Sermon- Stand Firm in the Gospel Message (1 John 2:18-25)

Why we must stand firm in the Gospel message

  1. Because we are in the last hour (2:18)

  2. What did John and the NT authors mean when they said things like, “It is the last hour”? (Jude 17-21; Heb 1:1-3; 1 Tim 4:1-2; Acts 2:16)

  3. The last hour is the age marked by the arrival of Christ and the Spirit of truth

    1. Distinguishing the last hour from the last day

      The last hour is the long period of time spanning the first and second coming of Christ. We live in the last hour now.

    2. The last day is the physical bodily return of Christ when He will judge the living and the dead

  4. Distinguishing antichrists from disciples of Christ. (v 19-23)

    1. They were part of the Christian community and confession but now have departed from both.

  5. But you have all been anointed by the Holy one and you all have knowledge (v 20-21)

    1. They deny that Jesus is the Christ (v 22a)

    2. They deny the Father and the Son (v22b)

    3. They deny Jesus as coming in the flesh (2:2-3; 2 Jn 2-7)

  6. How we stand firm in the Gospel message today (2:24-25)

    1. Let what you have heard from the beginning abide in you. Then you will abide in the Son and the Father.

    2. Realize how easy it is to be deceived

    3. When you go to church, does the pastor ask you to open your Bible?

    4. Be grounded in the Word of God and empowered by the Spirit of God

    5. Keep connected and confess Jesus as the Christ

    6. If we stand firm, we will be in close fellowship with God and each other which is what Jesus promised.