The Truth in Us
A. SHORT BOOK, BIG LESSON.
B. OUR AIM.
1. Introduce the Book.
2. See the Place of Truth In It and In Our Spiritual Lives.
A. THE AUTHOR – John the Elder.
1. John, the same as 1 John and the Gospel.
- Common terms: walk, abide, truth, in phrases, Father and Son, new
commandment, joy made full.
2. The Elder, presbuteros.
a. Office in the church like Peter (1 Pet. 5:1-3).
b. Member of the Sanhedrin (Matt. 16:21; Acts 6:12).
c. An older man (1 Tim. 5:1; Luke 15:25).
B. THE DATE - After 1 John and the Gospel.
1. Late enough for the Gnostic heresy.
2. 65 – 100 A. D.
C. THE READERS –
1. Elect Lady.
a. Eph. 1:4, 1 Pet. 5:13; 2:9.
b. 2 John 13. Common to exchange greetings between congregations.
2. Her children – Spiritual brood.
a. Paul (1 Cor. 4:14-15; 1 Tim. 1:12; Rom. 8:16).
b. John (1 John 2:1).
A, vs. 1b. LOVE IN TRUTH WITH THOSE WHO KNOW THE TRUTH.
1. What brings us together? (1 John 1:3-4). What we know and believe.
2. Fellowship with God is the basis of our fellowship (vs. 4).
a. Dependent on faith and knowledge (vs. 3-4).
b. Dependent on walking in the light (vs. 6-7).
c. Dependent on obedience (1 John 2:4).
d. Dependent on NOT presuming (2 John 9).
3. Can our fellowship be threatened? (1 John 1:6; 2:4; 2 John 9; Gal. 5:4).
4. How does this affect our fellowship together? (Eph. 5:11).
B. vs. 2. AFFECTION BECAUSE OF FELLOWSHIP.
1. For truth’s sake (John 13:34-35; Rom. 13:9-19).
2. Abides in us (1 John 2:2-6, 21, see 2 John 4, 6).
3. What is truth? (John 17:17).
4. Be with us forever (Luke 21:33; 1 John 2:17).
C. vs. 3. GRACE, MERCY, PEACE SHALL BE WITH US.
1. Grace, charis, favor or blessing (James 1:17; Eph. 1:3).
a. Our salvation (Rom. 3:23-24; Eph. 2:8).
b. In the Bible, unmerited, not unconditional favor (Rom. 5:8: 1 John 4:9-10).
2. Mercy – Forgiveness.
a. An act of kindness (Luke 10:36-37).
b. Our salvation (1 Pet. 1:3; 1 Tim. 1:13).
3. Peace.
1. Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-21; Eph. 2:14-16).
2. Assurance (Rom. 8:31ff.; Phil. 4:4-7).
A. OURS FROM GOD AND JESUS.
B. TRUTH AND LOVE BEING AT THE CENTER.
C. BUT WE MUST WALK IN TRUTH (vs. 4, 6).