1. Life Light Love I am writing these things so that Confidence Born of God That you may know The Letters of John First John 2:12-14 Page 1034 in Pew Bibles

2. First John 2:12-14 12. I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name. 13. I am writing to you, fathers, because you have come to know the One who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have had victory over the evil one.

3. 14. I have written to you, children, because you have come to know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you have come to know the One who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, God's word remains in you, and you have had victory over the evil one.

4. The Letters of John First John 2:12-14 Page 1034 in Pew Bibles

5. Believers in Three Stages of Spiritual Growth >

6. 1. Those in their Infancy Learning their Identity Vs. 12 “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name.”Vs. 12 “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name.” HL >

7. 1. Those in their Infancy Learning their Identity This word for children stresses their birth into the family & their belonging to it > Vs. 12 “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name.”Vs. 12 “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name.”

8. This Word for Children Emphasizes Kinship > First Thessalonians 2:7 “We were gentle among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children.”First Thessalonians 2:7 “We were gentle among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children.” First Thessalonians 2:11-12 “Like a father with his own children, we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God”First Thessalonians 2:11-12 “Like a father with his own children, we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God”

9. They Learn their New Standing > Vs. 12 “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name.”Vs. 12 “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name.” “That is the most elementary thing you can say about a Christian, his sins are forgiven.” — Ray Stedman“That is the most elementary thing you can say about a Christian, his sins are forgiven.” — Ray Stedman “On account of His name”: Standing based on Christ, not performance“On account of His name”: Standing based on Christ, not performance

10. They Learn Their New Father. > Vs. 14 “I have written to you, children, because you have come to know the Father.”Vs. 14 “I have written to you, children, because you have come to know the Father.”

11. They Learn Their New Father This word emphasizes being under the authority & discipline of the father. > Vs. 14 “I have written to you, children, because you have come to know the Father.”Vs. 14 “I have written to you, children, because you have come to know the Father.”

12. 2. The Battle-Tested Experiencing Consistency in Victory Vs. 13 “I am writing to you, young men, because you have had victory over the evil one.”Vs. 13 “I am writing to you, young men, because you have had victory over the evil one.” Vs. 14 “I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, God’s word remains in you, and you have had victory over the evil one.”Vs. 14 “I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, God’s word remains in you, and you have had victory over the evil one.” >

13. The Degree of Their Strength Vs. 14 “I have written to you, young men, because you are strong”Vs. 14 “I have written to you, young men, because you are strong” > Strong, mighty Like Rambo, the Arnold, or Dog the Bounty Hunter

14. Their Source of Strength Vs. 14 “I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, God’s word remains in you…”Vs. 14 “I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, God’s word remains in you…” Being a young adult doesn’t automatically make us spiritually strong.Being a young adult doesn’t automatically make us spiritually strong. >

15. Their Source of Strength Vs. 14 “I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, God’s word remains in you…”Vs. 14 “I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, God’s word remains in you…” 1.They know what the Word says 2.They understand the Word 3.They love the Word 4.They know how to apply the Word >

16. Vs. 13 & 14 “You have had victory over the evil one.”Vs. 13 & 14 “You have had victory over the evil one.” 1.Victory over Satan’s Deceptions 2.Victory over Satan’s Temptations 3.Victory over Satan’s Accusations. > The Kinds of Victory They Experience

17. Vs. 14 “I have written to you, fathers, because you have come to know the One who is from the beginning.”Vs. 14 “I have written to you, fathers, because you have come to know the One who is from the beginning.” HL > 3. Those Enjoying Intimacy in Their Maturity

18. Vs. 14 “I have written to you, fathers”Vs. 14 “I have written to you, fathers” Fathers PROVIDEFathers PROVIDE –Not the consumers, but the producers in church Fathers PROTECTFathers PROTECT –Take corrective action to deal with threats to the church Fathers are ON POINTFathers are ON POINT –They set the example & the pace –They set the tone in the church Def > 3. Those Enjoying Intimacy in Their Maturity

19. > Recognize Be conscious of Understand Vs. 14 “I have written to you, fathers, because you have come to know the One who is from the beginning.”Vs. 14 “I have written to you, fathers, because you have come to know the One who is from the beginning.”

20. 3. Those Enjoying Intimacy in Their Maturity.. Vs. 14 “I have written to you, fathers, because you have come to know the One who is from the beginning.”Vs. 14 “I have written to you, fathers, because you have come to know the One who is from the beginning.” Walking with God as an old friendWalking with God as an old friend