But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. 1 John 2:20-23

I hope you and your families all had a blessed Christmas season, when you understand the blessing of the Incarnation of Christ, you understand how blessed Advent season is. Those who understand the importance of the Incarnation, is because they are “sealed by the Holy Spirit “ (Ephesians 1:13) As the Apostle John says here “You have an anointing by the Holy One, and you know all things”

Many people are asking for signs of the Holy Spirit, your transformed life is a sign of the Holy Spirit , as the Apostle Paul said “ Nobody can say Jesus is Lord without the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3) That’s why the Apostle John is saying “You are anointed” because you have knowledge of who Jesus Christ is! You are not deceived like the world, because the Spirit of God is living inside of you, as the Apostle John says “I have written to you because you know the truth”

As the Apostle John taught us previously, there are many “anti-christs” in the world since the beginning, “anyone who denies Jesus is the Christ, is an anti-christ” If you don’t believe me this world is anti-christ, why don’t you wear a Jesus tshirt in public and start reading some scripture and share the gospel, you’ll find out quickly how the demons get stirred up. The world hates Jesus Christ, and they don’t even know why, it’s because the world is under control of the evil one (1 John 5:19)

But you brothers and sisters have the anointing of the Holy Spirit, how can we tell? Because you confess in your heart and mouth, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, anyone who denies Jesus as the Son of God, denies God the Father also. The Triune God can’t be separated, you can’t have the Father without the Son and Holy Spirit, you can’t have the Son without the Father and Holy Spirit, you can’t have the Holy Spirit without  the Son and Father

There are many in this world who claim to love God but hate the Son, the truth is not in them, they are deceived by the evil one. You can’t love God the Father unless you love Christ the Son. But you brothers and sisters know this, because you have been sealed and anointed by the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ said “I am the way, the truth, and the life, nobody can come to the Father, except through me” (John 14:6) The truth shall set you free! Amen!

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 1 John 2:18-19

As we read these words from the Apostle John, it’s almost as if he is telling us this today. As the Apostle is warning the Church “it is the last time or the last hour” meaning we the Church need to be continually on alert for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. As Christ continually to be ready at an hour when we least expect him to return (Matthew 25) To keep our lamps lit, filled with the Holy Spirit, ready to discern the times

Now the Apostle John , under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit says “you have heard that AntiChrist shall come” The Apostle appears to be teaching of a singular great AntiChrist that will come to deceive many, even the elect. This coincides with the Apostle Paul’s teaching  as Paul says “Let nooone deceive you, for that day will not come (return of Christ) unless the falling away comes first, the man of sin is revealed,  the Son of Perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

The idea of a singular AntiChrist ruins many modern theologians eschatology,  as many theologians want to say everything was fulfilled in 70 A.D., I think we need to lean on the scriptures inspired by the Holy Spirit rather than the doctrine of men. We many not fully understand how this will all play out, however we must be faithful and obedient to the Word of God

As the Apostle John said “even now there are many antichrists, whereby we know that it is the last time” Many antichrists have come into the world, but none of these are the AntiChrist. I heard one theologian make an interesting statement he said “Satan doesn’t know when The Lord is going to return, so he keeps preparing certain individuals to be the AntiChrist, even though Gods timing was not ready yet” I probably butchered this quote as I’m recalling it off the top of my head, but the point is Satan is not sovereign, he doesn’t know anymore that you do, so when people say “well this guy was the antichrist, or this guy was the antichrist, they very well could have been, but God is sovereign and his timing was not ready yet for the return of Christ

As Jesus Christ warned us also ‘Many will come in my name claiming “I am the Christ” and will deceive many (Matthew 24:5) We know this has happened multiple times throughout history, think of Joseph Smith or Muhammed, claiming to be prophets of God, deceiving the masses, teaching of a false Christ, they are ultimately anti-Christs

While we speculate , who is the Anti Christ , we know we are in the last days, and we know The Lord Jesus Christ is coming back for His Church, be ready brothers and sisters for The Lord will come as a thief in the night, Amen!

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:15-17

One of the greatest mistakes the Church makes its to be more like the world instead of more like Christ. The Church is more concerned about attendance numbers than they are the holiness of their flock, so they compromise themselves, trying to cater the the ways of the world instead of showing the world the ways of God

So what does it mean to “love the world” Well as scripture tells us “the world is ruled by the evil one” (1 John 5:19) The world is under the influence of Satan, as the Apostle Paul called him the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4) That’s why pretty much all the agendas of this world are demonic in nature and will lead you astray from Christ. Don’t be deceived, the pleasures of this world, the things of this world, are all a trap to lose your soul

As the Lord Jesus said “What does it profit to gain the whole world and to lose your soul” (Mark 8:36) You want all the “things” of this world, all the pleasures of this world, but it’s going to cost you, it’s going to cost you your soul. Beware what you are spending your time in, are you doing the will of God or are you doing your own will?

The Apostle John warns us “Love not the world or the things that are in the world” this may sound simple, and when we look around this fallen world, it should be easy not to want to be part of it. But we get sucked into it, remember when Satan was trying to seduce Jesus with the things of this world (Matthew 4) He promised him power and pleasure, however all it would cost is your soul. 

We see the damage within the Church, the worldliness that has crept in, that has compromised our sacred space, that has compromised sound doctrine, just to gain a few false converts to add to our attendance sheets. As the Apostle John goes on to say “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father” The majority of things offered by this world are not from God but from demonic forces looking to destroy your soul

As the Apostle Paul said “Don’t conform to this world, but transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2) When your Born Again in Christ, you stick out in this world, like a fish out of water. Your not going to fit in this world, so stop trying to be like this world. The scales have been removed from your eyes, the Holy Spirit has transformed you into the image of Christ Amen!

I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 1 John 2:12-14

The Apostle John writes a very encouraging benediction here for the Church. The many blessings that come from our Lord Jesus Christ are listed here. This is a good list to meditate upon as we start our day, as we begin another day of spiritual warfare, remember you have victory in Jesus Christ

Remember your sins are forgiven because of Christ! The war has already been won, many people don’t even understand the seriousness of our sinful state, but Christ has given us victory at the cross, Christ has washed us clean by his blood, we are baptised and filled with the Holy Spirit

Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday, and forever (Hebrews 13:8) Christ is eternal and he has chosen you before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:4), and Christ has loved you before we loved Him.(1 John 4:19) Think about that, before you were formed in the womb, God already knew you, has already chosen you, and has always loved you!

While we live in a fallen world , full of evil and despair, take heart because Christ has already overcome Satan, the wicked one has already been defeated. Sin and death have already been defeated , we have complete victory in Jesus Christ. Take heart, because Christ has already overcome the world (John 16:33)

Notice how the Apostle John describes the Church “Because you are strong” even though we are persecuted , we are strong and victorious in Christ. The Holy Spirit is living inside of us, the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead, is living inside of you (Romans 8:11) The Word of God abides in you, the Word of God that is alive and sharper than any two edge sword (Hebrews 4:12) The Word of God that will abide forever (Isaiah 40:8)

Take heart Church because you have already overcome the evil one, Satan is already defeated, you are chosen and regenerated, you are Born Again in Christ, you are sanctified by the Holy Spirit, you are loved by the Father, Amen! 

Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 1 John 2:7-9

The “New” Commandment is an old commandement, which everyone says they embrace, however most of our actions tell a different story. Everyone loves to throw around the word “Love” , but do we actually love our brother and sister? Or do we use this as a catchphrase, do we really love The Lord Jesus Christ with all our heart, mind, and soul, or do we just love the idea of eternal life? 

Our first love needs to begin with The Lord, as Jesus said “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15) If we truly love Jesus, then why don’t we submit to His authority? If we are going to identify as a Christian we need to be more like Christ, not like this world.People will always say “Jesus loves me” to justify their lifestyle, and it’s true Jesus does love you, and died for you, however the question is “Do you really love Jesus”? If you do your actions should support your statement

 As the Apostle John said “Because the darkness is past, the true light now shines” You are either in the light or the darkness, there is no in between. You are either Born Again or you are still dead in your sins (John 3, Ephesians 2) There is no sitting on the fence when it comes to be a Christian, you are either all in or all out. True love is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, because God is love. You can’t continue to live in the darkness and claim Christ is your Lord. If Christ is in your heart, let your light shine for the world to see, so the world sees Jesus

One issue I would like to address is the hatred in the Church, as the Apostle John said “He that says he is in the light, and hates his brother , is in the darkness even now” There is so much hatred and division within the body of Christ. As I write these words, multiple wolves will come after me who claim to be Christians, there is no light or love in them. Many who claim to be Christians, refuse to gather or fellowship with the body of Christ, there is no light or love in them. If you are truly in Christ, then you can’t hate your brother or sister in Christ. The disobedience to gather with the saints is fruit you truly hate The Lord and his Church

Love One Another, sounds like a simple concept, even has become cliché or a bumper sticker. However to love one another can be one of the most difficult things you can do, however if we truly love Christ, then we truly love one another because our Lord commands this. We love because Christ first loved us (1 John 4:19), because we are filled with the Holy Spirit and sanctified, because The Father has chosen you before the foundations of the world, Amen!

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 1 John 2:3-6

Are you a Christian? Millions , perhaps Billions of people claim to be a Christian, but the Apostle John says here “We do know that we know him (Christ), if we keep his (Christ) commandments” Are we keeping Christ’s commandments? Do we truly love Jesus Christ as our Lord? Or do we just like the thought of eternal life ? There’s a big difference between claiming you are a Christian and actually living like a Christian.

Jesus said “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15) There are many people who claim to love Jesus, but they don’t live like they love Jesus. Think about a Parent/Child relationship, the child claims to love their parents, yet doesn’t do anything they ask them to do. Is this love to be disobedient and disrespectful? No this isn’t true love, because true love is action, its not just words or feelings, it’s actually demonstrating your allegiance to someone.

The Apostle John goes on to say “He that says , I know him, and keeps not his (Christ’s) commandments, is a liar” Those who claim to be a Christian and not live like Christ are a liar, they are deceived. Anyone can claim to be something, but if you don’t know or do that thing, you are a liar. For example, I can claim to be a doctor, but if I never practice medicine, if I never was educated, ect. Am I really a doctor? No, I’m deceived, you can;t just claim to be something and not live that identity.

When I was younger, I always claimed to be a Christian, I heard of Jesus therefore I believed I was a Christian. I was decieved, I wasn’t a Christian, I didn’t put my full faith in Jesus Christ , I didn’t submit to Christ’s authority and teachings, I was a false convert like many. But when I truly repented of my sins, I submitted my life to Jesus Christ as my Lord, I was Born Again by the Holy Spirit, I walk in the newness of life, I abide in Christ and Christs abides in me

The Apostle John goes on to say “Whoever claims to abide in him (Christ), ought himself walk just as He (Christ) walked” If we claim to be a Christian, we need to walk like Christ, if you don’t your a liar according to the Holy Spirit. You can’t claim to be a Christian and not abide in Christ, we need to walk with and for Jesus. Everything we do should be for the glory of God, not for ourselves. 

Let’s examine ourselves, are we truly a Christian or are we deceived? If we claim to be a Christian, do we abide in Jesus? Do we keep Christs commandments? Do we love the Lord God with ALL our heart, mind, and soul? Amen!