In verses 18-19:
• John is writing to warn of antichrists.
• Not just the antichrist after the rapture. but of false teachers then and now.
• These are people that profess to be Christians, supposedly teaching the Bible, but are actually giving false words.
• Study the scriptures so that we can know if who is before us is speaking truth.
• False teachers we out from us, yet they were not of us.
• They came into the church, brought false teachings and tried to take others away.
• They brought disharmony and disunity and used the church as a social club.
• Is the church a place to be seen, to see others, a place to network?
• Are we members of the Church of Casual Christianity? (I'm Dr. so-so, Mr. High & Mighty, we're the Uppity family, etc)
• "Let me tell you how I do for the church"
• "This is how I run things around here"
• No mention of what God does
• God should be in control of the church and church service
In verses 20-21:
• The Holy Spirit enables us to discern the false teachers
• We should be allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell and work through us
• Allowing the Holy Spirit to move brings harmony and puts us in one accord
• Matthew 7:15 - beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves
• They come looking like Christians, but the True Spirit is not in them
• A tree is known for the fruit it bears
• The Holy Spirit will enable us to differentiate
In verses 22-23:
• Everyone should know the basics
• God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit
• Jesus came to earth, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified and died, buried in a borrowed tomb, rose from the grave three days later, ascended unto Heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father, will return one day to take believers to glory
• Some will try to change that, say that there's another way, but they are false
• Doesn't matter what letters are behind their names, what school of theology or seminary they attended
• True believers must have attended KNEEOLOGY school, where they bowed on their knees and cried unto God 'Have mercy upon me, a retched sinner'
In verses 24-29:
• When we accepted Christ as our Savior, we had to have Heard the basic Gospel message preached, and that seed was planted
• Therefore, we know of the Truth for it should abide in us.
• We're to hold on to that truth and share it with others
• If someone tries to tell something different, go back to the basics, back to the beginning
• 'Something doesn't sound right, not like what I've heard before'
• The truth that abides in us is the Word, Jesus is the Word, therefore, Jesus abides in us
• How are we to know if what the preacher/teacher is presenting is correct? Look It Up
• False teachers are out to change you, to stop you from abiding in the Holy Spirit. Satan uses the false teachers to trick us
• Be equipped to stand against the devil
• Follow the Holy Spirit, seek God's guidance
• To know the truth better means to get in the Book
• God will reveal the answers to the questions that we may not understand
• Pay attention to the Holy Spirit, listen to the Holy Spirit as it speaks
• Heed the Word, read the Word
