Growing in Christ

This sermon is the fourth in a series of messages through the book of First John. This message covers 1 John 2:12-29 and speaks about the theme of spiritual maturity. In this passage, John addresses believers who are in various stages of spiritual development and tells them what spiritual maturity will enable them to do. He also provides the key or secret for growing in their knowledge and understanding of Christ. A video recording of the entire worship service can be viewed here.

1 John 2:28 ^(NKJV) And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

Introduction:

In “The Last Days Newsletter,” Leonard Ravenhill tells about a group of tourists visiting a picturesque village who walked by an old man sitting beside a fence. In a rather patronizing way, one tourist asked, "Were any great men born in this village?"

The old man replied, "Nope, only babies."…. – Wm. Shereos, (www.sermonillustrations.com)

This witty response by the old villager emphasizes a couple of important truths:  Every “great person” started out as a baby. “Greatness” comes only after years of growth.

(Today's Best Illustrations) Maturity is pressing toward the mark; immaturity is complacency and self-satisfaction. — Roberta Hestenes in Leadership, Vol. 9, no. 4.

Today we are looking into God’s Word to discover some things the Apostle John has to say relating to the growth and maturity of believers. I stated at the beginning of this series of messages I didn’t want to get bogged down in too many details in these chapters so it wouldn’t take forever to get through it. Therefore, I admit that we will be not be digging as deeply into some of these verses as some might wish, but I want to cover the main points of this chapter.

As I read and re-read the remaining verses of chapter two (vv. 12-29), I concluded that John is explaining to his audience how spiritual growth impacts the life of a believer. Let us consider the fact of spiritual growth, some effects of spiritual growth, and the secret of spiritual growth.

I.              The Fact of Spiritual Growth (vv. 12-14)

In these verses John addresses three different groups of people – children, young men, and fathers. These do not necessarily represent ages of the individuals, but their level of spiritual maturity – new Christians, older Christians, and very mature Christians.

John is acknowledging the fact that there are different levels of spiritual maturity among his readers. It has always been that way and it will always be that way. John uses repetition for emphasis, and this is what he says to the three categories of believers:

Little Children – (Young/New Christians)

·         You are forgiven

·         You know the Father

When a believer is first saved and born again, he/she is very uninformed about what all is involved with walking with the Lord. They don’t yet know the amount of fortitude and grace it is going to take to keep victorious and to let Christ continue transforming them into His image.

But they do know that they have been forgiven. The condemnation and guilt are lifted, and they have come to know God as a loving Father rather than a righteous Judge.

Young Men – (More experienced Christians)

·         You are strong

·         The Word of God abides in you

·         You have overcome the wicked one

Those believers who have been walking with God for awhile and have gained some experience in the life of faith and the battles of spiritual warfare fit the second category John mentions. It would seem John is saying that because God’s Word abides in you, you are therefore strong/stalwart and have victoriously fought the devil (wicked one).

These people are still in the “heat of the battle” spiritually speaking. They’re not novices.

Fathers – (Most mature Christians)

·         You have known Him who is from the beginning

(Stott, TNTC) The fathers have progressed into a deep communion with God…  the fathers have come to know him as him who is from the beginning, which is probably a reference… to the immutable, eternal God who does not change (as humans change) with advancing years, but who is forever the same.

(Today's Best Illustrations) When I turned 30, I wanted to build a large church. At 40 I wanted to learn how to preach. But at 50 I want to know God deeply. — Truman Dollar in Fundamentalist Journal (Nov. 1987).

These declarations in vv. 12-14 remind us that spiritual growth is expected, normal and a real part of Christian life. Spiritual “babies” should not become discouraged and frustrated because they’re not yet “soldiers.” And neither babies nor soldiers should be discouraged because they are not yet “fathers.”

II.             The Effects of Spiritual Growth (vv. 15-23)

There are many skills and benefits that can only come from consistent spiritual growth. Two are mentioned here by John. Before we look at these, I want to share a quote from C.S. Lewis that I found.

(Today's Best Illustrations) It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: [but] it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg…. — C.S. Lewis quoted in Good News (May/June 1995).

A. Spiritual growth produces separation from the world. (vv. 15-17)

“love not the world/things of the world”

What is “the world?” – The part of the world that is in rebellion against God.

“Lust of the flesh” – (Lenski NT Commentary) This is the sinful desire springing from the flesh or depraved nature which seeks sinful gratification. (Reasoner) Hedonism.

“Lust of the eyes” – (Stott, TNTC) … Achan’s covetous sight among the spoil of a ‘beautiful robe from Babylonia’, and David’s lustful looking after Bathsheba as she bathed, are obvious examples (Gen. 3:6; Josh. 7:21; 2 Sam. 11:2). (Reasoner) Materialism.

“Pride of life” – (Stott, TNTC) Bragging over what one has, who he is and what he does. (Reasoner) Egotism.

(Stott, TNTC) Findlay summarizes John’s three as ‘two lusts and one vaunt, two … arising from our needs and one from our possessions—unholy desire for things one has not, and unholy pride in things one has’.

All three were represented in the temptation of Eve (good for food; pleasing to the eye; desirable to make one wise). All three were represented in the temptation of Jesus. (Lust of the flesh – bread; lust of the eyes – kingdoms of the world; pride of life – throw yourself down.)

These are incompatible and in opposition to one’s love for the Father. The love of the world and the things of the world will destroy our spiritual growth. The more one grows in spiritual maturity, the less attraction there is to the ungodly aspects of this world.

B. Spiritual growth produces discernment against evil and error. (vv. 16-23)

Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

“last hour” – (Reasoner) … means hour, season, time or period.

“Antichrist” – John is the only writer in Scripture to use this term. He uses it five times. In some Gk. manuscripts, the first use of this word (v.18) has a definite article “the” and in other manuscripts it is not there. Looking at all John has to say here, it seems he is clearly referring to the false teachers/heretics.

As we have explained in previous messages, these heretical teachers did not believe that God the Son has literally come in the flesh. The Son of God (Christ/Anointed One) was something/ someone other than Jesus of Nazareth. 

Without taking the time to discuss whether “antichrist” is a person or a spirit/attitude of heresy, I just want to point out that John clearly indicates that these Christians needed to be aware of it and avoid it.

According to the overall message of Scripture, this seems to be a skill that is gained through spiritual growth. Those who refuse to diligently seek God’s truth and follow His Word, are liable to all kinds of pleasant-sounding errors peddled by false teachers.

III.           The Secret of Spiritual Growth (vv. 24-29)

The secret of spiritual growth can be summarized in one word, “Abide.”

“abide” – lit. remain.

(Stott, TNTC) If they are to be guarded against error, two things must ‘remain’ [abide] in them, first the message which ‘you have heard from the beginning’ (24) and secondly ‘the anointing you received from him’ (27).

((Lenski NTC) The light, truth, Word, commandment, teaching heard by the readers are the divine means for uniting them with the Father and the Son, and the continuance of this union depends on the fact that what they have heard ever continues to remain in them. The tendency is to “let things slip.” So, by the ever-present help of the Holy Spirit we must make them remain.

Abiding is a two-way condition or state. The believer “abides in the Son/Him” (vv. 24, 27-28). The Word and the anointing [of the Holy Spirit] abide in the believer. (vv. 24, 27)

Conclusion:

One writer stated the way we abide in Him is through the Word and the sacrament. Or, we might say, the "means of grace."

Today we are sharing the sacrament of communion, which is a means of grace initiated by Christ to help us keep connected to Him and remember what He accomplished for our salvation.

Before we share communion, let us sing hymn Blessed Redeemer.