Discerning Truth: The Nature of Christ and Antichrist

Devotional

Day 1: The Deceptive Nature of the Antichrist

The Antichrist is not merely an opponent of Christ but a deceiver who seeks to replace Him. This deception is often subtle, appearing as light and truth, but it ultimately leads people away from the true Christ. Understanding this helps us remain vigilant against false teachings that distort the gospel. The Antichrist's influence can be seen in various forms, from false prophets to misleading ideologies that seem appealing but are fundamentally opposed to the teachings of Jesus.

John warns us that these deceptions are already present in the world, and they can easily lead us astray if we are not grounded in the truth of the gospel. The Antichrist's goal is to divert our focus from Jesus, making us question our faith and the core truths of Christianity. By recognizing these subtle deceptions, we can better guard our hearts and minds, ensuring that we remain faithful to the true Christ. [28:45]

1 John 4:1-3 (ESV): "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for 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 from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already."

Reflection: Can you identify any teachings or influences in your life that might be subtly leading you away from the true Christ? How can you test these spirits to ensure they align with the gospel?

Day 2: The Anointing of the Holy Spirit

Believers have an anointing from the Holy One, a divine intuition that helps them discern the truth. This anointing is the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth and keeps us grounded in the reality of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. This divine gift is essential for spiritual discernment, enabling us to recognize and reject false teachings that seek to distort the gospel.

The Holy Spirit's role is to continually point us back to the truth of God's Word, ensuring that we remain steadfast in our faith. This anointing is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process of being led and taught by the Spirit. As we grow in our relationship with God, the Holy Spirit helps us to understand deeper spiritual truths and apply them to our lives. [36:46]

John 14:26 (ESV): "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."

Reflection: How have you experienced the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your life? Are there areas where you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit for discernment and understanding?

Day 3: Perseverance of the Saints

True believers will not abandon the faith. Those who depart from the gospel were never truly part of the faith community. This perseverance is a mark of genuine faith, and it reassures us that God will keep us steadfast in His truth. The perseverance of the saints is not about our own strength but about God's faithfulness in keeping us secure in His love and truth.

John emphasizes that those who truly belong to Christ will remain in the faith, even in the face of trials and temptations. This perseverance is a testament to the transformative power of the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It is a reminder that our salvation is secure in Christ, and we can trust Him to sustain us through all circumstances. [33:29]

Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when your faith was tested. How did you experience God's faithfulness in helping you persevere? What steps can you take to strengthen your faith in times of trial?

Day 4: The Simplicity of the Gospel

The gospel's message is simple yet profound: Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection for our sins. This message must remain in us, living and active, to guard against false teachings that try to complicate or distort it. The simplicity of the gospel is its power, and it is essential that we hold fast to this truth in our daily lives.

John encourages believers to remain steadfast in the simple yet profound message of the gospel, which promises eternal life—a quality of life united with God, not just an endless duration. By keeping the gospel at the center of our faith, we can avoid being led astray by teachings that seek to add to or take away from the core message of Christ's redemptive work. [48:06]

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (ESV): "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures."

Reflection: How can you keep the simplicity of the gospel at the forefront of your faith? Are there any teachings or beliefs that have complicated your understanding of the gospel?

Day 5: Abiding in Christ

To abide in Christ means to live in Him, to remain steadfast in His teachings, and to long for His return. This abiding purifies us and prepares us to be confident and unashamed at His coming. The Holy Spirit continually points us back to God's Word, ensuring we remain in the truth amidst a world full of deception.

John calls believers to abide in Christ, emphasizing that this abiding is marked by a longing for Jesus' return, a hope that purifies and sanctifies. By living in Christ and remaining faithful to His teachings, we can be confident and unashamed when He comes again. This abiding is not passive but an active, daily commitment to follow Jesus and live according to His Word. [55:49]

John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: What does it mean for you to abide in Christ daily? How can you cultivate a deeper longing for Jesus' return in your life?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into 1 John 2:18-29, exploring the nature of salvation and the critical distinctions between the true Christ and the spirit of the Antichrist. John, the beloved disciple, wrote this letter to clarify the full humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ, countering early Gnostic beliefs that separated the physical from the spiritual. John emphasizes that we are living in the "last days," a period between Jesus' resurrection and His eventual return. He warns of many Antichrists who have already come, spreading false teachings and leading people astray from the true gospel.

John's message is clear: the Antichrist is not just someone who opposes Christ but also someone who tries to replace Him. This deception is subtle, often appearing as light and truth, but it ultimately leads people away from the true Christ. John reassures the believers that they have an anointing from the Holy One, a divine intuition that helps them discern the truth. This anointing is the Holy Spirit, who guides them into all truth and keeps them grounded in the reality of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.

John also addresses the perseverance of the saints, stating that those who truly belong to Christ will not abandon the faith. He warns against false teachers who once seemed solid but have now departed from the truth. These individuals were never truly part of the faith community. John encourages believers to remain steadfast in the simple yet profound message of the gospel, which promises eternal life—a quality of life united with God, not just an endless duration.

Finally, John calls believers to abide in Christ, to live in Him so that they may be confident and unashamed at His coming. This abiding is marked by a longing for Jesus' return, a hope that purifies and sanctifies. The Holy Spirit continually points believers back to God's Word, ensuring they remain in the truth amidst a world full of deception.

###

Key Takeaways

1. The Nature of the Antichrist: The Antichrist is not just an opponent of Christ but also a deceiver who tries to replace Him. This deception is subtle, often appearing as light and truth, but it ultimately leads people away from the true Christ. Understanding this helps us remain vigilant against false teachings that distort the gospel. [28:45]
2. The Anointing of the Holy Spirit: Believers have an anointing from the Holy One, a divine intuition that helps them discern the truth. This anointing is the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth and keeps us grounded in the reality of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. This divine gift is essential for spiritual discernment. [36:46]
3. Perseverance of the Saints: True believers will not abandon the faith. Those who depart from the gospel were never truly part of the faith community. This perseverance is a mark of genuine faith, and it reassures us that God will keep us steadfast in His truth. [33:29]
4. The Simplicity of the Gospel: The gospel's message is simple yet profound: Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection for our sins. This message must remain in us, living and active, to guard against false teachings that try to complicate or distort it. [48:06]
5. Abiding in Christ: To abide in Christ means to live in Him, to remain steadfast in His teachings, and to long for His return. This abiding purifies us and prepares us to be confident and unashamed at His coming. The Holy Spirit continually points us back to God's Word, ensuring we remain in the truth. [55:49]
### [55:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[23:46] - The Nature of Salvation
[25:33] - The Last Days and the Antichrist
[27:18] - Prophecies and Current Events
[28:45] - Understanding the Antichrist
[30:33] - The Great Falling Away
[31:59] - The Spirit of the Antichrist
[33:29] - False Teachers and Perseverance
[35:00] - The Anointing of the Holy Spirit
[36:46] - Knowing the Truth
[38:18] - The Reality of Jesus
[39:32] - Discernment and False Teachings
[42:19] - Denying the True Christ
[45:18] - The Importance of Discernment
[46:39] - Ex-Evangelicals and Abandoning the Faith
[48:06] - The Simplicity of the Gospel
[49:19] - Eternal Life in Christ
[50:59] - The Love of God and the Cross
[52:28] - Remaining in the Truth
[54:04] - The Real Problem: Sin
[55:49] - Abiding in Christ
[57:27] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[59:05] - The Best is Yet to Come
[60:49] - Longing for Jesus' Return
[61:58] - Purifying Ourselves
[63:30] - The Conviction of the Holy Spirit
[65:18] - Assurance in God's Word
[65:58] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to 1 John 2:18, what does John mean by "the last hour"? How does he describe the presence of the Antichrist? ([23:46])
What does John say about those who have left the faith community in 1 John 2:19? What does this reveal about their true nature? ([33:29])
How does John describe the anointing from the Holy One in 1 John 2:20? What is its purpose? ([36:46])
In Matthew 24:10-11, what signs does Jesus give about the end times? How do these signs relate to the presence of false prophets? ([25:33])

Interpretation Questions

What does John mean when he says that the Antichrist is not just against Christ but also tries to replace Him? How can this deception appear as light and truth? ([28:45])
How does the anointing of the Holy Spirit help believers discern the truth? What role does this divine intuition play in their spiritual lives? ([36:46])
What does John mean by the "perseverance of the saints"? How does this concept provide reassurance to believers about their faith? ([33:29])
How does John’s call to abide in Christ prepare believers to be confident and unashamed at His coming? What does this abiding look like in practical terms? ([55:49])

Application Questions

John warns about the subtle deception of the Antichrist. Are there any teachings or beliefs you have encountered that seemed true but later proved to be misleading? How did you discern the truth? ([28:45])
The sermon emphasized the importance of the Holy Spirit's anointing for spiritual discernment. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit to enhance your discernment? ([36:46])
Reflect on a time when you felt tempted to abandon your faith. What helped you remain steadfast, and how can you support others who might be struggling? ([33:29])
The simplicity of the gospel is a recurring theme in John’s message. How can you ensure that the core message of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection remains central in your life amidst various teachings? ([48:06])
John calls believers to abide in Christ and long for His return. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a longing for Jesus' return in your daily life? ([55:49])
The sermon mentioned the rise of false teachings and the spirit of the Antichrist. How can you stay vigilant and protect yourself and your community from such deceptions? ([31:59])
John speaks about the confidence and lack of shame believers should have at Christ’s coming. Are there areas in your life where you feel unprepared or ashamed? How can you address these areas to be ready for His return? ([55:49])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "The purpose is to break down the nature of salvation, to really take a critical analysis of Jesus, that he was fully man and yet fully God. Not half man, not half God, fully God and fully man. Just the mystery of the union that Christ is unique, and that he wasn't just some aberration, he wasn't just some spiritual being, this wasn't just some vision, but that he literally broke into space and time, took on a physical body, added humanity to his deity, went to the cross, died for our sins, was physically raised to life and will physically return." (44 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The last days or the last hour, as John says, it's a term that refers to the time between Jesus's death and resurrection and his return. So we've been in the last days for a couple thousand years. These are the last days. It's a block of time. And so he is saying, listen, the spirit of the Antichrist have gone out. And he says, this is how we know it is the end times or the last hour." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "This is the love of God is that he sent his own son, right? What did John write back in the most famous verse in his gospel in chapter three, verse 16, in this way. And in this way, this is how God demonstrated his own love is that he sent his son for God so loved the world that he gave that anyone who would believe and trust in him would have everlasting life. It's a powerful, simple message." (31 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Eternal life is not so much the duration as it is the quality. It is a duration, but it's the quality. It's a new life. It's a new quality of being that you are united with God. That you've been redeemed that you belong to him, that you're his child and your hope and your dreams are all in him. They're all fulfilled in him. They're not fulfilled in chasing down on this earth because all this stuff is going to burn away." (28 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "This is the gospel. This is why Jesus came. To save. To redeem. To buy you. To purchase you. To ransom you. To the glory of God. He says, see to it that that simple message remains in you. Don't abandon that. Because that's what they were doing. They were abandoning that message of the simplicity of the gospel." (22 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "The best false teachers are the ones that were like raised in church or at least they were in church for a while and they appeared to be solid. You know any teachers that have gone off the rails now? They've gone off the rails and they've gone off the rails but they used to be solid. Remember they used to sound so solid and so good. Remember the velvet elvis? Remember Rob what's his name? Rob Bell who used to sound so legit and now is this it has abandoned the faith." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When you're listening to teaching and when you're hearing, you should have an anointing that says, oh, something's not right about that. And you investigate it a little bit further. I played a video just last night for my girls at bedtime and it was a lady that was teaching and she was teaching false doctrine. And Chloe warned my heart and she's like, red flag, red flag, red flag. Okay. When you start to pick up on that, she started to teach that, you know, that, that Eve was, was really the one who rescued us because she listened to the serpent, because God had lied and said that you, you know, you should need of that." (44 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The real problem of the world is not racism. It's sin. The real problem is not distribution of wealth. It's sin. The real problem is not out there somewhere. It's in our hearts. He says, you don't need anyone to instruct you or to guide you and lead you away, but as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real and not counterfeit, just as it has taught you, remain in him." (36 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "There are many people who are going to believe they have convinced themselves that they're following the true Christ, but they're really following the antichrist, the one who's coming in place of Christ. And they think they're following him, but when the real Christ appears, they are going to shrink back. They are not going to have confidence. They're not going to be able to speak out. Literally, that word confident means this freedom of speech to be outspoken. In other words, to welcome him, to not be afraid, to not shrink back in terror, in fear." (37 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "How great is the love the father has lavished on us that we should be called the children of God. He says, how great is this love, this agape, this self-sacrificing love that God would sacrifice himself for us. This is what he says, how he's lavished on us. That just means it's so one-sided. It's so one-sided that God was the one who sought us. God was the one who redeemed us. God's the one who seals us. He's the one that saves us in order that we would be called the children of God." (39 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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