Epistle for March 7, 2003
Posted by: info <info@...>
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Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation March 7, 2003
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In This Issue:
The "If's" of John's Epistle (I John 1:1-10)
An Anointing from the Holy One (I John 2:1-29)
NEW PIAC DEGREES
The "If's" of John's Epistle
(I John 1:1-10)
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. John wrote: "that which was from the beginning, which we have heard,
which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our
hands have handled, concerning the Word of life," . . . Jesus Christ, v. 1.
2. John declared and bore witness that eternal life and spiritual fellowship with God
the Father are available through His Son Jesus Christ, vv. 2-4.
3. John taught: "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all" . . . "If we walk
in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and
the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin, vv. 5-7.
4. John wrote: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness," vv. 8-10.
II. Meditation: on the "IF's" in verses 6-10
1. IF we say we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not
practice the truth, v. 6.
2. IF we walk in the light . . . we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of
Jesus . . . cleanses, v. 7.
3. IF we say we have no sin . . . we deceive ourselves, the truth is not in us, v. 10;
we make Him a liar . . . His word is not in us, v.8.
4. IF we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us
from all unrighteousness, v. 9.
III. Revelation: on the spiritual implications seen here
1. Christians who walk in darkness (practice sin) do not have fellowship with Christ;
saying they do is a lie.
2. Christians who walk in the light (obeying, following) have fellowship with Christ,
with other believers, and they receive cleansing continually.
3. Christians who say they have no sin:
(1) Deceive themselves.
(2) Do not have the truth in themselves (lie).
(3) Make God a liar.
(4) Do not have God's word within themselves.
4. Christians who confess their sins receive forgiveness and cleansing because
God promised, and He is faithful and just.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Practice what I preach, if I want to have fellowship with Jesus.
2. Walk in the light of His word and His Spirit, cleansed and fellowshipping with other believers.
3. Recognize the deadliness of sin and the seriousness of overlooking it or denying it.
4. Confess my sins daily to receive God's forgiveness and cleansing.
An Anointing from the Holy One
(I John 2:1-29)
I. Concentration: on persons who received God's "anointing"
1. In the Old Testament, priests were anointed (Aaron, Exodus 40:13).
2. In the Old Testament, kings were anointed (Saul, I Samuel 15:1).
3. In the Old Testament, prophets were anointed (Elisha, I Kings 19:16).
4. In the New Testament, Jesus bore the title of the "Anointed One" . . .
the Messiah . . . the Christ. (See Luke 4:18; Matthew 16:16). He
fulfilled Old Testament types by becoming our Prophet, Priest, and King!
II. Meditation: on what the "anointing" represented
"You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things," v. 20.
1. The anointing (oil) symbolized the pouring out of the Holy Spirit
upon a person who was chosen by God's sovereign will.
2. The anointing symbolized the setting aside of a particular person
for a specific ministry or office.
3. The anointing symbolized the endowment of supernatural power
for effective, God-honoring service.
4. The anointing symbolized the working of the Holy Spirit within a
believer: guiding, convicting, comforting, and teaching, John 16:13.
III. Revelation: on a believer's "anointing"
"The anointing which you have received from Him abides in you,
and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same
anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is
not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him," v. 27.
1. The anointing is the gift of the Holy Spirit received from God the Father.
2. The anointing is the Master Teacher, Who is the revealer of all spiritual things.
3. The anointing gives us spiritual perception, so that we are able to
distinguish between truth and lies.
4. The anointing not only teaches believers, but He (the Holy Spirit) also indwells
all Christians . . . Jesus Christ, the Son of God "abides" within us, John 15:4-10.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Rejoice that I am a chosen person, according to God's plan and purpose.
2. Realize that the Holy Spirit brings me divine power for effective service.
3. Recognize that the Holy Spirit is available as my "private tutor," if I allow
Him to teach me God's word and ways.
4. Receive the "Anointed One" into my personal, devotional life . . . allowing
Him to "abide" in me, as I "abide" in Him.
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