April 15, 2018 – 2 John – Pastor Zeke Mack

Pastor Zeke spoke on the theme of the truth in love from 2 John, explaining that “We must love one another by walking in the truth of the gospel and watching out for counterfeits.”

Click here to download the MP3.

Main Points & Outline

1. Love is Walking According to God’s Truth (v. 1-6, 12-13)
   1. 3 truths that will be with us from God and Jesus
      1. Grace – God’s unmerited favor for us
      2. Mercy – forgiveness for our guilt
      3. Peace – the result of grace and mercy
   2. Application: what truth do we struggle believing will be with us? What area do we struggle extending to our brothers and sisters?
   3. It is not enough to just know the truth but we must also act on it (love). It is a commandment (v. 4,6)
2. Watch Out for Counterfeit Truth (v. 7-11)
   1. Counterfeits look like the real thing but are worthless in the end
   2. The cost of counterfeit truth is significant and eternal
   3. Practical ways to discern counterfeit truth:
      1. Know what the Scriptures say (v. 6)
      2. Increase the time around other truth-seekers (Christians) who will hold you accountable. Meet one-on-one with them. Ask questions and/or be ready to give answers.
      3. Invest in a Systematic Theology book (Wayne Grudem’s Introduction to Systematic Theology is a good start)

Scripture: 2 John

¹ The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, ² because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

³ Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

⁴ I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. ⁵ And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. ⁶ And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. ⁷ For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. ⁸ Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.⁹ Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting,¹¹ for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

¹² Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

¹³ The children of your elect sister greet you. (ESV)