Truth and Commands

 

Truth and Commands

2 John

I began with you all here at the Thurston church on June 26. Not long after, we started in 1 John and we have worked our way through that letter. Now we move into 2 John, 3 John and Jude. 

 

It's not clear who the author is exactly. These 2nd and 3rd letters get attributed to John on the basis of language and sound. It sounds like John. It sounds like things he would say. Because of the time frame, it might very well be written by one of his own disciples who knows his teaching style and has written in John's words. The same could be said of John's Gospel, which has phrases in it that John would not serious use when referring to himself. "the disciple whom Jesus loved" Whatever the semantics here, it is John's handiwork, whether through actual lettering or through inspiration. 

Truth Matters

John was present through much of the Gospel record that bears his own name. Unlike Matthew, Mark and Luke, which seems to be written from afar or on second hand knowledge. Even Matthew's account, and he having been an actual disciple, seems as times to be written from an edge that records history while not putting himself in the actual record. With John's words, we see someone who was right there through the entire account. Very little, except some of the gospel right at the beginning, seems to have that second account nature. John was there. He saw it. He heard it. It is truth. 

John's audience here seems to be a woman and her children. "To the lady chosen by God" There has been much speculation as to who John is actual speaking to in this letter. After much thinking and background work, it occurs to me that for all the similarities we have considered between John and the other writers at this time, especially Paul, who has feverishly penned much of the New Testament instruction we have, that the lady referred to his John's letter might simply be the church itself. To the lady chosen by God and to her children The letter here isn't written to anyone in-particular. It is written to the church and the people following Jesus. Our Lord has always referred to his people, his family, as children. Jesus likened those who walk with the Lord as His children. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. All themes and words that John would have used in his Gospel and seems to find there way right into the opening here. 

John was always close to Jesus. We find him in the inner circle of three who seemed to be with our Savior all the time. John is sitting right next to Jesus at the Last Supper. It is that same closeness that John seems to want for everyone who reads his words. John knows what that life is all about. He has breathed it and lived with it. It would be natural for him to want to share that with those who come along and seek to follow in the truth. Everything that John has discovered and experienced it truth connected to Jesus. Jesus is truth. That is a reality we find hard to share with a world seeking truth in so many other places. For John's audience, they have to be seeing the offerings of what the world would call truth all around them. The temples. The government. The temptation to leave the struggle of holding onto to Jesus behind. For John, there is nothing else to do but hold on to Jesus. All else has been left behind already. The truth is that there is no life without Jesus in the picture. 

Reaffirming the Truth

We talked about repetition in John's first letter. We need to see and appreciate that we will hear similar or the exact same themes over and over again as we go through the scriptures. Sometimes we might read the exact same wording from one book or letter into another. Jesus spoke at length with his disciples about this joy he had. The latter chapters of John's Gospel show us how Jesus handled heading tot he cross. He could have been over come with sorrow. He could have just shut down with grief about having to give up his life. But, he doesn't. Jesus uses the final moments to continue to teach and share. "My joy I give to you" Jesus was most joyful when he was about His Father's business. Right from the start we see and have record of Jesus being about what his Father wanted when he separated himself from Joseph and Mary on that trip to the temple. Looking for him everywhere, they find his in the Temple, asking questions and creating discussion. What else should we find ourselves doing? If we are hear to follow in the footsteps of our Savior and do what He was doing, then maybe that is what it takes to love one another. 

Our church has a great thing going with these Tuesday and Thursday lunches. More important than the food itself being shared, it is the sense of community that it brings to those involved. The command we hear from John's words in this second letter is a reaffirmation that we follow and love one another. Loving people is what Jesus wanted. If putting some food in someone else's hands help us get the message across about God's Love, then we do that. There are many different vehicles we could use to get to that destination. There are many different ways to get ourselves involved in the ways of showing God's Love to other people. Let your imagination run wild in that department. Do whatever you have to in order to share God's Love with a world that needs to hear about it. 

Truth and Deception

John's chief goal through out his writing has been to keep his readers on task with following Jesus despite what they are hearing from the world around them. There are so many ways and teaching they could follow. In 2022, we see and hear much about other means of saving ourselves, bettering our hearts and minds through the means of DIY methods. Steven Curtis Chapman gave us some heart felt truth in a song he presented back in 1997. The words will forever speak. 

I have come to this ocean
And the waves of fear are starting to grow
The doubts and questions are rising with the tide
So I'm clinging to the one sure thing I know

 

I will hold on to the hand of my Savior
And I will hold on with all my might
I will hold loosely to things that are fleeting
And hold on to Jesus, I will hold on to Jesus for life

 

I've tried to hold many treasures
They just keep slipping through my fingers like sand
But there's one treasure that means more than breath itself
So I'm clinging to it with everything I am

 

I will hold on to the hand of my Savior
And I will hold on with all my might
I will hold loosely to things that are fleeting
And hold on to Jesus, I will hold on to Jesus for life

 

Like a child holding on to a promise
I will cling to His word and believe
As I press on to take hold of that
For which Christ Jesus took hold of me

 

So I will hold on to the hand of my Savior
And I will hold on with all my might
I will hold loosely to things that are fleeting
And hold on to Jesus for life
I will hold on to Jesus for life
I'll hold on to Jesus, I will hold on to Jesus for life
Hold on for life

 

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: James Isaac Elliott / Steven Curtis Chapman

Hold on to Jesus lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Capitol Christian Music Group, Capitol CMG Publishing

 

Let Jesus be your all is all.
Hold on to Him no matter what.

Emotional Support Paid For By The Following

 

Emotional Support Paid For By The Following

1 John 5.13-21

Sometimes I like to just be a little silly or goofy with my sermon title.

How many time have you heard it at the conclusion of a program on television. "something something support for the [insert 80's sitcom title here] Show, paid for by the following". Then, all the products and people who helped or gave their financial backing to the show are spoken about and we are encouraged to go by products and items pertaining to those backers of the show. I'm sure you've seen it before. 

Many of our letters by Paul and others usually wind up with some salutations and well wishes to those in the community in which they are writing. While Paul would usually call on some people by name, John tries to simply stay on point with what he has been writing about this whole time. The effect is nearly the same as we are encouraged to keep out focus on the Lord Jesus. 

To Proud To Ask

How easily do you ask for things? Asking for help is something we start learning at kindergarten and beforehand. Sometimes, we find out we haven't learned much by the time we get to adulthood. Asking is a contrary trait for many. As red blooded, blue collar, American people we are taught early to stand on our own two feet. Many of us grow up being told we need to take care of ourselves and not accept any handout from anyone. its one thing to teach people they need to ask for help. There is a step before that where little people simply need to be taught to ask at all. Many a teacher will confirm for you that those little ones they are instructing have no concept of raising a hand, taking a turn, waiting to be called on. If they want something, they want it now and you need to listen. 

And, it is amazing how little we actually learn and retain as we go through life.

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What was it Jesus taught his followers about asking? John was present for all of that teaching. It is the very basis for what he shares and sends on with his own readers and disciples. Jesus likened a person asking of God to that of a person beating on the door of their neighbor late at night, in need of help. The person knocks and knocks. Persistence. It is key if we are to get where we are going. 

In his final talk with the disciples before heading to Calvary, Jesus shares that they should ask for whatever they need, in His name, and they will receive it. It is a special piece of information that truly does not get used enough. The American Christian is taught that we need to stand on our two feet, support ourselves, have no need for someone else to take care of us. Christianity teaches an opposing approach. Be dependent of God for all things. If you have the strength to get up in the morning and go to work, thank God for that. If you have good health and are able to get through the day, better put God first and make sure He knows it. If you have a nice house and a family around you, don't praise yourself for all you have. Make sure you praise the Lord and give Him the due accolades for all you have in your life.Nothing that we have is ours because we did it all ourselves. If we have anything at all, it is because God has blessed us and allowed us to be where we are. God needs to be praised and honored in the midst of this life. And, we learn that truth if we have been in the habit of asking for what we need. 

Sin and Life and Death

Sin is a sticky, messy problem. Just about any teacher will tell you that kids are messy. If you have had the pleasure of raising children in this world, then you already know that bit of truth. God has been raising children for several millennia now and He has seen his fair share of messes. When we were kids, my dad had a saying that stuck with me through the years. When we were little and wanting more milk or something to drink while at the table, dad felt it was he or mom's responsibility to get that for us. His explanation was simple. "If I spill the milk, I have to clean it up. If you spill the milk, I still have to clean it up. So, just let me pour it OK? Because you're probably going to make a mess." How do we handle our own messes? How do we handle other people's messes? The back drop here is truly about how we would like people to treat us should our own sins be out in the open for all to see. There are sins that lead to death. Sometimes they do. It's heart breaking. At that point, John seems to be saying that there is little to nothing we can do about that. Once a person has passed to the other side, they are in God's hands. We need to leave them with God. However, there are sins that do not lead to death and we have the immaculate chance to restore, show mercy, imply forgiveness, redirect and instruct. We should take the chance. We should pour the milk for them, if need be. Help them with their messes. Clean things up fro them if we have to. Because that's what we would want someone to do for us. 

Mercy is an indispensable grace that needs the cap broken off the bottle and poured all over the place. It only finds it way out to people's lives if we share it.  maybe we haven't experienced enough grace in our own lives if we are unwilling to share with and restore others who find themselves in dire circumstances. Our sins can be a snare that leads us to crippling places where we become bitter and resentful. If grace is to abound, if we are to learn the truth about asking God and receiving all we need, then we need to learn that God has all we could ever want at his finger tips. And, what we truly need above all else is His Love. 

Leave It All Behind

Again, we find that translation doesn't always work smoothly. Sin is a big, broad subject. Is John talking about sin in that broad context or is he focusing on something in particular. Many commentators on the scriptures will say that the subject of apostasy is on the forefront of much of the New Testament writers minds. John certainly has touched upon that in his writing. For us to turn away from the confession that Jesus is the Christ, to deny that we have said that Jesus is Lord, is truly a sin. 

It's not easy to stay away from sin when the world around us is telling us that following Jesus is ridiculous. In the case of these first century followers, it might even cost them their lives. There is a government that won't stand for the propagation of a Savior who is proclaimed as God over all. Caesar is said to be Lord of all. To suggest something different could be deadly. But, we know that God will take care of us. We sing about what we believe. We share that each week with what we bring from our hymnals. Lets us focus on what we believe and trust in as we close up this service today. 

Living Faith

 

Living Faith

1 John 5.1-12

Do we really understand the area we about to dip out toes into this morning? Faith is something we can be certain about. We cannot, however, see it. It is tangible in that we reach out to make contact with God. Yet, we can't see God and more than we can actually see faith. Merriam-Webster is going to help us make sense of it all as we take a look at the word. Maybe we can understand better what we are living into as we become people who are following Jesus.

I Don't Believe God Exists

It started simply enough. "I don't believe God exists" Mike the barber said in a matter of fact way. Bill went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation, telling stories as usual. They talked about politics and the elections, the state of the economy, their families and kids.

"That's Right, God Doesn't Exist."

When they eventually touched on the subject of God, Mike said: 'I don't believe that God exists.'

"Why do you say that?" asked Bill.

"Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me Bill, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things."

Bill thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. Mike finished his barbering job and Bill left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt.

Bill  turned back and entered the barbershop again and he said to Mike, the barber:
"You know what? Barbers do not exist."

"How can you say that?' asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!"

"No!"  Bill exclaimed. "'Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."

"Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me."

"Exactly!' Bill affirmed. And, with a wink and a nod he left Mike to contemplate the deeper implications of their conversation.

 What is faith? Maybe we need some clarity as to what we are talking about. Merriam-Webster usually has some good idea to help clear up our muddy water.

We cannot see it. But, it is possessive. My Faith. I can hang on to it. Yet, sometimes we lose it. When lose something we cannot see or touch it can be that much harder to get a hold of it again. But, knowing it is ours can help us in that area. Knowing that faith something we use or put into action can help us understand the possession of it as well.

Thinking about faith as an action word is probably not something that many of us have contemplated. We know what we believe. Some of us can maybe articulate why we believe what we do. Many of us have strong opinions about issues or politics or things going on in our world. How about your faith? Can you show what you believe in? Can you speak to what you trust? Better yet, can you speak to what you put your belief and trust in?

Note that transitive nature in the word. Faith can be spread around. If you have faith and the person at the other end of the pew has faith, how can you affect that nature of those around you with your faith? How can you put that faith into action so others can find faith as well?

Do You Carry Your Umbrella?

Would you carry your umbrella in a drought?  As a drought continued for what seemed an eternity, a small community of farmers was in a quandary as to what to do. Rain was important to keep their crops healthy and sustain the townspeople's way of life.  As the problem became more acute, a local pastor called a prayer meeting to ask for rain.

Many people arrived at the church to pray for the needed rain. The pastor greeted most of them as they filed in. As he walked to the front of the church to officially begin the meeting he noticed most people were chatting across the aisles and socializing with friends.

When he reached the front his thoughts were on quieting the attendees and starting the meeting.

His eyes scanned the crowd as he asked for quiet. He noticed an eleven year-old girl sitting quietly in the front row. Her face was beaming with excitement. Next to her, open and ready for use, was a very colorful and extremely large umbrella, much bigger than her in fact.

The little girl's beauty and innocence made the pastor smile as he realized how much faith she possessed. No one else in the congregation had brought an umbrella.

All came to pray for rain. But the little girl had come expecting God to answer.

Sometimes it's helpful to hear what other words have to say. That synonym relationship between words helps us in our understanding. Seeing these four words above may cause us to contemplate how exactly we are using our faith and what we are doing with it. I hope you'll take the time to look up each word in the chart above and see what they mean. Each word can cause us to ask some questions about our faith. 

The third line of definition for the word belief poses some interesting thought. 

That's right where John has his audience in this passage today. He and the other disciples have first hand evidence. They were there. The fact of the matter is anyone who has asked Jesus to come into their heart and life has first hand evidence. At some point there needed to be a place and time where the conviction of our sins came down on our shoulders and we knew we needed forgiveness above all else. 

Our faith is directly connected to that forgiveness. Looking back up to the fragment on the word faith, we see the second line broken into an a and b part. 

For John and the others, there was proof. They saw it with their own eyes. They touched it with their own hands. The proof we have to offer our audiences two thousand years later has to do with things they cannot see. Forgiveness cannot be seen. Until we give it to someone who desperately needs it. Love isn't a tangible item until someone knows that there is person in their world who loves them. This is how we make out faith an action word. We put it into ways of sharing our life with other people. 

The last two words tie into this Sunday in a special way. 

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 One More Step

Its the first Sunday of the month here. It's a communion Sunday.
We approach the table with faith. For some, maybe its just a ritual. We always this. We take some bread. We drink a small cup. And we go sit down. Maybe, for some, it means a bit more. It's a moment to remember. That's what Jesus wanted it to be. "Do this in remembrance of me." It is in the remembering that our faith is made sturdy. If we plant some seeds and then never tend to those early drops in the soils of our hearts, how will they grow? Remembering is how we tend the soil. Cultivating it. Sometime we lose our faith when the soil is left alone. The weeds grow up. They choke the life right out of everything around it. We need to take the time to work the soil. Get our hands right down in their and help those seeds to grow. Take care of it. Watering it. Fertilizing it. Making sure it stays alive. Not just assuming it will grow. But, making sure that it does. 

Victory is the sure reward.