They Were Not of Us
Notes
Transcript
Opening Illustration
Opening Illustration
In the year 2000 four determined young men moved to the United States with the goal of becoming pilots.
They were determined in their goal and worked hard at flight school.
One of them was described by his classmates as kind and trustworthy.
They were taking ESL classes to learn the English language better.
They seemed to be establishing roots here in our country.
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These four immigrants seemed to be pursing the American dream.
And not just that...
They fit in in their communities and seemed like they would be model citizens.
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But in 2001, 15 more young men arrived to our country to join these now trained pilots...
And these 19 men revealed their true colors.
They revealed that they where never interested in becoming citizens of this nation.
They were not kind or trustworthy in any way.
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They were the 19 hijackers that carried out the heartless September 11 attacks on America.
They coordinated four suicide terrorist attacks following the orders of the militant Islamic extremist network of Al-Qaeda.
They took the lives of 2,977 people on that day alone.
They injured over 25,000 more individuals.
This is not including the substantial long-term health consequences it caused first responders and people in the area of the attack.
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Mercy’s uncle was one of those police officers that survived that day but he eventually passed away from health related issues from that attack.
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Additionally, they causes at least $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage...
And wrecked havock on the world’s economy.
These deceivers are responsible for the deadliest terrorist attack in human history and the single deadliest incident for firefighters and law enforcement officers in the history of the United States...
340 firefighters and 72 law enforcement officers were killed.
These hijackers were sleeper agents.
They were a sleeper cell.
They blended in until they were told to strike.
Simply put...
They were not of us.
They never were.
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And it is that great deception that we will be focusing our study on today.
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So, please turn your Bibles to 1 John.
We will be conducting our study in Chapter 2 and focus on verses 18 through 20.
Our message this morning called, “They Were Not of Us”
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Opening Prayer
Opening Prayer
Before we consider our text, please join me in prayer...
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Let’s turn to our text for today:
Reading of the Text
Reading of the Text
18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.
20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.
So, let’s look at our first point...
1) We Are At the Last Hour
1) We Are At the Last Hour
Verse 18a: Children, it is the last hour,
So, this “last hour” that John is talking about...
This is the time period between the first and second comings of Christ.
So, with the incarnation and Jesus taking on flesh we see the last hour starting.
Then, everything from that point until Christ’s second coming is the time period John is talking about.
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This coincides with the Kingdom of God or Kingdom of Heaven.
The Kingdom of God was at hand when Jesus came to our world.
As it says in Mark 1:15:
15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
And also in Matthew 12:28:
28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Jesus further confirms this in the Gospel of Luke...
The Kingdom of God being inaugurated was part of the Good News that Jesus preached as we see in Luke 4:43:
43 but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”
And the final hour will last until the Kingdom of God is consecrated with the return of our Savior.
And at that point the ones who eagerly await Him will rejoice and be glad.
This truth is found in Hebrews 9:28:
28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
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But before the second coming...
We know that the time here in this world will become more and more evil...
There will false teachers...
And heretical prophets...
And...
Antichrists.
And this takes us to our next point.
2) The Antichrist & Antichrists
2) The Antichrist & Antichrists
Verse 18b: And as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.
The term “Antichrist” only appears in John’s epistles and it is most likely him who coined the term...
Although the Antichrist is referred to in other books of like in Daniel, Zechariah, Mark, Matthew, Luke, 2 Thessalonians, and Revelation...
The names he is called is different.
The is called the “Man of Lawlessness,” “The Evil Shepherd,” “False Christ,” “False Prophet,” “The Abomination that Causes Desolation,” and “The Beast from the Sea.”
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The “Antichrist” is the one who is the direct opposite of Jesus Christ.
He sets himself in the place of Christ...
Especially implying a usurping of Christ and His position.
John uses the term “Antichrist” in both a singular and plural terms.
So, there are many antichrists and there is also one final and ultimate Antichrist.
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John says to his audience that the Antichrist is coming and many Antichrists have already come...
But that they already know that from what was previously taught to them.
For example, in the Gospel of Matthew we see Jesus warning of these antichrists.
In Matthew 24:5 it says:
5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.
This happened during John’s time and this is continuing to happen in our time too.
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These false christs will be very deceptive.
They will attract crowds by signs and wonders...
They will lead many astray...
And if it wasn’t for the Holy Spirit within believers...
Then they too would have been fooled.
Just look at what Matthew 24:24 says:
24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
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These false teachers...
These deceivers...
They will not preach or teach the second coming of Christ in the flesh.
They may talk of a spiritual second coming...
Or no second coming at all...
These individuals who teach like this are not of God but of the world.
John addresses these liars in his second epistle.
2 John 7 says:
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.
And later on in this epistle John will call out these false teachers again.
In 1 John 4:3 the Word of God says:
3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
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But these things must happen, Church.
This is all according to God’s good and perfect plan.
As Paul in his letter to Thessalonica said...
That day will not come until rebellion comes first.
Specifically 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 says:
3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
And a few verses down from this passage Paul describes the ultimate end of the Antichrist.
2 Thessalonians 2:6–10 says:
6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.
9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,
10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
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So, these Antichrists in John’s day...
Many of them came from within the church...
And this caused many questions to those who where faithful...
How can it be that these false teacher where once followers of Christ?
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John makes it clear to his readers and to us...
These false teachers...
And for that matter...
Anyone who leaves the faith...
They were never genuine believers in the first place.
And this now takes us to the first half of verse 19 and our next point.
3) They Where Never Believers
3) They Where Never Believers
Verse 19a: They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.
Genuine Christians always make it to the end...
They always run the race with endurance...
They always continue with their brother and sisters in Christ.
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Theologian John Calvin says this regarding this verse:
“Future and final perseverance is the ultimate test of a past participation in Christ.
‘Those who fall away,’ on the other hand, ‘have never been thoroughly imbued with the knowledge of Christ but only had a slight and passing taste of it.’ ”
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This is a truth some refuse to believe but John is very clear on the point.
All the commentaries I studied this week came to the same conclusion.
In fact, The New International Commentary on John’s letters had this to say on the passage,
“Here is one of the clearest expressions in the New Testament of the way in which we must distinguish between the church visible, composed of those who outwardly belong to it, and the church invisible, composed of those whom the Lord knows to be His.”
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I’m going to be blunt with you, Beloved.
Your name on the church membership roll...
That list...
Doesn’t mean you are a true follower of Christ.
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The only list that really matters....
Where you want to find your name listed in is...
The Book of Life.
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In that list one can’t deceive others to get on it...
In that list one can’t pay to get on it...
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No, that list is reserved for those who genuinely have a relationship with Christ...
And those individuals never turn their back on Christ.
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So, with this truth in hand...
Beware of those who twist God’s truth...
For they are not your brother or sister...
No, they are fierce wolves who are seeking prey to destroy.
Acts 20:29-31 says:
29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.
But for those in Christ...
We are protected by God’s power as it says in 1 Peter 1:5:
5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
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I love how Hebrews 3:14 says it:
14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
So, that original confidence we had in the beginning when we were saved...
If that holds true to the end they it reveals the truth that the faith we have is true...
For genuine faith will never end in leaving the faith.
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Jesus made this clear in the Gospels.
Despite the pressures of the world...
Despite being hated by the world...
If God saved you...
Then you will endure to the end like it says in Mark 13:13:
13 And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
And Paul echos that same truth in 2 Timothy 2:12:
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;
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So, when you see those whom you though were believers in Christ say they have had their faith deconstructed...
If you see those who held to solid doctrine shift to believing heresy...
Understand, the where never of us from the beginning.
They just deceived a lot of people...
Maybe even themselves...
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Despite this sad truth...
It is by God’s mercy that these individuals are found out and exposed so that they can do no further harm to the church.
And this takes us to the second half of verse 19.
4) They Are Clearly Not of Us
4) They Are Clearly Not of Us
Verse 19b: But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.
Pastor John MacArthur says,
“The departure of people from the truth and the church is their unmasking.”
This unmasking is a revealing of what is on the inside of a person.
With the Holy Spirit, one is protected from habitual sin and freed from being a slave to the power of sin.
That’s why Jude 24 says:
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,
But for the one without the Holy Spirit...
They are slaves to sin...
And they do not appreciate the things of God...
For their sights are set on the world and it’s temporary pleasures.
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The ESV Study Bible has this note regarding this verse:
“John’s readers had recently seen people leave the church (out from us).
Though they outwardly belonged to the church, their departure revealed that they were not truly of us; that is, they did not have genuine faith.
If they had been of us, that is, if they had been genuine Christians, they would have continued with us.
This implies that those who are truly saved will never abandon Christ, for they will be kept by his grace.
That it might become plain shows divine purpose behind the departure of this group.”
This is why the doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints is completely biblical.
This doctrine is ment to give comfort to those who are genuinely born-again.
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The New American Commentary on the Epistles of John says this:
“'The perseverance of the saints is a biblical doctrine, but it is not a doctrine designed to lull the indifferent into a sense of false security; it means that perseverance is an essential token of sanctity.’
John is confident that those who belong to God will remain with God and, by extension, with the community of faith.
This verse is not meant to scare people into obedience but to strengthen the faith of the Johannine church, which had been torn apart by the actions of the dissenters.
Once again it is clear that having one’s name on the church roll does not necessarily mean that one’s name is written in the Book of Life.”
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Additionally, it is important to remember that true saving knowledge is only found in our mighty God.
And this takes us to our final point.
5) Anointed By God with Saving Knowledge
5) Anointed By God with Saving Knowledge
Verse 20: But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.
This “anointing” is not part of an outward ceremony like it was in the Old Testament.
This is a figurative use of the word “anointing” by John.
This “anointing” is in reference to the sharing in the Holy Spirit’s anointing of Jesus Christ.
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So, “Anoint” means to set someone apart, to authorize and equip that someone for a spiritual task of importance.
Jesus Christ was set apart by the work of the Holy Spirit for His ministry in preaching, healing, and deliverance.
This is evident in Acts 10:38 which says:
38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Likewise, the Holy Spirit sets Christians apart for their ministry in Christ's name as it says in 2 Corinthians 1:21–22:
21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us,
22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
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So, by the power of the Holy Spirit living within us we are protected from all falsehood and are made aware of God’s truth which is real knowledge.
The Holy Spirit guards us from grave errors...
And contently reveals the truth found in Scripture and points us back to Christ.
Just take a look at the truth found in 1 John 2:27:
27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.
Also take a look at what Jesus says about our Helper in John 14:26:
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
And again in John 16:13:
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
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The Holy Spirit helping and guiding us into understanding the truth of who God really is is vital to the life of a believer.
What john has presented with this passage is to make it clear that it is false teachers and antichrists that have an incorrect view of Christ.
But for the genuine believer...
We know and understand and worship the biblical Jesus.
That is why biblical scholar Daniel Akin says,
“John examines the problem and rightly concludes that the proper understanding of the person and work of Jesus Christ is fundamental to Christianity.”
Closing Illustration
Closing Illustration
As this message comes to a close I want to share this:
The Flowing is taken from a single page from the journal of John Wesley:
Sunday A.M., May 5—Preached in St. Ann’s; was asked not to come back anymore.
Sunday P.M., May 5—Preached at St. John’s; deacons said, “Get out and stay out.”
Sunday A.M., May 12—Preached at St. Jude’s; can’t go back there either.
Sunday P.M., May 12—Preached at St. George’s; kicked out again.
Sunday A.M., May 19—Preached at St. Somebody Else’s; deacons called special meeting and said I couldn’t return.
Sunday P.M., May 19—Preached on the street; kicked off the street.
Sunday A.M., May 26—Preached out in a meadow; chased out of meadow when a bull was turned loose during the service.
Sunday A.M., June 2—Preached out at the edge of town; kicked off the highway.
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Sunday P.M., June 2—Afternoon service, preached in pasture; 10,000 people came.
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Let me repeat the that last entry again...
Sunday P.M., June 2—Afternoon service, preached in pasture; 10,000 people came...
10,000 people came.
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You see Church, the life of a believer is a story of perseverance...
And this is not by our own talents and skills.
It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that keeps us and preserves us.
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True Christians always finish the race...
Genuine Christians are Christians to the very end.
True followers of Christ properly know who Christ is as defined by the Scriptures.
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So I want you to ask yourselves.
Does the Holy Spirit live in you?
Is He guiding your life?
If not, today is the day t get right with God.
Today is the day to surrender your life.
Today is the day to surrender your desires.
Today is the day for salvation.
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To God be all the glory.
Amen.
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Please join us for one more song from the Praise Band.
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