IX. Experiencing the love of God among us is the proof
that God dwells among us. 4:7-21.
1. Love one another because: Vs 7-8.
a. Born of God.
b. Knowledge of God.
c. God is love.
d. God has shown His love to us.
i. He sent his one and only son into the world that
we might live through him. Vs 9.
ii. Jesus Christ came to be the atoning sacrifice for
our sins. Vs 10.
iii.He has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.
Vs 14. The apostles were His testimony.
iv. He has given us His spirit. Vs 13.
2. Exhortation to live in love. Vs 12,15-20.
a. God’s love is revealed and made complete among
us, if we love one another. Vs 12. We testified
the presence of God by loving one another.
b. Whoever lives in love, lives in God and God in him.
Vs 15-16.
i. He must acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God.
ii. He must rely on the love He has for us.
c. Love gives us confidence before God in the judgement
day.
i. We have been like him in the world, Vs 17. In other
words, we have been conformed to be Christ-like.
ii. Love has cast out fear.
iii. We have been made perfect in love.
iv. We love because He first loved us.
d. He who loves God must loves his brother, otherwise he
is a liar. Vs 20-21.
i. No one can love God who is not seen if he does not
love his brothers who have been seen.
ii. Do not be deceived.
X. Accepting God’s testimony of Jesus Christ is the
proof that we believe in Him. 5:1-12.
1. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.
a. He will love the Father as well as His child.
b. He will love the children of God, by obedience to his
commands.
c. He will find God’s commands not burdensome.
2. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Son of God overcomes
the world. Vs 5. The Son had overcome the world on the
cross and we have been born of God.
3. Whoever accepts God’s testimony of Jesus Christ, believes
in the Son of God.
a. The testimony of God:
i. Jesus came by water and blood. Vs 6.
- Water may represent his baptism. Math 3:16-17.
- Blood may represent his crucifixion. Math 27:54.
ii. The Spirit, the water and the blood testify and are in
agreement. Vs 7-8.
iii.God’s testimony is greater than man’s. vs 9.
iv. God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His
Son. Vs 11.
v. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the
Son of God does not have life.
XI. Final words of assurance and reminder. 5:13-21.
1. John’s motive of writing them: so that they may know
they have eternal life. Vs 13.
2. God’s assurance of hearing our prayers. Vs 14-17.
a. Pray according to his will.
b. Intercede for the brothers who sin. Vs 16-17.
i. There are many sins.
ii. Some sins do not lead to death, others may lead to
death.
iii. All wrongdoing is sin.
3. John reminded them of the believer’s knowledge. Vs 18-21.
a. Anyone who is born of God does not continue to sin.
Vs 18.
b. God will protect those who are born of Him from the evil.
c. We know we are the children of God. Vs 19.
e. We know the Son of God has come and gave us
understanding. Vs 20.
f. We know we abide in his Son Jesus Christ who is the
true God and eternal life.
4. John warned them to stay away from idols.
II JOHN – Outlines:
I. Salutation. 1:1-3.
1. Writer: The elder.
a. John, the Apostle of Christ is identified himself as elder
of the church. Peter, is another example of the importance
elders ministry in the early churches. I Pe.5:1-4.
b. Understanding the biblical perspective of some elders issues.
i. The issue of pleurality of leadership: To the elders I Pe 5:1, Acts 15:4,22, 20:17.
ii.The principle of Leader among leaders or First among
the few . Among all early church elders, only Peter and John
were mentioned by names. It is possible that the James
that was mentioned in Acts 15:4, was not only the same
James mentioned by Paul in Ga 1;19, as The Lord s
brother , but he was also one of the elders in the church of
Jerusalem. When Peter addressed the elders of the church in
his letter I Peter, he addressed them as fellow-elders. This
gives a model of equality among the elders. Because of
difference in gifting and experience, no doubt some will be
regarded as first among the leaders. James is an example of
leader among leaders. He was the spokesman for their elders
in the church of Jerusalem.
iii. The mandate of biblical qualification of elders.
I Ti 3:1-10 5:17, Ti 6-9, Pe 5:1-5.
iv. The scope of the elders ministry.
n Overseer of the ministry – Direct the affairs of the
church( I Ti 5:17 ); Defend the truth (Ti 1:9, Acts
20:29,( I&II&III John ).
n Shepherd of the ministry – Feed the flock, I Pe 5:1-5, Acts 20:28 through, teaching and preaching ( I Ti 5:17 );
encouraging ( Ti 1:9 ); protecting. ( Acts 20:29 ); and
caring ( hospitality Ti 1:8 ).
n Leader of the ministry – Live as an example. I Pe 5:3. An elder must lead by personal example. He is a servant of the Lord, and therefore must be held to the highest biblical standard which is Blameless or Above reproach .
v. The gifting of the elders. ( Administration, teaching and
preaching )
vi.The issue of appointing elders.
2. Receiver: The chosen lady and her children.
a. The chosen lady.
i. The personification of the church. Ep 5:31-32, II Co 11:2,
Re 21:9.
ii.The chosen status of the church. Ep 1:4, I Pe 2:9.
b. Her children: All the believers in the church. No one can
join the church. He must be born again and become the
children of God. Jn 1:12-13.
c. Whom I love in the truth as well as other believers who know
the truth.
i. Love and truth always go together. This is biblical
standard which gives us the proper balance. Love without
truth, is reckless, while truth without love is lifeless.
ii.Love and truth are divine. Man is privileged to received the
revelation and understanding of this divine attribute of
God. I Jn 4:16. Jn 14:6,16-17.
iii. Knowing the truth ( God ), must be expressed in our love
for Him, as well as for the church, His chosen lady. And
love must not be only lip-service, but with actions and in
truth. I Jn 3:18.
d. The truth in us will be with us forever.
i. The truth lives in us. In other words, the truth is a life-
form ( the word of life ). It not only gives life, but also
sustains life. Therefore, a believer must continually
interact or relate with the truth that lives in him. How do
one interact with the truth ?
n Listen, and seek to understand.
n Sharing of thoughts and burdens.
n Obedience of his counsels.
n Rejoicing in him – Walking in the truth, and seeing others doing the same.
ii.The truth will be with us forever.
n Truth is eternal and immutable. Matt 5:17.
n Truth does not betray or disown us. Jn 14:18.
3. Greeting: Grace, mercy and peace with us in truth and love.
a. Grace, mercy and peace come only from God the Father and
from Jesus Christ, the Father s Son.
i. John emphasized that Jesus Christ is the Father s Son. This
is different from Paul s writing. ( Ro 1:7; I Co 1:3;
II Co 1:2; Ga 1:3; Ep 1:2; Phil 1:2; Co 1:2; I Thes 1:1
II Thes 1:2; I Ti 1:2; II Ti 1:2; Ti 1:4 ).
ii. John also added mercy in his greeting which is again
different from Paul s writing.
iii. Grace, mercy and peace embrace the love, compassion and
divine purpose of God. Out of His great mercy and grace,
God reach out to man with peace. The gospel is God s
message of peace and reconciliation with man.
God s mercy is expressed through out the bible. Joel 2:13,
Mic 7:18, Tit 3:5, Ro 9:14-16, Ro 12:1, Ep 2:4.
iv. God s peace was made possible to man in His Son, Jesus
Christ who came to us in truth and love. Jn 1:14, 17.
II. John’s joy in knowing that they are walking in the
truth. Vs 3-6.
1. For John, it was a great joy to know that some of them were
walking in the truth. Be aware that not every one in the
church is walking in the truth. Leaders must have such
discernment, in order to protect the ministry. Furthermore,
walking in the truth is not an option, it is the Father s
command.
a. Believer who walks in the truth will have joy, but for those who not only walk in the truth but are concerned and helping
others walking in the truth will have their joy completed.
b. Walking implies the understanding:
i. Taking one step at a time.
ii. Planting one foot at all time. ( Rooted in God s word ).
iii. Being in step with the truth, who is the Holy Spirit, the
third Godhead, also known as the Spirit or wisdom and
revelation. Being in step means being neither ahead nor
behind the Holy Spirit. We allow the Holy Spirit to lead us.
n Do not test or lie to the Spirit. Acts 5:3,9.
n Do not grieve or test the Holy Spirit. Ep 4:30.
n Do not put out the Spirit s fire. I Th 5:19.
n Live by the Spirit. Ga 5:16.
n Led by the Spirit Ga 5:18.
a. Walking in the truth means:
i. Walk in the light. I Jn 1:5-7.
ii. Walk in fellowship with God, and his people. I Jn 1:5-7.
iii. Walk in obedience. Vs 6. Being obedient to the truth.
iv. Walk in love. Vs 6.
v. Walk as Jesus did. I Jn 1:6.
b. What is Joy ? Joy is a deep sense of fulfillment or contentment. The word Joy was mentioned 218X in the
bible. Examples of joy:
i. Joy of God’s revelation. Ps 16:11, Je 15:16.
ii. Joy of our salvation and deliverance. Lk 17:7,
Is 61:10, Ez 6:22, Ps 126:2.
iii. The Joy of God s blessings. Dt 16:14-15.
iv. The joy of ” In Christ Jesus “. Phil
v. The joy of worship. Ps 66:1, 71:23, Ps 98:6,8.
vi. Joy of Christ’s love. I Pe 1:8. Phil 1:8.
c. Walking in the truth not only brings joy to those who obey,
Ps 1:2,Ps 119:14, but also joy to those who minister to
them. This is the joy of the ministry.
i. Joy is one of the rewards for those who serve Him
faithfully. In John s case, as an elder of the church, he
was blessed by joy, the fruit of his ministry. He 12:17-19.
n Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.
n Pray for them.
ii. Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Ga 5:22.
iii. Every authentic ministry in the church is the work of the Holy Spirit. The mark of that authenticity is recognized by the fruit of the Spirit. Example of the joy of the ministry:
n The disciples returned with joy. Lk 10:17-21.
n Jesus Christ was filled with joy. Lk 10:17-21.
n Paul s joy in his ministry. II Co 1:24, 2:3, 7:4,7 8:3, Phil 1:4, 2:2.
iv. Beware our enemy s scheme to rob away the joy of the ministry. Jn 3:26-30,Phil 1:7-18, Nu 11:29.
Examples that may take away our joy in the ministry:
n Spirit of Competition. ( Win-lose mentality )
n Spirit of jealousy. ( Lose-lose mentality ).
n Spirit of revelry. ( Win mentality – win at all cost ).
d. Walking in the truth ultimately brings joy to our Lord Jesus
Christ. Jn 15:10-11.
2. John reminded them about God’s commandment:
a. In John 13:34, Jesus gave the disciples a new command to
to love one another. It is interesting that John equated
Jesus, the Son s command as the Father s command here. They
have had it from the beginning. Therefore John said it is
not a new command.
b. God s command is to ask us to love one another.
i. Love is expressed by walking in obedience to his commands.
God s commands are found in his words and truth in the
scriptures.
ii.To love one another is to walk in love.
III. John’s warning against false teachers. Vs 7-11.
1. Those who denied Jesus Christ came in the flesh are
the deceivers, and the antichrist. Vs 7.
a. The humanity of Jesus Christ is the center of deception for
the false teachers who called themselves the Agnostic .
b. Arguments to support the humanity of Christ:
i. The word become flesh, and lived for a while among us.
Jn 1:1-2, 14.
ii. His Son, who as to his human nature was a descendent of
David. Ro 1:2-4.
iii. Being made in human likeness and being found in the
appearance as a man. Phil 2:7-8.
iv. He has to be made like his brothers in every way. He 2:17.
c. Antichrist is a deceiver, who does not acknowledge the true
humanity of Christ. I Jn 4:1-3.
2. Hold firm to the teaching of Christ, and do not be
deceived. Vs 8.
a. Watch out personal deception:
i. Be on guard against false teachings and prophets.
Matt 24:4-13. Ep 4:14-15.
ii. Hold on to the teaching of Christ- Be a student of God s
words. I Ti 4:11-16.
iii.Watch and pray. Matt 26:41.
b. Watch out personal loss:
i. Loss of fruitfulness in the ministry.
ii. Loss of future rewards.
3. Whoever continues the teaching that Christ came in
the flesh has both the Father and the Son. Vs 9-11.
a. One cannot claim to have the Father but denies the humanity
the Son.
b. The Father and the Son are one. Every true believer has both the Father and the Son.
c. Warning against any participation and involvement of the false teachers: Ps 1.
i. Have no fellowship with them. Vs 10.
ii. Do not share their wicked work. Vs 11.
IV. John’s final words. Vs 12-13.
1. John’s desire to visit them and share the joy with
them.
a. John desires to be present physically among them. He hoped
to talk to them face to face. It is a joy for John to be
among those he loves.
b. Fellowship among the beloved allows believers to experience
the complete joy that Christ has promised us.
2. Final greetings from the local church.
a. Children refer to other believers.
b. Chosen sister refers to another local church.
III JOHN -Outlines:
I. Salutation: 1:1.
1. Writer: The elder.
2. Receiver: Gaius, dear friend whom he loves in the truth.
a. Who is Gaius ?
i. Gaius of Corinth whom Paul baptized. I Co 1:14, Ro 16:23. According to Origen, he was traditionally thought to have been the first Bishop of Thessalonica.
ii. Gaius of Macedonia, one of Paul s traveling companions who suffered in the riot at Ephesus. Acts 19:29.
iii. Gaius of Derbe, who traveled with Paul on his last journey from Greece through Macedonia. Acts 20:4.
iv. The true identity of Gaius remained unclear. However, he appeared to be a significant leader of the church, or else, John would not have spoken so severely against another church leader Diotrephes with him. According to John s description, he seemed to be a mature well-respected Christian in his community. He was faithful, walking in the truth, and hospitable to the Lord s traveling servants.
b. Gaius was a good dear friend of John. Perhaps, that was why
John did not mention his name. Furthermore, John was
speaking as an elder to Gaius, dealing with certain church
issues involving the leaders in the local church where Gaius
served. In spite of that, it is still regarded as a personal
letter from John, the elder.
John reminded Gaius that he loved him dearly. A personal
affirmation is always welcomed, but be aware that the
affirmation must be in the truth, or truly.
II. John’s prayer and praises for Gaius. Vs 2-8.
1. John prayed for Gaius that he will enjoy good
health, physically and spiritually. Vs 2.
a. All may go well with you.
b. His soul may get along well.
1. John rejoiced that fact that Gaius has remained
faithful and continued walking in the truth. Vs 3.
a. Other brothers had spoken well of Gaius before John.
i. His faithfulness.
ii. His commitment and actions to continue to walk in the truth.
b. John experienced no greater joy than to hear that his
children are walking in the truth.
3. John praised Gaius for his love and hospitality for
other Christian workers. Vs 3-8.
a. Gaius was faithful in receiving Christian brothers though
they are stranger to him. Why?
i. Showing hospitality to fellow believers is one of the
hallmarks of one s genuine faith. Ro 12:3, I Ti 5:10, I Pe 4:9.
ii. Showing hospitality and kindness to strange Christian
brothers is an indication of our love and faithfulness to
walk in the truth. Ga 6:10, Jm 2:14-17.
iii. Receiving strange Christian brothers into one s home is an
indication of love for God and his people. Acts 16:14-15.
iv. Serving strange Christian brothers is an indication of our
total trust and reliance on God s provision and
faithfulness. He 13:2.
v. Willingness to serve strange Christian brothers is an