Our Status as a Christian I John 2:12-14

February 22, 2015Christ is King Community ChurchPresenter: Dr. Mark E. Stortvedt

World’s Definition of Status• Philippians 3:4b – 74b. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5. circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6. as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. 7. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.Seven parts to Paul’s status are mentioned: the first 4 by inheritance and 3 by his choice.

World’s Definition of Status Continued

By Inheritance: 1. Circumcised on the 8th day - Been a Jew his whole life. Length of

time can increase status2. Belonging to the nation of Israel - He is part of God’s chosen people,

His elect race. Ancestry can increase status.3. From the tribe of Benjamin – small tribe, whose area contains

Jerusalem and the temple. Israel’s first king came from this tribe. Being a part of a group of special people who have accomplished notable things can increase your status. Example, Peter Sprunger adopting servants

4. Hebrew of the Hebrews – son of Hebrew parents that has mastery of his mother tongue and the ability to speak and understand the ancient languages of Hebrew and Aramaic. This was seen as a mark of faithfulness to the old culture. Status can be increased by showing faithfulness to the values of the generations before us.

World’s Definition of Status Cont.

By Choice:5. As to the law, a Pharisee. High value for the Torah

and being a part of the most devoted and exacting sect within the Jewish community. Status from having a higher value for something and adherence to that value than others.

6. As to zeal, a persecutor of the church. Status from being more committed to something than others.

7. As to the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless. Being disciplined and able to follow a set of guidelines can increase status.

Background of 1 John• Authorship – The Apostle John• Written in approximately 90 A.D.• Location – Ephesus• Written in sermon style to Christians in Asia Minor• Motivation for writing the letter:The heresy of Gnosticism had begun to make inroads among the Christian churches.Three of the claims of the false teachers of Gnosticism are exposed in 1 John 1:6 to 2:2. Each claim is introduced by the formula, “if we say”.1 John 1: 6, 8, 10.

3 Heresies Exposed1. 1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; …Heresy: We can have fellowship with God and at the same time walk in darkness.

2. 1 John 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.Heresy: Denial that sin exists in our nature

3. I John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.Heresy: That it is possible for man to become so enlightened that he is not capable of sinning. Example: Education over redemption. Story - The Well Cultured Pigs

Three Tests to Know if You are Living in God’s truth

1. Moral – the Test of Obedience 1 John 2: 3-62. Social – the Test of Love 1 John 2: 7-113. Doctrinal – the Test of Belief in Christ 1 John 2: 18-27

Introduction to the Tests

1 John 2: 1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;John’s Motivation – My little children-teknion: It is a term of affection by a teacher to his disciples under circumstances requiring a tender appeal, e.g., of Christ to the Twelve just before His death; the Apostle John used it in warning believers against spiritual dangers; Paul, because of the deadly errors of Judaism assailing the Galatian churches

Introduction to the Tests cont.John’s Goal- so the Christians would not commit an act of sinsin - harmartano (missing the mark) archery termProvision for when we fail and sin-Jesus Christ is our Advocate.Advocate: paraklētos - one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocatePropitiation - brings about a change in God’s attitude, so that He moves from being at enmity with us to being for us. Through the process of propitiation, we are restored into fellowship and favor with Him. The distinction is the same as that between the ransom that is paid and the attitude of the one who receives the ransom.Definition of enmity – a deep bitter hatred shared between enemies

Moral – The Test of ObedienceI John 2: 3-6Verse 3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, If we keep his commandments.Verse 4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; Verse 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:Verse 6 the one who says we abide in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.Vs 4 Liar - pseustēs - to deceive by liesTruth – aletheia - Truth has three levels: Heart (true motive, reality lying at the base of the appearance), Verbal, and Actions.Vs 5 One knows what the true motive of their heart by keeping His word

Social – the Test of Love

1 John 2: 7-8Jesus Christ has made the old commandment newDarkness – skotia – the absence of light, divine ignoranceTrue – alēthinos - that which has not only the name and resemblance, but the real natureLight – phos – light as seen by the eye reaching the mindShining – phainō – fire – light that sheds light

Social – The Test of LoveVerse 9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. • Light - phos - light emitted so that spiritual things become clear and

obvious to us.• Bother - adelphos – born of the same parents, same national ancestor,

belonging to the same people or countrymen. Verse 10 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. • Cause for stumbling - skandalon - the movable stick or trigger of a trap,

a trap stick, words or deeds which entice to sin.Verse 11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. • hates - miseō - or detests his brother, find intolerable, dislike• blinds - typhloō - mentally blind, raise smoke, darken by smoke

The Christian’s StatusStages of Spiritual Development

1 John 2: 12-14 Contains 2 sets of 3 phrases that start each sentence 1 John 2:12 I am writing to you/ 1 John 2:13b I have written to you. It appears that the I have written to you follows the I have written to you as a confirmation that the first statements are steadfast.1 John 2:12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake.• little children - teknion - "a little or young child;" it is used of

an infant just born, and of the youngest believers in the family of God,(kinship brought out of)

• names – represents his divine person and his saving work• sake – dia – account of or reason something is done

Christian Status Cont. 1Jo 2:13I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.Father – Pater, generator, male ancestorHim who has been from the beginning, the eternal immutable God who does not change as men change with advancing years.Young men – neaniskos – young man or youth• Children - paidion - It is a term of affection by a teacher to his disciples

under circumstances requiring a tender appeal. (To train or chastise, subordination)

1Jo 2:14I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.Strong – strong in body or mind.