Faith in Troubled Times

1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; 2 for the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. 3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. 5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. 12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. 13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

About the Writer

Though unnamed this book is attributed to The Apostle John

Second John is

++The second shortest book in the New Testament.

++Has only 245 words in the Greek text

++Is an excellent example of exhortation

The author’s intent is to motivate his audience to action.

No personal names are used

This could be

++Conflict or hardship

++Closeness to the author

Characters

++The Elder- _John_

++The Elect Lady- _Church_

++The Children- _People_

The focus is on Truth

2 John 1 KJV 1900

1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

The truth

++Must be known

++Must be passed on

++Must be live out

++Helps faith to stand

This church

++Loved the truth

2 John 2 KJV 1900

2 for the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

This church

Loved the truth

++Modeled what they believed

2 John 4 KJV 1900

4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

This church

Loved the truth

Modeled what they believed

++Was Fruitful

Truth must be tempered with Love

2 John 5 KJV 1900

5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

Truth walking love

++Will protect you from deceit

++ Will help you stand firm in faith

2 John 7–8 KJV 1900

7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

In this truth we get it all

2 John 9 KJV 1900

9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

Standing Faith

Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV 1900

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Ecclesiastes 3:10–11 KJV 1900

10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

The Foundation of Faith

God is

++A rewarder

Hebrews 11:6 KJV 1900

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

God is

A rewarder

++Unchanging

Hebrews 13:8 KJV 1900

8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

God is

A rewarder

Unchanging

++Faithful

Proverbs 3:5–6 KJV 1900

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.

God is

A rewarder

Unchanging

Faithful

++Full of Compassion

Psalm 145:8–9 KJV 1900

8 The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; Slow to anger, and of great mercy. 9 The Lord is good to all: And his tender mercies are over all his works.

An Anchored Faith

1 Corinthians 2:4–5 KJV 1900

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

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