John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to God except through me.” John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to God except through me.” Cosmic Battle Satan God Human: easily influenced free-willed spirit being residing in flesh and bone.

Humans: easily influenced free-willed spirit beings residing in flesh and bone designed with the capacity to think and love 3

Humans: Example: I know my wife desires for me to be home shortly after 5 pm.... 4

2 Timothy 3: Matthew 24:12 “And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” 5

Humans have the capacity to think and love Our capacity to love will always be directed and guided by something Example: I know my wife desires for me to be home shortly after 5 pm.... 6

1 John John desired for the believers to have close friendship (fellowship) with God and with each other John desired for the believers to have close friendship (fellowship) with God and with each other

2 John John was calling the believers in the church to love one another John was calling the believers in the church to love one another Seems like a repeat of 1 John, but John adds another aspect of love: how love is to be informed/guided Seems like a repeat of 1 John, but John adds another aspect of love: how love is to be informed/guided 8

Love’s Guide Rail 2 John (Revelation, Jude, 3 John, 2 John) pg 1905 pg 1211

2 John 1-13 (NLT) 1 This letter is from the elder. I am writing to the chosen lady and to her children, whom I love in the truth—as does everyone else who knows the truth— 2 because the truth lives in us and will be with us forever.

2 John 1-13 (NLT) 3 Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love. 4 How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded.

2 John 1-13 (NLT) 5 I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. 6 Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.

2 John 1-13 (NLT) 7 I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward.

2 John 1-13 (NLT) 9 Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement.

2 John 1-13 (NLT) 11 Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work. 12 I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to do it with paper and ink. For I hope to visit you soon and talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete. 13 Greetings from the children of your sister, chosen by God.

2 John v5 - John was calling the believers to live out the command to love one another! v5 - John was calling the believers to live out the command to love one another! “I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another. ” “I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another. ” 16

2 John 1-4 What should informed/guided love? What should informed/guided love? I am writing to the chosen lady and to her children, whom I love in the truth—as does everyone else who knows the truth— 2 because the truth lives in us and will be with us forever. I am writing to the chosen lady and to her children, whom I love in the truth—as does everyone else who knows the truth— 2 because the truth lives in us and will be with us forever.

2 John 1-4 What should informed/guided love? What should informed/guided love? 3 Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love. 3 Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love. 4 How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded. 4 How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded. 18

KNOW the Truth KNOW the Truth Truth concerning Jesus Christ (his identity and his work) Truth concerning Jesus Christ (his identity and his work) Truth concerning Christian doctrines (grace/mercy, believer identity, return of Jesus, destiny of all people, biblical love) Truth concerning Christian doctrines (grace/mercy, believer identity, return of Jesus, destiny of all people, biblical love) Truth concerning God’s moral will (what is best for others) Truth concerning God’s moral will (what is best for others) To love others God’s way, we must... James 1:22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. James 1:22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 19

2 John 4 (ESV) I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.

2 John 6 (ESV) And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments;

2 John 6 (ESV) And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.

KNOW the Truth KNOW the Truth WALK in the Truth WALK in the Truth put the truth to the test by trusting God enough to live out the truth in your life put the truth to the test by trusting God enough to live out the truth in your life To love others God’s way, we must... Example Ephesians 5:3 - Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Example Colossians 2:13 God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. Colossians 2:13 God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. Romans 6:3-4 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:3-4 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. Galatians 2:20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. Galatians 2:20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. Romans 8:1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8: For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Hebrews 13:5 “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5 “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” John 10:34 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. John 10:34 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. 23

2 John 3 (NLT) Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love. Matthew 12:35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. Matthew 12:35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 24

2 John 7-8 (NLT) 7 I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. 25

KNOW the Truth KNOW the Truth WALK in the Truth WALK in the Truth GUARD against distortions of Truth GUARD against distortions of Truth To love others God’s way, we must... 26

Questions/Comments How can we... How can we... KNOW truth better? KNOW truth better? WALK in truth more effectively? WALK in truth more effectively? GUARD against distortions of truth? GUARD against distortions of truth? Testimony of how God used Truth in your life to transform your life and love for others Testimony of how God used Truth in your life to transform your life and love for others

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