Overcoming the World- Sermon on 1 John 2:12-17

Preached by Dave Peterson on September 29, 2024

Verses 12-14 are personal and the structure and symmetry seem more like a poem.

Key things:

1) Knowing the true God

2) Forgiveness of sins

3) Abiding in the word of God

A reminder of the benefits of the gospel we now enjoy.

The gospel is foundational truth and brings new life to you. That is why you are an overcomer.

Why is there no direct reference to women in these verses? In Biblical times, women and girls were often spoken about in relation to men, but women are definitely included in this passage.

“Little children” refers to all believers.

Have the truths of the gospel moved information to transformation in your life? That is where the Christian life begins.

Forgiveness isn’t just about you. His name gets the glory through your testimony.

It’s not just the forgiveness of sin, but the coming to know the true and living God.

Being forgiven and knowing God defines what it means to be a child of God.

“Fathers” refers to those mature in the faith.

The strength and depth of our faith is in knowing the living God.

For those who are newer in Christ, don’t be put off by older believers. For older believers, those coming behind you need you to model the long obedience in the same direction.

Take timeless truths, and bring them into our current world.

“Young men” refers to those growing in Christ.

Three truths and their impact:

1) trusting in God’s strength and not your own

2) Abiding in the Word of God

3) Not loving the things of the world

What are the “things of the world”?

The things of the world are the desires of the flesh (sex), the desires of the eyes (money), and the pride of life (power).

How can a Christian overcome the world? See John 17:15

The believer belongs in the world, but not to the world.

Using the analogy of a coming winter, we have two options to stay warm: 1) Isolation- stay inside by the fireplace or 2) Insulation- dress warm and venture out

Insulation would be building up our faith by reading our Bibles, being in church, fellowshipping with other believers, and loving God’s kingdom.

The world is passing away (1 John 2:17) but we are headed to a new and better world.

Here at Anchor Point Church in Duluth, we practice expository preaching. Expository preaching is a style of preaching that involves explaining and interpreting a specific passage of Scripture in a detailed and systematic manner. Our pastors endeavor to be faithful in drawing out the meaning of the text, often going verse by verse, and then applying its principles to the lives of the listeners. The goal is to faithfully communicate the original intent of the biblical authors, ensuring that the congregation understands the message within its proper context. Please join us on Sunday morning!

Introduction: What we believe and know about the nature and character of God matters.

“This is the message”- God is light. In Him is no darkness at all. (v5).

God’s very essence and nature is light.

John and the disciples heard this message from Jesus and told it to others. (John 8:12, 9:5, 12:35-36, 44-46).

Light/Darkness: What is Jesus talking about? Holiness, creating power, love, protection, provided guidance to where God is leading.

Darkness is represented by everything anti-God- sin and separation.

How this applies to our lives as disciples of Jesus (1:6-2:2)

If we say we have fellowship with God, but if we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us, but if we confess our sins to God He is faithful and just to forgive us our sines and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Confession = humble acknowledgement “I am a sinner by nature”.

If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar and His Word is not in us. But if we do sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.

Propitiation means satisfaction. Because God is a holy God, His wrath and justice burns against sin. Jesus became our substitute.

God does not remind you of your past sin. Satan does that.

Conclusion: Let’s experience fellowship with God and each other. Let’s walk in the light because God is there. Let’s confess our sins to stay there. Remember, we have an advocate.