Children, Youth, and Fathers, 1 John 2:12-14, 4 May 2015
Big Idea: Spiritually mature disciples reproduce.
Scripture: 1 John 2:12-14
Introduction
Communication is a fascinating aspect of humanity. We are social creatures with the primal need to convey our thoughts, needs, feelings, and ideas.
Once upon a time we had only verbal and body language.
Hieroglyphic drawings came next.
Written words followed.
The advent of the telephone was a tremendous way to connect with distant people.
Paging, e-mail, and texting introduced new technologies for instant communication.
Today FaceTime, Skype, and other video apps allow face-to-face teleconferencing.
What’s next? Hologram is one emerging tool.
An unsolicited bit of advice: choose the appropriate form of communication for the appropriate message. Texting is great for a short grocery list, but don’t use it to break up with your girlfriend! If you really want your message to get noticed, buy a pen, a card, and a stamp and…write a note!
Writing
Every writer has a message and an audience. They are both critically important. Have you ever texted the wrong person? It can be embarrassing, especially if the note is personal or private.
We are studying a letter, the first epistle written by John, one of Jesus’ three best friends. In this fourth week of our series, Love Illuminated, John reveals his audience (plural).
At first glance it seems odd to include details about his recipients in the middle of the letter, yet the details reveal much about them.
Scripture: 1 John 2:12-14
I am writing to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. (12)
This phrase “little” children literally means “born ones.” Perhaps we could call them born again ones. This refers to all believers who have been forgiven by the precious blood of Jesus shed for us on on the cross, by His broken body which was pierced for us.
John continues…
I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
Fathers here refers to mature saints who have known Jesus for many years. They know Him who is from the beginning—Jesus.
John began his gospel with these words:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. (John 1:1-2)
Fathers know Jesus. They know Him well.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one. (13)
It seems young men are more mature than children but not as mature as the fathers. They have faced temptation and won. This is immensely important today. Though it could be said of every generation, the world is filled with lies from the evil one that wants to steal, kill, and destroy.
What are some?
You need money, sex and power…now.
The first shall be first.
He who dies with the most toys wins.
It’s all about you.
John is acknowledging a group of young men who have chosen to live radical, counter-cultural lives. They don’t care what’s politically correct, but instead they live what’s biblically correct.
Now John goes back to the children.
I write to you, dear children,
because you know the Father. (14a)
These immature believers know they are children of God. They know their Daddy!
Now John seems to repeat himself somewhat.
I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning. (14b)
It does not say they know about God. John says mature believers know God. Paul said it this way:
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11)
These verses are loaded! Suffice it to say if you truly want to know someone, walk in their shoes. Last month featured “Take Your Child To Work” day. Thousands of children skipped school to be with their mom or dad, watching and sometimes experiencing life in the real world.
It’s one thing for my son to know intellectually I am his father.
It’s another thing for my son to have met me.
It’s yet another thing for him to be told I work very part-time as a DJ.
It’s still another thing for him to watch me play music at a wedding reception.
It’s an even greater thing for him to work alongside me, entertaining guests.
It’s perhaps the greatest thing for him to live with me, watching me every day.
At each level, my relationship with him grows. He may even decide someday to take over my DJ business, following in my footsteps.
Knowing Jesus does not end at a worship gathering or a Life Group. It’s only the beginning.
We need the Word of God. It’s food. It’s daily bread. Most of us don’t eat weekly. We don’t even eat daily. We eat several times a day.
You can’t expect on meal to nourish you for seven days!
Do you know Jesus? Do you live with Jesus? Do you do life with Jesus?
John continues…
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one. (14c)
The strong overcome the evil one by the word of God, it’s the only weapon of offense, the sword of the Spirit. Many aren’t in the word of God, but we need it if we are to grow strong.
Summary
John is writing to three groups of people.
I am writing to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. (12)
because you know the Father.
They know God the Father.
I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
because you know him who is from the beginning.
They know God.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one. (13)
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one. (14)
They are strong, they have overcome the evil one, the word of God lives in them.
So What?
Are you a child, a young man, or a father? Many overestimate where they are on their journey, thinking because they have great biblical knowledge they are mature believers. The Pharisees were just such a people. Their minds were full but their heads were big. Their hands were idle. Their hearts were hard.
Jesus said we are to come to Him like little children…and grow…looking increasing like Him.
As we said previously, God’s love language is obedience. If we love Him, we will do what He commands. Most Christians—including myself—are educated far beyond our level of obedience.
There’s a great verse in the book of Ezra that describes a spiritual father. It says
For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. (Ezra 7:10)
He studied God’s Word. That’s the first step. Children read books.
He observed or practiced the commands of God. That’s what young men do, they are strong and they obey God.
Finally, he taught God’s Word. Some of this may have been in a classroom, but likely it involved modeling…discipleship…reproduction.
Who Are You?
Are you a spiritual child, young adult, or parent? It has nothing to do with your physical age. In fact, it has nothing to do with your spiritual age. There are people who have called themselves Christians for decades who disobey God habitually. None of us is perfect, but we choose to repent or repeat our sins.
Maybe you feel pretty good about your life and actions. You have a heart for God, spend time in pray and studying God’s Word each day. Keep it up! I want to challenge you: who are your disciples? To whom are you a spiritual father or mother? Do they know?!
Parents have kids. We are all commanded to have spiritual kids, disciples.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
There’s only one verb in verse 19: make. Spiritual parents make disciples. They intentionally invest their lives in others. They do life together with them. By definition they parent them spiritually.
You don’t have to be old to be a spiritual parent; you simply need to help another grow, help them take their next steps.
You can listen to this message and others at the Scio podcast here. You can also subscribe to our podcast here.
Scripture: 1 John 2:12-14
Introduction
Communication is a fascinating aspect of humanity. We are social creatures with the primal need to convey our thoughts, needs, feelings, and ideas.
Once upon a time we had only verbal and body language.
Hieroglyphic drawings came next.
Written words followed.
The advent of the telephone was a tremendous way to connect with distant people.
Paging, e-mail, and texting introduced new technologies for instant communication.
Today FaceTime, Skype, and other video apps allow face-to-face teleconferencing.
What’s next? Hologram is one emerging tool.
An unsolicited bit of advice: choose the appropriate form of communication for the appropriate message. Texting is great for a short grocery list, but don’t use it to break up with your girlfriend! If you really want your message to get noticed, buy a pen, a card, and a stamp and…write a note!
Writing
Every writer has a message and an audience. They are both critically important. Have you ever texted the wrong person? It can be embarrassing, especially if the note is personal or private.
We are studying a letter, the first epistle written by John, one of Jesus’ three best friends. In this fourth week of our series, Love Illuminated, John reveals his audience (plural).
At first glance it seems odd to include details about his recipients in the middle of the letter, yet the details reveal much about them.
Scripture: 1 John 2:12-14
I am writing to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. (12)
This phrase “little” children literally means “born ones.” Perhaps we could call them born again ones. This refers to all believers who have been forgiven by the precious blood of Jesus shed for us on on the cross, by His broken body which was pierced for us.
John continues…
I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
Fathers here refers to mature saints who have known Jesus for many years. They know Him who is from the beginning—Jesus.
John began his gospel with these words:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. (John 1:1-2)
Fathers know Jesus. They know Him well.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one. (13)
It seems young men are more mature than children but not as mature as the fathers. They have faced temptation and won. This is immensely important today. Though it could be said of every generation, the world is filled with lies from the evil one that wants to steal, kill, and destroy.
What are some?
You need money, sex and power…now.
The first shall be first.
He who dies with the most toys wins.
It’s all about you.
John is acknowledging a group of young men who have chosen to live radical, counter-cultural lives. They don’t care what’s politically correct, but instead they live what’s biblically correct.
Now John goes back to the children.
I write to you, dear children,
because you know the Father. (14a)
These immature believers know they are children of God. They know their Daddy!
Now John seems to repeat himself somewhat.
I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning. (14b)
It does not say they know about God. John says mature believers know God. Paul said it this way:
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11)
These verses are loaded! Suffice it to say if you truly want to know someone, walk in their shoes. Last month featured “Take Your Child To Work” day. Thousands of children skipped school to be with their mom or dad, watching and sometimes experiencing life in the real world.
It’s one thing for my son to know intellectually I am his father.
It’s another thing for my son to have met me.
It’s yet another thing for him to be told I work very part-time as a DJ.
It’s still another thing for him to watch me play music at a wedding reception.
It’s an even greater thing for him to work alongside me, entertaining guests.
It’s perhaps the greatest thing for him to live with me, watching me every day.
At each level, my relationship with him grows. He may even decide someday to take over my DJ business, following in my footsteps.
Knowing Jesus does not end at a worship gathering or a Life Group. It’s only the beginning.
We need the Word of God. It’s food. It’s daily bread. Most of us don’t eat weekly. We don’t even eat daily. We eat several times a day.
You can’t expect on meal to nourish you for seven days!
Do you know Jesus? Do you live with Jesus? Do you do life with Jesus?
John continues…
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one. (14c)
The strong overcome the evil one by the word of God, it’s the only weapon of offense, the sword of the Spirit. Many aren’t in the word of God, but we need it if we are to grow strong.
Summary
John is writing to three groups of people.
I am writing to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. (12)
because you know the Father.
They know God the Father.
I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
because you know him who is from the beginning.
They know God.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one. (13)
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one. (14)
They are strong, they have overcome the evil one, the word of God lives in them.
So What?
Are you a child, a young man, or a father? Many overestimate where they are on their journey, thinking because they have great biblical knowledge they are mature believers. The Pharisees were just such a people. Their minds were full but their heads were big. Their hands were idle. Their hearts were hard.
Jesus said we are to come to Him like little children…and grow…looking increasing like Him.
As we said previously, God’s love language is obedience. If we love Him, we will do what He commands. Most Christians—including myself—are educated far beyond our level of obedience.
There’s a great verse in the book of Ezra that describes a spiritual father. It says
For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. (Ezra 7:10)
He studied God’s Word. That’s the first step. Children read books.
He observed or practiced the commands of God. That’s what young men do, they are strong and they obey God.
Finally, he taught God’s Word. Some of this may have been in a classroom, but likely it involved modeling…discipleship…reproduction.
Who Are You?
Are you a spiritual child, young adult, or parent? It has nothing to do with your physical age. In fact, it has nothing to do with your spiritual age. There are people who have called themselves Christians for decades who disobey God habitually. None of us is perfect, but we choose to repent or repeat our sins.
Maybe you feel pretty good about your life and actions. You have a heart for God, spend time in pray and studying God’s Word each day. Keep it up! I want to challenge you: who are your disciples? To whom are you a spiritual father or mother? Do they know?!
Parents have kids. We are all commanded to have spiritual kids, disciples.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
There’s only one verb in verse 19: make. Spiritual parents make disciples. They intentionally invest their lives in others. They do life together with them. By definition they parent them spiritually.
You don’t have to be old to be a spiritual parent; you simply need to help another grow, help them take their next steps.
You can listen to this message and others at the Scio podcast here. You can also subscribe to our podcast here.