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Sermon Notes 08-07-11am
1 John 2: 18-27
Intro: John Hick, most famous & influential philosophers of our day.
b. 1922 england, consiencious objector in WWII; Oxford
Philosophical theology… Princeton, Birmingham, Cambridge University Philosophy/religion professors adore him – Heretic!
God Has Many Names
Pluralism = Christianity is not the one true religion, not even
Superior in any significant way..
The Myth of Christian Uniqueness
Pluralism is attractive to people. If Truth is flexible and any sincere approach to
God is acceptable, then I am free to have my own way. One Problem: Jesus!
The Myth of God Incarnate (Jesus is not Unique Son of God)
Second Christianity (appreciate his honesty)
In order to embrace Pluralism, you have to down-grade Jesus; redefine Him, remake him eliminating His exclusive claims…
T/S – This is nothing new… Relativism of Truth Claims & Pluralism
Tell the Story of Pilate, “I have come into the world to testify of the truth.
And everyone who is of the Truth hears My voice.”
Pilate before washing his hands of Jesus, “What is Truth?”
t/s – skepticism about the Truth claims of Jesus are nothing
new. From beginning, people questions His Claim to be
The Truth and The Way.
- The Gospel first spread in an age of Pluralism! Christians were not trotted out onto the sand of the arena to face the Lions because they held that Jesus was a really good man;
but because they stubbornly refused to acknowledge Any Other Lord! Exclusive claims in an age of Pluralism!
T/S – John was dealing with False Teachers in Ephesus (Asia)
There is Nothing New Under the Sun…
He called them “Antichrists” == Against / Instead of…
1 John 2: 18-27
Note: vs. 18 – Jesus taught John that no one knows the hour; but,
That we should all, always live “Ready & Alert!”
(Will address later in our study… return to theme)
Wow! Nothing New under the Sun!
- Relativism – vs. 21 – Truth and Lie
- Pluralism – vs. 23 – No son = No Father!
- Christology – vs. 22 – Jesus Is the Christ!
Truth Matters! (Doctrinal Details)
Jesus Is the Christ (Let John Expand…on Christology…)
1 John 4: 2-3
1 John 5: 1, 5
2 John 7
Remember, “antichrists” redefine Jesus. (no outright rejection)
Where did John get the Idea that Christology (Who Is Jesus?) Matters?
Tell the Story of Matthew 16: 13-20
Who Do you say that I Am?
Thou art the Christ, the son of the Living God!
Christology Matters! Who do you Say that He Is?
- Liberal Theology; Universalism; Mormonism; J.W.’s…Corrupt Christology!
False Teachers stand Jesus in their midst, strip him of his unique nature, tear away his exclusive claims,
put him through an extreme makeover so that he fits their categories of relativism and pluralism; then present him to the Church… Behold, your teacher.
John says, Beware! Don’t be Led Astray. (vs. 26)
This redefined Jesus, is an instead of Jesus offered up against Jesus by those too proud to bow before their King.
ILL – Leighton’s Monthly Safety Meeting
(If situation dangerous… Be Aware of Risks!)
Don’t Be Deceived! (vs. 26)
- Let the Word of God Rule. (24)
Remember 1: 1-4 – An historic faith… suffered under Pilate
- Let the Spirit of God Guide. (20, 27)
“Anointing” = the Spirit of Truth…who guides us in Truth
Jesus calls Him our Teacher!
Note the Balance!
- Let the People of God Correct. (19)
The False teachers had a “New Idea”… the Church/leaders
Challenged, corrected; but they would not listen and left!
Find a Bible Believing Church Who will confront Falsehood.
Conclusion
Ill – Stay one night in Johannesburg on way to Malawi.
As we left to walk to a restaurant it was getting dark. Missionary said,
“Be Careful walking back in the dark.”
We hesitated. “Don’t be Afraid, be alert!”
John says, Do not be Afraid; but do be Alert!
There are those who will lead you astray.
Prayer
Invitation: God forbid that we should traffic in unlived Truth.
H. A. Ironside
a) You Need Jesus (The Truth & The Way)
b) You Need the Word, the Spirit and the Church
c) THEY Need Jesus… The Way!
