hanks

Q4. (3 John 9-10) What character flaws does Diotrephes exhibit? Can a person be a strong pastoral leader without developing these traits? If you have tendencies in yourself towards pride and a controlling spirit, how can you fight against them? Unfortunately, Diotrephes had an exaggerated view of his own importance. He forgot that Jesus is the Head of the church and the Holy Spirit is the representative of our Lord Jesus in the church. He was doing untold harm to the congregation and to the truth. We can most definitely have a strong church leader who is not a Diotrephes; he would lead with humility and love, acknowledging our Lord as the true leader. I think most of us battle with pride now and then, I certainly do. But then I ask myself what I have received from God. Answering this question is a great antidote to arrogance and a great help to humility. The answer is of course everything! The list is endless – my life, freedom, health, abilities, food and shelter, answered prayer, forgiveness of sin, every true source of joy, and my certain hope of heaven.

Q3. (3 John 5-8) What are the reasons given in these verses for supporting Christian workers in their ministry? What reward comes with becoming a "co-worker," by assisting Christian workers? How effective can Christian workers be without those who support them? We have a special obligation to these servants of the Lord. They go out in faith trusting our Lord to support them. We are to become fellow workers and give them all the assistance they need. Besides financial support we can uphold them with prayer and encourage them in our emails. Our Heavenly Father will pay back all good deeds – remember His generosity exceeds our imagination. This however, is not the reason we are there for our fellow workers; we do it because we love our Lord Jesus. Without our help these Christian workers cannot function to their full potential, the onus is therefore on us to provide the support they need.

Q2. (2 John 10-11) Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers? What would be refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)? What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers? Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse? Why or why not? We have to be most careful not to be contaminated with false doctrines. We as Christians are well aware of our duty to provide hospitality and support to God’s messengers. Here John reminds us that this sort of practical encouragement depends upon the message they are spreading. When it comes to a church, however, by accepting the teacher into the church is tantamount to accepting and agreeing with their teaching. We are not to allow them to get a foot-hold in our homes or churches - all they will do is spread lies and side with the antichrist. Their aim is to lead us away from our Lord and Saviour. If other denominations teach us the truth about Jesus - that they believe in the absolute deity and humanity of the Lord Jesus - then there is no problem, they are to be welcomed as believers.

Q1. (2 John 9) What is the danger of "running ahead" of Christ's teachings to "deeper truths"? What is the danger of "running ahead" of Christ's guidance for our lives? What does it mean to "abide" or "continue" in Christ and His teachings? Why is this so important? We have to be careful not to transgress beyond the allowed bounds – to so called ‘deeper truths’. Cults claim they have new light and teach doctrines that God has not revealed in His Word – the so called progressive, advanced thinking. The danger of running ahead, is that we do not stay within the bounds of Christian revelation, or as John put it, continue in the teaching of Christ. To abide or continue in Christ, means to stay with what Jesus Himself taught and what the Bible teaches about Jesus. This is important, for if we claim to know God, we have to believe in the absolute deity and humanity of the Lord Jesus. We are often tempted to ignore God’s commands and hold on to human tradition (Mark 7:8). But our responsibility is to remain loyal to the teaching of Christ, if we don’t, we forfeit God. We must remember God can only be known through His Son (John 14:6). So, the only way to have a personal relationship with God, is through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son.

Q4. (1 John 5:21) Why does John exhort his "children" to "keep yourselves from idols"? What idols distract us from the true God? What idols compete with God for attention in your life? John is warning us to abstain from any form of worship that draws our attention away from Jesus Christ. We know that Jesus Christ is Lord and He must be central in our lives. Any other thought is idolatry. So we are to be aware of all false teachings that deny these facts about Jesus. An idol is a substitute or false god taking the place of the truth. Our responsibility is to make sure we get sound teaching and to guard our Christian lives. We must have nothing to do with false gods. Remember that we know for certainty we have eternal life. Praise the Lord; I must say that I do try my utmost to stay focussed on the Word. Perhaps I spend too much time on the computer and perhaps my cell phone - otherwise I’m not aware of any idols competing with God in my life.

Q3. (1 John 5:14-15) What are the two conditions to answered prayer in 1 John? (See also 3:22.) How do we determine God's will so that we can pray boldly, confidently? How often will our prayers be answered when our main motive is to achieve our will? The two conditions to answered prayer are that we obey His commands and pray according to His will. Obeying God is never done under compulsion or for the purpose of receiving rewards. Our obedience is done with a cheerful heart that expresses gratitude. It is by studying and meditating on His Word that we can get to know God’s will. As we study we will be able to pray more intelligently and with greater confidence, and according to His will. We can never expect our prayers to be answered if they are done in a selfish way, only for personal gain. Again as a note of interest, the book I mentioned previously: “100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart”, written by Robert J. Morgan, lists these two verses (5:14 and 5:15) among the 100 verses to memorize. I like the way he explains verse 5:14: “It’s easy to memorize when you notice how the verses unfold and expand. The meaning and marvel of prayer grows deeper and more practical as phrase builds upon phrase. Prayer is... Coming before Him. Coming before Him with confidence. Coming before Him with confidence and asking. Coming before Him with confidence and asking according to His will. Coming before Him with confidence and asking according to His will, knowing that He hears us.

Q2. (1 John 5:11-12) What is the difference between saying "this life is in the Christian Church" and "this life is in His Son"? What should we be doing differently so that we teach a faith relationship rather than a religion? What is the difference between "faith" and "faith in Jesus"? Eternal life is only found in Jesus Christ personally and not in any church. Jesus not only gives us life, but He is also the Source and Creator of life, and because He lives, we live also. So, the saying “this life is in the Christian Church” - meaning eternal life, has no meaning. Without a personal relationship with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, all our religion, all the doctrines we learn, all the good deeds we do, count for nothing. We should be emphasising this point. Eternal life is not found in education or philosophy or science or good works or religion or the church. To have life, one must have the Son of God. It is all about “faith in Jesus”; having ‘faith’ in anything else is worthless. As a note of interest: I recently read a book titled “100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart”, written by Robert J. Morgan, and in this book these two verses (5:11 and 5:12) are numbered as 19 and 20. He mentions that these are two of the best verses about assurance of salvation. It is the testimony; what God Himself has declared as truth; this is the record; these are the facts.

Q1. (1 John 5:4-5) How does a defeatist mentality differ from a belief that in Christ we have overcome the world? What part does faith have in this overcoming? What part does unbelief have in a defeatist mentality? Once we come to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the enemy’s hold on us is broken for ever. This is the only way to overcome the world – it is through our faith in Jesus. We only have to think back to the crucifixion and the resurrection where this victory was accomplished - no need now for a defeatist mentality – the victory is already ours in Christ! Our faith as believers has overcome the world and we can now already claim victory. We know that Jesus said, “Take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33). Because Jesus has been victorious, we, too, are victorious with Him. Jesus has overcome the evil of this world and has set us free from the power of Satan. “The battle has thus been decided, even if it is not yet over.” Therefore, if we truly have put our trust in Jesus, it should be difficult to have a defeatist mentality. Victory and faith are synonymous. No evil forces in this world are able to overpower the person who trusts in Jesus. It is only unbelief that can undermine our faith and give us this defeatist mentality – it means that we have succumbed to the lies of the devil. As mentioned earlier, it is our faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God that has overcomes the world, and when we place our faith in Jesus, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:37-39; 1Cor 15:57). Being yoked with Jesus Christ means that our burden is much easier. Remembering that it is not through any power of our own or anything we do or control – it is only because of Jesus’ victory over sin – that we have overcome the world. We are no longer slaves to sin. Also, with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we have new powers of endurance and new courage to face the foe.

Q4. (1 John 4:11-18) What kind of fear should we have towards God? What kind of fear is extinguished by His love perfected in us? What kind of attitude should we have towards future judgment? The only fear we should have towards God is one of reverence. This is because we have experienced God’s love, and it is His perfect love that expels any fears we might have had. I am assured of the Lord's love first of all, because He sent His Son to die for me. Secondly, I know He loves me because He indwells me at the present moment. Thirdly, I can look to the future with confidence and without fear. If there is any anguish in us about our future judgment then we have not been made perfect in love, and God’s love has not been allowed to take control of our lives. It is when we come to Him in repentance and receive the forgiveness of sins that all fear is driven out and we have complete peace and confidence in the future.

Q3. (1 John 4:7-8) Why is the statement, "God is love," so important? What does it say about God's nature? How does love being the essence of God's nature affect us? If we were created in God's image of love, but fell, what does this say about the road to healing in our lives? Why does love demand a willingness to forgive? It is vital for us to know that God is love, knowing that everything He Does He does with love. God’s love does not depend on any worth in us because there is nothing worthy in us for God to love. This reminds me of Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Confirming that God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for us, not because we were good enough or because of anything we had done, but just because He loved us. Only a truly loving God would even think of saving sinners like us! It is truly frightening what evil we are capable of doing. God’s love rests on God’s character, and He unilaterally loves us when we are loveable and He even loves us when we are not loveable. The only way we can share God’s love is to be a part of the family of God. We receive God’s love by accepting God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. This means not only that God loves His creation and His people, or that God is full of love. It means that in His very being God is love. John said that if we do not love we don’t know God; so being true believers we can’t harbour any Unforgiveness, we must forgive all that have hurt us and love all our fellow believers.

Q2. (1 John 4:4) What in us is greater than false prophets and even Satan? In what sense have we overcome them? In what way will we overcome them in the future? How should this truth affect fear in our lives? We as Christians do not gain victory over the world by our superior intelligence; the only way we can gain victory is through the Holy Spirit. It is this indwelling of the Holy Spirit that gives us power beyond ourselves. The Holy Spirit is greater than Satan, and is greater than all the evil in this world; at the same time, it exposes all the false teachings we encounter today. He keeps us in the truth of His Word and strengthens us to overcome temptations and also enables us to detect error and helps us not to listen to it. We know all evil will fail and the battle has already been decided even if it is not over yet. All of us by faith participate in this victory, and this drives all our fears for the future away – we have the confidence in our final success. Thank You Lord Jesus!

Q1. (1 John 4:1-3) Why is believing that Jesus was God in the flesh so important? Why doesn't Satan want us to believe that? What are the implications of the fact that Jesus could live out His divine life in a human body like ours? What significance does it bring to the crucifixion and to the resurrection? What is the significance for your Christian life? It is most important for us to believe that Jesus was God in the flesh. In John 1:14 we read: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” This is probably one of the Bible’s greatest verses about the incarnation - The Word (God the Son) became flesh (human). J. I. Packer wrote, “The incarnation (embodied in flash) is in itself an unfathomable mystery, but it makes sense of everything else that the New Testament contains.” If we do not believe this, we are denying Jesus as the perfect teacher, the perfect example, and of course the perfect sacrifice. If this was not so, there was no blood shed on the Cross, and therefore no salvation – making the whole system of redemption a lie! To deny that Jesus is true God and at the same time true man is to deny the Christian faith. To deny either Jesus’ deity or His humanity is to deny that He is our Saviour. If He were not God, He would have been a sinner and His death on the cross could not have atoned for anything beyond His own sins. If He were not man, He could not have assumed our sins on the Cross (Heb. 2:14-17). Therefore, any faith in Him to save us from sin would be worthless. We can now say that any teaching that denies that Jesus is true God and true man, that as the second person of the trinity, Jesus took on human flesh in the incarnation, is a doctrine of demons – it is the spirit of antichrist. The death of the body of Christ was necessary to pay for our sins. If this did not happen, then our salvation is null and void. Satan wants us to deny the humanity of Jesus Christ, by doing this we lose our salvation. The belief about Jesus being the incarnate Son of God is the whole basis of our Christian faith. Jesus took on humanity that He might die with all our sins; He gave His life that we might have life.

Q4. (1 John 3:22) We know that God doesn't "owe" us anything. So what is the relationship between obedience and answered prayer? Do we "earn" God's favour through obedience? Once we become a child of God we will want to obey Him. We will slip up every now and then, but will immediately ask for forgiveness. We do not obey our Lord expecting a reward. However, when we ask according to His will, we will receive from Him the things we ask for, or even better, the things God knows we need.

Q3. (1 John 3:16-18) What does it mean to "lay down your life for your brothers"? What are some concrete examples of this kind of love in action within the Christian community? If you are in a large congregation, how can you get to know other members so you'll be able to lay down your life for them - and they for you? This means that our lives should be focused on the needs of our fellow Christians. We should demonstrate our brotherly love by sharing our money, possessions, and time with those in need. John distinctly says that there is no love in us if we see a believer in need and we do not respond in love by satisfying that need. Of course, this does not justify indiscriminate giving to everyone, because it is possible to harm a person by giving them money with which they can buy harmful items – such as alcohol or drugs. We are to serve others with no thought of receiving anything in return. However, the verse does raise very disturbing questions concerning the accumulation of wealth by Christians. We should not love only in word, but rather in deed and in truth – and this should then be manifested in actual deeds of kindness and should be genuine instead of false. In a large congregation it might not be necessary for me to know the members who need help personally. We create various care ministries that are there to see to the various needs of our brothers and sisters. I can then partake in these various ministries catering for their needs – this is also done so as not to cause any discomfort to those applying for help. However, I know that If needed I will get personally involved.

Q2. (1 John 3:15) How can anger turn into hatred in our hearts? In what ways do anger and hatred relate to murder? How can we get rid of stored-up anger in our hearts so that we may love those who have offended us? In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus warned us (Matthew 5:21-22), that the attitudes of both anger and murder are the same – the only difference is in the deed itself. He warns us that anger contains the seeds of murder, and that anger can easily turn into deep bitterness and if we are not careful into hatred. Often it is but a small step from hatred to murder. I have found that if I forgive those who have done me wrong and also sincerely pray for them, my anger towards them subsides and eventually disappears.

Q1. (1 John 3:12-15) Why did Cain resent Abel? Why did Cain kill Abel? How does the story of Cain and Abel illustrate Jesus' explanation of why the world hates us? Cain resented Abel because God accepted Abel’s offering and not his. Cain saw Abel’s relationship with God as a threat, for God had spoken of Abel as a righteous man and Cain felt God had rejected him. This resulted in him rebelling against God by not recognizing God’s authority, and becoming insanely jealous of his brother. In his mind this was reason enough for his jealousy and hatred towards his brother. In the end, Cain failed to control his envy of Abel – finally murdering him. We see this in the world today where the greatest problem is rebellion against God (Romans 1:18-22). This explains why our love is often met with hatred (v 13). All around the world believers are being persecuted, imprisoned, and even martyred by ideologies that are opposed to God. Those living in a right relationship with the Lord are often hated by the world, for no other reason than that by living for God, we make them painfully aware of their shortcomings and immoral ways. They also often perceive us as hypocrites - they hate this holier than thou attitude. Sometimes I feel they have reason to hate us. Especially when I notice the jealousy, backbiting, and slandering in our churches today

Q5. (1 John 3:3-10) How does John's teaching on sin and righteousness in this passage relate to combating the false teachers? What did they seem to be teaching about sin and righteous living? The false teachers did not emphasise the seriousness of sin, and because of this many people could be lulled into a false sense of complacency. They might feel that because of their outward conformity to accepted “Christian” patterns of behaviour, they are guaranteed salvation. But a consistent practice of disobedience to Christ coupled with the lack of the elements of the fruit of the Holy Spirit such as love, joy, peace, and so forth, is a warning signal that the person is probably not a true Christian inwardly, and that there probably has been no regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. In other words, they have not been saved and will not spend eternity with our Lord and Saviour. This shows the devastation this false teaching can have on a person’s life.

Q4. (1 John 3:6, 9) How does the presence of God's seed in us keep us from habitual lawlessness and sin? How does the Holy Spirit sanctify us and make us like Jesus? When a person is born again they receive the Holy Spirit as God’s seed in them. One could say that a new life has now been planted in the heart of the believer and this results in spiritual growth. The Christian, then, will not and cannot yield to sin because of that divine principle in his heart. We find our origin and existence in God, and we know that God is our Father, whereas the person who practices sin has the devil as his father. We remember what Jesus said, “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit” (Mat 7:18). John by using the present tenses of the Greek verbs is saying that the believer cannot practice habitual sin; not that the believer will never commit a sinful act but that he will not persist in sin. If a person habitually sins, it is an indication that they have not been born again. The Holy Spirit works hard to change us and make us more and more like Jesus. Chipping away all the ugly parts day by day. Ultimately He brings about a complete transformation – a definite moral change occurs in our lives. In Titus 3:5 we read about our washing, regeneration, and renewal by the Holy Spirit. I read once that this is not the same as putting new clothes on a person, but rather putting a new person in the clothes – the power of the new spiritual life keeps us from yielding to a life of sin.

Q3. (1 John 3:4) How does lawlessness show up in a person's attitude and actions? In what sense is an attitude of lawlessness the cause of sin in our lives? We see lawlessness in a person when they continually disobey God. They only want their own way, and refuse to acknowledge our Lord’s authority over them. Their attitudes and actions are in opposition to God’s law and they show no respect for Him at all. At the same time, they are placing their own will above the will of God - deliberately rejecting our Lord’s standards. I feel these attitudes and actions of lawlessness, are the actual sin - the rejection God and His laws. They do not take Him seriously, as well as their denial of the seriousness of sin – this is the sin in their lives, they are placing themselves above Him.

Q2. (1 John 2:28; 3:2-3) In what way does our expectation of Christ's Second Coming motivate us to purify ourselves from sin? How does purifying ourselves from sin relate to God's grace? When we see Christ, we will be made perfect and complete - we will be like Him. Just to think that we will be in the very presence of God! I feel this alone is sufficient motivation for us to purify ourselves. If we are to keep our selves pure we have to remain free from the corruption of sin. As believers, the hope of the imminent return of Christ, has a sanctifying influence on our lives – we don’t want to be doing anything wrong before our Lord Jesus returns. We know we have been purified by God’s grace, but in our trying to imitate our Lord Jesus we will try to live as clean and pure life as possible - of course we will not always succeed, but at least we are trying, and repenting when we do fail. We must remember that we are God’s children and this alone is a guarantee of future glory – free from the possibility of sin, sickness, sorrow, and death. It is only by the grace of God that He freed us from sin through the blood of Jesus on the Cross. We are not only free from the sentence of death for our sin, but we are also purified from sin's influence as we grow in Christ.

Q1. (1 John 2:29-3:2) In what sense are we "children of God"? What does the Holy Spirit have to do with this "new birth"? How does the new birth change us? In Romans 5:8 we read of God’s love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us; now on top of this He has made us His children! Not children in some distant future but now! All of this is truly mind boggling and reminds me of Psalm 8 where David asks “what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them.” If that is not enough, we inherit our Father’s estate and will be heirs with Jesus Christ. Amazing! Knowing that we are His children should encourage us to live as Jesus did. It is through the Holy Spirit that we are born again. We receive a new nature and are made fit for the kingdom of God – this spiritual birth occurs when we put our trust in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. His inward presence reminds us of who we are, encouraging us, and enabling us to live by His power (Acts 1:8). As believers, the Holy Spirit gives us the ability, and support to serve our Heavenly Father and bring glory to Him.

Q5. (1 John 2:26-27) If we have the Holy Spirit, why do we need teachers in the church? How does the role of the anointing differ from the Holy Spirit's spiritual gift of teaching? Christians do not need any teaching apart from what is found in the Word of God as to the truth of God. John is not saying we do not need Christian teachers in the church, rather he is saying there is no need for additional truth for there is none. John was concerned about false teachers who were adding to scripture all sort of false ideas. Just as we were dependent on the Spirit for our initial understanding of the gospel and our response to it, so He continues to apply God’s truth increasingly in our lives. For this to continue happening we need teachers in the church for us to be taught. We must remember the Holy Spirit is the author of Scripture and it is His great teaching tool. With the Word of God in our hands and the Spirit of God in our hearts, we have all that we need for instruction in the truth of God. The Holy Spirit’s gift of teaching is different in that it is a special supernatural ability to teach. It is a gift in that it cannot be earned or learned. Such a gifted teacher is immediately recognised as such.

Q4. (1 John 2:24-28) What does it mean to abide/remain/continue in Jesus? Give an example of what a Christian might be doing who is "abiding" in Jesus. What are symptoms in a Christian who is not "abiding" in Jesus? To abide in the Lord Jesus is to live in close fellowship with Him. It is to acknowledge Him in everything we do. This will result in us becoming closer and closer to the Lord – even to thinking His thoughts. We will get to know Him better as we persevere in our study and in the meditation of His Word. The more we get to know Him through His Word, the more we will understand His will. The result will be our prayers being answered. Our great safety is to stay close to the Word of God. We do this by testing everything and rejecting any teaching that does not agree with the Bible. If we stop obeying Jesus’ commands and do not display the fruit of the Spirit, we must be careful because this means that we are not abiding in Jesus.

Q3. (1 John 2:20, 27) In what ways is the Holy Spirit an internal Guide for us? In what ways does He teach us? In what ways does He point us to Jesus' teaching? When we are saved, we receive the indwelling Holy Spirit, and He enables us to discern between truth and error. With this anointing comes understanding – we are now able to understand divine truths – in this way the Holy Spirit acts as an internal guide to us. In 1 Corinthians 2:14 we are told that without the Holy Spirit these truths are foolishness, since they can only be Spiritually understood. At the same time, He teaches us about all truths. We read about this in John 14:26 where Jesus says about the Holy Spirit: “He will teach you all things”. Also, He will “remind you of everything I have said to you” – pointing us to Jesus’ teachings. He exposes all untruths and makes us aware of Jesus’ teachings. With the Word of God in our hands and the Spirit of God in our hearts, we have all that we need for instruction in the truth of God.

Q2. (1 John 2:20-21) What is the "anointing" that John is talking about? In what way is anointing connected to the Holy Spirit in the Bible? Do you think that each Christian has received this anointing? John is talking about the anointing we receive from Jesus Christ, which is the Holy Spirit Himself, who is the anointing, and who teaches the child of God the things of the Lord. Yes, each true Christian receives this anointing. The moment a person believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, they receive the anointing of the Spirit - they are indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit. This enables them, as believers, to discern between truth and error. At the same time, they are baptized by the Spirit into the Body of Christ. Without the Holy Spirit in our lives we will refuse Jesus Christ as our Saviour, but with the Spirit our Christian journey begins. With time we will grow spiritually and become more and more filled with the Spirit, and as we come closer to the Lord, we will be more conscious of our own complete unworthiness and sinfulness. We will be more occupied more with Christ and less with self – eventually come to the realization that God is working in and through our life.