“Cautions of Fellowship” 1 John 4:1-6 12/14/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles

“Cautions of Fellowship” Introduction Our theme for the past several weeks has been ‘True Fellowship’. Chapter 1: the conditions for fellowship, Chapter 2: the conduct in fellowship, Chapter 3: the characteristics of fellowship. Chapter 4: some warning concerning fellowship. Introduction Our theme for the past several weeks has been ‘True Fellowship’. Chapter 1: the conditions for fellowship, Chapter 2: the conduct in fellowship, Chapter 3: the characteristics of fellowship. Chapter 4: some warning concerning fellowship.

“Cautions of Fellowship”  Concerning Lying Spirits. (4:1-6) Warnings of false prophets (4:1). 1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)  Concerning Lying Spirits. (4:1-6) Warnings of false prophets (4:1). 1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)

“Cautions of Fellowship” 1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 13 … evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Tim 3:1, 13) 1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 13 … evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Tim 3:1, 13)

“Cautions of Fellowship” 15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. (Matt 7:15)

“Cautions of Fellowship” Marks of the false teacher (4:2-3). 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, (1 John 4:2) Marks of the false teacher (4:2-3). 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, (1 John 4:2)

“Cautions of Fellowship” 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. If you want a quick way of knowing what a person or some group teaches, find out what they believe about Jesus Christ! 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. If you want a quick way of knowing what a person or some group teaches, find out what they believe about Jesus Christ!

“Cautions of Fellowship”  Some False Prophets’ Teachings: Jehovah’s Witnesses Modernists Jews Mormons  Some False Prophets’ Teachings: Jehovah’s Witnesses Modernists Jews Mormons

“Cautions of Fellowship” Moslems Unity Catholics Seventh Day Adventists Christian Scientists Moslems Unity Catholics Seventh Day Adventists Christian Scientists

“Cautions of Fellowship”  Believers are Overcomers (4:4-6). 4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. (1 John 4:4-5)  Believers are Overcomers (4:4-6). 4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. (1 John 4:4-5)

“Cautions of Fellowship” 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. (1 John 4:6)

“Cautions of Fellowship” 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17) 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17)

“Cautions of Fellowship” Born-again believers are not easily confused by teachers of false doctrine. Unbelievers cannot endure sound doctrine for more than a short time, then they declare war on the preacher. When the Word of God is preached true, it will divide people. Born-again believers are not easily confused by teachers of false doctrine. Unbelievers cannot endure sound doctrine for more than a short time, then they declare war on the preacher. When the Word of God is preached true, it will divide people.

“Cautions of Fellowship” 12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double- edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

“Cautions of Fellowship” Conclusion Does it really matter what a church teaches? We are cautioned to ‘try the spirits’ or put them to the test to see if it is of God! The Word of God is our ‘plumb line’. The foundation of our faith ought to be God’s Word! Conclusion Does it really matter what a church teaches? We are cautioned to ‘try the spirits’ or put them to the test to see if it is of God! The Word of God is our ‘plumb line’. The foundation of our faith ought to be God’s Word!

“Cautions of Fellowship” 1 John 4:1-6 12/14/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles