John defines biblical Christian love off of the historical example of Jesus and His motivation for redeeming us from the ultimate consequences of our sin.
1. The only joy Jesus experienced on the cross was the possibility His enemies would be saved.
2. The definition of love for Christians was demonstrated by Jesus historically.
3. God doesn’t expect a lot of faith, but He does require it to be in the right place.
John describes a right relationship with God proven and demonstrated through the Love of God at work in our lives. He demonstrates this through a contrast between the character of Jesus and the murderer Cain.
1. People who know God love His creation like He does.
2. The Love of God apart from a relationship with God is impossible.
3. A heart that rejects God won’t act like Him.
The destruction of Assyria is graphically described in the way only ancient warfare could be. With descriptions of nature itself turning against them, they only had themselves to blame.
1. The Judgment of God is not something to be taken lightly.
2. The Gears of God’s Justice grind slow but exceedingly fine.
3. It’s God’s job to judge. It’s our job to love.
John makes a point about the difference between a heart that belongs to God and one that doesn't. The heart that knows God has God and can't help but become more like Him over time. The alternative is a heart that has no place for God and naturally replaces Him with the things that are contrary to Him.
1. Sin means to miss God's nature in action or attitude.
2. A relationship with Jesus makes a big difference in the lives of those who receive it.
3. God hates sin because He knows what it does to those He loves.
Israel learns the hard way why turning to Egypt to be their defense against the threat of Assyria wouldn't prevent or delay the judgment of God.
John outlines the hope of Heaven as centered around the person and promises of Jesus. The more we love Him, the more we will want to be more like Him and look forward to being with Him.
1. The reason the world hates those who belong to Jesus is because of their hatred of Jesus Himself.
2. The motivation for Godly Living is a love for Jesus.
3. The only way people will love like God does is for Him to love others through us.
Nahum’s prophecy of Nineveh’s destruction was as tragic as it was needless. The generation before them heard the gospel and responded. The generation after them knew the gospel and still made themselves an enemy of God. Judgment was coming, but the character of God remained the same.
1. God isn’t someone we can manipulate or take advantage of.
2. We listen to false teachers at our own peril.
3. The only things that last forever are the Word of God and people. Invest accordingly.
Charlie Kirk's Assassination leaves a legacy very similar to that of the first martyr Stephen. From their examples, we see the kind of life that God can use for His glory.
1. Follow God in Private and you'll continue to do so in public.
2. Responding in Violence when people can't refute you is nothing new in history.
3. God's opinion of your life is the only one that matters.
John concludes the second chapter of his epistle with the reminder of the tools we all have at our disposal to answer the challenges this world will throw at us from without and within. They include our relationship with God, His Word, and the promises found therein.
1. The majority of false prophets will come from within the church rather than outside of it.
2. Eternal Life is based on Who you know rather than how long you live.
3. If it's true, it ain't new. And if it's new, it ain't true.
Nahum begins his prophecy to Assyria as a follow up to the ministry of Jonah 150 years prior. The only difference between the two ministries is that Assyria now knew Who they were dealing with when the name of God was mentioned.
1. Never judge something by its abuses.
2. God is not the sort of being Who is taken advantage of or treated lightly.
3. The Fact God has spoken is reason enough to listen.
John continues his epistle by warning us that external threats to our relationship with Jesus exist as well as the internal struggles with our flesh. We overcome those threats by knowing the truth ourselves and the resources we have available through the fulfilled promises of God.
1. The majority of false teachers come from within the church rather than outside of it.
2. The Holy Spirit doesn't stop working in and through your life after you get saved.
3. If you know the real deal, counterfeits will become obvious to you.
Zephaniah concludes his prophecy with a series of seven promises to Israel that we are seeing fulfilled in our day.
1. “Wait” is the hardest answer to prayer we can receive.
2. God wants both reason and emotion to be a part of our worship of Him.
3. God’s promises are for our highest good, even if the process is often ugly.
John outlines the nature of sin as it applies to all of us in this world system in rebellion against God. The enemy's tactics aren't unique, but they are effective. The only meaningful response is to invest in Jesus rather than the things that won't last.
1. The enemy's tactics against us haven't changed because we always fall for the same traps.
2. Jesus is the only One who has endured temptation to the fullest, and can in and through us today.
3. Emotions are good servants but poor masters.
Zephaniah’s prophecy continues with addressing the cause of Israel’s judgment as well as the ultimate solution. God’s plans for Israel are glorious, but the process of making fallen sinful creatures require more patience than we’d imagine. The good news is God is more patient than we are.
1. People who aren’t pursuing God shouldn’t expect to get closer to Him.
2. There are people who lie and people willing to be lied to.
3. The promises of God are worth knowing as much as they are worth looking forward to.
The Apostle John outlines the Christian life in three stages. Little Children who need to grow. Young Men who need to use the strength and opportunities their love for God's Word enables them to fulfill. And Fathers who can disciple little children and young men in their growing relationship with the Lord.
1. There is never a time in the Christian life where we don't need to stop growing.
2. There is never a situation in the Christian life where we don't need to draw closer to Jesus.
3. There is always a reason to make disciples of those new to the faith."
Zephaniah describes the objects of The Day of the Lord including and beyond Israel itself. This includes specific territories that were not only fulfilled when Babylon swept through the Fertile Crescent, but that we are also seeing fulfilled in our day today.
1. Deal with your sin and you'll draw near to the Lord.
2. The only sin God can't forgive is our unwillingness to be forgiven.
3. God is better at avenging us than we will ever be.
The main difference between someone who says they follow Jesus and someone who is actually following Him is demonstrated through love. Hatred is natural. The Love of God demonstrated through us is a miracle.
1. People who act like God love people like He does.
2. Actions prove more about the heart than words.
3. The Christian life is impossible apart from Jesus.
