May 19, 2019 AM
Dr. Michael Catt - 1895
#2 in series
Check Your Heart – Life's Most Liberating Truth
1 John 2:1-2
OVERVIEW
No letter in the New Testament demands a close examination of our hearts like 1 John. This beloved disciple of Jesus focuses on the essentials of the faith and how we can know that we have eternal life. All the evidences of salvation are present tense. This is not about a “hope so” salvation or a decision you made in the past that you can't recall – this is a look in the mirror to check your heart. In the ï¬rst message, we discussed the seriousness of sin and how we should stay right before God when it comes to our sinfulness. It demands an honest evaluation and continual, complete, conï¬dent confession of our sin.
For further study, this series is available online at sherwoodbaptist.net/messages.
“When God saved me, He didn’t ï¬x me up so I couldn’t sin; He ï¬xed me up so I couldn’t enjoy it.” – Bud Robinson
PURPOSE: John is writing to help believers understand and embrace the truth of what Jesus has done and is doing. He is encouraging them to be Christlike because they have all they need to be Christlike.
POSSIBILITY:
THE TWO-FOLD PROMISE:
In 6 short verses, John outlines the entire earthly ministry of Christ and His ministry in heaven:
1:1-4 – Who Jesus is
2:1-2 – What Jesus is doing
I. GOD’S DESIRE
“...that you may not sin” (2:1)
“For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” – Romans 6:14
“Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.” – 1 Corinthians 15:34
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,” – Titus 2:11, 12
The believer in fellowship with the Father is characterized by three truths:
II. GOD’S PROVISION
“And if anyone sins...” (2:1)
“I cannot understand how a man can be a true believer in whom sin is not the greatest burden, sorrow, and trouble.” – John Owen
“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, ‘Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.’” – Revelation 12:10
- Jesus prayed for us. (John 17)
- Jesus told Peter he was interceding for him. (Luke 22)
- Paul says Jesus is interceding for us. (Romans 8:34)
- He ever lives to make intercession. (Hebrews 7:25)
- Jesus is described as appearing in the presence of God for us. (Hebrews 8:24)
Ron Dunn said there are three reasons Jesus is a great lawyer: