1 John: The Last Hours, Antichrists & You Don’t Need Anyone to Teach You

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1 John: The Last Hours, Antichrists & You Don’t Need Anyone to Teach You.  (1 John 2:18-29)

Scripture References: 1 John 2:18-29, Matthew 24, John 15, 1 John 4.

Intro:

• Introduction, highlighting the timely topic of antichrists near Halloween.
• Overview of the sermon's structure: clarifying statements, signs of antichrists, and safeguards.

Key Points:

• Clarifying Statements:
  • "It is the last hour": Refers to the period between Jesus' first and second coming.
  • Purpose is to promote urgency and readiness, not fear or panic.
  • "Antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come": Emphasizes present danger, not just future.
  • Antichrist means "opposed to Christ" or "instead of Christ."
  • "You have no need that anyone should teach you": Addressed to counter Gnostic claims of special knowledge.
  • John reinforces the sufficiency of apostolic teaching and the Holy Spirit's anointing.
• Signs of Antichrists:
  • Deception: Actively leading others into false teaching (1 John 4:1).
  • Denial: Rejecting Jesus as the Christ, denying His deity and humanity.
  • Departure: Leaving the community of believers, indicating they were never truly part of it.
• Safeguards Against Antichrists:
  • Christ According to the Apostles: Abiding in the teachings from the beginning.
  • Emphasizing the authority of the apostolic witness.
  • Anointing from Christ: Relying on the Holy Spirit's anointing for knowledge and empowerment.
  • Recognizing the cognitive effect of the anointing.
  • Abiding in Christ: Making Christ one's home, dwelling in Him.
  • Drawing from Jesus' teaching in John 15 about abiding in the vine.

Conclusion:

• The "last hour" calls for urgent, righteous living.
• Antichrists deceive, deny, and depart, posing a present threat.
• Safeguards against them are apostolic teaching, the Holy Spirit's anointing, and abiding in Christ.
• Abiding in Christ, as taught by Jesus, is crucial for bearing fruit and resisting deception.

Call to Action:

• Live with a sense of urgency, knowing we are in the last hour.
• Be discerning, testing spirits and teachings against apostolic truth.
• Rely on the Holy Spirit's anointing for knowledge and guidance.
• Abide in Christ, making Him your home and dwelling in His presence.
• Hold fast to the teachings from the beginning, resisting novel doctrines.
• Embrace the community of believers, rejecting the notion of isolated faith.