SERMONS FROM THE BOOK OF SECOND JOHN BY Rev. Mike Jones [Revised February 21, 2019]
SOME ADVICE FOR A MOTHER
5 one Chapter books: Obadiah, Philemon, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude
I realize today that I am totally unqualified to give advice to the lovely ladies and wonderful mothers present today. So instead, I want to give you some “motherly advice” from Apostle John.
This advice is from a man who must have been pretty competent: (1) Jesus left Mary in his care as he died on the cross. (2) He was the “Elder” pastor of many of the Asia Minor Churches ( A man who could pastor 7 churches at one time knows what a mother goes thru!!). (3) He was nearly 100 and had been in on the growth of the Church from its infancy.
The “Mother” he was writing to was a well-known, well respected lady- Nothing wrong with a woman seeking and attaining the goals God has set for her–Esther was a queen; Lydia, a seller of Purple; and the Virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 was a woman of industry.
I. KNOW THE TRUTH 1 3. Which means you need to know Jesus who is “the way, the Truth, and the Life”. In this day of confusion and compromise Mom’s need to know the source of truth (Jesus) and the stability of Truth. Repent of Sin, Believe that Christ died for you, Confess it publicly, live for God.
II. WALK IN THE TRUTH 4. Give them a good example: II Tim 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that is in thee also.
The hand that rocks the cradle controls the world- Moses mother only had him a few years but instilled lifelong values.
III. KEEP LOVE AS YOUR GUIDING LIGHT 5 6. Show Love in your Life. Most children don’t remember a lot of things but they never forget Mom’s hugs and kisses- her special treats just for them; her shoulder to cry on. Remember Love means chastising as well as caring: “Whom the Lord loves He chastens”.
IV GUARD AGAINST THOSE WHO LOVE WRONG 7 11
A) Guard against Deceivers who try to destroy your family. Watch what your family watches and does.
B) Guard your own life – vs 8-9 Look to yourselves that ye lose not… yourself or your family. Know right from wrong (Emotions can deceive). Ask your Husband, Study the Bible about issues.
C) Guard against compromise: vs 10-11. Don’t let Pride or Pressure overwhelm the truth.
V. KEEP PERSONAL CONTACT Face to Face 12 13
A) Make time to spend time together
B) Have a no electronic device time where people talk instead of text
Are You Saved? Are you living for the Lord? Do you Show Love? Are you guarding your Child’s spiritual welfare?
Dads and Children, Are you saved? Prov 17:25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bear him. Good Christians are good Children!
IIJohn 1:4 TRUTH
I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father (2 John 1:4).
John talked about Love in his first letter but in the second and third letter he spent most of his time talking about TRUTH.
If we say we have no sin we are a liar and the truth is not in us.
Here are some lies we use in our life:
- Exaggerate lies- We want to be or have more than we have so we “enlarge” our “truths”.
- Excuse Lies- We make up something to make up for something we should have done
- Legal Lies- Insurance, IRS, Job Applications, etc.
- Kindness lies- “You look great” (If I close my eyes!)
- Self Defense Lies- Not me, I did not do it or say it (Please do not have a video!)
- Lazy Lies- I was on my way to do it (I just got stopped by watching this video for 2 hours)
Jesus is the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life.
IIJohn 1:8 FULL REWARDS
This extremely short book (303 words- 299 in 3 John) was written to share the 2 basis needs of every Church:
1) Walk in Love- vs 5
2) Oppose False Doctrine- vs 9-11
Tucked into the middle of the book is a verse that is often misquoted but very important- (2 John 1:8) Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
I. A PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY- “Look to Yourselves”
A) We expect God to examine us: (Psa 26:2) Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
B) We should also examine ourselves: (2 Cor 13:5) Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
II. A CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY: “WE”
A) To GUARD what has been accomplished and to CONTINUE to Progress: “That WE lose not those things which WE have wrought”
B) To refuse to accept less that YOUR BEST- “That WE receive a full reward”
Would you like it if the Braves decided that being 4th or 5th in their division was good enough- after all they were still playing ball?
Would you continue to patronize a restaurant with dirty floors, poor tasting food, and bad service – remember it is still a restaurant!
How sad it would be if you miss the FULL REWARD God has for you.