Walking in Truth and Love: A Call to Discernment
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we delved into the book of 2 John, a brief yet powerful letter from the Apostle John, written around 90 A.D. John, the last surviving apostle, addresses a church he refers to as the "elect lady," warning them about false teachers spreading heresies, particularly Gnosticism. These itinerant preachers were denying the incarnation of Jesus Christ, claiming He did not come in the flesh. John emphasizes the importance of walking in truth and love, urging the church to be vigilant against deception.
John's message is timeless, reminding us that truth is objective and unchanging, not subject to personal feelings or societal trends. He contrasts this with the modern-day relativism that has permeated our culture, where truth is often seen as subjective and individualistic. John insists that truth is absolute, rooted in the person of Jesus Christ and the Word of God. He warns that abandoning this truth leads to deception and spiritual peril.
To combat this, John advises believers to immerse themselves in God's Word, to be discerning about the influences they allow into their lives, and to stand firm in the truth while maintaining a posture of love. He underscores that truth and love are not mutually exclusive but must coexist in the life of a believer. By doing so, we protect ourselves from the false teachings that seek to lead us astray and ensure that we are walking in the light of the Gospel.
### Key Takeaways
1. Truth is Objective and Unchanging: Truth is not subject to personal feelings or societal trends. It is absolute and rooted in the person of Jesus Christ and the Word of God. This objective truth serves as the foundation for our faith and guides our actions and beliefs. [11:04]
2. The Danger of Relativism: Modern-day relativism, which suggests that truth is subjective and individualistic, leads to spiritual confusion and deception. As believers, we must reject this notion and hold fast to the absolute truth revealed in Scripture. [18:07]
3. The Importance of Immersing in God's Word: To protect ourselves from deception, we must saturate ourselves in the Word of God. Regular engagement with Scripture helps us discern truth from falsehood and strengthens our faith. [37:16]
4. Guarding Against False Teachings: We must be vigilant about the influences we allow into our lives, whether through media, relationships, or other sources. By setting boundaries and being discerning, we can prevent false teachings from taking root in our hearts and minds. [41:12]
5. Balancing Truth and Love: Standing for truth does not mean abandoning love. We must approach those who are deceived with compassion and share the Gospel in a loving manner. Truth and love must coexist in our witness to the world. [44:00]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:53] - Introduction to One-Hit Wonders Series
[01:41] - Overview of John's Writings
[02:30] - Significance of 2 John
[03:13] - Context of 2 John
[03:57] - John's Background and Audience
[04:31] - Warning Against False Teachers
[05:50] - Gnosticism and Its Dangers
[06:58] - Reading of 2 John
[09:01] - Truth or Consequences Game Show Analogy
[11:04] - Truth is Objective
[18:07] - The Rise of Relativism
[26:43] - Cultural, Societal, and Individual Relativism
[37:16] - Immersing in God's Word
[41:12] - Guarding Against False Teachings
[44:00] - Balancing Truth and Love
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- 2 John 1:1-13
- John 8:32
- John 14:6
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific heresy was John warning the church about in 2 John? ([05:50])
2. How does John describe the relationship between truth and love in his letter? ([07:41])
3. What does John instruct the church to do when encountering false teachers? ([08:18])
4. According to the sermon, what are the three types of relativism discussed? ([18:40])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does John emphasize that truth is objective and unchanging? How does this contrast with modern-day relativism? ([11:04])
2. How does immersing oneself in God's Word help in discerning truth from falsehood? ([37:16])
3. What are the potential consequences of allowing false teachings into our lives, according to John? ([06:21])
4. How can believers balance standing for truth while maintaining a posture of love? ([44:00])
#### Application Questions
1. John warns against false teachers who deny the incarnation of Jesus. Are there any modern teachings or ideologies that you think might be similar to what John was warning against? How can you guard against them? ([05:50])
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of immersing oneself in God's Word. What specific steps can you take this week to increase your engagement with Scripture? ([37:16])
3. Reflect on the concept of relativism discussed in the sermon. Have you encountered situations where truth was treated as subjective? How did you respond, and how might you respond differently now? ([18:07])
4. John instructs the church to be vigilant about the influences they allow into their lives. What are some influences in your life that you need to be more discerning about? ([41:12])
5. The sermon highlighted the need to balance truth and love. Think of a person in your life who holds different beliefs. How can you approach them with both truth and love in your next interaction? ([44:00])
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of community in discerning and living out the truth. How can you better engage with your small group or church community to support each other in this? ([38:26])
7. Reflect on the idea that truth is absolute and rooted in Jesus Christ. How does this understanding impact your daily decisions and interactions with others? ([11:04])
Devotional
### Day 1: Truth is Absolute and Unchanging
Description: In a world where truth is often seen as subjective and influenced by personal feelings or societal trends, it is crucial to remember that truth is absolute and unchanging. This truth is rooted in the person of Jesus Christ and the Word of God. As believers, our faith and actions should be guided by this objective truth, which serves as the foundation for our lives. Embracing this truth helps us navigate through life's challenges with clarity and conviction, knowing that we are anchored in something eternal and unshakeable. [11:04]
Bible Passage: "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life have you allowed personal feelings or societal trends to influence your understanding of truth? How can you realign these areas with the absolute truth found in Jesus Christ and the Word of God?
### Day 2: The Danger of Relativism
Description: Modern-day relativism suggests that truth is subjective and individualistic, leading to spiritual confusion and deception. This mindset can cause believers to stray from the absolute truth revealed in Scripture, resulting in a weakened faith and vulnerability to false teachings. It is essential to reject this notion and hold fast to the unchanging truth of God's Word. By doing so, we protect ourselves from the spiritual peril that comes with embracing relativism and ensure that our faith remains strong and steadfast. [18:07]
Bible Passage: "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions." (2 Timothy 4:3, ESV)
Reflection: Have you noticed any areas in your life where you have been tempted to accept a more relativistic view of truth? How can you actively combat this temptation and reaffirm your commitment to the absolute truth of Scripture?
### Day 3: The Importance of Immersing in God's Word
Description: To protect ourselves from deception and false teachings, it is vital to immerse ourselves in God's Word. Regular engagement with Scripture helps us discern truth from falsehood and strengthens our faith. By saturating our minds and hearts with the Word of God, we build a solid foundation that enables us to stand firm against the lies and deceptions of the world. This practice not only deepens our relationship with God but also equips us to navigate life's challenges with wisdom and discernment. [37:16]
Bible Passage: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)
Reflection: How often do you engage with God's Word on a daily basis? What practical steps can you take to ensure that you are immersing yourself in Scripture regularly and allowing it to shape your thoughts and actions?
### Day 4: Guarding Against False Teachings
Description: In a world filled with various influences, it is crucial to be vigilant about the teachings and ideas we allow into our lives. False teachings can easily take root in our hearts and minds if we are not discerning and intentional about setting boundaries. By being cautious about the media we consume, the relationships we maintain, and the sources of information we trust, we can protect ourselves from the deception that seeks to lead us astray. This vigilance helps us remain grounded in the truth and ensures that our faith remains pure and untainted. [41:12]
Bible Passage: "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction." (2 Peter 2:1, ESV)
Reflection: What are some specific influences in your life that you need to evaluate for potential false teachings? How can you set boundaries to guard your heart and mind against these deceptions?
### Day 5: Balancing Truth and Love
Description: Standing for truth does not mean abandoning love. As believers, we are called to approach those who are deceived with compassion and share the Gospel in a loving manner. Truth and love must coexist in our witness to the world, as they are both essential aspects of our faith. By balancing truth and love, we can effectively communicate the message of the Gospel and draw others to Christ. This approach not only honors God but also reflects His character, as He is both a God of truth and a God of love. [44:00]
Bible Passage: "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ." (Ephesians 4:15, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who may be deceived by false teachings. How can you approach them with both truth and love, sharing the Gospel in a way that is compassionate and respectful?
Quotes
1. "Truth is objective and cannot be altered by personal feelings or popular opinion. I'm stating a statement of facts and a truth that I think is true. I think it is altogether right and good for Christians of all ages to know, to affirm, and to hold tightly to. Truth is an objective. And it cannot and it should not be altered by our personal opinions or the popular opinion of the world around us." [11:04] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Truth is objective, truth is absolute, and truth is what we orbit, and truth orbits around, not the other way around. Truth doesn't orbit around us. Truth is our sun, and we are the planets revolving around or orbiting around truth. But sadly, at some point in our world, things changed. Now how important is truth? How important is that you orbit around truth? Well remember what Jesus said about truth. Jesus said that we would know the truth in John 8, 32, and that that truth would set us free." [12:32] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When relativism rules the day, the only absolute truth is that there are no absolute truths. Let me say that again. In a world of relativism, the only absolute truth is that there is no absolute truths. Now, here's the problem. As Christians, we gotta contend with this book. And this book tells us that there is absolute truth. It tells us in the book of John, John says that Jesus came so that he might show the world God the Father who is true." [28:35] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So brothers and sisters, we live in a world that says there are no absolute truths, and the Bible says, uh-uh, there is absolute truth. And it is found in the Holy Trinity of God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, as revealed through his word. Of which John says to his people, you need to walk in the commandments of God. Walk in his word. Now why would he tell us that? Because the word of God, truth, protects us from lots of problems." [29:45] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You can have all the therapy in the world and you will never figure it out because you were fearfully and wonderfully made for a purpose. And when you leave that, you create for yourself all manner of problems that no amount of therapy is ever going to satisfy. And so what do we do? Where do we go? John says that truth must be pursued and practiced by all believers." [34:59] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Saturate yourself and be led by God's truth. How do we ward off and protect ourselves from the deceivers? We immerse ourselves into the word of God. So let me ask you, notice he says, whom I love in truth, who I fellowship in truth, with. How much were you in the word of God this week? How saturated were you in this word? Is this the first time you've picked this word up in seven days?" [37:16] (40 seconds)
7. "Stop letting the lies in so easily. So he says watch out. Watch out he says notice in there he tells them to watch yourselves in verse eight. That phrase there is the most emphatic in the Greek. It can't get any more emphatic than that. I was catering at a catering event and I was on the grill and a little girl ran into the parking lot where there was a bustling of cars coming and going and as she darted into the parking lot her father yelled watch out!" [40:09] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "How many of you allowed television and tablets and cell phones into your house? How many of you handed them to your children without any parental guidance or out with any parental limits? You have allowed false teaching into your house and we are binging on it. We're binging on it. We're not in the word but we can watch a TV program for hours. We're not in the word but we can scroll on social media for hours and we think it's benign and it's not." [41:43] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We need to stand for truth but don't forget love. Some of you are going to leave this place and say, man, Pastor Tim brought it. Finally, we're going to fight back this culture, fight back this evil empire, all this stuff. And we start getting these grandiose ideas of what November can do and the Oval Office can do and brothers and sisters, that is far out of my thinking. We need to stand for truth because Jesus tells us to." [44:00] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Stop looking at people who see the world differently than us as the enemy. Stop looking at people who live their lives, who love differently than we do as our enemies and instead see them as people who are deceived and in need of the gospel. See them as people who like us once were deceived ourselves under the wrath of God who need the gospel to transform them. And start sharing that gospel. Start sharing that truth in love." [45:36] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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