1. Birthmarks of the True Believer
1John 2:3-10
INTRODUCTION
The New Birth
Jesus refers to the conversion process as being ‘born again”
“I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” - John 3:3
As we study our New Testaments it becomes abundantly obvious that this new birth refers to more than a single action or moment in time, instead describing a new existence, a new mind, and a new heart
This process leaves indelible marks upon the one who is participating in it
Birthmarks
Much like a child born with a distinctive “mark” the believer should have “birthmarks” that distinguish him from the world
Unlike the child born with a distinctive mark, these birthmarks should not be distinct to the individual but shared by all who undergo this process
What are the birthmarks of the believer?

2. The Mark of Submission
Obedience is an integral part of fellowship with God
To “know him” is to “have fellowship with Him” - 1Jn 1:7
To “know him” is to “abide in him” - 1Jn 2:5-6
To “know him” is to be in “fellowship with one another” - 1Jn 1:7
Obedience to Christ is an integral part of fellowship with Him
What does John mean by “know God”?
“Knowing him is not knowing facts about him, nor simply being able to recognise him operating in circumstances or in other people; it is knowing him personally for oneself”
The term is broad and can mean anything from learning information, to developing a relationship
John is describing for us the boundaries of a relationship with God/Christ, and is clearly stating the need for obedience in such a relationship - Jn 14:9
Thus to “know him” is to “have fellowship with Him” - 1Jn 1:7
To “know him” is to “abide in him” - 1Jn 2:5-6
To “know him” is to be in “fellowship with one another” - 1Jn 1:7
This passage essentially offers a summary of 1Jn 1:5-10
Demonstrates that “walking in the light” is the condition of fellowship - 1Jn 1:6-7
That righteousness is a result of expressing our dependence on him - 1Jn 1:7
And that the failure to recognize our need for His Gospel creates separation that prevents fellowship - 1Jn 1:8-10

3. The Mark of Submission
Obedience is an integral part of fellowship with God
We must recognize His right to rule in our lives
Obedience to Christ is an integral part of fellowship with Him
What does John mean by “know God”?
“Knowing him is not knowing facts about him, nor simply being able to recognise him operating in circumstances or in other people; it is knowing him personally for oneself”
The term is broad and can mean anything from learning information, to developing a relationship
John is describing for us the boundaries of a relationship with God/Christ, and is clearly stating the need for obedience in such a relationship - Jn 14:9
Thus to “know him” is to “have fellowship with Him” - 1Jn 1:7
To “know him” is to “abide in him” - 1Jn 2:5-6
To “know him” is to be in “fellowship with one another” - 1Jn 1:7
This passage essentially offers a summary of 1Jn 1:5-10
Demonstrates that “walking in the light” is the condition of fellowship - 1Jn 1:6-7
That righteousness is a result of expressing our dependence on him - 1Jn 1:7
And that the failure to recognize our need for His Gospel creates separation that prevents fellowship - 1Jn 1:8-10

4. The Mark of Submission
The Son of man received “dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve him.” - Dan 7:14
He is the “king installed upon Zion” - Ps 2:6
He is the “ruler in Israel” - Micah 5:2

5. The Mark of Submission
The supreme architect and builder of His church - Matt 16:8
The head of the body - Eph 1:22-23
Raised up to sit on His throne - Acts 2:30

6. The Mark of Submission
Obedience is an integral part of fellowship with God
We must recognize Jesus’ right to rule in our lives
Submission is a mark of gratitude
EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE AND RECOGNITION OF GRACE
“If you love me keep my commandments” - Jn 14:15
In the context this obedience is the response of one who realizes that Jesus is serving as our advocate with the Father - 1Jn 2:1-2
Our love, shown in obedience, is the natural response to the sacrifice He has made on our behalf - 1 Jn 4:7-9

7. The Mark of Imitation Abiding in him
Conditioned upon obedience - 1Jn 2:5; 3:6
Accomplished through the work (instruction) of the Spirit - 1Jn 3:24, 2:27
Gives confidence to the believer - 1Jn2:28, 4;13-18
THE MARK OF IMITATION - 1Jn 2:5-6
ABIDING IN HIM
This phrase is used ten times in the book (live in him, in him)
Conditioned as we have seen upon obedience - 2:5; 3:6
Accomplished through the work (instruction) of the Spirit - 3:24, 2:27
Giving confidence to the believer - 2:28, 4;13-18
Confidence in our salvation does not come from a false idea of security despite sin but from the ability that we have to examine our lives and determine if we are living them according to His perfect pattern
If I am seeking to emulate Jesus more and more in this life then I can have a confidence in the next life
It was in the fact that Paul knew he had “fought a good fight” that he had confidence in his reward - 2 Tim 4:6-8

8. The Mark of Imitation Abiding in him What are we imitating?
Honesty - 1Jn 1:6-7
Purity - 1Jn 3:3
Righteousness - 1Jn 3:7
A life of honesty - 1Jn 1:6-7
Jesus was able to honestly appraise his condition and realize his need for help - Heb 5:7
We too must be able to recognize the need that we have for help, humble ourselves and appeal to our God
A life of purity - 1Jn 3:3
We must cleanse ourselves of the sins of this world
The acceptance of sin in our lives to any degree is a non-biblical view of this life
“in Him is no sin” - 1Jn 3:5
A life of righteousness - 1Jn 3:7
More than the absence of sin in our lives.
In John the emphasis is on brotherly love, the obedience we have discussed, abiding in Him all of these find there application in brotherly love 1Jn 3:14-18
The idea here is of positive action

9. The Mark of Imitation Abiding in him What are we imitating?
Continuing in Him
Develop a continual dependence upon Christ
Must grow past sporadic service
We must realize that apart from him we can do nothing - Jn 15:5
We must continue in him - 1John 2:6
We must develop a continual dependence upon Christ
This cannot be a temporary situation and we must grow past sporadic service
We must realize that apart from him we can do nothing - Jn 15:5

10. The mark of Service
The new birth creates a relationship unlike any other
This love is expressed in many ways
Through the teaching of the Gospel - 1Jn 1:1-4, 5:13
Through kind deeds - 1Jn 3:17-18
Through prayers offered on one another’s behalf - 1Jn 5:16a
THE MARK OF SERVICE - 1JN 2:9-10
The new birth delivers us into a relationship like no other
One filled with great blessings beyond the scope of man’s imagination - Eph 1:18-20
However relationships, as we have seen throughout this sermon, are a two way street.
This relationship requires action on our part - Jn 13:34-35
This love is expressed in many ways
Through the teaching of the Gospel - 1Jn 1:1-4, 5:13
Through kind deeds - 1Jn 3:17-18
Through prayers offered on one another’s behalf - 1Jn 5:16a