Introduction We managed to complete our studies on 1 John right before Christmas; and the plan now is to study both 2 and 3 John today. As you can see, they are both short letters and the commentators think that each one of them was able to fit on a single sheet of papyrus, which … Continue reading 2+3 John →

Verses 13 to 15 Near the end of John's gospel, he tells us that he wrote his gospel so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. So, John wrote his gospel and recorded for us all the things … Continue reading 1 John 5(13–21) →

Introduction I heard another preacher compare John's first letter to a spiral staircase. Imagine you're walking up a spiral staircase. And as you go up and round the staircase, you pass a window and see a mountain in the distance. You go on up and round and pass another window and see a lake. You … Continue reading 1 John 5(01–12) →

Introduction This is now our ninth week studying John's first letter. And John has been doing two main things in his letter. He's been writing about what we're to believe about Christ; and he's been writing about how we're to live as Christ's people. So, what we're to believe and what we're to do. And … Continue reading 1 John 4(07–21) →

Introduction Last week's passage was about how believers should love one another. So, we're not to be like Cain, who hated his brother and killed him. We're to be like the Lord who loved us and who laid down his life for us on the cross. And so, we should love our fellow believers with … Continue reading 1 John 4(01–06) →

Introduction In last week's passage, John was writing about the children of God and the children of the devil. The children of God are believers; and the children of the devil are unbelievers. And both of them display a family likeness. Both of them resemble their spiritual parent. So, the devil has been sinning from … Continue reading 1 John 3(11–24) →

Introduction If you're reading from the NIV you'll see that the publishers have given today's passage the title, 'Children of God'. And that's appropriate because the passage is about the difference between the children of God on one hand and the children of the devil on the other. In fact, take a look at the … Continue reading 1 John 2(28)–3(10) →

Introduction The passage which we studied last time contained encouragement and an exhortation. John encouraged his readers by reminding them of some of the privileges they had received because of Christ. Their sins were forgiven; they had come to know the Father and the Son; and they had God's word to make them strong and … Continue reading 1 John 2(18–27) →

Introduction Two weeks ago we were looking at that part of John's first letter where he referred to three false claims which certain people were making about sin. The first false claim that some people were making was that sin doesn’t matter. I can have a relationship with God and keeping on sinning, because sin … Continue reading 1 John 2(12–17) →

Introduction Do you remember last week's passage? John was responding to three false claims which certain people were making about sin. The first false claim that some people were making was that sin doesn't matter. I can have a relationship with God and keeping on sinning, because sin doesn't matter. The second false claim that … Continue reading 1 John 2(03–11) →