1 John 2: A Sure Salvation

18 minute read

Study Group Ice Breakers

If you could have two wishes, what would you wish for? (and you can’t wish for more wishes)

Survey of the Bible: Joshua

Refresher

  • Can anyone remember what the book of Deuteronomy was about?

  • Moses set about 10 sermons at the start to prepare them

  • Moses ends with his final words to them

  • What are the 5 books of the Bible Moses wrote?

Outline of Joshua (J.B Phillips)

  1. Claiming the Land (1-5)
  2. Conquering the Land (6-11)
  3. Colonizing the land (12-24)

Summary

  • “Moses the servant is dead”
  • Israel camped on the Easter side of the river Jordan
  • Canaan awaits them with it’s giants and walled cities
  • Chapter 1 is a reflecting of God’s greatness as He builds up and encourages Joshua “be strong and a good courage”
  • We have a few stories.
    1. Rahab the Harlot
      • Two spies
      • Helped them escape
      • What was special about her? She married into one of the families of Judah, and became part of the lineage of David and Christ.
    2. Gilgal
      • Raised a monument to God as a reminder when they crossed the Jordan
    3. 3 Main Campaigns
      • Central: attack Jericho and Ai
      • Southern: make a pact with Gibeon
      • Northern: attack at the waters of Merom
  • Land of Israel was divided lot

Refresh

  • 1 John is an epistle written by John.
  • How many books of the Bible has John written?
  • Keyword: Know (30 times)
  • Practical application: Confidence in your salvation, but also to prove your salvation (Phil 2:12)

Verse by Verse 2:1-6

Theme: Knowing God

Webster 1828 define’s “know” as is:

To perceive with certainty; to understand clearly; to have a clear and certain perception of truth, fact, or any thing that actually exists.

Question for you today will be, how well do you know God?

Verse 1

  • “My little children” - he was with Christ. If there is anyone who the credentials for this labelling it’s him. He has been with Christ, walked with him, talked with him, touched him in person. He has learned from the master. And now with that confidence, and assurance, he is going to give us wisdom and assurance.
  • I am glad the verse has the second sentence “And if any man sin..”
  • What does some of your bibles say, does it use the word advocate?

Verse 2

  • What is propitiation?

The act of appeasing wrath and conciliating the favor of an offended person; the act of making propitious.

  • What word does some of your bible’s use?
  • His death was the satisfaction of God’s wrath for our sin.
  • I just love how John pushes further, to not just to our sin, but that of the world.
  • This is important, because it speaks to the responsibility that comes with being a Christian - others.
  • Did Jesus die for the sins of the whole world and if so, does it mean everyone is going to heaven?

Verse 3

  • Don’t you just love the double “know”
  • Coming back to the definition of “know” - to understand clearly
  • Why is it so important to understand God clearly?

Quality of knowledge, dictates your experience, your decision making and your actions

  • For example: Shalom at 1.5 years old jumping off a bench and breaking her arm
  • For example: A young teenager who parents say that drugs kill, but without experience, without knowing makes an emotional counter reaction to their advice and wastes their life.
  • The quality of your Christian experience, it’s power, it’s effect and impact is based on how well you know God.
  • Not your mum, dad, uncle, brother or sister, but you
  • You will know that you know him, if you do what he commands.
  • There comes that test again we saw in Chapter 1, about assessing ourselves?
  • Not only are we required to know God, but also have a fair and good reflection of ourselves.
  • Why is this important?

Session Two

Ice-breaker

If you could be a cartoon character, who would you be and why?

Ruth

Question: What can you guys tell me about the book of Ruth?

Context

The context for book of Ruth, is that book of Judges. Despite the prevailing apostasy, there were individuals living godly lives, seeking to rule their lives by the law of Moses and free from corruption.

It’s one of the most beautiful stories in scripture, a romance novel.

Who can tell me what the theme of Ruth is?

The theme is one of ‘redemption’. It speaks of one a Moabite, who was dwelling in darkness, and was introduced to one who became her kinsman-redeemer and Lord.

What or who is a kinsman-redeemer? Is a male relative, who according to various laws of the Pentateuch, had the privilege and responsibility to act on behalf of a relative who was in trouble, danger or need. In Hebrew (go el), designates one who delivers or rescues (Numbers 5:6)

Summary

Ruth was in utter darkness - not only was she not an Israelite, but she was also of a people who God had leglislated against (Deu 23:3-4). But we see God’s redemption for what was previously cursed, as he lifted her into a royal line and gave her a living link with God himself (Matthew 1:5) [ Ruth begat Obed, Obed begat Jesse, Jesse begate David].

  1. Famine - famine took over the land in Judah,
  2. Family - Elimelech with his wife and two daughters went to Moab for respite
  3. Funerals - Naomi’s husband dies and marries Moabite women. But then the two sons die.

What were the two woman’s names? Orpah and Ruth

  1. Fear - Naomi wanted to return to her people and say goodbye to her two daughters, leaving them with their family

v14 - READ IT

  1. Field - READ Chapter 2:1 They arrived in Bethelem and sort means to provide for themselves. She went to pick in the field. It is from here, she lays at his feet and he purchases her according to the redemption laws of Israel to make her his very own.

From here the story moves quickly, as we see them being married and Ruth, and how a kinsman-redeemer redeems her from darkness into light.

1 John 2:3-4

The interesting thing about 1 John is that we see alot of repetition. In fact, it’s re-inforcement of similar truths and thoughts.

  • You say you love God, but do you.
  • You say you walk in the light, but are you.
  • You are saved, have confidence in Him.

The majority if not all of the book can be summed up in a paragraph. But it is the depth of issues, that places the burden to communicate them well and effectively.

Verse 3

  • Quite simply, if you understand God clearly, and you say you know, well you can know this by your actions.
  • Not just what you doing, but that you are being obediant to what God would have you.
  • This comes in a few forms: (1) Being obediant to the Bible (2) Being obediant to the heeding of the Spirit

Sometimes the Spirit in a moment or situation will lead you, this person needs a tract, or this person needs a friend, or you need to go to the front of the church because it’s an alter call. Whatever it may be, it’s important to heed the Spirit, so you build the habit of hearing His words and when He speaks.

How do you know it’s not the Spirit but your own flesh or poor judgement? Gut feel.

  • Where you are in your walk with Christ today, good standing or the relationship a bit strained
  • Is it aligned with God’s word?

Example

  • On street, do I street preach and bellow it out like a crazy person. Do I shout Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves?
  • The only way to know sometimes is just to do. Don’t overthink, if you feel the prompting of Christ at the beckoning of the word

Verse 4

  • The Words here are very clear.
  • We are either doing what God says, or we are not. And if we say we know him, well is it showing?
  • We make ourselves liars when we choose not to act in accordance with the word.

Let’s flip it around. If we obeyed all the commandments would that mean we know God?

Verse 5

  • Here’s that test again but in another form.
  • If we keep his commandments, not only do we know that we know him. But the love of God is perfected.

What is this love of God?

  • It’s God love unto us
  • It’s God’s son dying on the cross for us (1 John 4:19)

Verse 6

Here’s the beauty, and it almost looks like he is saying the same thing. But what’s different now to how you work, how well you know Him, is that it’s not just tied to a bunch of text. But it’s in response to the life, death and burial of Jesus, more than that, it’s tied to an actual person. Someone who you have a relationship with. Talk to, listen to, follow and love.

This is what seperate Christianity, we are not a dead religion, we are not a set of commandments, we are loved, and have someone to love.

Session Three

Survey: 1 Samuel (From J Phillips)

Israel in sin

Gen 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. This was the great sin of Israel, anticipating the purpose of God and insisting on their own King, instead of waiting for God’s king.

  1. Who are the 4 main actors of 1 Samuel?
  • Eli
  • Samuel
  • Saul
  • David
  1. Who was Samuel?
  • Samuel is called, “last of judges, first of prophets.”
  • He stood apart from Kings and Priests, and exercised authority over them both.
  • Eli was an old feeble priest at the time and not a great priest (1:12-17)
  • At this time, Israel was immoral, lost their way, neglected the tabernacle.
  • Elkanah was a godly man. His favorite wife Hannah, was a woman of great piety.
  • Through prevailing prayer, she overcame her barrenness and was given a child, Samuel.
  • The amazing power and faith of this woman (1 Sam 1:28) as she gives Samuel to Eli (lends him to the Lord)
  1. What are some events you can remember from the book?
  • Hannah prays for child while being barren
  • Young age, Samuel heard the Lords voice
  • Threw Samuel, the Phillistines began to infer that their reign over Israel wouldn’t last
  • He was might for God, and led Israel with divine authority
  1. Who was Saul?
  • Israel’s first king.
  • Born from tribe of Benjamin (smallest tribe)
  • Big physically, but ignorant to God’s will, impulsive, insane jealousy
  • But he showed early promise
  • He had wise and godly counsel from Samuel
  • He had strong victories initially over Israel’s foes
  • His two failure (1 Samuel 13:5-15, 1 Samuel 15:1-23)
  • He was insanely jealous over David when he found out he would be replaced by him
  • On nine occassions he tried to murder David
  1. Who was Saul’s son?
  • Jonathan
  • the love of Jonathan and David is one great story in 1 Samuel
  1. What instrument could David play?
  • The harp
  1. Who was David and what can you tell me about him?
  • God’s chosen King for Israel
  • Generous, brave, compassionate, thoughtful, born leader of men
  • From David, came the Kings
  • Lord Jesus is tracked back to David
  • David was a shepherd boy
  • He defeated Goliath
  • He had many experiences as an outlaw taught him how to command men
  • He had a noble band “might men” (caves and hideouts in Judae)

1 John 2:7

A New Commandment

  1. How would you define a commandments?
  2. It’s important to explore meaning of words. It can take on new dimensions and help explain tension you may feel in the passage or a set of verses.
  3. Again the true definition of a word is not in a dictionary, but as the bible defines it. It’s very rarely different to a dictionary, but when it does it can help illuminate the word.
  4. Perhaps today we can explore the nature of commandments and how words in scripture have so much power and their own nature? Refer to commandments

Session 3

Riddles

  1. What has a face but cannot smile, moves but has no legs, and tells but does not speak? (A clock)
  2. What has keys but can’t open locks, and space but no room? (A keyboard)
  3. I am tall when I’m young and short when I’m old. What am I? (A candle)

Ice breaker

  1. If you could be or meet someone from scripture, who would it?

2 Samuel

  1. The Patient Years (1-4) A. The Lament of Saul B. The House of Saul
  2. The Prosperous Years (2-4) A. David’s Coronation B. David’s Convictions C. David’s Covenant D. David’s Conquest E. David’s Critics F. David’s Crime
  3. The Perilous Years (13-24)

Key Events

  1. When he died David crowned.
  2. Ish-bosheth led a rebellion (Saul’s son) and Abner murdered
  3. David was a wise and generous king
  4. His leadership and miltary prowess gained him support and loyalty from various tribes and regions.
  5. He captures the stronghold of Jerusalem and makes it the capitol city (Jebusites)
  6. He began the foundations of building the temple which we know will live throughout Jewish National life for some time.
  7. He appointed court recorders and scribes so that national records could be systematically kept.

What was David’s great sin? (interestingly it was at the height of his power)

  • What was the husband’s name - Uriah the Hittite
  • Worst part - was one of his most faithful officers and one of his mighty men
  • Who revealed his sin? Nathan
  1. David wept and came to repentance.

Who was David’s favourite son?

  1. From then, David ran into trouble with his family (Absalom his favourite son, led a rebellion)
  • temporarily successful as it drove him from his throne

Who did David leave the kingdom too?

  1. Story teaches us - that God is no respecter of persons

1 John 2:8-12

Verse 8

  1. What do we remember from last time - what is this new commandment? (old commandment refreshed)
  2. What is this darkness that is now past? Glorious gospel and salvation, the dispensation of law is past.
  3. What is the dispensation we in called?
  4. Where did people in the Old Testament go when they died?
  5. What is the true light?

Verse 9

  1. Who is your brother in this context?
  2. We will pick up on this again in verse 11

Verse 10

  1. Here we see the repetition of 1 John. 1 John could be summed up in a large paragraph.
  2. John is trying to impress vital truths.
  3. When you love God and your neighbour, your clear you way so you can navigate life effectively.

Verse 11

  1. Darkness blinds, and causes you to stumble. When you hold grudges, despise, turn your eyes from Christ to others, you enter into darkness
  2. Darkness also masks sin (you can’t see it, bias; but also other’s can’t see what you are doing)

Verse 12

  1. John reminds us that we have victory over sin.
  2. Not for our sake, but for Christ’s. Our sin is removed because of Christ.
  3. God loves us, He does, but our merit, the reason we were grafted in, was because of Christ.

Session 4

Ice breakers

  1. What is one of your favourite verses?
  2. Do you have a favourite Bible song?
  3. What is one of the most interesting places you have visited, or best place to visit and why?
  4. What is your favourite hymn?
  5. Tell us about your week? Any highlights, what you been up to?

1&2 Kings

~ Directly from J.B Phillips

  • 120 years the twelve tribes were united and were ruled from a single throne
  • With the death of Solomon the 12 tribes broke away from the throne of David to setup an independent kingdom of the north.
  • The kingdom known as Israel, was eventually ruled by Samaria for which all the kings were bad
  • The tribe of Benjamin remained true to Judah and throne of David.
  • Combined these two tribes formed the Southern Kingdom, who were true to Judah and the throne of David
  • Some of Judah’s kings were good
  • Many of the ministries of the prophets were seen in this period

Outline

  1. The years of strength - The United Kindgom (1 Kings - 1 Kings-12:19)
  2. The years of struggle - The Divided Kingdom (1 Kings 12:20- 2 Kings 17:41)
  3. The years of storm - The Surviving Kingdom (2 Kings 18)

Solomon

What can you tell me about Solomon? Great good, good king?

  • Solomon rose to mighty heights but also plumetted to depths
  • God appeared to him twice after his succession on the throne

What super natural gift was Solomon given by God? (wisdom) What was his greatest achievement? (it was building the temple in Jerusalem)

  • His fame reached the 4 corners
  • In order to strengthen his position he did many political marriages (had many wives)
  • These alliances were dangerous as these women brought their heathen religions along with them
  • In his old age, he turned from God to serve idols from those religions

The Northern Kingdom

  1. Jeroboam - first king of Northern Kingdom
  • Rebellious and severed all religion connections with Jerusalem
  • Afraid that the pilgrimages would undermine his authority, he innovated
  • Setup a golden cald at Bethel and Dan
  1. Ahab - the most wicked of Israel’s kings
  • Jeroboam led Israel into perverted worship of Jehovah

Who was Ahab’s wife?

  • Ahab and his wife, Jezebel, established worship of Baal?

What prophet was on the scene in this time line? Elijah

  • Jezebel persecuted the people of God and plagued the prophet
  • Both Ahab and Jezebel had violent deaths
  1. Jehu - Jehu had great zeal for God, and terminated all of Ahab’s family and put a temporary end to Baal worship
  • He was an ungodly man though, and did not depart of the sins of Jeroboam
  1. Jeroboam II - was able to fight off the Syrian oppressors and restore Israel to former political greatness
  • His reign, had widespread immorality and injustice
  • Assyria a new nation appeared on the scene.

Next week and powers of the time.

Session 4

Icebreakers

  1. If you could choose, would you want to live on the Moon or Mars?
  2. If you were the king/queen of the world, what would be the first rule you make?
  3. If you had a pet alien, what would you name it?
  4. If you could have any animal’s ability, what would you choose?

1 & 2 Chronicles

  • Not a repetition of Kings
  • Kings gives us viewpoint from Prophets
  • Chronicles gives us viewpoint from the Priests
  • According to Hebrew Canon, they are at the end of the Old Testament
  • Written after captivity of Babel
  • Prior they were at a land of Promise, now everything was dust and desolate
  • The throne of David was gone, but the lineage was still there (from Adam to Zedekiah)
  • The writer reminds us that all Israel troubles stemmed from their apostasy
  • It ends with the decree of Cyrus (the rebuilding of the temple)
  • It relays the history of 21 kings and their reign (kings of Israel mentioned occassionally)
  • In the OT, Israel came into conflict with 4 world powers: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon and Persia

Overview

  1. The Chronology of Judah’s King (1 Chronicles 1-9)
    1. The Royal Line (Adam to Noah … David to Zedekiah)
    2. The Related Lines (Japheth to Ham, Jesse and Caleb)
  2. The Chronicles of Judah’s King (1 Chronicles 10-2 Chronicles 36)
    1. Throne of David
    2. Template of Solomon
    3. Testimony of History

Differences between Kings and Chronicles

Kings Chronicles
Written before captivity Written after captivity
Prophets viewpoints Priests
Human perspective Divine
First shows man ruling Shows God overuling
Embraces history of Northern Kingdom Ignores Northern Kingdom
Written by someone distracted Written by someone contemplative

1 John 2:13-16

  1. vs. 13
  • can someone read and another break-down the verse for us?
  • fathers here represent those mature in their walk with the Lord
  • from the beginning, could be from the first promulgation (public sharing of gospel) in Judea
  • known Jesus Christ who has been there from the beginning
  • young men, those young in the faith and with their zeal and passion are warring against their own desires and of the world
  • little children - newly saved
  • vs. 14
  • we see the repetition again, but that doesn’t mean we should ignore it.
  • but we should heed the message communicated to us.
  • He is emphasizing how precise he has been in his communication, to speak to each group of believers
  • Here he is encouraging the young in faith that they are strong, but the Word may abide in you
  • They have overcome the wicked one already in their faith

Session 5

5. Ice breakers

  1. If you could have a conversation with any Biblical figure, who would it be and why?
  2. Is there a book in the Bible that you find difficult to understand but would like to study more?
  3. What’s something you find challenging about reading or understanding the Bible?

We will come back to survey re: Ezra and Nehemiah.

Changing things up (vs. 15-17)

Part One

  1. Let’s read these verses together
  2. If you could give these verses a title or sum them up what would that be?

Part Two

  1. What are some ways we love the world?
  2. What is the three-tiers of sin?
  3. Can you give me an example of “lust of the flesh”?
  4. Can you give me an example of “lust of the eyes”?
  5. Can you give me an example of “pride of life”?

Part Three

  1. v15 - Interesting to see all these 3 areas of lust, are of the world, and will fade away with the world
  2. v16 - They are not eternal
  3. v17 - Doing God’s will, is eternal, it’s lasting and effectual.

Part Four

  1. v18 - What is the last time? (This is the last hour of the Apostolic age - end of verse & Acts 2:17). Who is the anti-christ? (2 Thessalonians 2:8-10, Daniel 9:26)
    1. Rise to power - one world government
    2. Opposition to God - denying Jesus Christ
    3. End times - revealed in tribulation
    4. False miracles - perform miracles, signs and wonders
    5. Second coming of Christ - will be destroyed
    6. Who then are the anti-christ’s?
  2. v19 - What does it mean “they” went out from us? Whose the they?
    1. Seducers or anti-christ’s (teachers, leaders, forerunners - check Matthew 24:24, Act 15:1)
    2. Unsaved
    3. Communion with the church and believers and have left
    4. Do all people who leave the church problematic?

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