1 John 2-4

1 John 2

John writes so believers will not sin.But when believers do sin:

• Jesus is our Advocate before the Father.
• He is the propitiation (ἱλασμός hilasmos/ atoning sacrifice) for the world’s sins.

True knowledge of God is:

• Keeping His commandments
• Walking as Jesus walked

The command to Love one another is:

• Old (found in the Old Testament)
• New (now demonstrated by Christ)

Hatred towards one another exposes our darkness. 

John addresses:

• Little children
• Fathers
• Young men

He reminds them:

• Their sins are forgiven.
• They know the Father.
• They have overcome the evil one.
• God’s Word abides in them.

Do Not Love the World

Believers must not love:

• The desires of the flesh
• The desires of the eyes
• The pride of life

The world is passing away. Those who do God’s will abide forever.

John says “Many antichrists have come.” Believers have received:

• The Holy Spirit
• Discernment to recognize truth

Anyone who denies the Son also denies the Father.

 Abide in Christ

Remain in Christ so that:

• We have confidence at His return.
• We are not ashamed at His coming.

Those born of God practice righteousness.

1 John 3

Believers are children of God

When Christ appears:

• We shall be like Him.
• We shall see Him as He is.

Jesus (who is with no sin) appeared 

• to take away sins.
• To destroy the works of the devil.

Children of God:

• Practice righteousness.
• Loves his brother

But Children of the devil:

• Practice sin.
• Does not love his brother 

Love One Another

Cain hated and murdered his brother. Believers should do the opposite.

• Love is demonstrated by sacrifice (lay down our own life)

Confidence Before God

Believers gain assurance when:

• They obey His commandments.
• They love one another.

God knows our hearts better than we do. The Holy Spirit assures believers that God abides in them.

1 John 4

Test the Spirits

Believers must test every spirit and teacher. 

True teachers and spirits confess Jesus Christ has come in the flesh and is God. 

• John calls this the spirit of the antichrist.

God Is Love

Believers should love one another because “God is love.”

God demonstrated His love by sending His only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Because God loved us,we should love one another.

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

Believers know God abides in them because:

• He has given us His Spirit.
• We confess Jesus as God’s Son.

“Perfect love casts out fear.”

• John is speaking about fear of God’s judgment.
• Those who rest in God’s saving love need not fear condemnation.

Whoever loves God must also love fellow believers

Application

We are called to obey God’s Word and reject the world’s values. We must constantly be on guard for false teachers and spirits. God calls us to love one another. Perfect love casts out fear, for God is love.