Jesus is God, don't be deceived.

The Apostle John wrote 3 letters which are preserved for us in the New Testament.  This morning we look at the second of those letters, a very short book we call “2nd John.” While this letter is only 13 verses long (245 words) it contains some very profound Biblical truths, and a warning to all of us that we hold fast to those truths.

Digging Deeper

1.  Read the letter of 2nd John again, and as you are reading answer these questions: “Does this epistle (letter) declare Jesus to be God, and if so, in what ways or how many ways?”  “What is the relationship of Jesus to the Father?” “How is God mentioned and in what ways is that term used with respect to Jesus and to the Father?”  “Could anyone reading this letter think that John is referring to Jesus simply as a man?  Why or why not?”

2.  Does John mention the Holy Spirit or refer to Him in this letter?  Does that mean that John does not believe in the Holy Spirit or the Trinity (Father, Son AND Holy Spirit)?  Read the following passages (all written by the Apostle John) and see if you can state what John believes about the trinity:  1 John 3:24 (compare John 14:16-17, 26,  and 15:26); 1 John 4:13-16 and 1 John 5:6-10.

3.  Why is an understanding of who Jesus is, the trinity, and their role in our salvation important?  How does this truth (or should this truth) impact our lives (see 2 John 3, 4-6 and 10-11).  What would it look like to stand up for the truth in our culture?  To reject the “antichrist” (verses 7-11)? What kind of deception was happening in John’s day?  Is that happening today?  In what ways?

Scripture

(2 John NIV)  "The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth--and not I only, but also all who know the truth-- 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love.

4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 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.

7 Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. 11 Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.

12 I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 13 The children of your chosen sister send their greetings."

2 John 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. (English Standard Version)

(2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 NIV)  "Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God."

(John 13:34-35 NIV)  ""A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.""
 

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