5th December 2010. Advent 2. St Tim’s 10.15 only. A CITY UNDER SIEGE Imagine a city surrounded by armies. Cut off from supplies except a treacherous route through the mountains. For 4 long years no way in or out of the city except a series of underground tunnels. 10,000 people killed in the siege, including…

When God's people worship and praise with open hearts and joy, it is a taste of God's Reign among us on earth. We can embrace joy and wonder even as we face heartache and longing for redemption amidst disease, war, hunger, and pandemic.

John reminds his beloved ones that not every spirit is the same. Thus, he calls them to listen to the teaching that they receive with discernment because there are many false prophets who are in the world and they attempt to pervert the nature of Christ.

We are in our third section of this Epistle as we continue to move through the introductory section, that will conclude in 2:27. John, has been working through tests in his introduction where he employs six conditional clauses, and systematically applies a test to either expose the lie of, or to affirm the truth of, a profession.

John desires to provide assurance to overactive consciences, which has the potential to beleaguer and discourage making it difficult for an individual to have a settled confidence in a a right standing before God. So, he attempts to encourage believers and enable them to accurately evaluate their own spiritual condition.

Without directly confronting the false teachers, John announces his overall message, That God is Light and in Him there is no darkness at all. And then contrasts the practice of walking in the truth, with the pattern of walking in the darkness.

John now gives them a solemn warning where he reminds them of four essential things: First, they are to realize that it is the last hour. Second, they are to recognize those who have defected from orthodox teaching. Third, they are to remember their divine anointing. Fourth, they are to retain the gospel message that they heard from the beginning.

In this section we will discover both John’s commendation to the family and his exhortation for the family. He addresses the family (Little Children) by dividing them into two groups: fathers who would comprise the older members in the church and young men, which would include the younger members of the church.

Introduction SHARP: Died and they celebrated POV: Celebrate new life … new born child … new eyes. Everything is new and interesting 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Action: Invite people to a new life in Jesus Benefit: You are doing God’s work John 6:29 I. BE NEW v 17 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is…