"By This We Know Love" (1 John 3:11-18)

The message you heard from the beginning: love one another (v11). 

• Don't be like Cain; you have crossed into a new way of life (v12-15)

• He was from the evil one, not born of God. 

• He murdered his brother, his deeds were evil.

• The world operates like Cain, not Christ. 

Biblical Truth and Principle: With respect to eternal life, a hateful attitude of the heart is no different than a hateful deed in action. 

• Loving one another is based on the historical event of the crucifixion of Jesus (v16a). 

• Jesus voluntarily endured unimaginable torture, an agonizing death, a painful betrayal by his disciples, and total abandonment by His Father who he perfectly obeyed. 

• He endured all this... 

Biblical Truth and Principle: Taken to heart, this love transforms our actions toward each other (16b-17). 

• In our willingness to... be rich in generosity with our resources to demonstrate God’s love.

• In our readiness to... have open hearts toward those in need.

• in our call to... love not in mere talk but in deed and in truth

"This is the Message" Sermon Notes on 1 John 1:5-10

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.

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!

The Life of an Ambassador for Christ

This post is the outline and sermon notes from the August 18, 2024 sermon titled, “The Life of an Ambassador for Christ” delivered by Pastor Josh Major. The Biblical text for this sermon was from 2 Corinthians 6:1-10.

We work with God by:

1. Appeal to one another not to waste the grace of God. (verses 1-2)

2. Put no obstacles in anyone’s way. (verses 3-10)

   • By our patience in affliction (verses 4-5)

   • By our purity in conduct and speech (verses 6-7)

   • By our paradoxical existence in the world. (verses 8-10)

Questions for Application:

Have you benefited from the grace of God who came to your rescue when you were down and out in your sin?

Have you benefited from His reconciling ministry through His son Jesus who died for you?

Do you think others around you would benefit from the same grace, the same ministry of reconciliation?

What obstacles are you most tempted to put in someone’s way?

Remember: to some, the Gospel will be sweet and to others, it will be sour. Keep going. Don’t quit being the aroma of Christ to those around you.

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!