. Much like Paul calls Timothy his Son. There’s a special relationship that exists.
But in our text this morning, John is now addressing “Little Children” Who are these little children? The word used here is different than the word used throughout his letters. This word literally means infant. A small child!
These are those who are new to the faith. John is clearly talking about those who are new Christians! Those who aren’t grown up by any means! And notice what John says is required to become a child in the faith puts it quite plainly. Look at it again in verses 12 & 13
Vs. 12: “I write to you little children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name.”
Vs. 13: “I write to you little children, because you have known the father.”
There are Two requirements to be considered a Child of God: You must have your sins forgiven; you must know the Father.
1. You have your sins forgiven on account of His name
It is impossible to be a Christian without having your sins dealt with! This is the message of the cross of Jesus Christ. And there are too many people in the world who desire to have God’s grace without understanding and accepting the cross of His son Jesus. So how do I have my sins forgiven? How do I connect with Christ’s death on the cross?
The answer to both of those question is the same: You become baptized.
It’s baptism where your sins are forgiven!
Acts 2:38, 39 - 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Romans 6:1-5 - it’s at baptism that you are united with Christ’s death!
1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.
Did you catch verse 5? “IF we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in His resurrection.” What if we haven’t been united with him like this in his death? Well…you will not be united with Him in His resurrection! It’s when a person is baptized that they are united with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.
Well, we’ve talked about having your sins dealt with on account of His name. The second requirement John gives to be considered a Child of God is:
2. You must know the Father. It’s right there in verse 13. Vs. 13: “I write to you little children, because you have known the father.”
The word know in the Greek means : “to perceive, observe, obtain a knowledge of or insight into. It denotes a personal and true relation between the person knowing and object known; to be influenced by one’s knowledge of the object.
Let me ask you a question: Can a new born baby know God the father? No! Interesting here that John rules out babies becoming Christians. It MUST be their choice. They have to know God. And based on what I know of new born babies - they don’t know much of anything!
Anyway, this is the first level of the Christian. An infant in regards to faith, service and love. Who here remembers their childhood? “Oh to be a kid again!” For many it is such an incredible time - often so carefree - Children are often oblivious to what is going on around them - just taking in the moment!
Isn’t that how it was when we first came to Christ? We had just entered into this new relationship - the weight and burden of our sins were lifted - not a care in this world!
But then it happens. We start to begin our walk with Christ - we start to grow in our understanding, and things get a little tougher.
We find out that - though God forgave our sins and brought us into His family, we still struggle with our flesh and find ourselves falling in to old habits and temptations. We realize that there is more to this thing called “being a Christian than we first understood“. It is about making Jesus LORD of our lives - every part of our lives. EVERY part of our lives.
And sadly, this is where many believers become stuck. They remain infants. They are Christians. But they are not growing. They are not changing.
Some questions to consider to see if you are still an infant:
1. Could I lead someone to Christ?
2. Am I willing and able to pray when called upon?
3. Could I teach the Bible to kids?
Hebrews 5:12
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!
Does that describe you?
You see, it’s fine to be a little child. We all have been a little child at some point in our walk. You have to start off somewhere! But if you’ve been a Christian for several years and you don’t look any different today than you did 20 years ago -- then we have a problem! You’ve been called to WALK AS JESUS WALKED!
So that’s the first level of Spiritual maturity…infants in the faith.
Second, John addresses:
II. Fathers -
He says in verses: 13 & 14 the exact same phrase: 13 I write to you, fathers,
because you have known him who is from the beginning.
This is a high level of Spiritual maturity. It isn’t the highest. But it’s a high level of Spiritual maturity! And it makes sense that John refers to this group as fathers. Think about what it is your father has done for you:
A. Fathers - teach
My dad taught me how to drive a stick shift; how to tie a neck tie; My father taught me a lot of things to help make life easier for me. In the same way, those who are Spiritually mature…the fathers in the Church…should be teaching those around them Spiritual truths!
B. Fathers provide
My dad took care of my needs. I never went hungry. I never went without shelter. My father met my needs. All of them. And in the same way, when needs come up in the church - those who are ‘fathers spiritually’ should step up and meet those needs. They are serving brothers and sisters for the sake of Christ! Providing for the needs of others.
C. Fathers love
My father showed love. Even in times of discipline, I knew my dad loved me! In fact, he disciplined BECAUSE he loved me! And again, those who are more Spiritually mature should show love. Not always easy. But show love to those in the church even if that means you say some things that need to be said. You do that because you love.
It makes sense that those who are teaching, providing, and loving are considered pretty Spiritually mature! These are the marks of a person who has a deep, meaningful relationship with God!
I mean, the reason you teach, the reason you provide, the reason you love is because of God! You recognize what it is God has done for you, and your response is: “I’m gonna live my life for you! Where you want me to go, I will go. What you are calling me to do, I will do. How you want me to serve, I will serve.” These are the marks of a spiritually mature person!
And finally, Paul addresses Young men.
III. Young Men -
The latter part of Verse 13 reads: “I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.”
The young men that are being addressed refers to the most Spiritually mature people in the church! Because in this text, the middle aged Christian is in HIS PRIME! Young men full of vigor and enthusiasm. Young men who are moving ahead. And notice what John says of these young men in verse 14.
“I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.”
These are the Christians who are living life radically for Jesus Christ. These are the Christians who are choosing to live life in the narrow road. And notice what John says about those who live on the narrow road…the Young Men…They are strong…God’s word lives in them. And because those two things are true about them, they have overcome the evil one!
This should be the goal of each Christian. To become a strong Christian. One who is able to overcome the evil one. But to do that, we need to look and act differently than the rest of the world. We must choose to walk as Jesus walked.
ILLUSTRATION: I want to show you a video to conclude this morning’s message. It comes from a very good preacher and author by the name of Francis Chan.
IN THIS VIDEO I AM GOING TO SHOW YOU, FRANCIS CHALLENGES US TO WALK AS JESUS WALKED. To live a radical life for Him.
FRANCIS CHAN YOUTUBE VIDEO: The New Middle Road.
CONCLUSION: And the question I want to leave you with this morning is: Where are you at? Are you growing? Maturing? Are you looking more and more like Jesus Christ? Let’s press on together towards Spiritual maturity!
We come now to our time of decision. And if you were here last week, I threw out a challenge. A challenge to put your faith into action. If you claim you’re a Christian - then it’s time we start living like Jesus Christ! John put it very plainly in 1st John 2:3;6
3 “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.”
6 “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”
John is giving us a call to maturity! To grow up!
So today, maybe you came prepared to get rid of some things. Books, movies, Cds; clothes…things that are not honoring Christ. Things that, as a Christian, you have no business owning them.
As we sing our hymn of decision, won’t you come and lay those things at the foot of the cross.
And as you come forward, I want you to imagine that no one else is in the room. You’re not doing this for show. You’re not doing this to impress people. You’re doing this because you want to walk closer with Christ! Won’t you come as we stand and sing two verses…
