The Certain Witness

Preached at Northwest Christian Church

David P. Kautt

Sunday Morning, October 31, 2010

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1 John 5:6-13, “This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

“I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” How many of you have made that 'Good Confession' as it is called? How many of you have spoken those words, before an audience of witnesses such as this one, and the, a few moments later been immersed into Christ for the remission of your sins?

“I believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God.” The Lord willing, in just a little while, my youngest son, Jaden, will step onto this aisle, and walk up here to make that very confession of faith and to join Christ in Christian baptism. And, to say the least, we're very thankful. We praise God for how He's been working in Jaden's heart and mind, leading him to this point of decision, quickening him to trust in Christ, convincing him of his sin, and his need of a Savior – THE one and only Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ - calling him to repent and believe the gospel, and giving him courage to make that step. And, you're here, our dear Northwest Church family, and so are many other dear ones we've invited for this special day in Jaden's life, to share in it with him, and with us.

But, while I have your attention, allow me to point out something to you. According to this Book - this Book that declares itself to be God's book, and that, through many unique, and convincing proofs, shows itself to be God's book – Jesus Christ, believing Him or believing in Him, receiving Him for whom He claims to be, confessing Him, as the Lord-willing Jaden will do in a few moments, it is THE dividing line, the line in the sand, so to speak, between life and death. Life and death. For several of us, those words have come to have new and deeper meaning, just in the last few days, haven't they?

Confessing Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, is MORE than a religious ceremony or the reciting of some theological magic formula! Way more! To put it simply and soberly, it is a matter of life and death. Why is that? Well, as the apostle John would say it, as he has communicated it in the Scripture text we read a moment ago, it has to do with the issue of testimony, or testifying. God's testimony about His Son, Jesus Christ, first and foremost, and then our 'testimony' that hopefully follows thereafter.

Before we explore the gravity, the serious nature of this 'Heavenly' and 'Human' activity of testifying, allow me to sort of lay out the 'facts' pertaining to this testimony.

To begin with, going all the way back to the legal code of the Old Testament - the Law of Moses as we often call it – the idea of testimony or testifying is crucial.

Deuteronomy 19:15 indicates that every matter, every legal action must have at its root, it must be based upon the testimony of at least two or three witnesses. Such is the situation here in what the apostle John is proclaiming to us. The 'point of law' under discussion is this 'testimony' – 1 John 5:11&12 - “that God has given eternal life, and this life is in His Son”. And, that “[those] who have the Son have life [eternal life]; [but] [those] who do not have the Son of God do not have life.”

Now if you think about it, that 'testimony', that legal and theological 'claim' is quite a claim indeed. As I said a moment ago, there is nothing gray-colored here, is there? This 'testimony' puts things in very black and white terms. “He who has the Son, has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life...”

But, legal claims, declarations of this sort have to be backed up, they have to be established, according to Deuteronomy 19:15, by more than just one person's words, by more than one witness.

Look here – scan across this passage again with me, and what do you see? You'll see that this declaration about God and Christ and eternal life is not made merely by a single witness. But by multiple witnesses, or perhaps I should say, multiple layers of witnesses. Let me show you have I mean.

First of all, this witness, this testimony is a surpassing witness, a supreme kind of testimony, because, ultimately, it is given by, spoken by, God Himself. Verse 9: “IF we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son.”

Now, to observe that fact about this testimony, the surpassing nature of this testimony because it is God's testimony, might seem like an odd place to start. But allow me to make this observation with you: what kind of 'case', what kind of claim, what kind of testimony, do we have here, if we have here the testimony of One who never, ever lies?! The editors of one particular edition of the Bible I own put it well in their summation of this section of this letter of the apostle John, when they inserted this heading over it: “God's witness is certain.” God's witness, what makes it a supreme or surpassing witness? The fact that His testimony, what He proclaims from His heavenly 'witness stand' is certain! It is sure! Why? Because it is TRUE!

Secondly, please note with me that this witness, this testimony could also be called a Spiritual testimony. A spiritual testimony. Look again at verses 6, 7 and 8, and you'll see it rather clearly. Verse 6 – Jesus Christ, how did He come? In what ways did He manifest Himself? “He came by water and blood”... who says? End of verse 6 – The Spirit, the Spirit – look at this – who is Truth! Furthermore, take a look at verses 7 and 8, and note WHO is testifying: In heaven, all 3 member of the God-head – the Holy Trinity – including the Holy Spirit. And then, the earthly witness – verse 8. The same three mentioned in verse 6, “the Spirit, the water and the blood.” The claim, the declaration that “God has given eternal life – that that life is in His Son, that whoever has the Son has life, and that whoever does not have the Son of God doest not have life...” That legal claim is backed up by the SURPASSING witness of God Himself. It was His voice that declared at Jesus' baptism (Matt. 3:13-17), at Jesus transfiguration, and by means of His resurrection power at work 3 days later (Romans 1:3-4) – it was God's voice at Jesus' death, when water and blood flowed freely from the soldier's piercing of Jesus' side. It was God's voice, on all three of of these momentous occasions that made this magnificent declaration: “This is my beloved Son, in Him I am well pleased!” And that claim about God, and Christ, and eternal life is backed up by the Spirit, the testimony of the Spirit, the Heavenly Dove who descended at Jesus' baptism, the Glory cloud of God's Holy presence who descended so heavily and so powerfully on the mount of transfiguration, and the “Spirit of Holiness” as the apostle Paul calls Him in Romans 1:4, mightily at work at Jesus' death, and especially at Jesus' resurrection! It is a spiritual witness that we are learning about here! And it is a supreme, a superior Witness, the testimony of God Himself, that we are learning about here.

But then, thirdly, not very carefully the content of this testimony, not only WHO is giving it, but WHAT these witnesses – God the Father, and God the Spirit are saying! Verses 9-13. God the Father's witness, the Holy Spirit's testimony about Jesus is what? Simply, that He is God, the Son, that He is the Son of God. And, listen, despite what the false teachers of John's day, and our day would have us believe otherwise, God the Father's witness, and God the Spirit's witness, is that God the Son is both fully God and fully man!

I mentioned a few moments ago that, in keeping with the legal principle of Deuteronomy 19:15, that every matter be established by the testimony, the unified, not divided or disagreeing, but unified testimony of at least two or three witnesses, the declaration of verses 11 and 12, “that God has given eternal life that eternal life is IN His Son, Jesus Christ, that having – possessing and being possessed by the Son of God means that life, eternal life is your possession. And that to fail to have, to refuse to have the Son is to do without, to reject eternal life. This monumental declaration is backed up, established by not just one witness, or even two witnesses, but by multiple witnesses, or we might say, multiple layers of witnesses. Allow me to explain this a little further. By means of His own words, and the powerful presence of His Spirit at Jesus' baptism, transfiguration, death and resurrection, God the Father and God the Spirit have said OF Jesus of Nazareth, He's the One, He's my Son. These are what we might call God's testimonies about His Son, to us.

Now, here's where things get interesting, exciting, and yes, even sobering – that 'line drawn in the sand' kind of stuff! Not only has God testified, provided His CERTAIN witness about His Son – to us!

Listen, if you're a Christian – if you HAVE boldly, unashamedly, sincerely testified, made your own humble and joyful declaration, “Yes! Yes! I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God” and been joined to Him in His death, burial and resurrection in Christian baptism – then, guess what? These very same witnesses, the Spirit, the water and yes, even the blood of Jesus, are at work, testifying, in you! In you!! Verse 10 – It's there in black and white, “He who believes in the Son of God has the witness IN himself.” Christian, do you know what that is? That's a 'hallelujah verse'!! That's a 'glory to God' verse! What God has declared of Jesus by means of the Spirit, the water and the blood, “this is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well-pleased.” He has also declared, loud and clear, about you!

But, listen. As joyful and exciting a truth as this is, God's witness to our Son-ship written and established in us, in our hearts by His Holy Spirit, as joyful and exciting as all that is, for the Christian – what if you are NOT a Christian?

Sobering – that what this is, or ought to be – sobering, because it is a line-drawn-in-the-sand kind of stuff. Verses 10 through 12 – the Good news, “He who believes in the Son of God has this witness in himself” is set off in stark contrast to the BAD news, namely that “he who does NOT believe God” - not only is such a person calling God, the Certain Witness, a liar! How dare we do such a thing!! But “he who does NOT believe God” - believe what God has said about Jesus, does not have Jesus, God the Son, and in Him, possess eternal life...

“I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” That Good Confession, that testimony made by folks like you and me that sets the stage for Christian baptism, this most sobering of life and death matters – let me ask you just this as we close.

If you do not have eternal life, because you do not have the Son of God, then what DO you have? What DO you have?

“He who as the Son, has life; he who does not have the Son of God, does not have life.”

Don't Fall for Fool's Gold!

Preached at Northwest Christian Church

David P. Kautt

Sunday Morning, August 22, 2010

1 John 3:23 – 4:6, “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Several generations ago in the history of our country, as settlers moved further and further west across this vast land of ours, a phenomenon known as the 'gold rush' began to take place. Word quickly spread that there were riches to be found in the rivers and streams of places like California and Nevada, and many set off on what they hoped would be the adventure of a lifetime. However, if you know your American history very well, you know that, though there were some who came back from such excursions with wealth untold, more often than not, the gold diggers came back empty handed, as least as far as the 'real stuff' is concerned. Why is that? Well, likely we could come up with a number of explanations for the fact that many, if not, most did not find gold. But, perhaps the best answers to the question, 'why didn't they find it?' relates to what they did find instead...

Anybody have any idea what I'm talking about here? The reason most gold-diggers, most pan-handlers came home just as poor as when they left home, comes back to this one factor: there is such a thing as 'fool's gold'. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world...”

My friends, did you know that there is such a thing as 'fool's gold' spiritually speaking? And did you know, do you realize that not everything that claims to be Christ, that is labeled with the word 'Christian', IS Christian?!

Like it was in the days of the pan-handlers and gold-diggers, there are many in our day who are looking for riches, spiritual riches, and there are many folks out there who claim to know where you ought to 'dig' to find those riches. But be careful! Be forewarned: there IS such a thing as spiritual fool's gold, and there are many out there who'll be more than happy to sell it to you!

1 John 4:1-6 – What do we have in this passage? Take a look... As you scan across these verses that the Spirit of God led the apostle John to write, what do we have here in this text?

Well, among other things, it seems to me that what we have here is, first of all, a declaration of doctrine. It is a straightforward declaration of doctrine of another of John's tests, another of his son-ship signposts, this pertaining to what one believes about Jesus!

Secondly, as I examine the overall message of this passage, what I detect here is an explanation of one of the fundamental principles of discipleship! That principle, simply put, is that genuine discipleship, or perhaps I should use the term, 'disciple-making', is not long distance, but up-close and personal!

Thirdly, what I see here, and what I'm sure you see here is the obvious fact that, through his words supplied here, the apostle John is putting forth a warning, an admonition for all potential gold-diggers. He gives a word of caution to all who are searching for spiritual wealth, and what is that warning? 'Be discerning! There is such a thing as 'fool's gold'! There are false teachers and phony prophets out there, so be discerning!' Let's look at these aspects of this passage together.

Fool's gold – I'm no expert on this stuff, but I can just imagine how it was, can't you? From the bank of a small river or stream, a pan-handler looks ever so intently into the water, hoping he'll see something shiny and gold-colored... As he looks, he notices something down stream from him, and near the opposite side of the river that is glistening ever so brightly. Indeed, it's 30 or 40 feet away, but he's just sure it's gotta be what he's looking for... 'Eureka!' 'Eureka!”, he shouts, as he wades across to it, stumbling to get there as fast as he can! Then, he reaches down into the water, and pulls it up quickly, and... and... *sigh* “Fool's gold, fooey!”

Changing the metaphor from metallurgy to agriculture for a moment, let me ask you to consider what Jesus meant when He said, “by their fruit, you shall know them”?

Take a look with me at the two places where he says this, would you?

First of all, Matthew 12:22-37. We won't take time to read that entire passage, but I do want you to take note of the context behind Jesus' words about 'fruit-inspecting'. And, then, to consider what principles with which we need to come away from this passage.

First, the background, verses 22-30. Jesus heals a demon-possessed man, a man whose blindness and in-ability to speak was caused, ultimately, by a demon spirit oppressing and possessing him. And, the response by the multitudes to this wonderful miracle is: “could this be the Son of David?” Could Jesus of Nazareth be the Messiah we've been waiting for? 'Nah! No way!' Retort the Pharisees! 'No! This fellow is casting out demons by way of Beelzebub, the prince of demons!'

Now, you think about the logic, or, should I, 'LACK of logic' behind that statement, and you'll understand why Jesus says what He says, about kingdom's dividing against themselves. And, you'll know the reason why Jesus comes down hard on these religious leaders – in verse 31 and 32 – in warning them not to be guilty of the unpardonable sin of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit!

Now, all of that in the background, the context behind Jesus' words, about fruit-inspection. Or, in the language of the pan-handler and gold-digger, how you can tell the difference between fool's gold and the real stuff! Verses 33-37.

Matthew 12:33-37: “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Now, think it through with me, will you? What are we to learn from this text about fruit inspection? Number one, as the apostle John makes clear in our main text from 1 John 4, one of the key indicators that Christian should use to determine the difference between a false prophet and a true one is the indicator of words. Words. What a man says, a man's words, what are they, according to Jesus? They are the 'fruit', the overflow of his heart. The old times used to say it like this: “Yeah, ole so-and-so, he sure does speak his mind!” How are you and I going to be able to tell the difference between fool's gold, false prophet – and the real thing?

Listen! No, not like you do to the music on the elevator! But, listen, and like the Bereans of Acts 17 did, check out what you're hearing again THIS Book, the Bible! (See Acts 17:10ff)

2 Timothy 3:14ff – Please look it up with me, will you? And as you do, ask yourself, “why did God give us His word? What is the PURPOSE He had in mind for it when He gave it to us?”

Acts 17:10ff indicates that the Bereans were more noble, more fair-minded than the Thessalonians had been. How do we know that? What signals were there to that effect? Acts 17:11 – Number one, they received the Word through the apostle Paul, “with readiness”, eagerly and willingly. But, then, the text says, “they also searched out what Paul had told them, in the Scriptures, to find out whether what he was telling them was true or not...” Can you imagine that? They double-checked the apostle Paul!

How do you know, how CAN you know, the difference between fool's gold, false prophets, and true? You've got to listen - really, listen! And, you've got to look! Just like the Bereans did with Paul, you've got to look, and search the scriptures!

Now, why is that? What is it that's in this Book, that's really that important when it comes to this matter of spiritual discernment?

2 Timothy 3:14 – 4:5, “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."

Here's what makes not only the listening, but the LOOKING so important – this Book – what God has done for us in speaking HIS mind, right here in the Bible, is this: He has provided a way for us to attain the wisdom we need to SAVE US. He has supplied, in this Book, not other so-called, 'inspired' writings, but in this God-breathed Book He has given to us what we need to be “complete, and fully-equipped to do all the good He wants us to do!”

But, listen, think it through with me. Look it up, right here in this passage with me. What happens to us when our listening is driven more by an 'itch', an 'impulse', a 'lust', than by what drove the Bereans to listen and look?

2 Timothy 4:3 – Sound doctrine, the REAL thing, goes out the window, the truth is rejected, and false teachers and their box loads of fool's gold move in to take their place!

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By their fruit, the overflow of their hearts, by their words, you will recognize a false teacher!

Now, there's a second way we need to know about, that Jesus says is crucial to fruit-inspection. A second way that false teachers, and true teachers display who they really are. What is that second way? Matthew 7:15ff – The second way according to Jesus, in Matthew 7, is by way of their actions!

Matthew 7:15-23: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn-bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

What is Jesus' point in this section of teaching? And, what is His point through the famous parable of the wise and foolish builders, that follows? “By their fruit, their words, “Lord, Lord, look what I did in Your name', is that how you can tell the difference between a wooly-clothed, hungry wolf, and a real sheep? No! The final test, what we might call the litmus test must be applied to their deed, their actions! You see, not only do false prophets speak their mind - not only do their words, when lined up in comparison with Scripture - prove them to be fool's gold peddlers, but much more, so do their actions! And, where are their actions most easily discerned? Matthew 7:21 – Take a look at that verse again, and think with me once more about what I called the 'alignment principle'.

One's prayers - and the real, I mean the deep down, honest-to-goodness, real desire of one's heart – is it, “not my will, but Thine be done”? Or, is it, in fact, “not THY will, but mine be done”? You can know he's a false prophet, you can tell she's fool's gold, by watching what they do!

Not everything that claims to be Christian IS Christian! Back to 1 John 4 – One key principle for discerning the difference between false prophets and their fool's gold, and true prophets: Doctrine!Doctrine – And, the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth! Way back in Deuteronomy 18, Moses the lawgiver foretold of a day when God would send a prophet like him, like Moses, yet far greater than Moses to take his place. And, in Acts 3:22-23, the apostles Peter and John inform the people who had gathered around them in the temple, that that day had come. God HAD, in fact, already sent that Greater-than-Moses-Prophet. Now here's the $64,000 question: who was He? What is the name, the identity of this Greater-than-Moses-Prophet? Anybody know?

Matthew 17:1 – 7: “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.”

Who IS the Greater-Prophet? Moses was there, on that mountain, with Peter, James and John – and Elijah was there, too!

But, suddenly, a bright cloud enveloped them, and, faster than a blink of an eye, Moses and Elijah had vanished. I mean, they were gone! So, Who's left? Oh, sure, Peter, James and John are there. Certainly. But, Who is the One whose face is shining like the sun? Who is the One whose clothes are as bright as the light? Who is the One the voice from heaven is referring to, when He says, “This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well-pleased. Hear Him! Listen to Him!”

Doctrine! And, the Person, the Identity and work of Jesus of Nazareth! In saying that fool's gold and false prophets can be discerned based upon what they say, what they claim and confess, or don't claim and confess about Jesus – what is the apostle John leading up to?

If a prophet, a preacher, an evangelist, a teacher, a so-called 'Christian author', or 'movie-maker' does not ultimately take his listeners or readers or viewers back to THE Prophet, the One the voice from heaven told Peter and the rest to HEAR, then guess what? Fool's gold! False prophet!

1 John 4:1-6: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”

Grow! Grow! Grow!

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Preached at Northwest Christian Church

David P. Kautt

Sunday Morning, May 23, 2010

1 John 2:12-14: “I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to receive a letter from someone like the Apostle John? I mean, if he were writing a letter to us – today – what would he include in such a letter? What would he say to us?

I had the unique opportunity and privilege this last week to be the scribe, the secretary for a friend of mine who asked me to help him put together a letter he wanted to send to a friend of his in prison. It wasn’t that my friend needed help construction what he wanted to say in the letter. As he dictated the letter to me, there was no doubt in my mind that he KNEW what he wanted to communicate to his prisoner friend. The reasons for his letter and the intentions he had in mind to accomplish through his letter were very clear to him. All he need was a scribe – I was that scribe!

I want you to take a look at this Book. What is it? What do we have here before us? We call it the Word of God, don’t we? We refer to it as the Bible, the Holy Scriptures, the Book of books. But, what I want you to consider with me this morning is how that this Book – this best of Books – is, in fact, God’s letter to you and to me. Oh, yes, I know that it was penned - inspired - transcribed two, three - in some cases - nearly 4,000 years ago, and yet because it is Holy Scripture, a word from our Infinite and Eternal God, it is a time-less, or perhaps I should say “for all times…” Book. It is in fact a letter from God in this case, through the apostle John, to us – to us!

What kind of letter do we have here? What is it that the Spirit of God has prompted the apostle John to write to us? And, what are we to learn from it? What are we to do in response to it?

The first thing I was reminded of - as I sat on my couch last week, with pen and paper in hand preparing to serve as my friend’s scribe - was that a letter, at least the way we write letters, begins with a greeting, an introduction, an address to the recipient of the letter. “Dear Friend,” were the words I jotted in behalf of my friend in the letter he wanted to write. But, look at what the Spirit of God directed the apostle John to write; he addresses us in a similar way in verse 12. He speaks to us as “little children”. In verse 13, he addresses some as “young men” and others as “fathers”. And, the same goes for verse 14, as well: “little children,” “young men,” “fathers”. Why would God prompt John to use words and phrases like that to address folks like us? Well, perhaps it is meant to communicate the love and concern that God and this servant of His, the apostle John, have for folks like us. When God looks at those who belong to Him, through His Son, He looks at them (at us) as His children! As those who are DEAR to Him!

Another reason I figure the apostle John uses the different ways of addressing his recipients – “little children,” “young men,” and “fathers” – is because he’s looking at a congregation of believers in Jesus, made up of various individual Christians who are at different levels of spiritual growth and maturity. Each are dear and cherished by their spiritual mentor, the apostle John; but each are at various locations on the road toward maturity in Christ.

The Spirit of God led John the Apostle to address his readers, the recipients of his letter, using differing words – words meant to express tender concern – and words meant to acknowledge the unique spiritual location of each person reading the letter. And, yet, I’d like you to think about this part of the letter – the beginning part – for just a moment or two longer. Could it be, that at least part of the reason for the different forms of address here, in verses 12 through 14, is not merely to acknowledge the varying degrees of spiritual maturity present in a congregation such as this one, but also to spur each one of us – “little children,” “young men,” even “fathers” to greater levels of spiritual growth?

I mean, you think about it with me, will you? “Little children” – “spiritual babes” we might call them, as far a God is concerned, that’s the starting point, the beginning place for all of us - when it comes to our walk with Christ. In fact, Jesus said that unless we become as children, we cannot enter His kingdom! But, listen. Listen. While “little children” may be a great starting point – hear me, please – as far as our Father in heaven is concerned, it is no supposed to be the ENDING POINT, too!

Grow, little children; grow toward young manhood. Grow, young men; grow toward fatherhood. Grow, yes grow, fathers, grow to be even more like your Father in Heaven! Grow! Grow! Grow!

In looking at a letter, like this one here, or even in transcribing a letter – as I did last week – there’s something to learn, something worth noticing with respect to the way in which the letter writer addresses the recipient. But, then – secondly, there is something to gain from examining the CAUSE behind the letter, too! Take a look again at these three short verses, and let the Beloved Apostle – “John, tell us, will you. Why did you write this letter?”

Now look at verses 12, 13 and 14, and notice how very clearly and powerfully the apostle John answers that question for us. “I write to you because…”

1 John 2:12-14: “I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.

What is the Spirit of God meaning for us to see through these because statements? Well, the first thing I believe He intends is a very simple thing. Think of it, “I write to you, little children, BECAUSE your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake…” “I write to you, young men, BECAUSE…” I write to you, fathers, BECAUSE…” Through these “because” statements the Spirit of God directed John to inform us of this simple truth: this is a letter for Christians. This is a love letter from God the Father to those who have come to belong to Him, through Jesus Christ. In other words, this letter was not designed to be an evangelistic tract, a gospel pamphlet to be distributed to those who are OUTSIDE of Christ. But rather, it was meant to be a tool for edifying and equipping God’s people. And notice how it accomplishes that goal: it does so by bringing folks like us back to the foundation of our faith, forgiveness of sin, knowing Christ – the Word of God abiding in us, and waging war against the enemy of our souls!

“Dear Friend,” “little children,” “young men,” “fathers” - these are the ways letter writers address the recipients of their letters. “I write to you because…” Because your sins have been forgiven for His name’s sake; because you have known Him Who is from the beginning; because you have overcome the wicked one. “I write to you because,” these statements let us in on what prompted a letter like this letter.

But, then, go one step further with me in this look at John’s letter to us. I want us to consider what John might have intended – the goal the Spirit of God had in mind – when He directed John to write what he wrote. “I write to you BECAUSE your sins have been forgiven for His name’s sake!” As we pointed out earlier, this statement – and the 5 or 6 other “because statements listed here – are powerful reminders of a Christian’s spiritual state or status in Christ!

In Christ we are forgiven. In Christ we are known BY and able to know God the Father. Yes, in Christ we are strong and victorious because of God’s indwelling word! But, listen. With every one of those “because” statements as to our spiritual status, comes an implied exhortation, a challenge, a command! Verse 12 – Yes, dear children, in Christ your lives are marked by the forgiveness of your sins!

But, don’t stop there! Grow! Children, grow! Pursue a life of sinning LESS and confessing MORE! That’s the way toward greater spiritual maturity! Grow with respect to dealing with your sin! Remember 1 John 2:1-2?

1 John 2:1-2: “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but for the whole world.”

And you, young men, I write to you “because you have overcome the wicked one!” Because you have won some victories, in Christ, over lust and greed and pride and anger. But, don’t stop there! Grow! Arm yourselves with more of God’s holy armor. Stand firm in His strength, and most of all keep fighting, because there are MORE battles ahead, and MORE victories to win – in Jesus Christ! Grow!

Then, thirdly, the apostle John speaks to the fathers, to those who have grown spiritually to such a point that they now are helping to give birth to spiritual children. What does the apostle John say to them? He says, “Grow!” Yes, through the implied exhortation wrapped up in his “because you have known Him who is from the beginning” statement, the apostle John challenges even the spiritually mature to keep on growing! You have know Him! Yearn to know Him MORE. To the spiritual fathers among us, maybe the apostle John is urging you to say back to him, “I want to know Him more! Would you make room for me, allow me to lean with you on His breast!” “I want to know Him more!” Or, how about the spiritual mothers in our midst - that should be your plea as well! “Make room – sweet Mary of Bethany – make room for me at Jesus’ feet!” “I want to know Him,” “I want to soak up all that He has to say!”

If the apostle John were to write us a letter, today, what kind of letter would he write? What would he say to us? In this letter, intended originally for Christians living in Asia Minor near the end of the First Century AD – he wrote to the tender little children - the spiritual babes – to the strong young men, and to the spiritual fathers of those congregations. And he wrote because of the spiritual fruit, the fruits of repentance and salvation that were evident in them.

I wonder, if John were writing me a letter, a letter to us, would he be able to list the same series of “because” statements? Would he? Furthermore, I wonder – if our lives were “letters”, written on the tablets of other Christians’ hearts (see 2 Corinthians 3:1ff), what message from the Lord would those Christian brothers and sisters be receiving? I wonder…

Rival Loves and Our Spiritual Health

Preached at Northwest Christian Church

David P. Kautt

Sunday Morning, February 28, 2010

1 John 2:15-17: Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world––the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life––is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

How important is your health? Recently, that question and its answer has hit very close to home for many in this room, hasn't it, as many of us have faced, perhaps still are facing, challenges that pertain to our physical well-being. I know I can speak for my family, and maybe I can speak for yours also – to say that when it comes to our health, the vibrancy and strength of our bodies, there's almost nothing we wouldn't attempt, in order to be strong or regain strength...

But, listen, my loved ones, as important as physical health is – and, believe me, it is important – it's difficult, even very frustrating to want to be actively involved in serving the Lord, if we're regularly having to battle sickness. But, listen, as important as our physical well-being might be, I would suggest to you that there's something even more important for us to consider – something even more vital for us to pursue. What is it? You know what it is, I'm sure... it is our spiritual well-being! Our spiritual health, if you would...

Earlier this month – the month of February – the month we call the month of love, on Valentine's Day we learned again about the great love of God for us and toward us in Jesus Christ!

Romans 5:6-11, read it again with me, would you please? -

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

The redeeming, justifying, reconciling, saving love of God – demonstrated toward us when He gave His only begotten Son to die in our place and for our benefit – what a huge part of our spiritual health that is, right? There would be no spiritual health – no spiritual life – without it, because otherwise, we are DEAD in our trespasses and sins.

But, listen – as we close out this month of love, as we call it – what I want you to see and realize with me is that there are other loves - what this Book describes as 'RIVAL loves' that are out there competing for our affection, and inviting and even enticing us to be loyal to them.

Now, here's the big question – please focus with me, right now, if you would, on God's love for us, and these other loves, that [like God's love] invite our loyalty and affection - If our spiritual health could be compared to a love relationship between two people, what do you think the effects would be on our spiritual health, if we were to allow ourselves to be enticed by these other loves – these 'rival loves'?

The flip side of the love of God for us, as demonstrated – as manifested in Jesus Christ – is these other loves – yes! But, what impact does joining ourselves to these other loves have on our spiritual well-being – any? A little? Or, maybe a lot more than we want to admit?

While you're contemplating all of that, allow me to take you to two or three other places in Scripture, to begin to unpack an answer to this probing question about the effects of other loves on our spiritual health...

First of all, underlying this entire discussion is one basic premise – one foundational principle – I'm not going to tell you what that premise or principle is right up front, but I trust you'll immediately recognize it, as soon as I read the following verses, so stay with me, if you would, please. What is the underlying principle or premise that is at the heart of this lesson about rival loves? Don try to answer, just hear what the word of God says:

Matthew 4:8-10: Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’"

What is the underlying principle – what premise lies at the foundation of this lesson? Matthew chapter 6, Jesus' words we call the Sermon on the Mount. What does He say there to those would-be followers of His?

Matthew 6:24: No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

And, while you are there, and thinking about it, notice also what He declares in verse 19 through 21:

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

Don't lay up treasures on earth. DO store up, do invest yourself in heavenly treasures – why? Because where your treasure is, there will you heart be also!

One more passage pertaining to the foundational premise – the underlying principle - we are seeking to understand and build our lives upon. Think about it as we read, this time, from Mark chapter 12. Mark 12:28-34. We're only going to read verses 28-31, but I wanted you to notice the conclusion of that text also -

Mark 12:28-31: Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all?" Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. ‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. "And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these."

Okay. So, now we've read these 3 passages from Jesus' words in Matthew and in Mark. So, now – what is the underlying principle or premise related to the subject of other loves – rival loves? Two things – first of all, as Jesus indicated in Matthew 6, if you and I are to love – I mean really love the way He's talking about – there can be really, and truly, only ONE object of that love! You cannot - Jesus says, you cannot – it is impossible for you and me to truly love God AND anything, or anyone else! And, then – with that – what's the second aspect of the underlying principle or premise? Listen [to this – in God's way of thinking there is no such thing as love Him AND loving something or someone else – so, what then? Second aspect of the premise: He wants ALL of your love! In fact, my friends, as our Creator, as our Sustainer, as our Savior and King – He DESERVES all of our love! “The Lord your God you shall worship and Him only shall you serve!” Underlying this discussion – this lesson on 'rival loves' - is this foundational principle: you can't truly love more than one; and, God wants to be (in fact, MUST be) that One!

But, then what? Then you and I pick up this Book, and what do we discover? What hard truths do we come fact to face with as we open the Word of God and use it as a mirror? Beloved, we come face to face with the reality that you and I are SINNERS – that though God has said one thing about loving Him and serving Him ONLY – we're going to try to prove Him wrong! We're going to show Him that we can love Him AND something or someone else! And, where does all of that lead? Loving, serving, giving our loyalty to OTHER loves – what effects do such things have on our spiritual health? Do you remember our previous question? Walk along with me through this Book, as we look for some explanations – some illustrations, some answers – to this question.

1 Kings chapter 11 – what does loving a rival love do to one's spiritual well-being? And, is it really that important?

At the height of King Solomon's popularity, prosperity and power – after having looked to God for wisdom to govern – what does Solomon do? What course does he take, and how does it impact him spiritually?

1 Kings 11:1-13: But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites–– from the nations of whom the LORD had said to the children of Israel, "You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods." Solomon clung to these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart. For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and did not fully follow the LORD, as did his father David. Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon. And he did likewise for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.

¶ So the LORD became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the LORD God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not keep what the LORD had commanded. Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, "Because you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. "Nevertheless I will not do it in your days, for the sake of your father David; I will tear it out of the hand of your son. "However I will not tear away the whole kingdom; I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen."

Matthew 19:16-22 – refresh your memory on it just briefly with me:

Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." He said to Him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, "‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’" The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

The Rich Young Ruler as he is called, when faced with a choice – that's really the key word, isn't it? When faced with a choice of love and loyalty, he chose his possessions – his stuff – rather than Jesus! And, the Scripture says, he went away sorrowful.

Luke 18:9-14: Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men––extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. ‘I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, you remember it? Which one of these two men returned to his home justified – in a right relationship with God? The Pharisee – who clung to his pride, his supposed spiritual superiority, or this humble, repentant tax collector? Take a look at verses 13 and 14 and you'll have your answer!

2 Timothy 4:9-10 – What better, or maybe I should say, what more worse illustration can you think of than this one, to show the effects of deciding to love a rival love? 2 Timothy 4:9-10 – facing the end of his life, at the hands of the Roman executioner, in need of comfort and companionship in his final days – Paul urges Timothy to leave Ephesus, and come as quickly as possible to Rome, to be with him – why? Because Demas – a formerly loyal and helpful companion – like Judas Iscariot to Jesus, “Demas has forsaken me because he loves [notice the key word there] this present world”. One of those other loves this Book warns us about – what has he done? He has left Paul in the lurch, and headed off to Thessalonica!

I mentioned Judas Iscariot just a moment ago – this one who for perhaps 3 precious years of his life walked with Jesus, listen to Jesus, watched Jesus as He performed miracles and ministered to the needy – Judas Iscariot, this 'friend' who ate of the Unleavened Bread Jesus described as 'His body' and drunk of the fruit of the vine, His blood – what does the Scripture tell us Judas chose to do? This thief, this traitor, this son of perdition, chose to love himself, and what he could get out of the money bag, over loving and serving the only One Who could save him!

What are the effects – the implications - for one's spiritual health of deciding to love someone or something other than Jesus?

We read at the outset 1 John 2:15-17, let's go back there in just a minute.

The choice to love 'rival loves' is a alluring, enticing choice, for sure! No doubt about it – we look into this mirror at the Solomons and the Demases and the Judases, at the Adams and Eves – and what do we see? We see ourselves – we see or should see, how strong these attractions really are – but, listen – do we also see have fatal these other loves can prove to be to our spiritual health?

1 John 2:15-17: Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world––the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life––is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Love for this world – this evil, satanically-oriented system – and love for things of this world, what does it do, what impact does it have on our love for God? Verse 15 – just like Jesus' words, “You cannot serve two masters – you cannot serve God and mammon,” notice how this text puts it. John the Apostle informs us that love for the world and its stuff, AND love for God cannot truly and fully co-exist in our lives. It's either one or the other. And, then – look at what else he shows us, mindful, I'm sure, of the very thing that happened to Judas Iscariot – thinking, I'm certain – of the 1 Kings record of Solomon's infamous spiritual downfall – and, most of all, remembering what Jesus said, and the responses of folks like Thomas after he saw the mark of Jesus' love for him, “You are my Lord, and my God!”

What does the Apostle John teach us about loving God, versus loving any or all of these rivals?

Verse 17 – Like Judas, hanging from that tree of self destruction, John says, “The world and the lust of it, these things are passing away – but, he who does the will of God abides forever!” Forever!

How important is our spiritual health and well-being? Many of us go – or have gone to great lengths to insure or reclaim our physical health – we want to be strong physically, and perhaps for some very good reasons. But, listen – man shall not live by bread alone! Treasures laid up on earth, the moths eat them, rust corrupts them, thieves steal them – the world and its lusts of the eye, the flesh, and the mind – these things don't last! But, loving God, and even more – being loved BY God – such things are eternal! Anything and everything we can do to enhance our spiritual well-being, what can we say about it? It will reap everlasting results!

In that 2 Timothy 4 passage – the Apostle Paul declares that the crown of righteousness is laid up for all who love and long for the appearing of Jesus! Is that what you are loving and longing for? If not, is there anything you can do about it? The Spirit of Jesus speaking through the apostle John to the church at Ephesus has this to say in Revelation 2:4 – If you've left your first love, there is something you can do! Revelation 2:4 – “Remember therefore from where you have fallen!” “Repent – yes, repent – turn your heart and your hands and feet AWAY from that rival love, and return to do the works you did at first!”

Remember – repent and return to God – He's your first love. “Do it!” Jesus says, “or else I will come and remove your lamp-stand from its place!”