The Hope of the World: The Joy of the Church: A Study of 1 John #03
An exposition of 1 John 2:1-2. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, October 18, 2015.
Intro:
It is one of the profound mysteries of our age. We are well on our way to unlocking the secrets of genetic engineering. We, through the use of technological wonders, are probing the history of far off planets. Giant strides have been made in medicine as we plumb the depths of the mysteries of the human body. By the time the latest and greatest electronic device rolls off the assembly line – it is outdated, old school – technology has moved on. More information, more knowledge, more data is thrown at you every day than you could possibly assimilate or use. Information overload is an everyday occurrence. Yet with all this information, in spite of this wealth of knowledge and these profound insights – we still can’t figure it out. How does the average Baptist church suck the life out of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Vance Havner asked half a century ago – “Why is it the average Baptist church begins at 11 o’clock sharp and ends at 12 o’clock dull?” To our shame, we have allowed the Lord’s Day to become routine. The service may well go off like clock work. Every element in its place performed to perfection. The music organized, selected and sung with great skill; the message sound theologically, delivered with eloquence; but no sign of life. No joy. No passion. On the other hand some are determined to manufacture life, joy and passion through lighting, images and sounds. Services complete with multi-media productions that thrill the senses and wow the imagination. But the end result is to marvel at the technology or glory in the emotion – rather than worship the Creator!
Don’t misunderstand me. I believe in planning and organizing worship. I believe in doing the best we can for the glory of God. Choirs should rehearse. Preachers should rehearse! Messages should be thought through, spoken out loud, reworked and honed before being preached. I’m not opposed to technology but we must never forget that what brings joy and life and passion to worship is a gathering of people who have come to understand, embrace and delight in the Gospel. Our text this morning is found in the second chapter of 1 John.
Text: 1 John 2:1-2
John the beloved is writing to his “little children”.
The aged apostle is writing, pastorally, to a group of folks he dearly loves.
He is writing to encourage and strengthen them in difficult days.
He is writing to instruct, encourage and reassure his readers.
Yes, they live in a world that is in the hands of the Evil One – but they belong to God!
God is light and in him is no darkness at all.
Therefore – as his children – walk in the light.
Don’t claim perfection – confess your sin – for then you will know his cleansing.
The two verses of our text remind us of an important truth. A truth that ought to inform, instruct and guide the church in ministry. This truth not only sets the agenda but reminds us of what ought to characterize our work and worship. As we consider the great truths set forth in our text I remind you that:
Thesis: The hope of the world and the joy of the church is found in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus.
There are three things I want us to note as we work our way through this text.
- The Gospel calls us to the heights of holiness. (2:1)
- The Gospel guarantees our deliverance. (2:1b-2)
The work of Christ is the basis on which the Christian approaches God with full assurance of forgiveness and cleansing. John uses three terms to describe the work of Christ on our behalf. Images guaranteeing our deliverance and resulting in abounding joy.
Christ our advocate
Jesus Christ the Righteous
He is the propitiation for our sins - The Gospel embraces the world. (2:2b)
Conclusion:
Of this I’m certain – the love of God is big enough to embrace the world. A great multitude will be in glory and all of them will be there by the grace God to the praise of his glorious grace!
We must preach Christ. Our mission is to live and preach the Gospel. The Gospel of Jesus Christ – it is the hope of the world and the joy of the Church!