UNdeniable - A Study Of 1st John - Part IV

1 John 2:18-27    Truth Statement:  It is critical in these days to be able to discern between truth and deception.   The Great Deception . . .   ·         The Antichrist who will come:  he is called the Son of Destruction; man of lawlessness; defies God; controlled by Satan; the final antichrist; denies the Father and the Son. (1 John 2:22; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12)   ·         The antichrists who now have come:  those who profess that Jesus is not from God; deny the deity of Jesus; liars and deceivers. (1 John 4:3; 2 John 7; 1 John 2:22)   o   “they”—those within the church or Christian community who were imposters. (1 John 2:19) §  The spirit of antichrist denies that Jesus is the Christ and that Jesus is God. (v. 22-23a)   Implication:  Those within the Church are not necessarily true followers of Christ.   The Truth . . .   ·         True followers of Christ are anointed by the Holy Spirit.  o   The Spirit of God enables us to know the knowledge of truth. (v. 20-21) o   The Spirit of God enables us to practice righteousness. (v. 29)   Imperatives: 1.      Abide in the word. 2.      Abide in Christ.   Questions to Answer . . .   ·         What is the evidence of your life that affirms you are in Christ? ·         Are you abiding in the word of God so that you might be able to discern what is a lie?