NO ONE KNOWS WHEN CHRIST IS COMING BACK

Proclamation:

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor The Son, but only The Father.  Be on guard!  Be alert!  You do not know when that time will come.”  Mark 13:32-33 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Mark as he received it from the apostle Peter.  In this chapter Mark records the words of Jesus, The Christ, as He tells Peter, James, John and Andrew about the signs of His coming and the end of the world. (Mark 13:1-37)  Jesus said that many will come claiming to be Him. (Mark 13:5-6)  He said that they will hear of wars and rumors of wars, nations will rise against nations, and there will be earthquakes in various places at the beginning of the end. (Mark 13:7-8)  He said that brothers will betray brothers, fathers will betray their children, and children will rebel against their parents. (Mark 13:12)  False messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform sign and wonders to attempt deceive the elect. (Mark 13:22)  Then people will see The Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory and He will gather His elect from the ends of the earth. (Mark 13:26-27)  Then Jesus tells them that no one knows the exact day or time when this will occur so they should be ready.

Application:

We know that Jesus, The Christ, is coming to earth again.  We need to prepare for Him now because if we wait until then it will be too late.  Since no one knows the hour or the day, (Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32) we need to be ready so that when He comes to gather His own we will not be left behind. (Mark 13:26-27 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF

Proclamation:

“One of the teachers of the law … asked Him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’ ‘The most important one’, answered Jesus, ‘is this: Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God, The Lord is one.  Love The Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.  The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no commandment greater than these.’”  Mark 12:28-31 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Mark as he received it from the apostle Peter.  He began this chapter with Jesus, The Christ, teaching the parable of the Tenants. (Mark 12:1-12)  He followed this with the answer that Jesus gave the Pharisees regarding paying the imperial tax to Caesar. (Mark 12:13-17)  Then one of the Sadducees asked Jesus a question regarding marriage of a woman sequentially to each of seven brothers and the resurrection, which they did not believe in, and Mark recorded the answer that Jesus gave him. (Mark 12:18-27)   After noticing the good answers that Jesus gave to the other questions, one of the scribes asked Him a question regarding which was the most important of the commandments.  Jesus answered him immediately by quoting The Word of God to him. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

Application:

This was not one of the Ten Commandments given to Moses. (Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21)  This is the commandment spoken by Jesus, The Christ, to the multitude which followed Him. (Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, and Luke 10:27)  Jesus said that all of the commandments are based upon these two commandments. (Matthew 22:40)  In truth, all of us fall short when it comes to keeping these two commandments.  If we could keep both of them, then we would be perfect.  Although perfection is not humanly attainable, it is still a goal that is well worth striving for.  The Lord God also spoke to Moses and told him to tell the people to love their neighbor as they love themselves. (Leviticus 19:1-2 and 19:18)  If we could just do this, we would be doing very well. (James 2:8)

ASK FOR IT BELIEVE IT AND RECEIVE IT

Proclamation:

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.  And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”  Mark 11:24-25 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Mark as he received it from the apostle Peter.  He began this chapter presenting the events which surrounded the entrance Jesus made into Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-11) including the cursing of the fig tree which did not bear any fruit, (Mark 11:12-14 and 19-21) and the overturning of the tables of the money changers in the temple. (Mark 11:15-18)  Jesus told His disciples to have faith in God.  He said that they could move mountains if they believed in their heart that they could. (Mark 11:22-23)  Then He told them that whatever they asked for in prayer would be theirs, if they believed that they would receive it.  He also told them to forgive others who had wronged them so that God in heaven would forgive them of their sins.

Application:

First of all, if we do not have faith in God, then praying is useless.  “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.” (Hebrews 11:6)  Secondly, we must truly believe in our heart and not doubt that we will receive that which we ask for in prayer.  When we pray we must believe that it is already done.  However, we need to make sure that what we ask for is consistent with the will of God and that it will give Him glory.  Thirdly, we must forgive those who have done us wrong before we can be forgiven for the wrong that we have done. (Matthew 6:15, Mark 11:26, and Luke 6:37)  We need to pray for the inner strength to move the mountains of problems that we face daily, or pray for the strength to climb them. (Ephesians 3:16)  We must all do our part in kingdom building for The Lord.  Those of us who are nonproductive and not fruitful will soon wither away and be removed. (John 15:1-2 and 15:6)

YOUR MONEY SHOULD NOT BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN CHRIST

Proclamation:

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”  Mark 10:25 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Mark who was the nephew of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10) and not one of the apostles.  This is part of the gospel as he received it from the apostle Peter.  After recording what Jesus had to say about divorce, (Mark 10:2-12) Mark presents the encounter and the conversation that occurred between Jesus and the young rich man who asked Him, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17-25)  Jesus told him to keep the commandments and he said that he had done that since he was a boy. (Mark 10:19-20)  Then Jesus told him that there was one thing that he lacked, and that he should go sell everything that he had, give the proceeds to the poor, and then follow Him.  The young man went away grieved because he was very wealthy. (Mark 10:21-22)  The treasures of this life were more important to him than the treasures in heaven that Jesus promised him. (Mark 10:21)

Application:

This is the only recorded incident in The Bible where someone came to Jesus, The Christ, asking what he must do to be saved and went away disappointed. (Mark 10:22)  There is nothing wrong with being rich and wealthy.  Having a lot of money is not the problem.  The problem is our love for money, (1 Timothy 6:10) the importance that we place on money or possessions, and the fact that we value them more than we value The Lord God. (Exodus 20:3)  We are to put God first in our lives.  If we put Him first, everything else will be taken care of. (Matthew 6:33)  We are not to trust in the riches of this world; we are to trust in The Lord God. (1 Timothy 6:17) 

DO NOT CAUSE A BELIEVER TO SIN

Proclamation:

“If anyone causes one of these little ones, those who believe in me, to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.”  Mark 9:42 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Mark who was not one of the apostles.  This is part of the gospel as he received it from the apostle Peter.  After presenting the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain, (Mark 9: 2-9) and the healing of the possessed deaf and mute boy, (Mark 9:17-29) Mark records that Jesus predicts His own death. (Mark 9:31)  Then Jesus warns them not to cause a believer to stumble and fall into sin.  Jesus also warned His disciples not to stumble and fall into sin themselves. (Mark 9:43-50)  Here Mark records Jesus talking about people going to hell for their sins. (Mark 9: 43, 45, and 47) 

Application:

It is not good for us to lead a believer astray and cause them to sin.  It would be better for a person to be drowned by being thrown into the sea with a heavy weight tied around their neck, than the punishment they will face from The Lord for causing one of His believers to fall into sin.  The Lord God will avenge His own and it would be better to suffer anything else than to suffer His anger.  It is not good for anyone to sin, but it is much worse for a person to pull someone else, especially a believer, down into sin with them.  Don't be a stumbling block.

WHO IS JESUS TO YOU

Proclamation:

“Jesus and His disciples went on to the villages around Cesarea Philippi.  On the way He asked them, ‘Who do people say I am?’  They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’  ‘But what about you?’ He asked.  ‘Who do you say I am?’  Peter answered, ‘You are The Messiah.’”  Mark 8:27-29 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Mark.  This is part of the gospel as he received it from the apostle Peter.  Mark begins this chapter by recounting the events related to Jesus, The Christ, and His feeding of the four thousand people. (Mark 8:1-13)  Afterwards, Jesus questioned His disciples regarding what they had just witnessed, and what they had previously witnessed. (Mark 8:14-21)  After He healed the blind man in Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-26) Jesus asked His disciples who do the people say that He is, and who do they say that He is.  Peter said, “Thou art The Christ, The Son of the living God.”  Jesus responded to Peter by saying that flesh and blood did not reveal that to him.  His answer was revealed to him from heaven by God, The Father. (Matthew 16:16-17) 

Application:

People have said all kinds of things about Jesus, The Christ, and who He is, and how He does the things that He did.  There are those people who deny His very existence.  Even today, some people have said that He was just a man; others have said that He was a good man; and still others have said that He was a prophet.  However, who the people say that He is does not change who He really is.  The most important question is: “Who is Jesus to you?”  Your answer to that question will speak volumes regarding your relationship with Him, and will identify where you will spend eternity.

WE ARE DEFILED BY WHAT WE SAY NOT BY WHAT WE EAT

Proclamation:

“Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them.  Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.”  Mark 7:15 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Mark.  This is the gospel as he received it from the apostle Peter.  He begins this chapter by relaying the discussion which Jesus, The Christ, had with the scribes and Pharisees regarding His disciples eating food with unwashed hands. (Mark 7:1-23)  Jesus made the point to them that it was not that which entered the mouth which defiled a person but rather it was that which comes out of the mouth that defiles them.  For the evil which is within a person’s heart becomes his thoughts, words, and behavior and that defiles him. (Matthew 15:11 and Mark 7:20-23)

Application:

People have claimed that eating certain foods and breaking certain traditions is sinful.  Unfortunately, man has created a number of traditions, even religious traditions, which have nothing to do with The Word of God.  Some people get so caught up in the little things, focusing on the details, until they miss the big picture, the overall purpose.  Not eating pork, meat, or dairy products does not make one a better person.  One can even eat too much of the “right” foods and make one’s self sick.  While most of our diets need improvement, we have a bigger problem with the words that we speak, and the manner in which we speak them.  Out of the mouth come the issues of the heart. (Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 15:18, and Luke 6:45)  Our evil and sinful thoughts lead to spoken words which are hurtful, not helpful, deceptive, untruthful, and not very nice. (Colossians 3:8)  Our words can defile us and we will have to give an account for them one day. (Matthew 12:36)  We need to pray that The Lord God will create within us a clean heart and mind, and that He will guide our thoughts, words, and behavior.

DON'T LET THE LACK OF RESPECT FROM FAMILY STOP YOU

Proclamation:

“Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.’”  Mark 6:4 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Mark.  This is the gospel as he received it from the apostle Peter.  In this chapter Mark begins by stating that Jesus was not well received or respected in His own home town and he quotes what Jesus says about the lack of respect from those who knew Him. (Mark 6:1-6)  Then he records that Jesus sent His disciples out, two by two, to preach, to heal the sick, and to cast out demons from among the people. (Mark 6:7-13)  Mark also presents the events surrounding the beheading of John, the baptizer. (Mark 6:14-29)  Then he recounts the feeding of the five thousand men, plus women and children, with the two small fish and five small loaves of bread. (Mark 6:32-44)  He ends by reporting the miracle of Jesus walking on water across the lake to join His disciples in the boat. (Mark 6:45-52)

Application:

There is an old saying, “Familiarity breeds contempt.”  People are not likely to think too highly of individuals that they are very familiar with.  It is often much easier to gain the respect of strangers than it is to gain the respect of ones family members.  People may rise up to a position of respect but family will always see them as the person that they were beforehand.  Some people will constantly remind a believer of their sinful past because that person has never risen above that.  Don’t let the lack of respect, contempt, envy, or whatever from family or friends hold you back or block your growth in The Lord.  We may be more effective in our work for The Lord in places other than the place where we grew up, or around people other than our own family.

CHRIST JESUS HEALED THE SICK AND RAISED THE DEAD

Proclamation:

“And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years.  She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.  When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His cloak … immediately her bleeding stopped … He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you.  Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”  Mark 5:25-34 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Mark.  This is the gospel as he received it from the apostle Peter.  In this chapter Mark recounts the healing of the man possessed with many demons, (Mark 5:1-20) the healing of the woman with an issue of blood for twelve years, and the raising of the dead twelve year old daughter of Jairus, one of the synagogue leaders. (Mark 5:22-24 and 35-43)

Application:

Modern medicine is great.  Today, doctors can treat and cure a number of different diseases and conditions.  However, there are still a large number of diseases and disorders that they cannot cure or even diagnose.  Jesus, The Christ, has the power to cure any and everything. (Mark 3:10)  He is omnipotent and all power is given unto Him in heaven and in earth. (Matthew 28:18)  Just because He can does not mean that He will.  All too often the problem is our lack of faith in Him. (Mark 5:34)  It is also possible that the illnesses that we suffer are our punishment for our sins. (2 Corinthians 12:7)  We may also suffer because of the sins of our parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents. (Exodus 34:7, Numbers 14:18, and Deuteronomy 5:9)  He can bestow His grace on whomever He chooses.  So, believe in Him, ask to be healed, and have faith that it will happen.

THERE IS NO NEED TO FEAR THE STORMS OF LIFE

Proclamation:

“And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.  And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow; and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?  And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, ‘Peace, be still.’  And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.  And He said to them, ‘Why are ye so fearful?  How is it that ye have no faith?’  And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, what manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”  Mark 4:37-41 (KJV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by John Mark, a nephew of Barnabas but not an apostle.  This is the gospel as he received it from Simon Peter.  He began chapter four where he ended chapter three, with Jesus by the sea side with the great crowd that had followed Him.  After He sat in the ship near the shore, He began to teach them using parables. (Mark 4:1-2)  He taught them the parable of the sower and the seed, (Mark 4:3-8) the parable of the growing seed, (Mark 4:26-29) and the parable of the mustard seed. (Mark 4:30-32)  Jesus taught them many parables that day and when the evening came He told His disciples to sail to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. (Mark 4:33-36)  They were crossing the sea when the great storm came upon them.  The disciples panicked and woke Jesus.  He calmed the storm and then questioned their faith.  They became even more fearful when they realized that the wind and the sea obeyed Him.

Application:

As believers we will go through many storms in this life but there is no need for us to be afraid because The Holy Spirit of The Lord God is always with us. (Hebrews 13:5)  He can calm the storms if He chooses to do so, or He can provide us with safe passage through the storms.  Either way, there is no need for us to fear the storms.  If, however, it is in God’s plan for our life to end during a storm, we know that being absent from the body means that we are present with The Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8) so there is still nothing for us to fear from the storms. 

DOING GOOD CAN CAUSE YOU TO BE DISLIKED

Proclamation:

“Then Jesus asked them, ‘Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save a life or to kill?’  But they remained silent.  He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’  He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.  Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.”  Mark 3:4-6 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by John Mark, a nephew of Barnabas but not an apostle.  This is the gospel as he received it from Simon Peter.  He began the third chapter by recounting the events surrounding the healing of a man with a shriveled hand while He was in the synagogue on the Sabbath. (Mark 3:1-5)  For doing this, the Pharisees wanted to kill Him. (Mark 3:6)  Mark then discussed the large crowd that followed Jesus (Mark 3:7-12) and His appointment of His twelve disciples. (Mark 3:13-19)  Then he discussed the relationship that Jesus had with His family (Mark 3:20-21 and 31-35) and how Jesus defended Himself to those who accused Him of being possessed by the devil. (Mark 3:22-30)

Application:

The Sabbath day, or Sunday, is to be a day of rest and worship. (Exodus 20:8-11)  However, Jesus, The Christ, reveals that it is okay to do that which is good on that day.  It is always okay to save a life or to help save a lost soul.  Sometimes in order to do that which is good and right one must break one of man’s rules.  At times even our family members may not understand why we do the things that we do.  However, if what we are doing is for The Lord and we are doing God’s will to give Him glory, then we are part of His family.  A right relationship with The Lord God is more important than our blood relationship with our family.

AS THE SICK NEED A DOCTOR SO THE LOST NEED A SAVIOR

Proclamation:

“On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  Mark 2:17 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by John Mark, a nephew of Barnabas and not an apostle, it is the gospel as he received it from Simon Peter.  He began this second chapter by recounting the events surrounding the healing of a paralyzed man who was lowered down to Jesus through the roof of the house where He was preaching. (Mark 2:1-12)  After Jesus left Capernaum, walking by the sea, He saw Levi, the tax collector, and said, “Follow me.”  Levi got up and followed Him, and they went to Levi’s house to eat.  While Jesus was there eating with the tax collectors and sinners, the scribes and Pharisees began to murmur and question His behavior. (Mark 2:13-16)  This is when Jesus responded that He came to earth to save the lost sinners.

Application:

In addition to teaching His disciples, Jesus spent time with sinners, teaching and preaching to them.  Today as disciples of Christ, we are to read and study The Word of God, worship, and fellowship with the saints, in order to “recharge our batteries” then we are to go out into the world and spread the gospel to the lost unbelievers.  We are to talk to them and we are to walk in such a way that they see Christ in us.  We are not to spend all of our time with those who are already saved.  We are to “talk the talk and walk the walk” and point people to Christ.  We should spend time with the lost not to enjoy their sinful activities with them but to pull them out of the mud.  We should not go to places where we are not strong enough to pull them out or to prevent them from pulling us back down into the mud.

WITH YOU I AM WELL PLEASED

Proclamation:

“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.  Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, He saw the heaven being torn open and The Spirit descending on Him like a dove.  And a voice from heaven: ‘You are My Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased.”  Mark 1:9-11 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by John Mark, a nephew of Barnabas and not an apostle.  It is reported that John Mark recorded the gospel as he received it from Simon Peter.  He wrote to the Romans and presented Jesus, The Christ, as a servant, the Servant of Jehovah. (Isaiah 42:1-2)  Mark began writing with the beginning of the gospel by quoting the prophet Isaiah regarding John, the baptizer. (Isaiah 40:3 and Mark 1:1-4)  After presenting him, Mark relates the baptism of Jesus.  The voice from heaven, God, The Father, said that Jesus, The Christ, was His Son and that He was well pleased with Him. 

Application:

Our Heavenly Father told His Son, Jesus, The Christ, that He was well pleased with Him. (Matthew 3:17, Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22, and 2 Peter 1:17)  As believers, we hope one day that we will hear Jesus, The Christ, say that He is pleased with us and tell us, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21 and 25:23)  This will happen if we believe and use our God given talents to give Him glory.

ONLY GOD CAN KEEP US FROM SIN AND CLEANSE US OF SIN

Proclamation:

“Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy; To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.  Amen.”  Jude 1:24-25 (KJV)

Explanation:

These words were written by Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, the brother of James, and a half-brother of Jesus, (Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3) under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to all of the believers who are called by God, The Father, and loved and kept by Jesus, The Christ. (Jude 1:1)  His purpose in writing this single chapter letter was to urge them to contend for the faith which was once entrusted to them, and to resist the ungodly people among them who would pervert The Word of God. (Jude 1:3-4)  He also wanted to remind them of the things which The Lord God had done for them in the past. (Jude 1:5-16)  Then he encouraged them to persevere, to build themselves up in their faith, and to pray. (Jude 1:20-21)  He also said that they should help other believers. (Jude 1:22-23)  Then he prayed his famous doxology and benediction over them.

Application:

In these current days in this sin-sick world that we live in, the people of God should hold up the name of Jesus, The Christ, and do all that we can to give God glory.  We should let the light of Christ shine within us so that the world can see it and glorify our Heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:16)  Only God can keep us from falling back into sin, and only He can cleanse us from all of our unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)  We should also do our best to help others and show them the way to salvation. (Jude 1:22-23)

DO THAT WHICH IS GOOD AND AVOID THAT WHICH IS EVIL

Proclamation:

“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good.  Anyone who does what is good is from God.  Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.”  3 John 1:11 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to his friend and fellow believer, Gaius.  This single chapter letter focuses on John’s pastoral joy in the Christian walk of one of his spiritual children. (3 John 1:3-4)  He has heard about what Gaius was doing for the brothers and sisters, and even for strangers, and he encouraged him to continue to show them Christian hospitality. (3 John 1:5-8)  Then he urged him to do that which is good and not to imitate the evil which was being done by some in the church. (3 John 1:9-10)

Application:

Unfortunately, not every member of a congregation is a child of God.  There are some who are only interested in promoting themselves.  They cause or stir up confusion, spread malicious rumors, and mistreat the believers and visitors. (3 John 1:9-10)  Those who intentionally do evil within the church, and outside of it, are not from God but are under the influence of another spirit. (1 John 3:10 and 3 John 1:11)  We should be careful not to imitate all that we see in church.  We should also examine ourselves to make sure that we are doing whatever we do to serve God and not seeking self glory.  Do only that which is good, Christ-like, and that which gives God glory.

TO LOVE THE LORD IS TO KEEP HIS COMMANDS AND TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Proclamation:

“… I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning.  I ask that we love one another.  And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands.  As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.”  2 John 1:5-6 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to an unnamed Christian woman, and to her children.  It is the only Book of The Bible which is addressed to a woman. (The Bible Books of Ruth and Ester were written about women but were not addressed to them.)  This single chapter letter focused on the truth and love, and warns her to watch out for deceivers.  John states that he loves this lady in truth. (2 John 1:1-2)  He also rejoices that her children are also walking in the truth. (2 John 1:4)  He encourages her to love all believers and to obey The Lord’s commands.  Then he tells her not to “watch out” for deceivers and do not welcome them into her home. (2 John 1:8-11)

Application:

If we truly love The Lord God then we will keep His commands. (John 14:15)  Believers are to love one another.  We are also to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:27) and pray for them.  We are to pray for the unbelievers and deceivers but we are not to fraternize or socialize with them.  We are not to welcome them into our homes or to wish them well, for to do so is to share in and support their wicked work. (2 John 1:10-11)  We are to pray for them but not to encourage or assist them. 

GOD THE FATHER AND GOD THE SON AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE ONE GOD

Proclamation:

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, The Father, The Word, and The Holy Ghost, and these three are one.”  1 John 5:7 (KJV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to all who believed in Jesus, The Christ.  He begins this fifth chapter by stating that everyone who believes that Jesus is The Christ is born of God.  Everyone who loves God, The Father, also loves God, The Son. (1 John 5:1)  He said that they know that they love God and all the children of God because they keep His commands. (1 John 5:2-3)  Then he tells them that Jesus, The Christ, is The Son of God, and there are three in heaven who can bear witness to this fact, God, The Father, God, The Son, and God, The Holy Spirit.

Application:

There are three witnesses in heaven that can testify to the fact that Jesus, The Christ, is The Son of God, The Father, The Word, and The Holy Ghost.  The reference to “The Word” is a reference to Jesus, The Christ.  The apostle John establishes this fact in the gospel which bears his name.  He said, “In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God, and The Word was God.” (John 1:1)  He went on to say, “And The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us …” (John 1:14)  He clearly referred to Jesus, The Christ, who left heaven and came to earth, put on human flesh, and walked on earth among men.  God, The Father, and God, The Son, and God, The Holy Spirit are one.  Christ Jesus said, “I and My Father are one.” (John 10:30)  We may not fully understand how this is possible, but it is not necessary for us to understand it.  We just need to have faith and believe it.  Remember, we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)  Without faith, it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6)

EVERY SPIRIT IS NOT FROM GOD

Proclamation:

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone into the world.  This is how you can recognize The Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God …”  1 John 4:1-2 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to all who believed in Jesus, The Christ.  He begins this fourth chapter by telling them not to believe every spirit that confronts them because not all spirits are from God.  The spirit of the antichrist is also in the world. (1 John 4:3)  Those who know God will listen to them, but those who are not of God will not listen to them. (1 John 4:6)  Then he reminds them to love one another and that God is love. (1 John 4:7-8)  He also reminds them that God loved them enough to send His only Son into the world as an atoning sacrifice for their sins. (1 John 4:9-10)

Application:

Those of us who are old enough to remember Saturday morning cartoons, can remember seeing a miniature evil character standing on the character’s shoulder whispering in one ear and a miniature good character standing on the other shoulder whispering in the other ear.  That was an over-simplification of what really occurs but it clearly conveyed the presence of both good and evil spirits attempting to influence us.  Generally, we know which is right and which is wrong, but if we are not sure we should test the spirit to make sure what they are telling us is consistent with The Word of God.  The Bible repeatedly warns us about false prophets.  Not everyone who claims to be a Christian is really one, and what they are teaching is not The Word of God.  That is why we need to read and study God’s Holy Word so that we can discern the truth.  Additionally, when we attempt to tell someone about Jesus, The Christ, and they refuse to listen to us, we need to understand that they are being influenced by the spirit of the antichrist. (1 John 4:6) 

WE KNOW WE ARE SAVED WHEN WE LOVE ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN

Proclamation:

“Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.  We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other.  Anyone who does not love remains in death.”  1 John 3:13-14 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to all who believed in Jesus, The Christ.  He begins this third chapter by telling them that are the children of God. (1 John 3:1-3)  Then he tells them that one who does that which is right is righteous, just as He is righteous. (1 John 3:7)  “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.” (1 John 3:9)  He says that the children of God will do what is right but the children of the devil will not. (1 John 3:10)  Then he tells them that they will know that they are saved because they will love all of the believers.

Application:

Once we become saved believers in Christ our behavior will change.  We will no longer continue to do all of the sinful things that we used to do because The Holy Spirit of God is within us.  Although we are not perfect, we will do that which is right more often that that which is wrong.  Our attitude will change and we will know that we are saved because we will love all of God’s children. (1 John 3:14)  We will know that we belong to Him when we strive to keep God’s commands and to do the things which please Him. (1 John 3:19-24)  The world may hate us because of our beliefs, but then the world also hated Christ. (John 15:18-19)

WE SHOULD LOVE NOTHING MORE THAN WE LOVE THE LORD

Proclamation:

“Do not love the world or anything in the world.  If anyone loves the world, love for The Father is not in them.  For everything in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, comes not from The Father but from the world.”  1 John 2:15-16 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to all who believed in Jesus, The Christ.  He begins this second chapter by urging them not to sin.  He tells them that if they know and love The Lord God, then they will keep His commands. (1 John 2:1-6)  He also tells them that anyone who hates his brother or sister still lives in darkness. (1 John 2:9-11)  Then he tells them not to love the world or anything in the world because if they do, then the love of The Father is not in them.  He goes on to warn them not to deny The Son of God, (1 Peter 2:22-23) encouraging them instead to hold on to that which they have already been taught so that they will be ready when The Lord returns. (1 John 2:24-29)

Application:

Nothing in this world should be more important to us than The Lord God.  We should not make gods of anything in the world by giving them the primary place in our affections.  We must put God first. (Exodus 20:3)  There is nothing wrong with having possessions, dear friends, or love ones.  The problem comes when we place too much importance on them and value them above The Lord.  If we love the things of this world that much, then we are serving the prince of this world, Satan. (1 Corinthians 2:6)  If we put God first, then all of the other things will be given to us. (Matthew 6:33 and Luke 12:31)

BELIEVERS MUST WALK IN THE LIGHT NOT IN DARKNESS

Proclamation:

“If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.”  1 John 1:6-7 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to all who believed in Jesus, The Christ.  He begins this letter by stating that he heard, saw, and touched Christ, and he was sharing what he saw and heard with them. (1 John 1:1-4)  He said that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)  Those who claim to walk with Him but walk in darkness are liars.  He also said that those who claim to be without sin also lie and deceive themselves. (1 John 1:8 and 10)  Then he said, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Application:

We cannot walk with Christ and hold hands with the devil.  We cannot serve to masters. (Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13)  Some people do no like to hear this, but all of us have sinned. (Romans 3:23)  If we say that we, or anybody else that we know, have not sinned, then we are lying.  On our own, none of us is righteous. (Romans 3:10)  All of us should admit that we have sinned, then we should pray and ask to be forgiven, and He will forgive us. (1 John 1:9)