Challenges to “Fellowship” in a Dark World
I. The Challenge: A TRINITY of DARKNESS. (2:15-17)
A. FEELING, HAVING, and CONTROLLING.(v.16)
B. This is NOT their first APPEARANCE. (Gen.3:6-7; Mt. 4:3-4,6,8-9)
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. (Gen 3:6-7)
The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Mt.4:3-4)
“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” (Mt. 4:6)
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” (Mt. 4:8-9)
II. The Choice: TWO very different SPIRITS. (2:18-28)
A. Antichrist: DENIES and leads AWAY. (4:3; 2:18-19,22-23,26)
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. (I Jn 4:3)
B. The Holy One: Brings TRUTH and “FELLOWSHIP” (2:20-21,24-25,27)
III. The Truth: We are a CHILD of GOD. (2:28-3:10)
A. God CHOOSES to LAVISH love. (3:1; 4:10,19)
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 Jn 4:10)
We love because he first loved us. (1 Jn 4:19)
B. A MATTER of IDENTITY. (3:1; Col. 3:1-4)
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Col. 3:1-4)
C. GROWING into family RESEMBLANCE. (3:2-3; II Cor. 3:17-18)
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Cor. 3:17-18)
IV. MOVING toward FELLOWSHIP and not away from it. (2:28)
A. IDENTIFY the DARKNESS you are drawn to. (2:15-17)
B. GIVE that to the SPIRIT of GOD. (3:4-6)
C. CLING to your ADOPTION as a child. (3:1)