Rush to Justice

 This is a sermon addressing the culturally popular call for "social justice" in our society. The message attempts to analyze justice from a biblical perspective and to contrast the biblical message from what is being promoted in society. If you would like to view a video recording of the worship service in which this message was delivered, please click here.

Written excerpts of the message are provide below.

Micah 6:8 (NKJV)  He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

Introduction:

You may have heard the phrase, “… a rush to judgment” as a reference to those who are seeking some kind of retribution against a suspected offender, without proper care for evidence or facts. Kris and I have been watching some videos loaned to us by our daughter. We have seasons 1 & 2 of the old TV series, “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.” In the episodes we have watched so far, there has occasionally been an accusation raised against one of the townspeople or the neighboring Cheyenne Indians. Most of the time there is a presumption of guilt levied against the offender, and nearly the whole town is ready to “string them up.” Thankfully, in these videos as in most movies, there usually seems to be a resolution to the issue and the correct villain is identified, and the innocent is vindicated as the true facts come to light.

What has been true at times about the rush to condemn an individual without all the facts, is also true about the rush to condemn certain aspects of a society or culture without knowing all of the facts. This particularly applies to the current push in our society for what many are calling “social justice.” Social justice is such a nice sounding term. Who in their right mind would oppose such an idea?

You have all watched and listened during recent months and even years as the mainstream media networks have provided positive coverage of those in our society who have been agitating for cultural, economic and legal changes in order to make us a “more fair and equitable society.” The demand for such revolutionary changes has been intensified most recently by the violent protests and riots that have taken place in dozens of cities around the country.

I acknowledge that I purposely avoided speaking from the pulpit about those events for awhile for this reason: I assumed that most of us had been seeing and/or hearing about the unrest all week long, and looked forward to coming to church in order to get away from it and focus our minds on eternal truths that remain constant in spite of the upheaval and unrest all around us. I still believe that focusing on eternal truths in the midst of chaos is crucial for our own mental health and spiritual health. It is important for us to remember that God is not shaken, confused or frustrated by all the unrest and chaos. However, I also believe that God wants His church/people to impact our culture with truth, so that our “rush to justice” isn’t void of truth and facts.

Kris and I had the opportunity to attend a conference a few weeks ago in KY where one of the topics addressed was “social justice.” Since then I felt the Lord leading me to speak on the issue from a biblical perspective in order to help us all have a better grasp on what is happening and how we should respond.

Today, I want to focus on some biblical foundations for the concept of justice, then I want to follow up next Sunday by evaluating what is often meant by “social justice” in contemporary public discourse. Before we get started, I want us to understand that the concept of “justice” in the Bible is truly about being righteous. It involves right conduct, and right treatment of others. In regard to judicial matters, it is the punishment of evil as well as the reward for the good.

I.             God cares about justice.

A. Justice is rooted in the character of God.

Psalm 72:1 (NKJV) Give the king Your judgments, O God, And Your righteousness to the king's Son.

Amos 5:24 (NKJV)  But let justice run down like water, And righteousness like a mighty stream.

This text follows verses that describes God’s disdain for religious rituals while righteous conduct has been forsaken.

When God established a covenant with the people of Israel (The Ten Commandments), He outlined how the people were expected to act toward Him and how they were to act toward each other. He revealed the fact He was not only a God who wanted to be revered and obeyed in regard to worship, but He also cares deeply about people and it matters how His covenant people treat one another.

Ezek. 18: The passage of Scripture that was read earlier this morning provides an example of the kinds of behavior that God expects. This passage describes hypothetical behavior of a father, his son, and the grandson. The first one follows specific expectations of righteous conduct. The son does not follow in the father’s footsteps, but violates all of the principles of righteous behavior, while the grandson returns to the conduct of the grandfather and lives a righteous life as well. God declares through the prophet that the father should not die for the sins of the son and the son should not be spared judgment because of the righteous life of the father. Finally, the grandson should not die for the sins of his father. “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.”

B. Two lessons we can take from the passage in Ezekiel.

1. Obvious one - Everyone will be held accountable for his own life and not what others have done.

2. It provides us with an example of the kinds of conduct that God considers to be righteous and unrighteous and shows that God cares about right behavior toward others.

Righteous conduct involves right behavior towards our fellow human beings. We have the positive examples and the negative examples. There are numerous other examples in the Bible where God’s people in the OT and in the NT are expected to act righteously toward their fellow human beings.

For example: Job 29:12-17 (NKJV) ¹²  Because I delivered the poor who cried out, The fatherless and the one who had no helper. ¹³  The blessing of a perishing man came upon me, And I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. ¹⁴  I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban. ¹⁵  I was eyes to the blind, And I was feet to the lame. ¹⁶  I was a father to the poor, And I searched out the case that I did not know. ¹⁷  I broke the fangs of the wicked, And plucked the victim from his teeth.

Leviticus 19:35-36 (NKJV) ³⁵  'You shall do no injustice in judgment, in measurement of length, weight, or volume. ³⁶  You shall have honest scales, honest weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.

God cares about justice and He reveals it in His word through the law and the gospel.

II.           Christians are expected to act righteously.

Micah 6:8 (NKJV)  He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

Sermon on the Mount contains many directives for personal righteous behavior that reaches the core motives and attitudes of the heart, not just outward actions. e.g. murder/hatred; adultery/lust

James 2:1 (NKJV)  My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.

In the same chapter he illustrates the absurdity of only saying words but not following up with action, and the illustration involves feeding and clothing the poor.

1 Samuel 8:3 (NKJV)  But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.

We could provide dozens of Scriptures that teach Christians and children of God to not only live morally pure lives and be devoted to the Lord, but to also demonstrate their love for God by caring for others. All of our actions and business dealings are to be done with honesty and integrity.

III.          Christians should influence national righteousness.

Righteous conduct on the part of individual Christians includes doing whatever we can to influence just, good and righteous policies in the society.

I have repeatedly referred to Matthew 5:13-16 where Jesus teaches His disciples that we are the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.” There are all kinds of ways this principle can and should be applied to daily life, but the simple truth is that we must be a positive influence for righteousness in our world.

e.g. Slavery – Before there ever was a civil war over the issue of slavery, there were countless individuals who were exerting every possible influence to change the minds and hearts of those making laws.

There are different ways we can influence our world for a more just society, not by attempting to set up a theocracy, but by being righteous, being salt and light in our own personal lives. There are all kinds of ways for Christians to work together to help those who are in need. We can write letters to the editor or to elected officials to express views that are consistent with biblical truth. 

We can influence righteousness on a state or national scale by electing righteous individuals to positions of authority where they will govern with righteous values. We believe in the “separation of church and state” only in the original meaning of our founders – there will not be a state sponsored religion forced upon our citizens. However, the phrase did not mean elected citizens must divorce themselves from their faith values and govern like pagans. A Christian was never expected to stop thinking and acting like a Christian just because they had a government position. Now it seems that Christians are expected to act and govern like pagans whenever they get elected.

Conclusion:

Today I have tried to show from the Scriptures that God cares about how people are treated. I’ve tried to show that God cares about how we personally conduct ourselves and live out our faith in care and concern for others. I’ve tried to give a biblical basis for having a positive influence in our culture and our society. However, there are many people who have completely twisted the truth of Scripture to promote policies and actions that go against the righteousness of God.

The Lord willing, I will continue our topic next week by sharing how modern efforts for “social justice” go contrary to God’s standard of righteousness. I want to encourage everyone to pray for true righteousness and justice that is approved by God to prevail in our communities, all across our nation, and around the world.

Come to the Table

 This is a sermon that was given at Wayside Community Church near Mercer PA for the Sunday morning worship service in which the sacrament of communion was shared. The sermon is based on some of Paul's words in First Corinthians 10 and shares some comparisons between coming to the table at a family dinner and coming to the Lord's Table. Those who wish to view a video recording of the worship service in which this sermon was preached may click here.

Written Excerpts:

1 Corinthians 10:21 ^(NKJV) You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons.

Introduction:

When the Apostle Paul speaks about the sacrament of communion, he sometimes referred to it as “The Lord’s Table.” Because of his use of the phrase, many preachers and authors have likewise used it when they are speaking about the Lord’s Supper or Communion. I don’t know what thoughts or images may come to your mind when you hear the title of today’s sermon, but the phrase brought a few memories for me.

During my childhood there were times when my mother would finish preparing a meal for our family, and she would signal that fact by saying, “Come to the table.” Mom wasn’t a gourmet cook, but she sure could prepare a feast for her family that included 3 hungry sons. The announcement, “Come to the table,” was not only the signal that the time to eat had arrived, but it was the signal that something delicious was waiting. I don’t know about your house, but the dinner table was also a place where many enjoyable and meaningful conversations took place. – Something that doesn’t happen too much in many homes today.

When Paul talks about the “Lord’s table,” he certainly isn’t referring to a great feast in the literal sense, even though there is evidence that the NT Christians did share a common meal at their celebrations. When he speaks of the “Lord’s table,” he is referring to the bread and the cup which represented the body and blood of Jesus. Today, as we share the sacrament of communion, I want to share a couple of observations about the “Table of the Lord” that I hope will be an encouragement to each one of us.

1. At the table there is provision for all.

I don’t know how it was at your house, or how it was at your grandma’s house, but in my mind, whenever it was time to “come to the table,” I always knew there was going to be enough for everyone in the house. We had some pretty hard times when I was growing up, as I imagine most of us can say. So, there were times when the table wasn’t covered with a huge Thanksgiving-style feast, but whatever the menu included, there was always enough for everyone in the house.

At the table of the Lord, there is room for everyone.

1 John 2:2 ^(NKJV) And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

John 1:29 ^(NKJV) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

John 6:51 ^(NKJV) I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."

Matthew 26:28 ^(NKJV) For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

All of these references emphasize the truth that Jesus gave himself for the whole world – everyone who has/will ever live. We believe the atonement of Christ is universal. There is provision for everyone. No one needs to be left out.

2. At the table there is both inclusive and exclusive fellowship.

Some Bible teachers have observed that many of Christ's lessons were taught while sharing a meal with his followers and hearers. There is something about sitting down to a meal with others that just draws you closer together. I have drawn an analogy about the fellowship around the table by suggesting it is both inclusive and exclusive. Those who have been invited to “come to the table” are individuals that belong. In some cases, they “belong” because they’re part of the family. In other cases, they “belong” because they have been invited to join the family, even if for a few hours or some limited time. Everyone who has been invited is included in the fellowship around the table. There is something special and unique about that.

Likewise, in the spiritual sense there are many invitations recorded in Scripture. Not all of them have to do with sharing a meal, but Jesus offers a standing invitation for whosoever will, to come unto Him.

Matthew 11:28 ^(KJV) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Luke 14:17 ^(KJV) And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

Luke 14:23 ^(KJV) And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

Revelation 22:17 ^(NKJV) And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

So, the table of the Lord is inclusive. It is for everyone who will respond to the Lord’s invitation and come to Him for salvation. Paul described it as a communion (fellowship) with the Lord. We are all one body, there is communion/fellowship/participation between each member and there is communion/fellowship/ participation with our Lord.

However, the table of the Lord is also exclusive.

Jesus told a parable and said that the kingdom of heaven is like a king who planned a marriage for his son.

Matthew 22:8-11 ^{(NKJV) 8} Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. ⁹  Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.' ¹⁰ So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. ¹¹ But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment.

In this story, the man who did not have on the wedding garment was cast out of the wedding celebration. Everyone was invited (so it was inclusive), but not everyone was accepted (therefore, it was also exclusive).

The invitation to the Lord’s table is for everyone, but only those who accept His offer of salvation through faith are granted access.

Here is an interesting passage from the book of Isaiah:

Isaiah 65:13 ^(NKJV) Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, My servants shall eat, But you shall be hungry; Behold, My servants shall drink, But you shall be thirsty; Behold, My servants shall rejoice, But you shall be ashamed;

In the context of this verse, the prophet was giving God’s description between those who have deserted Him and resorted to worship of idols and others who have remained faithful to Him. So, the Lord says that He will give food and drink to His servants, but those who have been unfaithful will be turned away.

The Apostle Paul describes another scenario. He addresses the matter of eating food that was offered to an idol. (1 Cor. 10:14-33)

Notice verse 21 ^(NKJV) You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons.

(Leon Morris, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) – [Paul does] not dispute the contention of the Corinthians that an idol is not a god at all. But he will not agree that therefore idols can safely be treated as nothing more than so many blocks of wood and stone. The demons use people’s readiness to worship idols. Thus, when people sacrifice to idols, it cannot be said that they are engaging in some meaningless or neutral activity... Paul has shown from the usage of both Christians and Jews that to share food is to establish fellowship. Idol worshippers are entering into fellowship with demons…

“… The Lord’s table reminds us that the Lord is the host at the sacrament. By parity of reasoning the table of demons indicates that there may be other hosts. But those who accept the Lord’s invitation cannot in good conscience also accept the invitation of demons. If we are really in fellowship with the Lord, we cannot also be in fellowship with demons… All that Paul is saying is that the Holy Communion, in one aspect, is a feeding at the table of the Lord, an enjoyment of fellowship with him. Similarly, participation in an idol feast means having fellowship with demons….

Paul is saying to the Corinthian Christians, “It is one or the other. You can’t have both. You can’t eat at the Lord’s table and at the table with demons.” Why? Because you cannot have fellowship with both the Lord and with demons. You cannot have two loyalties. You cannot have two masters. The table of the Lord is not a place where you can come and receive the benefits of Christ's sacrifice unless you are willing to forsake all you other idols/loyalties and devotions. There is a standing invitation for everyone, but it excludes those who still want to hold on to the other things that steal our love from Christ.

Conclusion:

A little more than a week ago, Kris and I attended a small conference in KY. In the last session of that conference we gathered around a table and shared the sacrament of communion. The speaker had given a message about the kingdom of God and he came to a point when he mentioned the “full meal” that believers will enjoy at the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb.” He stated however, that there is still work to be done before we get to that supper. Then, as he gestured toward the communion tray of emblems, he said, “Until that time comes, let’s enjoy the appetizer.”

Today, I present to you the Lord’s table not only as a reminder of what Christ accomplished for our redemption and the sacrifice He made, but also as a reminder that this is only a small taste of the great meal we will someday get to share with Christ in person.

When Does the Church Need to Repent?

This is a sermon that was based on portions of Revelation chapters two and three. It answers the question posed in the sermon title by looking at the churches Jesus told to repent in these Scriptures. Five out of the seven churches addressed were commanded to repent. The reasons they needed to repent can be discovered in the description of each church. Those who wish to watch the video recording of the worship service in which this message was presented may click here.

Written Excerpts:

Revelation 3:19 (NKJV)  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

Introduction:

Yesterday our church participated by live stream simulcast in an all-day meeting in Washington DC calling our nation to repentance and prayer. It was a global call to “return to God” so that God will return to us (i.e. the U.S.). The event took place on the National Mall in front of the Washington Monument. At the same time and partially in the same place, Franklin Graham had a prayer march in which people walked from the Lincoln Memorial all the way down past the National Mall to the U.S. Capital building, praying as they walked.

As I began preparing this message, the prayer meeting in Washington hadn’t occurred yet, so I began planning without knowing what the speakers were going to be saying, except in a general sense to call us to repentance and prayer. But as I thought about the prayer events in DC, I felt that God was leading me to preach on a similar topic in order to lead our church into a spirit of repentance and prayer that will help put us in harmony with the call that national leaders have expressed.

We often quote 2 Chron. 7:14, and I just preached on that passage a few weeks ago. It is a passage that reveals a promise from God for His people if they will meet certain conditions. Those conditions are: humility, repentance and prayer. However, it occurred to me that God’s people, the church, may not know what to repent from. Therefore, I felt God leading me to preach on the subject: When Does the Church Need to Repent? Or What does the church need to repent from?

We who are believers and are part of the Church of Jesus, we might be tempted to think and even say, “We’re the ones who are right. It is all those dirty, rotten, sinners out there in our world that need to repent.” Yes, the dirty, rotten, sinners need to repent. So do all of the clean, respectable, sinners! However, I'm confident that there are scores of people sitting in church pews today (or watching a church service online or on TV) who truly think that all the repentance and returning to God has to be done by the wicked people of the world. But even more than all those sinners, the church needs to repent too. It was the people of God, that the Lord was talking to in 2 Chron. 7:14. It is the people of God or the churches of God that were commanded to repent in the book of Revelation.

Today I am going to raise the question, “When does the church need to repent?” I am going to look at Scripture to answer that question in hopes that God will show us if there are any areas our church needs to repent, either corporately or individually.

Before we do that, I want to review the meaning of the term repent or repentance.

Repentance – a change of mind leading to a change of action. (Logos Bible Software); a change of mind: as it appears in one who repents of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done…that change of mind by which we turn from, desist from, etc. (Thayer, Greek Lexicon)

Repentance does not merely mean to be sorry about something. It does include sorrow, but it goes farther than simply being sorry and leads to a change of action, leads to a turning from or desisting from something in order to start a new course of behavior, attitude, etc. The Apostle Paul stated that “godly sorrow leads to repentance.” (2 Cor. 7:10) Practically speaking, repentance means that you do not and cannot go on in the same direction and the same manner you’ve been going.

About 7 years ago, I preached a series of messages from the first three chapters of Revelation, which contain God’s message through the Apostle John to seven churches of Asia. Today, I would like to briefly revisit that passage in our discussion of repentance.

I raised a question in my sermon title, “When does the church need to repent?” I believe that God’s message to these churches gives us some insight into the answer to that question. Out of the 7 churches mentioned, 5 of them were commanded to repent. So, I want to use those examples in Revelation 2-3 in order to help us understand when or why churches need to repent.

1. The church needs to repent when love is abandoned.

Rev. 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Ephesus was a very prominent city. It had experienced great teaching and preaching. This church has received one of the richest letters from the Apostle Paul.

(Leon Morris, Tyndale NT Commentary) The condemnation of this church is expressed in one memorable phrase, You have forsaken your first love. It is not clear whether this is love for Christ (‘you do not love me now as you did at first’, GNB), or for one another (‘you have given up loving one another’, Moffatt), or for mankind at large. It may be that a general attitude is meant which included all three (‘you do not love as you did at first’, Phillips). Forsaken (aphēkes) is a strong term; they had completely abandoned their first fine flush of enthusiastic love. They had yielded to the temptation, ever present to Christians, to put all their emphasis on sound teaching. In the process they lost love, without which all else is nothing.

When the church becomes satisfied and even self-congratulatory with just being orthodox in our beliefs and our normal formalities and routines, but the passion to love God and others along with the action that proves it has long been abandoned. This passage reminds us that mere faithfulness is not enough unless that faithfulness includes the faithful fanning of the flame of love for God. I’m not simply talking about emotional, warm and cozy feelings about Christ, but an ardent, vibrant love for Him that craves His Holy presence, His smile of approval, and His tender voice of guidance. 

2. The church needs to repent when truth is compromised to accommodate public standards.

Rev. 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

While these people were maintaining the right “theology” or the right terminology and were apparently willing to “die” for their faith, yet they were apparently not willing to stand against those in their “congregation” who had adulterated the practice of their faith to include various practices of sensuality and immorality.

(Barclay) [These wayward members] sought to persuade Christians that there was nothing wrong with a prudent conformity with the world’s standards.

Denomination after denomination, church after church and Christian after Christian all across our nation have bought into modernistic philosophy and rejected God’s Word in favor of the approval of the world. For example, the legal definition of obscenity is decided by community standards. God’s truth isn’t judged by community standards. God is the judge. His law is the standard. It really doesn’t matter what the world / community says about it.

3. The church needs to repent when its conduct is as immoral as the world’s.

Rev. 2:21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

Rev. 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

Writers describe one of the potential problems in this city was the fact that large numbers of people would feel it necessary to join the trade guilds in order to “avoid commercial suicide.” These guilds no doubt offered common meals that would include meat that had been consecrated to an idol, and they would engage in all kinds of drunken revelry and immorality. (Barclay, ZPBD, et. al)

It is not clear whether the reference to “fornication” should be understood literally as sexual immorality or as spiritual infidelity.

(Barclay) Some believe that the phrase “the depths of Satan” (v.24), could very well be a reference to a common heresy during that era which claimed that Christians should experience every kind of sin… and accommodate themselves to the world.

This week Kris and I attended a two-day conference in Kentucky. In one of the sessions, the presenter mentioned a large mega-church that hired a Christian survey firm to conduct an assessment of its congregation. The conclusion of the survey was that the beliefs and conduct in the church nearly mirrored the beliefs and conduct of the non-churched.

There's little difference in ethical behavior between the churched and the unchurched. There's as much pilferage and dishonesty among the churched as the unchurched. And I'm afraid that applies pretty much across the board: religion, per se, is not really life changing. People cite it as important, for instance, in overcoming depression--but it doesn't have primacy in determining behavior. (George H. Gallup, "Vital Signs," Leadership, Fall 1987, p. 17.)

4. The church needs to repent when it has spiritually died.

Rev. 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

(Barclay) This church was not practicing any heresy, and it was not under attack (persecution) from the outside. It had simply died spiritually.

One dies by simply not doing the things that sustain life. Nourishment; Exercise; Purpose; etc. – these are the things that promote life. Without these, life will ebb away, and death will certainly come.

Signs of death: legalism; formalism; ritualism… Paul said, “The letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life.”

A change of mind leading to a change of action is necessary in order to revive the dead.

5. The church needs to repent when its passion and mission have cooled.

Rev. 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

They were not cold or hot. This likely is a deliberate reference to the condition of the water supply in that city and the surrounding area.

(Reformation Study Bible) Laodicea's water supply had to be provided from a distant source through pipes. The resulting water was lukewarm and barely drinkable. By contrast, the neighboring town of Hierapolis had medicinal hot springs, and neighboring Colossae was supplied by a cold mountain stream. Christ urges the church to be refreshing (cold) or medicinally healing (hot), rather than like the Laodicean water supply.

(S. Zodhiates) …hot and cold represent beneficial qualities just as hot water soothes the body and cold water slakes one's thirst…. The Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament.

The point seems to be that these people, just like lukewarm water, did not exhibit any passionate qualities that would have a positive effect on their culture or their world. In a literal sense, lukewarm condition can be attained by cooling of something that was hot, or the warming of something that was cold. The same is true spiritually.

How can people get in this condition of blindness? I believe it is through the common habit of comparing ourselves with ourselves. We Christians look at the attitudes and behaviors of the unsaved and unconverted “pagans” around us and, as long as we’re “not as bad as they are,” we are content.

Conclusion:

Look at vv. 19-20. God is passionate about saving them from their certain destruction. God is passionate about giving them whatever they need to break out of the lukewarm, half-hearted, self-righteous status quo into which they have settled. The Lord isn’t content to just let them drift along and lose their souls. He is rebuking and chastening and pleading and calling to them. He is urging them to do something about their sad condition.

Again, I remind each of us that the horrible conditions of our society right now are not solely because of the wicked people flaunting their wickedness. If the church had stayed hot instead of lukewarm; if the church had not compromised its standards of truth and conduct instead of following the standards of Hollywood and Washington; if the church had nurtured its love for God and its spiritual life; rather than gradually dying out; then I have no doubt our society and our world would be totally different than it is today.

I want to caution us to point the finger at all of the other denominations and Christians as if they are the problem. We need to ask God to search our own hearts and show us where we need to personally repent and change our thoughts and our conduct to line up with God’s Word.

But… remember that we can’t do any of that without a deeply personal and committed relationship with Jesus.

Closing Song: Give Me Jesus

Worthwhile Pursuits

This is a sermon based on Hebrews 12:14 which commands believers to pursue peace with all men and holiness. This message explores the meaning of the command and how it is achieved. Those who desire to watch the video of the worship service in which this sermon was presented may click here.

Written Excerpts:

Hebrews 12:14 ^(NKJV)  Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

Introduction:

[Many people who] wanted to know how [their] knowledge of random facts stacked up against others, did one thing: [They] cracked open a box of Trivial Pursuit, one of the greatest board games ever invented. Invented in 1981, it's been one of the most successful games of all time, spawning countless editions and niche spin-offs (see: Stars Wars Trivial Pursuit, Book Lovers Trivial Pursuit, World of Harry Potter Ultimate Edition Trivial Pursuit, et cetera, et cetera, ad infinitum).

Trivia questions relating to fun facts, random facts, animal facts, and mind-blowing facts … can be related to each of the six categories: geography, entertainment, history, art and literature, science and nature, and sports and leisure. These questions provide minutes and hours of entertainment as a game, but they are just trivia. They do not provide essential information for much of anything important to daily life.

People pursue a lot of different things in life. Many of them are much more important and valuable than just knowing random facts. People pursue certain kinds of employment they desire, they pursue relationships with that ideal person they desire for a life companion, and some people passionately pursue every possible plan for getting rich. We all make decisions about the kinds of pursuits in life are worthwhile and those that aren’t.

In our Scripture that was read today, verse 14 in the NKJV reads, “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” Peace and holiness are two things that are very essential for daily life, mainly because God’s Word tells us to pursue them.

With the help of the Lord I want to explore the inspired words found here in verse 14 and try to apply them to our spiritual lives in a way that will benefit our daily walk with the Lord. But, before we do that, I want to briefly remind you of some background information about this letter, which we believe could have been written by the Apostle Paul.

This letter is written to Jewish Christian believers who have been experiencing persecution for their faith. As a result of this, some had returned to Judaism and others were tempted to turn back to their Jewish faith prior to Christian conversion. Throughout the letter, Paul is trying to explain all the reasons why they are far better off now than before and why faith in Jesus is better than the former system of animal sacrifices and offerings. Now, in chapter 12, Paul is addressing the matter of spiritual chastisement – discipline from the Lord to correct us and to shape us.

Notice in the beginning of verse 12, we have the word “therefore,” which is a word that ties it and the following verses with the points he has already stated in the previous verses. “Since God corrects us and disciplines us because we are His children and because He loves us, therefore do these things. These are the commands he delivers: “lift up;” “make straight;” and “pursue.”

I am not going to discuss the first two commands “lift up” and “make straight” today, but I do want to talk about the command to “pursue.” The two specific things he commands his readers to pursue are: peace and holiness.

1.         The meaning of the word “pursue.”

KJV – “Follow”.

It is in imperative form – a command. It is in the present tense – a continuous action, a constant pursuit. It is translated 28 times with the word “persecute;” 10 times with word “follow” or “follow after;” and 3 times to “suffer persecution.” 

Various meanings include: run or flee, put to flight, drive away, run swiftly to catch someone or something, to do any of these actions to harass, trouble or persecute. It can also carry the thought “to seek after eagerly” or “earnestly endeavor to acquire.” This word teaches the idea of constantly pursuing or chasing the goals described.

2.         The first thing we are to pursue is peace with all men.

“peace” – The ancient Greek meaning was the absence of war or hostility as a state or condition rather than attitude or relationship. The main meaning in the NT is not the Gk meaning, but salvation in a deeper sense, thus the absence of hostility with/against God and the condition of harmony, tranquility. When Paul in Rom. 14:17 says that God’s kingdom is peace, he is stating that the rule of God is one in which there is no evil or discord; he can thus exhort us to pursue what makes for peace (v. 19), i.e., to avoid squabbling about meats or days. (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament: Abridged in One Volume)

Romans 14:17 ^(NKJV)  for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Romans 14:19 ^(NKJV)  Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

1 Peter 3:11 ^(NKJV)  Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.

1 Thessalonians 5:15 ^(NKJV)  See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

(A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament) Give peace a chase as if in a hunt.

Romans 12:18 ^(KJV)  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Sometimes it isn’t possible. We still need to seek for it as much as is productive. (Sometimes, further efforts at peace cause more strife, especially if the other person is committed to never reconciling.)

(R.T. France, Expositor's Bible Commentary, Revised) To “pursue peace with everyone” (an echo of Ps 34:14) is a more active goal than merely avoiding conflict; it echoes Jesus’ saying, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

Why should we chase after peace with all people? Because everyone is made in the image of God and worthy of respect and kindness. Also because peace is necessary in order to win them to the Lord.

(Donald Guthrie, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) But that this does not mean peace at any price is clear from its close link with the pursuit of holiness. Peace with all men is possible only within the limits of what is right. There are in fact times when standing for just causes brings intense antagonism and peace is inevitably shattered.

It doesn’t mean “peace at any cost” or “peace over truth.” Jesus himself made enemies, not intentionally or maliciously, but only because He told the truth even when people didn’t like it or want it.

3.         The second thing we are to pursue is holiness.

“holiness” – trans. 5 times with word “holiness” and another 5 times with the word “sanctification.” Synonyms – purity; cleansing.

We’ve talked about sanctification and holiness many times. In the OT, it represented the quality of conforming to God’s commands in order to reflect God’s nature. The Lord tells the Israelites that if they obey His commands and follow His statutes, they will be a holy people unto Him or devoted to Him.

Dr. John Oswalt believed that the Ten Commandments were God’s requirements for the people to share His character. Those commands demonstrated the issues that were of supreme importance to God – right worship; right conduct toward others.

I’ve often pointed out that sanctification includes two themes: washing/cleansing from all impurities and separation or set apart for a specific purpose. That purpose is for God’s use and God’s glory. In the NT especially, holiness is only possible through the presence and fullness of the Holy Spirit whose primary ministry is to make us holy.

Romans 6:19 ^(NKJV)  I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

1 Thessalonians 4:7 ^(NKJV)  For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

1 Thess. 5:23 ^(NKJV)  Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely…. (Not on the screen)

The reason we must chase after or pursue holiness is so we can “see the Lord.”

Matthew 5:8 ^(NKJV)  Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

(Donald Guthrie, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) The 'seeing' of God could be understood in a spiritual sense of communicating with him, but there is the further sense in which a fuller prospect is in mind than is now possible (cf. 1 John 3:2 which points to the coming again of Christ). The future tense (opsetai) looks forward to an event as yet unfulfilled.

(R.T. France, Expositor's Bible Commentary, Revised) Holiness is God’s own character, and it is only those who share it (v.10) who can “see” him. God is, of course, literally invisible (11:27), which gives the greater force to the biblical use of “seeing” God as a metaphor for enjoying personal fellowship with him ….

Conclusion:

The worthwhile pursuits we have been talking about today – chasing after peace with all men and chasing after holiness – are nothing more or less than striving to be like Jesus. The record we have of Jesus and the life He demonstrated while He was on earth provides the example for us to follow. Through the author of this biblical letter, God has provided a challenge for us to establish and maintain godly relationships “horizontally” with our fellowman, and to establish and maintain a “vertical” relationship with Him.

Thomas Chisholm was born in 1866 in Kentucky. He attended a one-room school and at the age of 16 became the teacher of that same school. After 4 years, he was hired to work for the newspaper of Franklin, KY.

Several years later, at the age of 27, Thomas was converted in a revival meeting under the preaching of Dr. H.C. Morrison, the founder and president of Asbury College. Shortly after his conversion, Thomas wrote a poem to express his desire to be more like Christ in his life.

That hymn is our closing song for today:

O to Be Like Thee       #551

If we live our lives to be like Jesus, it will lead us to seek peace with people and seek to live holy lives before God.

Freed from Fear

 This is a sermon based on Psalm 112. Verse 7 of this Psalm speaks about a person is not afraid when he hears evil tidings or bad news. When looking at the Psalm in light of this verse, we notice four qualities about the person who is able to hear or receive bad news yet not be overcome with fear. A video recording of the worship service in which this sermon was preached can be viewed here.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

Analysts tell us there has always been people in every generation that feel as though the conditions in their era is worse than it has ever been before. I know I’ve often made references to the conditions in the world as a reminder that we need to be alert and committed more than ever to serving the Lord and obeying His Word.

Several weeks ago, as we were still conducting our worship services in the parking lot, I preached a sermon on 2 Chron. 7:14 regarding the promise for God’s renewing, healing presence if we humbly seek him, repent of our sins and pray. In my introduction for that sermon I briefly made reference to the drastic changes in our society that had occurred so rapidly. Today, just 17 weeks after preaching that message, there have been even more changes. In addition to the government-sponsored restrictions of our freedoms, we have witnessed the explosion of rioting and violence across our nation.

I hope I am not mistaken in assuming that all of us here today are absolutely appalled at the looting, burning and violence that is taking place around the country. In my opinion, the unrest, division, and turmoil, are strategically planned by instigators behind the scenes in an attempt to disrupt and destroy our current economic/political system and replace it with something different.

Why does this matter? Does it matter only because it threatens our own comfort and selfish interests? NO! It matters because it is based in atheistic philosophies that have no concept of the value of human lives. Therefore, destruction of businesses, livelihoods, property and even the personal lives of individuals is perfectly legitimate if it advances the ultimate goal of overturning the current system. There is much more that could be said about the current affairs of our nation, but I’ve already said enough to point out how our minds and our hearts might become overwhelmed with fear and discouragement.

While thinking about all the turmoil that I’ve just described, I came upon this verse in Ps. 112 and I read, Psalm 112:7 ^(NKJV) He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

Listen to these other translations:

Psalm 112:7 (NIV2011)  They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

Psalm 112:7 (NLT2)  They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them.

Psalm 112:7 (HCSB)  He will not fear bad news; his heart is confident, trusting in the LORD.

Psalm 112:7 (AMP)  He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firmly fixed, trusting (leaning on and being confident) in the Lord.

I want to take a look at this Psalm for a while today in order to help us receive fresh inspiration and encouragement in the face of “evil tidings.” Who is this person that will not be afraid of evil tidings? What qualities are given about him in this Psalm?

I.             He fears the Lord, not his circumstances. (v. 1a)

The title of the sermon says, “Freed from fear.” Verse 7 talks about this person having “no fear of bad news.” He does have some fear but it is a different kind of fear.

Psalm 112:1a ^(NKJV)  Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord...

The word for “fear” in the Hebrew is the same word in verse 1 as it is in verse 7. We have said in the past that the word for fear has a variety of meanings that are distinguished by the context.

(Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament) “In this discussion, biblical usages of yārēʾ are divided into five general categories: 1) the emotion of fear, 2) the intellectual anticipation of evil without emphasis upon the emotional reaction, 3) reverence or awe, 4) righteous behaviour or piety, and 5) formal religious worship. Major OT synonyms include pāḥad, ḥātat, and ḥārad as well as several words referring to shaking or quaking as a result of fear.”

In our series on 1 John we recently spoke about the difference between a paralyzing dread vs. a wholesome reverence and deep respect.

Today's Best Illustrations - Today's Best Illustrations – Volume 5. (Joseph M. Stowell in Moody (Nov./Dec. 1997). Christianity Today, Vol. 42, no. 2.) — “Our evangelical culture tends to take the awesome reality of a transcendent God who is worthy to be feared and downsize Him so He could fit into our "buddy system." The way we talk about Him, the way we pray, and, more strikingly, the way we live shows that we have somehow lost our sense of being appropriately awestruck in the presence of a holy and all-powerful God... “If God were to show up visibly, many of us think we'd run up to Him and high-five Him for the good things He has done.”

God’s Word gives us many examples of how people reacted when confronted by God. Moses; Isaiah; Apostle John (in Rev.) to name a few. All of them responded in awesome, reverential fear.

So we make a choice whom or what we fear – God or man; God or the world; God or the wicked.

II.           He follows God’s will. (v.1b)

Psalm 112:1b ^(NKJV) …Who delights greatly in His commandments.

The next quality we notice about this person who does not fear evil tidings or bad news is the quality of delighting in God’s commandments. The implication is that because he delights in them, he obeys them.

So often we have studied passages in the Scriptures that reveal the necessity to demonstrate our love for God by obeying His commands. Our problem too often is we emphasize some commands while ignoring others. May God help us to be balanced in our obedience. For example, the same God who issued the 10 Commandments issued the Great Commission.

Neglect and disobedience to God’s Word always results in fears, doubts, and shaken faith.

III.          His heart is steadfast. (vv. 7b, 8a)

Psalm 112:7-8 (NKJV) ⁷ … His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. ⁸ His heart is established; He will not be afraid…

v. 7b (KJV) “fixed”; (NKJV) “steadfast”– transl. 85 times as “prepare(d)” and 58 times as “establish(ed)”

(TWOT) The context of a passage will clarify whether the meaning is “prepared” for a purpose, or “fixed” / “established” as a result of being prepared.

There are also references where there is a sense of well-being as a result of being under God’s hand.

v. 8a “established” – a different word than in v. 7; this is the only time it is translated “establish;” other meanings include “lay” or “lean on;” “uphold” or “support;” et. al.

(BDB) sustained, firm.

Looking at the two words together would indicate that this person who is freed from the fear of bad news is one whose heart has been prepared, fixed and supported by the Lord to the end that it is standing firm and fixed.

cf. Isaiah 26:3 ^(NKJV)  You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

IV.          He leads a generous life. (vv. 4, 5, 9)

Before we talk about this last point, let me comment briefly on vv. 2-3.

Psalm 112:2-3 (NKJV) ²  His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. ³  Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever.

I referred to these verses a couple of years ago when I addressed the issue of believing/expecting personal faith in God to result in material prosperity. OT promises for Nation/People of Israel if they would faithfully love, serve and obey the Lord. God would make them into a great nation and provide all they needed. National blessings vs. spiritual blessings.

Whether one experiences abundant prosperity or not, he can be generous. The Bible gives multiple references to the fact that generosity is an attitude and a lifestyle that is not reliant upon the amount of wealth a person has.

Psalm 112:4-5, 9 (NKJV) ⁴  Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. ⁵  A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion. ⁹  He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted with honor.

Don’t really need to say much here except to point out an observation. By including these verses as part of the description of the person who fears the Lord, but doesn’t fear bad news, it seems to be making this point: rather than being paralyzed and immobilized by the fears of coming evil, this person has been able to keep his focus on the importance of being a source of blessing to others rather than going into hiding.

Conclusion:

What about you? What about me? Are we living in dread and fear of bad news or evil tidings? Are we struggling to remain confident and steadfast in these days of turmoil? If so, it might be an indication that we really have not kept our minds “stayed on Him” as we quoted earlier from Isaiah.

God is the only One who can prepare us and establish our hearts so that we stand up strong in the face of bad reports and evil conditions and continue to do His work until He calls us home.

(Thomas Lane Butts, Tigers in the Dark, quoted in Illustrations Unlimited) Several years ago there was a well-known television circus show that developed a Bengal tiger act. Like the rest of the show, it was done "live" before a large audience. One evening, the tiger trainer went into the cage with several tigers to do a routine performance. The door was locked behind him. The spotlights highlighted the cage, the television cameras moved in close, and the audience watched in suspense as the trainer skillfully put the tigers through their paces. In the middle of the performance, the worst possible fate befell the act: the lights went out! For twenty or thirty long, dark seconds the trainer was locked in with the tigers. In the darkness they could see him, but he could not see them. A whip and a small kitchen chair seemed meager protection under the circumstances, but he survived, and when the lights came on, he calmly finished the performance. In an interview afterward, he was asked how he felt knowing that the tigers could see him but that he could not see them. He first admitted the chilling fear of the situation, but pointed out that the tigers did not know that he could not see them. He said, "I just kept cracking my whip and talking to them until the lights came on. And they never knew I could not see them as well as they could see me."

There are times these days when it seems like we are facing tigers in the dark. We may not be able to see in the dark, neither can we see into the future, but our God can.

Closing Hymn: Be Still My Soul

Blessed Assurance

 This sermon is the 11th and final sermon in a series of messages through the New Testament book of First John. It focuses on the fifth chapter, verses 13-21 which provides assurance of eternal life, assurance of answered prayer, and assurance of divine protection. The video recording of the worship service in which this sermon was preached can be viewed by clicking here.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

There is a true story of a Civil War Union Soldier named Daniel who was seriously wounded and taken prisoner by the Confederate Army. While recuperating from his wounds, the young POW grew bored and, after finding a New Testament, he began to read it and was convicted.

However, before making a choice to surrender to the Lord, he drifted off to sleep. Soon, a hospital orderly awakened him, saying that another POW was dying and wanted someone to pray with him. Daniel admitted that he wasn’t able to pray with anyone, to which the orderly said, “But I thought you were a Christian. I have seen you reading your Bible.”

Daniel later wrote, “I dropped on my knees and held the boy’s hand in mine. In a few broken words, I confessed my sins and asked Christ to forgive me. I believed right there that He did forgive me. I then prayed and pleaded God’s promises. When I arose from my knees, he was dead. A look of peace had come over his troubled face, and I cannot but believe that God who used him to bring me to the Savior used me to lead him to trust Christ's precious blood and find pardon.” (Robert Morgan, Then Sings My Soul, Book 2)

Both of these soldiers undoubtedly experienced the blessed assurance of forgiveness and pardon that is promised to everyone who confesses their need to Christ and trusts in Him for salvation from sin and hell. That Union Soldier, Daniel Webster Whittle, later wrote a song based on the words of the Apostle Paul: I Know Whom I Have Believed. These are found in 2 Tim. 1 and express the confidence and assurance of an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ as he was coming to the end of his life.

Today, I will finish our series of messages on the book of First John by speaking to you on the subject: Blessed Assurance. In these closing verses of this short, but important letter, John addresses a concern that most people have at some time in their lives – assurance and hope in the face of uncertainty and turmoil.

(The main points of the outline I am using today are borrowed from Dr. Vic Reasoner’s commentary.)

I.             The Assurance of Eternal Life (v. 13)

Assurance, confidence and hope are all intimately connected.

I have pointed out in earlier sermons of this series that the Apostle John uses several important words multiple times throughout this letter because they emphasize themes that he passionately pushes.

Words like: know (40 times); love (46 times) and world (22 times)

So, the word know is one of those words and it expresses John’s passion for assurance in the hearts and minds of his readers. The word is used 7 times in these final 9 verses of the letter. John also uses the word “Confidence” 4 times in the letter.

1 John 5:13 (NKJV)  These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

John declares the purpose for his letter is so the readers would know that they have eternal life. He says he is writing specifically to those who already believe in the name of the Son of God – that is, Jesus. But he wants to assure them that they can know they have eternal life. 

Someone asks, “How can someone know they are saved and have eternal life?” (Reasoner)

John has stated that the source of our confidence is the abiding presence of the Spirit of God. See 3:24 and 4:13.

1 John 3:24 (NKJV)  Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

1 John 4:13 (NKJV)  By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.

Dr. Reasoner then asks, “How can we know that we still have the Spirit?” The Apostle has repeatedly told us in this letter: it is only by the Spirit that anyone can confess that Jesus (the man) is Christ (the Son of God). It is only by the Spirit that we love the children of God. And, it is only by the Spirit that we love God and keep His commandments and they are not grievous.

Based on these statements of John’s, if a person hasn’t confessed Jesus is the Son of God along with all that means for our salvation, and if they do not actively love the children of God, and they either do not obey His commands or they find obedience to be a drudgery, then they might have reason to doubt they have eternal life.

II.           The Assurance of Answered Prayer (vv. 14-17)

The Bible has multiple promises for the people of God who seek Him and call on Him to intervene in their lives for all kinds of reasons. As people of faith who trust in Jesus and the reliability of God’s Word, we believe it is worth the time and effort to pray and to intercede for others. These verses help support that confidence in the value and effectiveness of prayer.

A. Prayers are answered for anything that is God’s will. (vv. 14-15)

1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV) Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

Other passages in the Bible define the conditions for answered prayer, including: faith as a grain of mustard seed (Matt. 17:20); abiding in Christ and His words abiding in us (Jn. 15:7); and we obey Him and do what pleases Him (1 Jn. 3:22). But here, John specifically mentions the need to pray in God’s will.

I have said this before, but if we desire to know what God’s will is, there are a host of passages in the Bible that spell out the things that are God’s will. For example,

1 Thessalonians 4:3 (NKJV)  For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;

So, when we pray for anything that is God’s will, we have assurance He hears us and will answer.

B. Prayers are answered for fallen brothers/sisters. (vv. 16-17)

In the next two verses John addresses a specific kind of need that is God’s will – the salvation of the lost. In this case he is talking about the case of a “brother” who has sinned.

1 John 5:16-17 (NKJV) If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. ¹⁷ All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. 

Dr. Reasoner believes that John is specifically pointing out one exception to the previous point – God answers prayers that are according to His will, except when a believer turns away from the truth and persists in willful defiance of truth. God will not override the will of a person to bring them to saving faith in the first place, neither will He override the will of a person in response to prayers of other believers.

However, I have prayed many times that God will bring whatever circumstances into their lives that will make them willing to repent.

“sin unto death” (KJV) – (sin that leads to death, NKJV) John clearly seems to be talking about spiritual death.

(Walter Kaiser, et. al., Hard Sayings of the Bible) John uses the term life thirteen times, seven of them in this chapter. Since he means spiritual life (eternal life) in every other case in which he uses the term, we would expect that this would also be the meaning here. Likewise the two other places where he uses death (both in 1 John 3:14) refer to spiritual death, not physical death.

John has been concerned with a group of apostates, people who were part of the Christian community and have left. … These are not casual errors or lapses into this or that sin, but a knowing and deliberate turning away from the truth they experienced in the Christian community.…

… While John clearly does not intend Christians to pray for the forgiveness of such people, he words himself carefully so as not to forbid it. The issue is that these people are not repenting or about to repent.

III.          The Assurance of Divine Protection (vv. 18-21)

The third area of assurance provided by the apostle relates to God’s protection of His children.

A. Protection from our spiritual enemy – Satan. (vv. 18-19)

1 John 5:18-19 (NKJV) We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. ¹⁹ We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.

John repeats the truth that every person who is born of God, does not willfully continue to sin. He addressed this several times earlier in the letter and we learned that in this sense, John is talking about deliberate, willful sin, stemming from an attitude of lawlessness and defiance.

“is born,” – lit. having been born; perfect tense participle which grammatically means the action took place in the past with the resulting condition continuing into the present.

“the wicked one does not touch him” – lit. does not assault, violate or harm.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:

The reassuring fact is stated in v. 19.

1 John 5:19 (NKJV) We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.

The ungodly kingdom of darkness is under the control of the wicked one, but we are not in that situation because we are of God.

B. Protection from error – knowing the truth. (vv. 20-21)

1 John 5:20-21 (NKJV) And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. ²¹  Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

God has given us understanding.

“understanding” – pref. “through” and root “mind” or “intelligence.” Meaning ability to reason or think through something.

God has given us the ability to know the Son and the Father who is the source of eternal life.

(Tom Thatcher, Expositor's Bible Commentary, Revised) John’s third statement of what believers “know” summarizes the two major themes of the epistle: the identity of Jesus and the difference between true believers and the [antichrists in the world]. Jesus is the Christ, the Son, and the “true God” in contrast to the false “idols” (v.21) promoted by the Antichrists.

Conclusion:

Throughout this entire letter, John has been clearly marking out the differences between true believers and the false teachers (antichrists). Now, in these final verses of the whole letter, he is providing them with the confident assurance that is grounded in their faith and gives them hope in the present and the future. My question to you today is, “How is your confidence and level of assurance?”

Sometimes our confidence can be shaken because of doubts that have never been answered satisfactorily. On the other hand, John has pointed out in the letter that our confidence or assurance may be shaken or destroyed because we have not been truly born of the Spirit, we have deliberately and willfully disobeyed the Lord, or we have fallen prey to some false teaching.

The answer in all cases is to come to the Lord in humble confession and acknowledge our need for His saving grace. We need to acknowledge the truth about ourselves and the truth about Jesus Christ, God’s Son. Then, we need to put our entire trust and faith in the blood of Jesus to save us and change us.

I believe today’s message on assurance is a good opportunity to invite anyone who is struggling spiritually to come and pray. You may know for sure that you’re not saved, and you want to change that today. Or, you may not know for sure if you’re saved. You lack the confidence or assurance of it, and you wish to pray also. You can come forward and kneel at the altar here in the front while we sing this closing song:

Only Trust Him