1. powerpoint presentation designed by claro ruiz vicente http://clarovicente.weebly.com Adult Bible Study Guide Jul Aug Sep 2009 Adult Bible Study Guide Jul Aug Sep 2009

2. Dear User … This PowerPoint Show is freely shared to all who may find it beneficial. While intended primarily for personal use, some find it useful for teaching the lesson in church. There are those, however, who add illustrations, change background, adjust font size, etc. While their intention may be good, this is not right. Slide #1 says “designed by claro ruiz vicente.” For honest Christians, it is not necessary for another’s creation to be copyrighted in order to be respected. PLEASE USE AS IS. John’s Epistles An Appeal

3. Ekkehardt Mueller Principal Contributor

4. John’s Epistles Contents 1. Jesus and the Johannine Letters 2. Experiencing the Word of Life 3. Walking in the Light: Turning Away From Sin 4. Walking in the Light: Keeping His Commandments 5. Walking in the Light: Renouncing Worldliness 6. Walking in the Light: Rejecting Antichrists 7. Living as Children of God 8. Loving Brothers and Sisters 9. Believing in the Son of God 10. Confidence 11. Important Themes in 1 John 12. John’s Letter to the Chosen Lady 13. Power Struggle INTRODUCTION FIRST EPISTLE SECOND EPISTLE THIRD EPISTLE

5. John’s Epistles Our Goal {5} The three epistles of John speak to issues relevant for the church today. We would do well to listen to them, because ultimately, it is God who is speaking to us through John’s words, the God who has revealed to us truths about a greater and firmer foundation upon which we can rest: our Creator and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

6. John’s Epistles Lesson 5, August 1 John’s Epistles Lesson 5, August 1

7. Renouncing Worldliness Key Text 1 John 2:15 NIV “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” “Never give your hearts” Phillips. “Do not set your hearts” NEB.

8. Renouncing Worldliness Initial Words {59} While continuing to show us what it means to “walk in the light,” this week’s texts point us too the temporality of our world in contrast to the eternal life found only in God.

9. Renouncing Worldliness Quick Look 1. The Christian Privilege (1 John 2:12-14) 2. The Christian Struggle, Part 1 (1 John 2:14, 15) 3. The Christian Struggle, Part 2 (1 John 2:16, 17)

10. Renouncing Worldliness 1. The Christian Privilege 1 John 2:12-14 NKJV “I write to you … Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. … Because you have known Him who from the beginning. … Because you have overcome the wicked one. … Because you have known the Father … Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you….”

11. 1.The Christian Privilege “For His Name’s Sake” {65} The apostle outlines three privileges unique to Christian fellowship: First, their sins are forgiven. Not on the basis of their good deeds, not on the basis of their beliefs, and not even on the basis of their knowledge of God, but rather for “his name’s sake”—on the basis of Jesus and what He has done for them.

12. Second, they know God. The children are reminded that they know the Father, while the fathers are reminded that they know Him who is from the beginning. Because believers know that God and His Word live in them, they are ready for the challenges issued in verses 15 through 17. 1.The Christian Privilege “From the Beginning” {65, 62}

13. Third, they have victory over sin and the world. Not just the evil but Satan himself, because they belong to Christ and claim His victory. The original language indicates that the overcoming has been achieved in the past, but the consequences are an ongoing reality. 1.The Christian Privilege Overcoming the Wicked One {65, 62}

14. Renouncing Worldliness 2. The Christian Struggle, Part 1 1 John 2:15 MSG “Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father.”

15. 2. The Christian Struggle, Part 1 Renouncing Any Love of the World {64} The term kosmos (translated “world”) designates the universe, the earth, humankind, the realm of existence, and they way of life opposed to God. In the Johannine epistles the term world is predominantly a negative term, because the world is in rebellion against God.

16. 2. The Christian Struggle, Part 1 Renouncing Any Love of the World {64} We are told not to love the world, but then, the Bible is clear that God loves the world. We are told not to love the things in the world, yet we are admonished, to love people, and people are certainly in the world. We need to stay away from the things of the world that will keep us from having a saving relationship with God.

17. 1 John 2:16 NKJV “ For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” Renouncing Worldliness 3. The Christian Struggle, Part 2

18. Problems With the World {66} What does it mean to love the world? 1. The lust of the flesh. This deals with passions, though it does not have to be limited to that alone (see Gal 5:19-21). 2. The lust of the eyes. Though certainly linked with the flesh, takes it deeper to our thoughts, our desires, to the things that we see and want for ourselves.

19. 3. The Christian Struggle, Part 2 Problems With the World {66} What does it mean to love the world? 3. The boastful pride of life. This implies independence of God. When we realize that every breath, every heartbeat, everything we could ever have or be comes only from God, upon whom we’re utterly dependent, pride will be the last thing in our hearts.

20. 3. The Christian Struggle, Part 2 The Transient Nature of the World {68} The first reason that we should not love the world: the love of the world and the love of the Father are incompatible. The second reason: It does not make sense to love the world, because the world is impermanent. It is better and wiser to choose that which lasts. By doing so, we ourselves also will last—that is, live forever.

21. Renouncing Worldliness Final Words {68} “The things of this world are passing away; that should be obvious to everyone. If the world is passing away, how can we survive? John answers: by doing the will of God. Let us not get so comfortable here that we forget our eternal goal; let us not compromise our love for Gog by being attached to those things and attitudes that are hostile to Him.