Testing Your Faith ─ Authentic or Counterfeit? Text: 1 John 2:18-27 Rev. Dr. Harding Ng

1 John 2:18-27 (ESV) 18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.

23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. 26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.

27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

Today’s Anti-Christian forces: I.Drives you to love the world

1 John 2: Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

I.Drives you to love the world A.Traps sets up by Satan

Genesis 3:4-6 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.

6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

I.Drives you to love the world A.Traps sets up by Satan B.Triumph brought by Christ

Matthew 4:4, 7, 10 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”

I.Drives you to love the world II.Departs from the fellowship

1 John 2: Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

I.Drives you to love the world II.Departs from the fellowship A.Judas leaving the fellowship

John 13:27, Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

I.Drives you to love the world II.Departs from the fellowship A.Judas leaving the fellowship B.Parable of the Weeds

Matthew 13: Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law- breakers,

I.Drives you to love the world II.Departs from the fellowship III.Denounces the faith

1 John 2: But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.

23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.

I.Drives you to love the world II.Departs from the fellowship III.Denounces the faith A.Denying the Father & the Son

1 John 4:1-3 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. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

3 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.

John 10:30 30 I and the Father are one.” John 5:23 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

I.Drives you to love the world II.Departs from the fellowship III.Denounces the faith A.Denying the Father & the Son B.Devaluing the anointing of the Holy Spirit

1 John 2:27 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

John 14:17 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

John 15:26 26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.

John 16:8 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

John 16: When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

2 Cor. 1: And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

I.Drives you to love the world II.Departs from the fellowship III.Denounces the faith IV. Deceives the faithful

1 John 2: I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

I.Drives you to love the world II.Departs from the fellowship III.Denounces the faith IV.Deceives the faithful A.The Liar seduces

John 8:44 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

2 Cor. 11: For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

I.Drives you to love the world II.Departs from the fellowship III.Denounces the faith IV.Deceives the faithful A.The Liar seduces B.The Eternal Life is activated

1 John 2:25, And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

IV.Deceives the faithful A.The Liar seduces B.The Eternal Life is activated Abiding in the Son & Father

1 John 2:28 28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.

John 15:5 5 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.

IV.Deceives the faithful A.The Liar seduces B.The Eternal Life is activated Abiding in the Son & Father Anointing of the Holy Spirit

1 John 2:27 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

IV.Deceives the faithful A.The Liar seduces B.The Eternal Life is activated Abiding in the Son & Father Anointing of the Holy Spirit Appearance of the Son

1 John 2:28b so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.

IV.Deceives the faithful A.The Liar seduces B.The Eternal Life is activated Abiding in the Son & Father Anointing of the Holy Spirit Appearance of the Son Not Ashamed in meeting Him

1 John 2:28 28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.

Today’s Anti-Christian forces I.Drives you to love the world II.Departs from the fellowship III.Denounces the faith IV. Deceives the faithful