Queen of Denial

 

Queen of Denial

1 John 2.18-29

The background and history behind a passage of scripture is truly what brings any passage to light and makes it preach-able. Putting together a message really isn't that hard if we are simply listening to the context in and around any piece of scripture. We have already heard much about the world of these early believers in Jesus Christ. This week as we finish up chapter 2 of 1 John, we see more of what the Apostle John and others are dealing with as they seek to educate, encourage and keep the early church together and following the Lord.

When Will He Return?

In much of the writings within the New Testament, these epistles quite frequently refer to the Lord as "returning quickly", "soon and very soon", or as this week's scripture would put it "this is the last hour". When Jesus said he would return and take his followers to where he is (John 14) it was quite literal for all of them to think that the Lord would return very soon. Paul had to deal with this mindset quite literally when speaking to the Thessalonians, who took the message to heart so frankly that it was noted that believers in this early church would go up into the mountains in order to be as close to heaven as possible. Here they would sit and wait for the Lord to return hoping they would be among the first to see the Lord and be in his presence. That is how real the entire matter was for them. We out call people in our current, modern setting out for being too fundamental on their beliefs citing early church history as their ground work for why they do the things they do. What do we do with this information about the early church itself? Where would they come up with this notion that what they needed to do was go up into the mountains in order to be the first ones to see Jesus. Leaving behind all work and family in some cases, or maybe their entire family would abandon society and head up into the heights in order to be ready for The Return. Human beings really come up with some mind boggling notions of what it means to be following God. 

Keeping The Focus

We need to spend some time centering ourselves on the backdrop of what John is trying to say here and the focus has to do with denying who Jesus Christ is as Lord and Savior. This is a broad subject that reaches through not just the community of unbelievers, but also into the church itself where holding onto that belief in Jesus is of utmost importance. On every side, these early believers are bombarded with a message of distraction and fear and misguided theology. It is not easy to simply hang on to the faith about this Messiah who claims to want to take us to where he is. 

Emperor Domitian, the self-proclaimed “Lord and God” and ruthless dictator, reigned from AD 81 to 96. He was the son of Emperor Vespasian and the brother of Titus, the conquerors of Jerusalem in AD 70. Late in life, Domitian become very superstitious. In fact, on the day before he was murdered, he consulted an astrologer. During this time he also consulted Apollo, the god of music and poetry, as well as light, truth and prophecy! Commemorating his superstition, the emperor minted coins depicting Apollo on one side and a raven, associated with prophecy, on the other. This the world that early church find itself in. A temple to a Greek/Roman god might be right across the street from where the church is located. In many of the archeological films you might come across when researching New Testament material, it quite often is the case to uncover a building with religious markings that would suggest that early believers worshiped there. And, right across the street, there would be a temple to Zeus or Apollo or Athena. It would be common practice for some to worship in said temple and then come across the street to the church afterwards. Maybe people felt they needed to check all the bases and make sure they didn't miss out on any of gods on display. Maybe some did it for social interactions. And, yet, from the tone in John's letter, it seems quite certain that many are simply on the fence about what their own decision is about this Jesus. 

John would call anyone delivering a different message than the one they are presenting, an antichrist.

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While it has been suggested historically that there would be someone who would come and oppose the person Jesus, quite literally, when approaching the word we should hear John speaking to the matter in a more general way. John is not trying to make reference to any specific person. He is speaking to a mindset of denying who Jesus is. Anyone who would say that Jesus is not who he says he is is in opposition and is referred to as simply, an anti-christ. John is also saying that there are some who had gone out from their own fold. The message they are delivering shows that they never really belonged to the church in the first place. If they had, then the message they would have been delivering would have kept itself true to the person of Jesus. "The proof is in the pudding" is an old adage that works here. One taste of this "other" message and you know its not the "real stuff". So it is with the message about Jesus. John is writing to a society that has people proclaiming high knowledge and understanding about God. Those in that arena would also claim they have so sin, which is not in keeping with what we know about our own nature and the very center of the message that the Christian faith delivers. Then, the early church also finds itself in the face of a Roman empire with a Caesar who claims Lordship over everyone. How is a person supposed to hang on to their faith and stay true to Jesus Christ with all of this opposing their conscience? 

The Apostle John is maybe one of the best at giving encouragement. What he tells his audience is that they have everything they need right there in their midst. They have the anointing of God on them that will teach them everything they need to know. John hearkens them back to "the beginning" to remember how their faith journey began. Those early moments when our faith begins to grow and take off can be what makes or breaks our development in following Jesus. If there is not a moment in your life where you can mark the beginning of that journey, then you might have a time figuring out of you have Jesus in your life at all. For John and the apostles, they know they can look back to those three and half years they spent following Christ. They know where the beginning is for them. And, they also know where they are headed. 

Lost In Translation

Here would be a good place to bring up the matter of what exactly gets put into our English translation of the scripture. When John says here that "you do not need any one to teach you", what do he truly mean here? Lets keep in step with the context. John is speaking about the fact there there are those out in the social community that would try to lead them astray. We've covered what it is they are presenting. John is trying to convey that his audience already knows what they need to know about Jesus. No one else needs to come along and teach them something else about God. They know what they need to know already. And, yet, simple everyday life would show us that we do need people to lead us and teach us and guide us as we walk along. Here comes that fundamental viewpoint that needs addressing again. The setup of the Thurston sanctuary leads my mind to wander back to another sanctuary I worshiped in long ago. Just as we have this outer row of pews lining the outer wall here, the Apostolic church I enjoyed a week of Revival services in way back in 1995 was setup much the same way. If you know anything about worship in that type of setting, you know it can get very vocal with testimonies and speaking out. Might hear some tongues being shared. Lots of free-wheeling types who get emotional and shouting. It is quite an experience. 

I recall the worship leader calling for testimonies in the midst of the service. I seem to remember his suggesting "I don't want to hear about your tired feet and back. I don't want to hear anything about how many quarts of green beans you canned today 'with the Lord's help'. I want to some real, true words about what God has done for you." Being put on the spot like that was a bot unusual for an Apostolic-Pentecostal-Charismatic community who is used to maybe doing whatever they like in a service. The testimonies came a bit slow at first with the congregation being put in check and having to think before they spoke. Of course that didn't stop the most egregious, entertaining testimonies from making their way to the floor. Like I said, things can get a bit emotional in that kind of setting. After some well placed words about what God has done from several of the people in attendance, then the tongue speaking got going. a couple ladies stood up and shared words with no translator leaving the congregation wondering what the point was (at least that's where I was in the moment). Then, the guy I will never forget. He is in the front row on the front pew. He stands to speak. He instantly has this motion to his head and walk like he is in a trance and not in control of himself. After rambling in some unintelligible words, he begins to site his "I don't believe" statements. 

"I don't believe in this..."
"I don't believe in that..."
"I don't believe in women having short hair."
"I don't believe in abortion..."
"I don't believe in going to school to learn how to preach..."

All the while getting his chicken walk going what he babbled and cited his statements. Then, he snaps out of it! His eyes return to normal and he just slowly sits down in the front pew again. To be there in the moment... It kind of leaves one speechless concerning the ridiculousness of it all. And then from the back came this frank, dry, almost sarcastic voice after the man sat down. "Oh yea. You got it. Sure." 

When John speaks about his audience having the anointing on them and that they don't need for anyone to teach them, this is NOT what he means. He does not mean that we are free to just do whatever we want to do and handle ourselves in any careless manner we want concerning our worship. We do need people to teach us and instruct us. I am a proud graduate and student of two great colleges right here in Ohio. I have had some really great instructors who have spent some years behind the pulpit and serving churches who, in turn, has much wisdom and knowledge to pass along to the ones coming up. I don't know where I would be without them. Their help and encouragement have been priceless.

Standing Firm

 John talks about being confident and unashamed. It is easy to put that kind of thinking right into what we sing from our hymnals. Can you pick up a songbook and turn to a hymn and sing it like you mean it? Or, it is some hum-drum thing to sing one of these classic songs. Faith in Jesus should be something we can be excited about. The song we have lined up here this morning one you can sing with all your voice. Be encouraged and centered in the fact that God loves you today. Sing about that will all that you have. 

Blessings to you.