Revelation 1:18
“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”

The final book of the Bible is aptly called Revelation, for it is a compilation of things that were revealed to John while banished to the Island of Patmos. In it, we will be given key insights into the future, but before the future is described, John takes time to describe Jesus. Instead of seeing the humble carpenter, meek and mild, John describes King Jesus in all His splendor and glory and refers to Him as “the ruler of the kings of the earth.” As ruler, Jesus declares He holds in His hands the keys to hell and death. As I read this, I have to ask, why would Jesus unlock the door to hell?

We have all seen the images of satan as the king of Hell, ruling over the fiery underworld. That image is not found anywhere in the Bible, but is taken from Greek mythology where Hades, the brother of Zeus, rules as a tyrant over the dead. The Bible paints an entirely different picture. Satan is not the king of Hell, but will be the chief prisoner. After all the havoc he has caused upon the earth, he will one day be bound and cast into the lake of fire. There he will forever pay for his rebellion against God, and the destruction he has caused mankind. The key in the hand of Jesus is used to unlock the door of hell to imprison the devil and his cohorts.

There is another reason why Jesus holds this key. The Bible teaches that, prior to coming to Christ, we are held captive to sin. Like a prisoner of war held behind enemy lines, we are bound in our sin and have no way of escape. Jesus holds the key; the way of escape out of sin and it’s penalty. Whenever, whoever, and wherever we are, when we call upon Christ, we are set free from sin, death and judgment, and given the free gift of eternal life. Jesus is the one who unlocks the door and sets us free.

Whatever sin may have its grip on you, if you cry out to Christ, He will set you free.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Revelation 1

1. Notice that in verse 1, that this book is not about revelations (plural), but rather is about a Revelation. Who is this revelation of? 
2. There is a special blessing attached to this book. Note in verse 3 what we must do to receive this blessing. 
3. John sends grace and peace from God the Father and from Jesus to the churches. What things do verses 4-6 teach us about Jesus and His Father? Notice especially the reason that Jesus washed us from our sin with his own shed blood. 
4. In verse 1 we read that the events in this book “must shortly take place”. In verse 3, John states that “the time is near”. In verse 7 we find out what this soon, near event is. What is it? Will this world in general be happy about it? 
5. Look at verse 9. John was on the isle of Patmos (a Roman prison island) when he received this revelation. Why was he in prison according to this verse? 
6. Note the phrase “the first and the last” in verses 8, 11, 17-18. Now look up Isaiah 44:6. This is clearly a phrase that is used of God Almighty. However, in verses 17-18 it is ascribed to one “who was dead but is alive forevermore.” This is one of the clear statements of Scripture that Jesus is God.
7. John walked with Jesus and knew Him well. He was part of Jesus’ even inner circle of three (also including Peter and James). He even saw Jesus at the mount of transfiguration when He shone like the sun. However, look at verses 12-16 for a description of Jesus at His Revelation to John. 
8. How does John respond to this new understanding of Jesus as God Almighty? How does Jesus respond to him? 
9. There is a built in outline to the book of Revelation in verse 19. What are the three sections of this book? 
10. There is symbolism is this book, but much of the book is not symbolic and can simply be taken at face value. Additionally some of the symbolism of this book is explained and revealed to us. Look at verse 20. What is the meaning of the seven stars and the seven lampstands? 

Old Testament:
Ezekiel 13- Words
Ezekiel 14- He Wants Your Heart

Jude 4
“For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Jude warns of those who turn grace into lewdness. The word lewd is somewhat outdated, but refers to something vulgar or obscene, especially that which is sexually immoral. Jude is referring to those who think the grace of God allows for behavior which is clearly forbidden in the Word of God. It is important to remember,  grace does not excuse sin, but provides forgiveness when we fail.

Years ago, I heard a politician say how pleased he was with the states that voted for same sex marriage. His rationale held, since God created all of us, we should all have the same rights and privileges. I think this is a good example of forgetting that the grace of God does not condone sinful behavior. Sexual sin, whether it is homosexuality, marital infidelity, or premarital sex, is all clearly forbidden in the Word of God. To suggest that grace somehow overshadows the clear directives of God’s Word, is to misunderstand grace. Instead of releasing us to live however we want, grace provides a way for us to be forgiven and restored, no matter how we have failed. Perhaps you are married, and have been unfaithful to your spouse, grace does not excuse your behavior, but screams out that you can be forgiven, and your marriage restored. Perhaps you are a young person who has been drawn into the homosexual lifestyle. Grace calls out to you, that you can have your sins forgiven and be restored to relationship with God.

Instead of looking at grace as a license to misbehave, we should see it as an expression of God’s love. It is His desires that we spend eternity with Him. Let’s not cheapen His grace, but rejoice that He would pardon sinners.

Pastor Jim

The book of Jude is a rich little epistle with a message to Christians everywhere to be aware of false teachers and to contend earnestly for the faith. As a Christian you have been entrusted with God’s Word and the gift of eternal life. There are many people seeking to deceive and destroy those that are not aware. Jude wants us to recognize the dangers of false teaching. Here he is writing against the godless teachers who were saying Christians could do as they please without fear of God’s punishment. In the world today there are more heretics and apostates than ever before which makes this epistle relevant and necessary. This is Jude’s warning against living a nominal Christian life. 

1. Notice in verse 1, Jude introduces himself the same way his brother James did: As a bondservant. Both James and Jude did not build upon their special relationship with their half-brother Jesus Christ, and didn’t elevate themselves because of that relationship. 

2. Jude is writing to those who are called, those who have responded to the call of God, those that are sanctified, beloved by God the Father and preserved in Jesus. Jude begins this epistle with assurance. We all have been called, but not all have responded. Have you responded to the gift of salvation? The keeping power of the Lord awaits you. 

3. Verse 2 is a salutation of mercy, peace, and love; we need all three. Notice God’s mathematics; He’s not adding but multiplying. God wants these things for us in abundance. Are you doing all you can to bless others by multiplying mercy, peace and love? 

4. Verses 3 & 4 tell us that Jude had begun a letter to the beloved to encourage them in their common salvation. He felt it necessary to set them back on the right track which was calling them back to the basics of their faith. As Jude puts it, “exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith.” According to verse 4, what did Jude hear about that caused him to start a new letter? 

5. In our culture today we have false teachers that have crept in unnoticed. They are twisting the Bible’s teachings to justify their own opinions, lifestyles, and behaviors. If we refuse to learn correct doctrine we are susceptible to false teaching because we are not fully grounded in God’s truth. When we are fully grounded it will show up in how we act and the deep respect we have for God, and the sincere desire to live according to His Word. Are you diligently seeking to grow in the truth of God’s Word? Have you ever recognized false doctrine and had to contend earnestly for your faith? 

6. In verses 5-7 Jude gives us three examples of rebellion and how God dealt with each of them. These examples are here to show us that if God punishes the chosen, how much more would these false teachers be severely judged? What are the three examples of rebellion? 

7. Verse 7 talks about those that do not believe. There are those today that believe that God will not sentence anyone to eternal fire for rejecting Him. The Lord Jesus clearly teaches this in Matthew’s Gospel 25:46. The warning that Jude gives is to all that rebel or refuse the only way, truth, and the life of salvation. Do you know people that believe this false doctrine? Are you contending earnestly for the faith? 

8. There are certain attitudes that are typical of false teachers. These attitudes are selfishness, pride, greed, and power (to name a few). In verse 11 Jude gives us three examples of men who did whatever they wanted. Who are they? Study each of them and determine how they disregarded the will of God.  

9. Verse 21 says “keep yourselves in the love of God.” Jude is telling us that we are to keep ourselves in a place of blessing so God can do the things He wants to do for us. When we realize that Jesus is coming soon, the grip of the world is loosened on us. It does things to our heart. It…. 
• Makes you want to reach for heaven. 
• Makes you want to purify yourself. 
• Causes you to change priorities. 
• Urges you to share the gospel to a world that is dying. 
Are you keeping yourself in the love of God or are you still clinging to the world and living in the wilderness? 

10. In verses 24 & 25 Jude ends his epistle with praise by giving glory to God. Back in verse 1 Jude wrote to those who are called, sanctified, and preserved in Jesus Christ. Here in verse 24 the word keep takes on the same idea as preserved. If we remain faithful even though there is an abundance of false teaching around us, God who is able to keep us from stumbling, will bring us into His presence and give us everlasting joy. According to verse 24, what will be our ultimate condition when we finally see the Lord Jesus Christ face to face? Grace and Peace to You. 

Old Testament:
Ezekiel 11- Little Sanctuary
Ezekiel 12- Rebellious

3 John 4
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

There are many things that fill us with joy. Some of them are quite simple, like seeing a rainbow, or when our team wins. Others are much deeper, like our wedding day, or the birth of a child. John lived a long life and, no doubt, had his share of experiences that produced joy, making his statement here all the more valuable. He states, of all the things that have brought a smile to his face, nothing can compare to knowing his children are walking with the Lord.

As parents, we desire what is best for our children. It is natural for us to want them to have what we have, and more. We want them to have a happy childhood, get a good education, and make healthy choices as adults. While it is natural for us to want our children to succeed in life, making a decision to follow Christ, is the most important goal.

If we want to see our children walking with the Lord, we cannot leave it in the realm of the desire. Passing on Biblical values and a Christian witness, must be our chief priority. However, each individual must make his own decision for the Lord. Even the best parents have children that walk away from the Lord (Adam and Eve backslid, as did the Prodigal Son). That being said, there are things we can do to increase the odds, and provide an atmosphere which is more likely to produce godly children. Below is a list of ideas that should be demonstrated in our homes.

1. A godly example – Children learn more by what they see, than what they are told.

2. A healthy marriage – One of the best things you can do for the spiritual health of your children is to invest in your spouse.

3. Daily devotions – First, you need to have them yourself. The more you grow in the Lord, the better you will be at instilling godliness in others. Second, find a way to share the things of God with your children. Read the Gospel stories to them before bed.

4. Church attendance – God designed the church as a place for us to grow in Christ. Get the children plugged into age appropriate classes at church. They might not enjoy sitting next to you in service, but will love being in class with other children.

5. Serve the Lord as a family – Don’t force the children to do what they hate. Find an area of service they will enjoy, and commit to serving as a family.

I understand there are some parents who are grieving because, even after all their efforts, their child has chosen to walk away from the Lord. Do not live under condemnation for all the things you think you did wrong. Instead, receive the forgiveness that Jesus provides, and PRAY DAILY for your child. God is in the business of reconciliation, and He loves our children more than we can ever imagine.

Proverbs 22:6

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Pastor Jim

Questions for 3 John 1 
1. John says that this man has witnesses of his love towards brethren and strangers. Is your love towards other being seen by others? That Jesus may be glorified through your love towards others? 

2. Verse 11 reminds us to imitate good instead of evil. Are the things we talk about, and dwell in things that are good or evil? Are we focused on Jesus or other things? Make sure that Jesus is what you are imitating and now the things of this world. 

Old Testament:
Ezekiel 9- Saved
Ezekiel 10- Departing

2 John 1:6
“This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.”

Scripture teaches, the most important of all graces is love. Jesus said it was the first of the commandments, the proof of our relationship with Him, and our most effective witnessing tool. Paul defined love in first Corinthians 13, and declared that love will outlast time. In our world, love is a very common subject, admittedly difficult to define. I think it is important we keep in mind, while the chief thing is love, the chief love, is love for God. John helps us to understand what love for God actually looks like.

“This is love, that we walk according to His commandments.”

Simply put, if we love God we will do what He says. This is not something John made up because it sounded good in a letter, but was a lesson he had learned from Jesus.

John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

John 15:10 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”

The truest evidence of love is obedience. Sadly, we all know those who claim to have a passionate love for Christ, yet have no desire to do the things that please Him. That is the height of inconsistency. Love will always evidence itself by seeking to please the one loved. When my children were little, I would take them out to shop for birthday presents for their mother. They always ended up in the toy section and wanted to purchase her some sort of action hero. Because of their immaturity, they could only think of what would make them happy. As they have grown, I no longer make them buy gifts for mom, they choose to go out on their own, and purchase things that they know she will enjoy. In fact, it has become hard to outdo them, because they love their mom so much and want to give what will please her most.

What pleases God, is not great sacrifice, as much as simple obedience. When we read the Bible and do what it says, we are expressing a love much greater than ONLY singing praises, or declaring empty words.

1 Samuel 15:22 “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice…”

Pastor Jim

Questions for 2 John 1 
1. John notes to the fact that this woman’s children have grown up in the things of the Lord and that her kids continue to walk. What a beautiful thing to see children grow up and continue their walk with God. What is the most important thing, in John’s opinion, that helps to have kids continue their walk? 

2. John then warns of people teaching false doctrines. The false doctrine that runs ramped in our society today is the idea of “Coexist.” This is the idea that all roads lead to heaven. We need to make sure that we stand fast in the truth that Jesus is the only way to heaven. How can we best stay away from these false teachings? 

Old Testament:
Ezekiel 7- Time’s Up
Ezekiel 8- Secrets

1 John 5:16
“If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that.”

Prayer is a critical part of our relationship with God. It is the means by which we are involved in the work of God on earth. Scripture reveals the things God desires to do when we join in prayer; as a result we get to see God work. There are many texts in Scripture making it clear that when we fail to pray, we fail to experience the works of God. Perhaps the most well-known is when James declares, “You have not because you ask not.” (James 4:2c) Because of the importance of prayer, as it relates to the work of God, John instructs us on how to pray. Verse 14 tells us what to pray for,

1 John 5:14 “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

The purpose of prayer is to get the will of God accomplished. When we look into the Word of God we will see the things that are important to God. When we ask Him to accomplish those things, we will begin to see our prayers answered. We know the salvation of our loved ones is on the top of God’s list, so we should put them on the top of list, and be praying for them regularly.

In verse 16, John addresses things that we should not pray for. He refers to them as the sins that lead to death. Sometimes, I wish there were a few more verses in Scripture. I wish John would have added a sentence or two explaining exactly what he meant. Since he did not, we are left to do a little digging on our own. What does the Bible say we should not pray about? I think the clear answer is, we should not pray about the things God has told us not to do. When my children were little, they would often ask for something, and not receive the answer for which they were hoping. Instead of accepting the answer they received, they would continue to ask, and at times even plead, beg, or ask with fervency. Their continued asking, after they had been told NO, did not change our minds, it only got them into trouble. In the same way, there are things God, because of His love for us, forbids us to have, or be involved in, and it is wrong for the Christian to ask for those things.

While all that is true, it is clearly not what John is talking about here. He is talking about those times when a friend gets involved in sin, and how we should respond to him. He tells us, if his sin is a deadly one, don’t pray about it. That is, if his sin is so dangerous, and able to destroy them, or their relationship with the Lord, don’t pray. Since I am not sure exactly what John means, I think the best application for the text is, instead of standing back waiting to decide what God wants me to do, I should take the advice of Paul who said, “. . .when a brother is overtaken in sin you who are spiritual restore him in a spirit of meekness. . .” (Galatians 6:1) Rather than letting our loved ones continue down a road that is taking them away from the Lord, we should step in, and do all we can to get them back on track. We already know God loves them, and He wants to restore them, the only question is, how we can help?

Pastor Jim

Questions for 1 John 5 
1. How are we born of God? Do you believe that? (v. 1) 

2. Sometimes the world seems to have its way with us. How do we overcome the world? 

3. Verse 6-8 it is a very difficult text to understand. It is one that Biblical scholars struggle with. If you’re interested in looking into it, David Guzik does a great job explaining it. http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?AuthorID=2&contentID=8099&commInfo=31&topic=1%20John

4. John ends this book and chapter with the exhortation to keep away from idols. His mention of idols is very subtle, but idols come into people lives very subtly. Is there anything in your life that has taken first priority over your relationship with Jesus? How should you deal with that? 

Old Testament:
Ezekiel 5- Powerful Delivery
Ezekiel 6-  Achilles’ Heel

1 John 4:10-11
“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

Love seems to be the most common subject of music, art, poetry and film. We have all heard songs with lyrics heralding the importance of love, or movies showing couples falling in love. Love has been romanticized, even idolized, yet rarely realized. It is here that the Apostle John, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gives us a description of true love.

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

True love is both illustrated and defined by the action of God sending His Son. Paul reminds us, it was while we were still sinners, God sent His Son to the cross to pay the penalty for our sins (Romans 5:8). John uses the word propitiation, which speaks of a blood sacrifice; the innocent for the guilty. Love is measured at the cross where Jesus willingly laid down His life for you and me. But the love of God does not stop there. It is the desire of God that His love continue to be demonstrated to the world through the actions of His children.

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

Since we are the beloved, we are to act like it, by seeking to express this love to each other.

1 John 4:20 “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?”

One of the best ways to express love for God, is to love others. This should be done in the home, by going out of our way, today, to show our spouse, children, parents, and siblings that we love them. Perhaps, even looking for extravagant ways to show off our love. After all, God expressed His love by going all out for us. Then this love should be expressed beyond the home. We should be looking for ways to love those around us. Jesus explained that His followers were to be different from the world in that the world loves those who are loving them. The Christian is to love all.

Matthew 5:46 “For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”

Make an effort today to share the love of Christ with those with whom you come in contact. The greatest expression of love is to tell someone the way to heaven.

Pastor Jim

Questions for 1 John 4 
1. In verse 3 John speaks of the Spirit of The Antichrist. This is not speaking of THE Antichrist that Revelation speaks of. The spirit of the Antichrist is anything that denies Jesus Christ as the only way to heaven. In our society today we see that very often. How do we stay firm in a world so opposed to the message of Jesus? 

2. John reminds us how important it is for the follower of Christ to be loving, because God is love. God showed that love by allowing His only son to die for us. In the light of the cross, how is your love towards others as a child of God? 

3. Another way that we can know that we are a child of God, the first being the love of God in us, is by the Holy Spirit. How you asked God to baptize you in His spirit? The Bible tells us that He will give us the spirit when we ask. Do you take advantage of that gift? 

Old Testament:
Ezekiel 3 – Watchman
Ezekiel 4- Visual Learner

1 John 3:23
“And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.”

Jesus simplified all of the commandments into two: love God and love others. John, in like manner, states the requirements of God are both simple and straight forward. He writes, God is commanding us to believe on Christ and love each other.

Belief is commanded because it is the requirement for entrance into heaven. When individuals look at the cross, they realize they are sinners, Christ is the Savior, they put their trust in Him, and are saved. The sins that once kept us from God are washed away in the blood of God, and our names are written on Heaven’s scroll. All the religious activities, social work, or random acts of kindness, are incapable of doing what simple faith in Christ accomplishes. If you are yet to put your trust in Christ, do so now, and watch as He transforms your life.

Love for one another is the chief evidence that we have truly believed in Christ. It is not the only evidence, but it is the greatest. After years of walking with the Lord, encountering others who have put their faith in Him, and lived lives transformed by Him, John concludes that more than anything else, a person who has met Christ should love others. That is not too difficult to comprehend when we examine the life of Christ, and see it was marked by a continual, even growing, love for others. We read that having loved His own, He loved them to the end. (John 13:1)

One of the greatest ways to testify to the reality of Christ, is to go out of your way to express love to others. As you go about your day, keep your eyes open as to how you might express the love of Christ to others in a needy world.

Pastor Jim

Questions for 1 John 3 
1. What was the love that the Father bestows that allows us to be children of God? 

2. Sometimes people question whether or not we will be recognizable once we pass from death to life. John doesn’t tell us exactly what we will be, but he does tell us something about us in verse 2. What will we be like? 

3. From verse 4-9 John talks about how the child of God does not sin. Although he says we will be without sin, we know that we still fall into sin. This sin he is talking about is the habitual sin that we get stuck in. The child of God should be free from this habitual sin. Is there any habitual sin in your life that you need to have God remove? Take it to the Lord. 

4. What is the difference between the child of God and the child of the Devil? 

5. John tells us we can have a guarantee that we are a child of God. He says that guarantee is the outworking of love in our life. The Christian is supposed to be loving. Are you being loving? Even to the people that seem impossible to love? How can you work on it? 

Old Testament:
Ezekiel 1 – Attention-Getters
Ezekiel 2 – Rebel without a Cause

1 John 2:1-2

“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”

One of the greatest benefits of reading the Bible is that the Word of God will keep us from sin. The famous evangelist, D.L. Moody said, “Sin will keep you from this book and this book will keep you from sin.” The Psalmist wrote, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). The Apostle explains one of the purposes of this letter is that we might not sin. In addition to the Word of God building us up spiritually, as we read through 1 John, we will discover valuable insights that will help us to sin less.

“And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

The problem remains, as long as we are in these bodies, we will still struggle with sin. We wake up determined to love God and be a godly witness, yet before too long, we have become upset at the children, distracted from the Lord or we have stumbled back into a sin of the past. Instead of being riddled with guilt, or overcome with fear that we will never outgrow our sin, we need to realize Jesus is our advocate; He sits at the right hand of God and intercedes on our behalf. John explains that His intercession is accepted because,

“He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”

The word ‘propitiation’ refers to the fact that Jesus gave Himself as a substitutionary sacrifice. Being without sin, He took our place on the cross; receiving the punishment for our sin. His blood works as a cleansing agent, removing the penalty and the guilt of sin. There ever remains a flow of mercy for our failures and sin. It is time we learn to accept the forgiveness offered to us and get back to pressing forward in our walk with the Lord. Solomon wrote,

Proverbs 24:16 “For a righteous man may fall seven times, And rise again”

For my cleansing this I see—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
For my pardon this my plea—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Nothing can my sin erase
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Robert Lowry)

Pastor Jim

Questions for 1 John 2 
1. John tells us his reason for writing: that we may not sin. But John knows that we are all sinners. What is his encouraging reminder that he gives us in verse 1 and 2? 

2. How is the love of God perfected in us? verse 5 

3. From verses 12-14 he lists three different types of “classifications” of believers. What state would you think you were in? How do you think you can “take it to the next level” in your relationship with the Lord? 

4. John gives a pretty radical picture of ALL that is in the world. When he puts it so clearly it is hard to see why we get sucked into the world. Yet we still get sucked in. Why do you think that is? 

Old Testament:
Lamentations 4- Valuable 
Lamentations 5 – Turn Back Time

1 John 1:5
“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.”

Light is used to illustrate holiness. John is declaring that God is perfectly holy and without sin. This creates a problem, since we are all sinners. In this text, John explains how sinful people can have a relationship with a holy God. In the opening verses of the chapter, he refers to Christ becoming a man and making fellowship with God possible. That was accomplished through the cross, where Jesus died as a substitute for us. The sinless, in place of the sinner, so we might be saved. John is now writing to the one who recognizes his sin, and begins to follow Christ.

1 John 1:6 “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.”

Coming to Christ involves more than raising your hand in response to a message, or walking forward at a church service. John declares, the one who has received Christ will have a life change. If we continue to live unchanged by the experience, then we have not truly experienced Christ. The Bible speaks of a young man who had an encounter with Christ, but was unwilling to truly commit to following Him. He walked away from the experience, unchanged and unsaved. We call him the rich young ruler (Luke 18:18-23).

1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin”

On the other hand, the one who has truly met Jesus, will begin to change the way he is living. Instead of choosing to invest in the things that lead away from Christ, he will take steps toward growing in Christ. Notice he writes “walking in the light as He is in the light.” This refers to living the way Christ lived.

The Bible is more than a religious book, it is the owner’s manual. It explains how to live a life well pleasing to the Lord. John does not suggest that we will be without sin, but that as we walk with Christ, there is a continual flow of forgiveness when we stumble.

1 John 1:8 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

I have yet to meet a person who truly believes they have never done anything wrong. We know that we sin. The problem is, we attempt to move things out of the sin category, and into the acceptable-to-God category. This is all too common for couples who are not married, and yet, get involved physically. They attempt to excuse their sin with words like, “we are in love” or “we are married in God’s eyes.” The truth is, sin is sin, and it interrupts fellowship with God. If we are to walk with the Lord, we must get sin out of our lives.

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The word confess has two meetings. First, it means to be in agreement. Instead of arguing with God about what He says is sin, we simply agree with Him. Second, the word means to admit. When we sin, we must admit it to God. We confess our sin and ask for His pardon. John promises the result will be both forgiveness and cleansing. If there is anything you need to confess, do it now. Don’t take another step down the wrong road; instead, begin to make steps toward a restored relationship with Christ.

Pastor Jim

Questions for 1 John 1 
1. John starts this chapter with talking about the message that we have heard from the beginning. He ultimately answers what that message was in verse 4. What is the message that we have heard from the beginning? 

2. It is easy to claim fellowship with God. How do we know if we are truly having fellowship with God? 

3. What is the way in which we can have fellowship with God? verse 7 

4. The topic of sin is always one that is uncomfortable, especially when we are saying that someone is a sinner. John tells us that we are sinners, and if we say we don’t we make God a liar. It is very important to know that we are sinners. But because of Jesus blood, as John stated, we are forgiven of sin. Take time to thank God for His forgiveness.

Old Testament:
Lamentations 1 – The Good Old Days
Lamentations 2 – For the Kids
Lamentations 3 – Renewable Energy

2 Peter 3:9

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Peter writes, as the day of the Lord approaches there will be an increase in those he calls “scoffers.” A scoffer is one who shows his contempt for an idea or concept, by not only rejecting it, but mocking it, and those who believe. Peter goes on to explain, one of the signs that Christ’s return is drawing near, is an increase in those who mock Christ and Christianity.

2 Peter 3:5-6 “For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.”

Their mockery does not stem from a lack of evidence, but rather as the result of removing God from their thinking. Peter states, they have willingly forgotten the God who created and sustains all things.

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Instead of writing of the intense anger of God toward those who mock Him and mistreat His children, Peter supports the reason for God’s patience. Knowing the longer He waits, the more He will be mocked, and the worse things will get, God remains patient, because it is His desire for all to be saved. We know God takes it very personally when His children are mistreated; He calls us the “apple of His eye.”

We also know, He considers blaspheme to be a violation of His Holy Law. Yet, He still waits patiently for more to come to saving faith in Christ. Keep in mind, more than anything, God’s desire is for you to be in heaven. He has paved the way through the death of His Son on the cross. He has given us His Word, and sent His servants around the world with a simple message, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved (Acts 16:31).”

Have you trusted your life into His hands? If not, do it now. Simply pray, “Jesus, thank you for dying for my sin, I invite you into my life and give my life to You.”

Pastor Jim

Questions for 2 Peter 3

1. Verse 1-7 is a picture of what we see today with people that do not believe or do not want to believe. How does verse 5 explain this? 
2. God’s timeline is not like ours. How does verse 8 describe God’s view of time? 
3. Verse 9 brings comfort and shows God’s love toward all. What words stand out to you in this verse? 
4. How will the day of the Lord come in verse 10? 
5. How are we to be according to verse 11? Are you? 
6. Again in verse 14, we are given instruction. How will God find you? 
7. Verse 18 is telling us again to grow. How is your life of grace with others? How is your knowledge? All in Jesus? Read Micah 2:8 

Old Testament:
Jeremiah 51 – Not Forsaken
Jeremiah 52 – Get Out of Jail