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Sermon #2 — 2nd John Series
Title: “This is The Message”
Text: 2nd John 1-13 Subject: The Doctrine of Chris Date: Tuesday Evening — May 20, 2014 Readings: Mark Warta and David Burge Introduction:
“This is The Message” — That is the title of my message. Those are the words by which John described the Doctrine of Christ in 1st John 1:5. That is same subject about which he instructs us in the short 13 verse epistle of 2nd John. The message of the Apostles and Prophets of old was the Doctrine of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 4:5).
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (1) And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. (The doctrine of Christ is the testimony of God.) (2) For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (3) And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. (4) And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: (5) That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
2 Corinthians 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
“We preach not ourselves.” — “We preach Christ.” — That is the sum and substance of all Paul’s entire ministry.
In fact, the last two years of his life, the last two years before he was martyred, were spent in Rome under house arrest. We read about it in the very last chapter of the book of Acts (Acts 2:30-31). These two verses sum up those last two years of the Apostle’s Paul’s life.
Acts 28:30-31 (30) And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, (31) Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
Isaiah’s Vision
The doctrine of Christ has been my message and ministry for the last 45 years. I take you to record. You are my witness. — Since the day I first preached to you to this day, the Doctrine of Christ has been my doctrine. Let me show you what I am saying. Turn to John 12:41. Hear what John says there about Isaiah’s life changing vision of the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 12:41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
Isaiah saw Christ in the marvellous revelation of his redemptive glory. From that day on unto the end of his life, Isaiah was a changed man. He wrote of Christ, spoke of Christ, and exalted Christ (Isaiah 6:1-9).
Isaiah 6:1-9 (1) In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord — sitting — upon a throne, — high and lifted up, — and his train filled the temple. (2) Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. (3) And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. (4) And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. (5) Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. —— (6) Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: (7) And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. (8) —— Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. ——— (9) And he said, Go, and tell this people!
I know exactly what Isaiah saw and heard in the year that King Uzziah died. I had the same experience in 1967. —— (My Conversion) —— Shortly after God saved me by his grace he thrust me into his vineyard; and I’ve been trying to tell sinners what I saw on that great day when it pleased God to reveal his Son in me. What God showed me then, what God taught me then, what I experienced then, God has been showing me more clearly, teaching me more thoroughly, and causing me to experience more sweetly day by day for 47 years; and that is my message today. — “This is The Message”. —— Let’s read about it in 2nd John.
2 John 1:1-13 (1) The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; (2) For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever. (3) Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
(4) I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. (5) And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
(6) And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
Now, pay close attention to what we are reading. Don’t miss a word.
(7) For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
(8) Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. (9) Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
(10) If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: (11) For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
(12) Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. (13) The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
John’s Meaning
When God the Holy Spirit inspired John to use this phrase “the doctrine of Christ,” he was referring to much more than merely acknowledging that a person called Jesus Christ lived on this earth, died on a cross, and rose again. Those things are facts about Christ, information about Christ. A man named Jesus Christ lived, died on a cross, was buried, and rose again. Those are facts of history. But John is telling us, he dogmatically insists, that a person who knows God and is sent from God comes bringing and believing the doctrine of Christ which he received from the Father. That is what it says. “He will come bringing the doctrine of Christ which he received from the Father.”
Malachi called him the Messenger of the covenant. He is Jehovah our Savior. And then he fulfills every one of the leading offices, prophet, priest and king. He is all three. So the doctrine of Christ concerns his person, it concerns his office and it concerns his incarnation. He became a man and as a man he was born and made under God’s law, made of a woman, made under the law. And he perfectly obeyed that law in the flesh. He said to the Father before he went to the cross, “I have glorified you on this earth. I have loved thee perfectly, obeyed thee perfectly and honored thee perfectly.”
Now watch this. — This is what John is saying. “If anyone comes to you and brings not this doctrine of Christ he is not of God. He has neither God the Father nor God the Son. If a man comes bringing the doctrine of Christ he has both the Father and the Son.” So the Doctrine of Christ concerns the exclusiveness of his person, the exclusiveness of his person and work. John, in the first epistle tells us that.
“This is the record. God has given us eternal life. This life is in his Son. He that hath the Son of God hath life. He that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” — That is the exclusiveness of his person. This is the record. God has given us life and it is only in Christ who said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh to the Father but by me.”
Proposition: The Doctrine of Christ is the message of God’s messengers.
Keep in mind what John said. “If any man come and bring not this doctrine of Christ, don’t listen to him. If any man comes bringing this doctrine of Christ he has the Father and the Son both.” So it would be wise to listen to him. Let me briefly show you seven things involved in the Doctrine of Christ, seven things that make up the message of the Gospel.
First, the doctrine of Christ concerns his deity and his eternality. Jesus Christ is God almighty. You heard me right. Jesus Christ is God almighty.
John said, in 1 John 5:7, “There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost and these three are one.”
In John 10, when our Lord Jesus Christ was questioned by the Pharisees, he made this statement. — “I and my Father are one.” And they fully understood his meaning. They said, “Thou, being a man, makest thyself God!” And they took up stones to stone him.
But he didn’t make himself God, he is God, the eternal God, without beginning, without end, without change! He thought it not robbery to be equal with God, because he is God. He said this to the apostles, “If you have seen me, you have seen God.”
That’s the first thing I want you to remember, that the doctrine of Christ concerns his deity and his eternality. — Thomas said, “My Lord and my God.”
Covenant Surety
Second, the doctrine of Christ concerns his covenant commitments. The word “covenant” is a very important word in the Scriptures. It is a word used in the Book of God over 300 times. Before the worlds were made, God the eternal Son stood forth as our Covenant Surety (Proverbs 8:22-30).
Proverbs 8:22-31 (22) The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. (23) I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. (24) When there were no depths, I was brought forth (brought forth as our Covenant Surety); when there were no fountains abounding with water. (25) Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: (26) While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. (27) When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: (28) When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: (29) When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: (30) Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
The blood spilt at Calvary 2000 years ago by the hands of wicked men was “the blood of the everlasting covenant” (Hebrews 13:20).
Hebrews 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.
There was a covenant made with Noah, a covenant made with Abraham, a covenant made with Moses, and a covenant made with David. But this is a covenant the Father made with the Son and this is called the everlasting covenant. Those covenants were all temporary, the one with Noah, the one with Abraham, the one with Moses, and the covenant made with David were temporary covenants. But this covenant is everlasting. Hebrews 7:22 calls our Savior “Surety of a better covenant.” He is the Mediator of a better covenant. His blood, the blood of a better covenant. Revelation 13:8 calls Jesus Christ “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” In other words there was a covenant concerning salvation, precious blood, and the redemption of sinners before the foundation of the world.
The Lamb slain is God the Son, our Surety. A lamb is a sacrifice. A lamb is a sin offering, a lamb is an atonement. Its blood is the atonement and it is atonement made before the foundation of the world!
Known unto God are all his works from the beginning. He declares the end from the beginning and from ancient times the things that are not yet done saying, “My counsel shall stand. I will do all my pleasure.”
In that covenant that the Father made with the Son he gave him a people. He gave him a people out of every tribe, kindred, nation, and tongue under heaven. That is what Scripture says, a multitude which no man can number.
They are called his Church. They are called his sheep. They are called his jewels. They are called his brethren. And the Father made him their Representative, the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. When the Lamb slain for his people atonement was made for his people. God’s elect were, from everlasting…
2 Samuel 23:5 Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
That’s it, “an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure!” — The Doctrine of Christ, the message God sent me to preach concerns covenant mercies, called the sure mercies of David.
Incarnation
Third, the doctrine of Chris concerns his incarnation. He became a man. He became what he was not before, a man. Who is this child in Bethlehem’s manger? Who is this child in Bethlehem’s stable?
I’ll tell you who he is. I will tell you who he is according to the Scriptures. And that is the only way you can know who he is according to the Scriptures. It is not who you think he is or some professor thinks he is. He is who he says he is.
Micah said...tells us who he is. Micah 5:2 says, “This is he who is king of Israel, whose goings forth have been of old, from eternity, from everlasting.”
Isaiah 7:14 tells us who he is. — “The Lord himself will give you a sign. A virgin shall bear a son, call his name Immanuel.” That is Immanuel in the manger, God with us. That is what that word means, God with us.
Isaiah 9:6 tells you who he is. He is a child. Well, we know that. He is a child born. But wait a minute. He is a Son given, made of the seed of David, declared to be the Son of God. And his name...he tells us his name. The name of this child upon whose shoulders is the government of the universe, his name is Wonderful. That’s God’s name. His name is Counselor. His name is the Mighty God. His name is the Everlasting Father. His name is the Prince of Peace.
Matthew tells us who this child is. He says it is Jesus. Call his name Jesus. That is what they called him when they circumcised him eight days later. They called him Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins.
Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 3:16 who he is. — “Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh, seen of the angels, justified in the Spirit, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world and received up into glory.”
Then Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (18) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
“A Man there is, a real Man, With wounds still gaping wide, From which rich streams of blood once ran, In hands, and feet, and side.
'Tis no wild fancy of our brains, No metaphor we speak; The same dear Man in heaven now reigns, That suffered for our sake.
This wondrous Man of whom we tell, Is true Almighty God; He bought our souls from death and hell; The price, His own heart's blood.
That human heart He still retains, Though throned in highest bliss; And feels each tempted member's pains; For our affliction's His.
Come, then, repenting sinner, come; Approach with humble faith; Owe what thou wilt, the total sum Is canceled by His death!
His blood can cleanse the blackest soul, And wash our guilt away; He will present us sound and whole In that tremendous day!” —Joseph Hart
If any man comes to you and brings not this doctrine he has neither the Father nor the Son, because the doctrine of Christ concerns his eternality with the Father, his deity equal with the Father, his covenant mercies, and his incarnation. God became a man and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory.
Representative Obedience
Fourth, the doctrine of Christ concerns his perfect representative life and obedience to the Father.
Now listen to me. God made a man, one man. His name was Adam. He made him and gave him a body from the earth. And then he breathed into Adam the breath of life and he became a living soul. God gave Adam one commandment, obey me and live. Disobey me and die. The whole world, the whole human race was in that one man. He was the father of all men. Everybody traces their roots back to Adam. God made one man, Adam.
This man Adam sinned; and by his sin and fall spiritual death passed upon us all. That’s right. Adam represented us. When he stood we stood. When he fell we fell. When he died we died. The Scripture says (Romans 5:12), — “Wherefore by one man sin entered this world and death by sin so death passed upon all men because in Adam all sinned.” Blessed be his name forever, our great God, in his mercy, was pleased to prepare a body for a second man. That second man said, — “A body thou hast prepared me.” And he called him the second Adam. — “The first man is of the earth earthy. The second man is our Lord from heaven.”
The first Adam was made a living soul. The last Adam was made a quickening spirit. By the first Adam’s disobedience to God we were made sinners. And by the last Adam’s obedience to God we were made righteous. He who knew no sin was made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. And for us to be accepted of God we must not only be justified before the justice of God by full payment for our sin debt, but we must be righteous before the law of God by a perfect obedience.
We have not only got to have sin debt paid, but we have got to have perfect righteousness. That is what the Scripture declares in Psalm 24.
Psalm 24:3-4 (3) Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? (4) He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
Well, that is not me and that is not you. But that is Christ. And as that first Adam represented us before God and destroyed us, this last Adam, Jesus Christ, by his perfect life, perfect love, perfect obedience before God gave us a perfect righteousness. We are accepted in him.
The doctrine of Christ concerns his perfect life. I have got to preach that if I preach the doctrine of Christ.
Vicarious Death
Fifth, the doctrine of Christ concerns his vicarious sufferings on the cross.
There is a twofold message throughout the Bible concerning our sins.
There is a twofold message throughout the Scriptures concerning our Savior and our salvation. The first one is: God has provided a Lamb from the foundation of the world, a Lamb slain. And that lamb is God himself. That is good news. God has provided a Lamb and that Lamb is God himself. And you see that all the way through the Bible starting with Abel’s. Abel didn’t offer the first sacrifice, but he offered the first sacrifice recorded about a lamb dying.
And then when Abraham was walking up that Mount Moriah with his son Isaac to worship God carrying the fire and the wood and Isaac turns to him and said, “Father, here is the wood. Here is the fire. Where is the lamb?”
Abraham said, “My son. God will provide himself a Lamb.” He will provide a lamb for himself and God will provide himself the Lamb.”
John the Baptist was standing one day with two disciples when Christ Jesus walked by. John pointed to him and said to those men, “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world!” Christ bore our sins in his body on the tree.” — Here is a summary of it — (1 Peter 1:18-22
1 Peter 1:18-21 (18) Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; (19) But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (20) Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (21) Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
What is this doctrine of Christ? It is the doctrine concerning his vicarious death.
Glorious Resurrection
Sixth, the doctrine of Christ concerns his glorious resurrection. You know, the Scripture says in 1 Corinthians 15 that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. And he rose again according to the Scriptures. Revelation 1:5 calls Jesus Christ the Faithful Witness, the Prince of the kings of the earth. He is called the one who loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood. He Alpha and Omega. He is the One who was, the One who is, and the One who is to come. He is the almighty God. And he is the first begotten from the dead. He is the first one to rise from the dead by his own power. He is the first to rise from the dead to die no more. And he is the firstfruits of many of his sons who will rise. Because he lives, we will live. He said, “I am he that liveth and was dead and, behold, I am alive forevermore and I have the keys of hell and death.”
And the doctrine of Christ — I must not leave this out — The risen Christ is the exalted Christ. The Doctrine of Christ concerns his exaltation at the Father’s right hand. He is our Mediator. He makes intercession for us.
Second Coming
And the doctrine of Christ is the doctrine of his glorious return. He said, “I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am, there you may be also.”
“And, beloved, it doth not appear what we shall be, but when we see him, we will be just like him,” everlastingly conformed to his image.!
Amen.
Don Fortner
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Pastor Fortner’s
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