Dedicated To The Men of God Who Preach the Word of God As It Is To Men As They Are

"Preach The Word"

ESSENTIALS FOR EFFECTIVENESS

TEXT: II John

INTRODUCTION:

Several things make II John a very interesting passage.
(1) It is the shortest book in the New Testament.
(2) It is also the only Bible book addressed to a woman. Some say that the "Elect Lady" was a church or group of some kind but close study will reveal that John was writing to a Christian lady. He first praised her for her life and her faithful children. John then began to caution her about false teachers and unsound doctrine.
(3) The epistle seems to be built on three words: love, truth, and doctrine. These are all essential elements in an effective Christian walk.

I. TO BE EFFECTIVE, A SINCERE TRUTH MUST BE EXPERIENCED V:1-4
What John referred to as "truth" Was more than an accepted fact. It was a living reality.

A. The power of truth (V-l)

The truth isso powerful that it can bring "all they that have known it" together on common ground. This has been the controversy in the SBC for the last 18 years. Many do not accept the Bible as God's infallible truth. Regardless of our differences, all Christians should be able to come together and agree that the Bible is the Word!

B. The permanency of truth (V-2)

"For thetruth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever". Jesus is Living Truth.. Bible, the written truth.
(I) It "dwelleth in us" (assurance of his presence)
(2) It "shall be with us forever" (assurance of his
faithfulness)

C. The product of truth (V-3)

Note what results. "Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love."
(1) grace...God's unmerited favor. (permits us to receive
what we don't deserve.)
(2) mercy...mercy allows us to be forgiven.. (prevents us
from receiving what we really deserve)
(3) peace...the result of grace and mercy. (There is peace
with God, and peace of God) Some never find either one.

D.The practice of truth (V-4)

"I rejoicedgreatly that I found of thy children walking in truth...."
(1) Note John's observation. "...I found .."
(2) Note their obedience. "...thy children walking in truth..."

II. TO BE EFFECTIVE, SPIRITUAL LOVE MUST BE EXPRESSED. V-l,5-6

Love is the first mentioned as fruit of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:22)
Love is an action word and is useless unless expressed. Means nothing
otherwise. Just a word.

A. Love is very powerful( V-l)

"..the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth..." John was moved in his heart as he wrote. Love is a vary powerful force.
(1) Love moved the Father to send the Son.
(2) Love moved the Son to save the sinner.
(3) Love moves the saint to serve the Savior.

B. Love is very personal . (V-5)

".. not as though I wrote a newcommandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another." Christians may not always agree, but must always love each other. So often, people in our day are not tolerant at all.

C. Love is very practical.( V-5-6)

(it never grows old nor needs replacing)
(1) It's not a new commandment V-5 The truth never
changes. It's settled in Heaven!
(2) It's not a forced commandment V-6 "This is the
commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it." (That is, in love) It must be lived, not forced.

III. TO BE EFFECTIVE, SOUND DOCTRINE MUST BE ESTABLISHED. V-7-11

No Christian can be stable without sound doctrine. The world is full of so called religious people who do not know what they believe. Just yesterday, I read in my daily devotional that the Barna Research Group had learned the following:
42% of Americans think Jesus committed sins.
25% of professing Christians say he was not sinless.
61% of Americans think there are other ways to salvation besides faith in Christ.

A. The importance of sound doctrine told (V-7-8)

"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." Many reasons to be sound. Two are mentioned here.

(1) It's important because of the deceivers we face (v-7)

"For many deceivers are entered into the world.." The airways are full of them. It's not just minor differences either.

(2) It's important because of the dangers that could follow. (v-8)
"Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have
wrought, but that we receive a full reward." I am afraid some have
been led astray and will stand before God empty-handed.

B. The instruction in sound doctrine taught. (V 9-11)
Notice two important lessons taught here:
(1) He gives one on how to tell deceivers. V-9 "Whosoever
transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God."
(2) He gives one on how to treat deceivers. V-10 "If
there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:"


CONCLUSION: According to V-12,13 Paul wanted to write more, but decided to wait until he could visit in person.

If you want to be effective in the Christian Life, you need to remember these three things that are essential:
I. SINCERE TRUTH MUST BE EXPERIENCED.
II. SPIRITUAL LOVE MUST BE EXPRESSED.
III. SOUND DOCTRINE MUST BE TAUGHT.

INVITATION:
Are you an Effective Christian? Is God using your life to make a
positive influence on others? If not, you need one of two things:
(1) Salvation: For those who are lost.
(2) Submission: For those who have drifted away.

Cecil Lovelace- Pastor Goode's Creek Baptist Church

Sermon Added May 29,1997

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