Series: 1 John
Week: Seven
Passage: 1 John 2:12-14
Title: The Three Beautiful Stages of Christianity
Focus: Christian Living
Last Week in Review
Week 5 – PRINCIPLES (Knowing God – Part 1): (1) Keep His Commandments (2) Keep His Word (Conclusion) Walk Like Jesus.
Week 6 – PRINCIPLES (Knowing God – Part 2): (1) Greatest Commandment (2) Genuinely Love (3) Not be a Stumbling Block
TITLE: The Three Beautiful Stages of Christianity (1 John 2:12-14)
INTRODUCTION:
There may have been a misunderstanding when the original audience read the letter from John as it would seem that he was unhappy with the Christians because of all the warnings listed in the previous verses. However, John writes to show the people the spiritual resources that they were equipped with. Verse 12 is an introduction as John uses two different words that are translated “children”. The first is “Teknion” which is used only by John in the NT and ALWAYS refers to the entire assembly of believers. The second is a more generic “paidia” which could refer to spiritual children.
SCRIPTURE: “I am writing to you, little children (the assembly), because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. 13I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. 14I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” 1 John 2:12-14
OPENING NOTE: There are claims that the passages examined are John’s attempt to divide his readers by sequential age groups. However, other theologians have suggested this sequence is done based on spiritual maturity. For this message we will venture to teach on what is obvious; there are three group: “little children” (teknia), “fathers” (pateres), and “young people” (neaniskoi) and, and in exegetical bible study take these groups at John’s spiritual connotations. I.e. The first group (children) are new converts to the faith, the second group (fathers) are those who were spiritually mature, and the last group (young people) are those who were making progress toward maturity. This is not only in order of the text but also lines up with John’s other teachings in various other books (John’s Gospel, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Revelation).
TITLE: The Three Beautiful Stages of Christianity (1 John 2:12-14)
#1: Those New to the Faith (1 John 2:13b and 14)
• Explanation: Verse 14 lays the groundwork for the “beginners” in the faith. John says, “your sins have been forgiven and so you have come to know the father.” John assurance leads us to venture that these “little children” had come to the faith and were in need of some spiritual affirmation. To understand this assurance one must understand how God views those who are young in the faith in relation to parents. Since He (God) is our heavenly father we learn about how those who are young in the faith should act when entering into a relationship of fellowship with Jesus.
o They must OBEY Their Parents (Exodus 20:11 “Your days will be long in the land God has given you if you do.” Colossians 3:20 “This PLEASES the Lord”)
o They must FOLLOW God (Deut. 6:6-7 “Be taught diligently proper habits and disciplines”)
o They should KNOW they are Children of God (John 1:12 “the RIGHT to become children of God”)
• Illustration: New believers need to learn early to get into God's Word/have a mentor/small group/etc that can help come along side them so they can learn what this looks like when it's happening. We have that at CGC! Even as mature believers, the help of having other mature believers that are watching out for us and helping us see the discipline and/or testing when it is happening is always helpful!
• Application: John affirms that the letter is written so that those young in the faith will know through the letter that his or her sins are forgiven because of Christ’s sake. How do we learn from those young in the faith who are eager to do the work of the Lord and acknowledge all God has to offer.
o Obey like a child! (“Continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:14-15)
o Follow God in discipline (“Do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” Psalm 3:11-12
o Have the Knowledge that HE is THERE! (“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 “YOU KNOW the FATHER” 1 John 2:13b)
#2: Those that are Spiritually Mature (1 John 2:13a and 14b)
• Explanation: John next addresses those “fathers” who are spiritually mature in the faith. A “father” refers to one
deserving of respect and responsibility – a title of honor. “To appeal to Christians as fathers was to evoke their sense of responsibility and their humble yet lofty privilege under the Father par excellent” (Robert W. Yarbrough) A father is not a new convert or one that has been in the faith for a short time but this is one who has chosen to accept responsibility of leading others. Father’s were called to take care of and look after those around and beneath themselves. What do we learn from the spiritual fathers?
o APPOINTED to LEAD (Joseph was made a “father” to Pharaoh – Genesis 45:8. Job was a “father” to the needy – Job 29:16.)
o APPOINTED to DEAL (Paul became a “father” through the gospel [the only way] to deal with those wild baby Christians – 1 Thess. 2:11)
• Illustration: This is a great challenge for those that are mature that needed a break this summer, that we need them back in the fall to teach/lead! No more waiting to see, time to get going for a great fall! Many new needs we have with a church that is going with young believers (both children, youth, adult)!
• Application: Twice John says the same thing to the “fathers’ that they have “known from the beginning” which means that they should know better than to know use there spiritual maturity to lead the church. John has already pointed out false knowledge (2:4) and now commends sound theological and personal knowledge of GOD. The mark of maturity in the Christian community is a right understand of the persons and works of God the Father and Jesus the Son (as John seems to speak of the two in interchangeable terms) If these leaders in the church were failing to fulfill their spiritual duty the whole church suffered. They have truly experienced fellowship with God! What’s the hold up? What happens if those mature in the faith don’t lead?
o The flock is UNPROTECTED: “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:17
o The flock is not FEED: "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God" Acts 20:27
o The flock is not LED: “Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight.” 1 Peter 5:2a
#3: Those That are Making Progress Toward Maturity (1 John 2:13b and 14b)
• Explanation: John lastly addresses those “young men” who are progressing toward maturity in the faith. These are those individuals who are not children in the Lord and not experienced but fall somewhere in-between. John declares that the young men who are striving to continue in the faith. What do we learn from these “young men”?
o Be FULL of GROWTH: “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible].” Psalm 92:12
o Be FULL of STREGTH: “God equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” Psalm 18:32-34
o WORD of GOD LIVES INSIDE: “You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:17
• Illustration: This is a great challenge to make sure you are not just surrounding yourself with those that are like you, but the importance of including the generations before you to learn and grow from.
o "When you are young, you think you know so much more that you really do. When you are old, you realize how much you still do not know."
This saying challenges me to make sure I have others older than me around me so that I am a life long learner.
• Application: When there is a striving to grow and be strong in the Lord, the Word of God is more powerful than ever. With this weapon at a “young man’s” disposal there is a generation of great faith which has the ability to overcome he evil one.
CONCLUSION: If we were to conclude anything on the passage one would see how the true family of God works together to accomplish the purposes of the Lord. The “children” are ushered into the family, learning from the “fathers” who give guidance for how to grow and mature in the proper ways. With the “children” becoming stronger and getting older there is a change from “children” to “young men” who are full of faith and have the drive to fight on the front lines of the battlefield against the devil. The “young men” learn from the “fathers” who fought long ago, gaining from their wisdom while accomplishing the victory in the war for the advancement of the kingdom of God. What a beautiful picture of the church, God’s beautiful bride and mighty warrior!
