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Pastor Steve Thomas

1 John 2:28 – 3:10

Our Dynamic Hope_Sermond Notes

Going Deeper:

• Read 1 John 2:28-3:10 two or three times.
• What is the deception John is warning the readers about?
• This passage can create unwarranted concern or can be too easily dismissed. Compare 1 John 1:6,8,10; 2:4,6,9 and 1 John 3:4-10. Assuming John is not contradicting himself, how do you make sense of his teaching?
• Use Biblehub.com to do a word study on “lawlessness” (anomia) or look up the word in Vine’s Dictionary (www.studylight.org). Is John making a reference to sin and the law of Moses or describing a type of person using this word? Why would this matter?
• The word “seed” is used by John in a powerful way in 3:9. Read 1 John 2:24, 27; 3:4; 4:12,15,16. What do you think the “seed abiding in you” is? Why is this powerful?
• Where do you find hope to carry on in this passage?

Spiritual Exercise: This week reflect on the “hope” we have as those twice born. One day, you will be like Christ is now. This is a great promise (Phi. 1:6)! Until then, we need to live out this hope. Memorize 2 Cor. 5:17 substituting “I am” instead of “if anyone is”. Write a personal prayer based on Gal. 5:16-17 and pray it each morning.

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Pastor Steve Thomas

1 John 2:28 – 3:3

You Are So Loved_Sermon Notes

Going Deeper:

• Read 1 John 2:28-3:3. How would you explain John’s flow of thought?
• What is the believer’s confidence when Christ appears? Does this have more to do with us or with Christ? Why would this be important to know?
• Read and reflect upon Genesis 2:25 and 3:1-24. What does shame look like? How do Adam and Eve deal with shame? How does God deal with their shame? How does the Genesis narrative help you understand Christ in 1 John 2:28-29?
• How does the fact of John’s writing verses 3:1-2 display knowing what God’s love feels like? Have you known God’s love this way? Give thanks to God for His love.
• What is our hope as children of God? Is this sure or shaky? Why?
• Compare 1 John 2:28-3:3 and 1 Peter 1:3-25. How do they complement each other?

Spiritual Exercise: John writes that God’s love is “given” (1 John 3:1) to Christians in a unique way making us “children of God”. This new birth is a singular event, but experiencing God’s “Father love” happens throughout our life as we receive this gift-love. Read Luke 15:11-32. Replace the younger brother with yourself… where or what do you need to leave in order to come back and experience anew God’s amazing love as your Father? Return to your father. Purify yourself. Rejoice in His love.

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Pastor Steve Thomas

1 John 2: 18-27

Red Sky_Sermon Notes

Going Deeper:

• Read 1 John 2:18-27. Also, read Matthew 24:3-28. What are two parallel ideas
  between these two passages? How is 1 John 2:18-27 different?
• How does John describe the “antichrists”? How would they relate to the false teachers Paul warns the Ephesian church about? (c.f. Acts 20:29-31)
• What is “the truth” that the recipients already know and “anointing” they already have so that no one need teach them about this truth? What does this indicate the “antichrists” were trying to do? What strategies were they perhaps trying to use?
• Consider this passage from the perspective of someone who is not a Christian. What do you think they would most struggle with—the “last hour” teaching or the exclusivity of the Christian faith? How would you respond?

Spiritual Exercise: Paul tells the readers in Corinth, like John here, that the gospel is of “first importance”. Paul also tells the Christians in Rome he is excited to visit them and “preach the gospel to you”. As Christians, we must preach the gospel to ourselves. This week, begin each morning preaching the gospel to yourself, meditating on one of these passages (Rom. 3:21-26; 6:5-11; Gal. 2:20-21; Titus 3:3-7; Heb. 10:12-14), and reciting the prayer from The Valley of Vision quoted in the sermon notes.

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Pastor Russ Richmond

1 John 2:12-17

Unblinded by the light_Sermon Notes

Going Deeper:

• Where do you see the of the poem and the hymn Be Thou My Vision intersecting with the truths in 1 John 2:12-17? What gems from each stick out to you?
• Discuss the relationship of physical and spiritual sight. Where do you find irony and correlations between the two? Where is God pointing out your blindness?
• What “bumper sticker” sized truths do you need to tightly grip, claim, and make your battle cry as in vv. 12-14?

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Pastor Steve Thomas

1 John 2:1-11

Reality Check_Sermon Notes

Going Deeper:

• Read 1 John 2:1-11 two or three times. What words stand out to you?
• Read John 14. What are some connections with 1 John 2:1-11?
• How do the following two statements differ? “If you obey Jesus He will love you.” “If you love Jesus you will obey Him.” Why is the distinction important?
• What are the commands John is thinking of (c.f. 1 John 3:23)? Do you think John is thinking about “commands” like traffic codes or decrees of God’s desires? Why?
• What are two ways that God is at work in a believer’s life in 1 John 2:1-11?
• Jesus commands us to “love” our brothers/sisters. How can you love someone who has hurt you? Does love require trusting or accepting? How might love and tolerance be antithetical at times?

Spiritual Exercise: Find a way to remind yourself throughout the day to “walk as Jesus did” this week. Use the reminder to cultivate experiencing the presence of God in contemplation, conversation with Him, and obedience to His leading.

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Pastor Steve Thomas

1 John 1:5 – 2:2

Which Way_Sermon Notes

Going Deeper:

• Read all of 1 John chapter 1. How are God, Jesus, and people described?
• Do a word study on either “sin” (hamartias),“righteousness” (dikaion), or “propitiation” (hilasmos). How did your study help you understand this passage?
• Describe a time you had to walk around in darkness. How does remembering that experience help you understand John’s point about our spiritual realities?
• Truth/falsehood and deception/reality are key themes in this passage. Who is deceived? Who is faithful? Who is true? How does justice fit with truth?
• Where is the hope and power for someone who is “walking in the light” when it comes to forgiveness and transformation? How do you find freedom and growth from sin in this passage?

Spiritual Exercise: This week make a point of practicing 1 John 1:9. Pay attention to two things: 1) Is there a sin from your past you feel a need to keep confessing? 2) Do you sense a need to find cleansing from sins done to you? If so, find a trusted Christian friend, an elder or pastor, and ask for spiritual guidance to find freedom.

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Pastor Steve Thomas

1 John 1:5-7

This is God…Who are you_Sermon Notes

Going Deeper:

• Read 1 John chapter 1. Then, read verses 1-7 two or three times.
• What is John’s stated desire for the readers in 1 John 1:3? What do verses 5-7 teach us about experiencing John’s purpose in verse 3?
• John uses the metaphor “light” in this section. Study John’s use of these words in 1 John and the gospel of John. What does it mean that “God is light”? How does that explain “darkness”?  You can look here if you need help.
• If someone said “walking in the light” means you don’t sin, how would you respond?
• How would you know you are “walking in the light”? How about in darkness?

Spiritual Exercise: Waling in the light means at least making choices in your day which respond to God’s leading and heart. This week, as often as you can, pray “Lord, help me to walk in the light as you are in the light.” What steps is God wanting you to make with Him? What steps of faith is He calling you to take with His presence helping you?

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Pastor Steve Thomas

1 John 1:1-4

A Message From A Father Of The Faith_Sermon Notes

Going Deeper:

• Read 1 John chapter 1. Then, read verses 1-4 two or three times.
• Write down five observations from 1 John 1:1-4.
• What seems to be John’s emphasis in this passage? Consider the situation Paul warns about in Ephesus in Acts 20:28-35.
• Study the word “life” (zoe) at biblehub.com. How does this idea of life add meaning to John’s intended purposes (“that you may have fellowship with us”/ “that our joy may be complete”)?
• What encourages you from these verses? What challenges you?

Spiritual Exercise: John writes as a “spiritual father” to those who know the gospel, are trusting the gospel, and may be facing temptation to doubt or leave the essentials of the gospel. His testimony is powerful to give credibility to the message. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to either 1) write a letter to someone sharing some of your testimony to encourage them in their walk with Jesus or 2) pray with a friend who shares “fellowship” with you as a Christian but may have different beliefs on the non-essentials of the faith.

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Pastor Steve Thomas

Isaiah 6:1-8

Worship Shaken Not Stirred_Sermon Notes

Going Deeper:

• Read Isaiah 6 two or three times. What words or phrases stand out to you?
• How dose God’s revelation in Isaiah 6 challenge some of our culture’s assumptions about God and human goodness? Read Ephesians 2:1-16. What are parallel themes?
• Isaiah was given this vision “during the year King Uzziah died”. The emphasis is upon the historic circumstances. What do you suppose the relationship was between the timing and the content of Isaiah’s vision?
• Read Revelation 1, 4-5. These are visions of the resurrection Christ written for us to realize His preeminence and position over all creation. Where do you need to see this vision in your life circumstances?
• Jesus taught the Holy Spirit moves as freely as the wind (John 3). We can’t corral the Holy Spirit, yet we are dependent upon the Holy Spirit to encounter God. Would you commit to pray every Sunday morning for the next 6 months: 1) “God, show yourself to me as I come to worship you… Encounter me” and  2) “God, show yourself to your people when we gather to worship you… Shake us.” How will you remind yourself?

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Pastor Steve Thomas

Acts 2:41-47

Encountering Christ_Sermon Notes

Going Deeper:

• Read Acts 2:41-47 three of four times.
• Read John 6:25-51. Who is involved in this passage?
• According to Jesus, what was motivating the people looking for Jesus? How do you see this reflected in the 1 Corinthians 11 passage?
• What was the purpose of the “bread from heaven” given to the people in the wilderness? How does Jesus bring the meaning of this “bread from heaven” to its fullness?
• Paul warns the church in Corinth not to take the Lord’s Supper lightly, but rather to realize the gravity of this meal. What are some ways you could take the bread and juice in an “unworthy” manner?
• What is the difference between being “unworthy to take” and “taking in an unworthy manner”? How does the significance of the meal itself address this distinction?
• Spiritual Exercise: Set a reminder on your phone, or write one in your day planner, for the Saturday before our next communion Sunday (3/2).  Think about how you could take some extra time that Saturday night (or Sunday morning) to intentionally prepare to encounter Jesus at His table and let Him minister life and grace to you.