BeFree Church: Barrington

1 John 2:12-14- Reminders of who you are, 3 stages of the Christian life

Children- Those new to life with Jesus
• v.12- “Your sins have been forgiven”- the beginning of life as a Christian. This is the basis of our security
• v.14- “you know the Father”- Romans 8:15

Define “the world”- When John uses the word “world” (Greek kosmos), he can either mean the created material universe, which is good, or the world of sin that stands in opposition to God. This latter idea operates here, for kosmos represents the unredeemed world, a world under the control of Satan; it lives in darkness and lies under God’s judgement” - Gary Burge

• John IS NOT encouraging Christians to retreat into a little Christian bubble, insulated from any concern FOR the world or challenges that might come in living in an unredeemed world

• He IS warning Christians to consider whose voice is loudest in your life and worldview, the world or the Word (John 1)

The lust of the flesh- Any desire, interest, habit, addiction that draws us away from God or disrupts relationship with Him

The lust of the eyes- Horse blinders- How badly do we need spiritual blinders? (Matthew 28:5)

Fathers- Those mature in life with Jesus
• v.13- “you know Him who is from the beginning”
• Clear reference to an intimate knowledge of Jesus
• Call back to 1 John 1:1 and John 1
• v.14- “you know Him who is from the beginning”
• This is the hallmark of true spiritual maturity

Young men- Those who have grown in life with Jesus, fighting age
• v.13- “you have overcome the evil one”
• v.14- “you are strong, the Word of God lives in you, you have overcome the evil one”
• A rallying cry for those “of fighting age” to step up and engage in the battle

These reminders are meant to fuel our love for God and lead us into the next few verses

The church needs believers in each of these season to thrive- not the main point but an important thing for us to consider

Pride of life- “John has in mind an attitude of pretentious arrogance or subtle elitism that comes from one’s view of wealth, rank, or stature in society. It is an overconfidence that makes us lose any notion that we are dependent on God”

• My goodness, how common is this in our world- lets diagnose
• What if…

We live in a Christian culture that has pushed God to the periphery and redefined what it means to follow Jesus

v.17- “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will
of God lives forever”

• CT Studd (born in 1860) was one of England's most celebrated athletes. He captained the Eton College cricket team and became a star player at Trinity College, Cambridge

• In 1883, his younger brother George fell deathly ill. As Studd watched his brother suffer, he realized that sports fame and worldly wealth held no lasting value

• In 1885, Studd, along with six other Cambridge graduates, made headlines across Britain when they gave up their careers and fortunes to become missionaries in China

• When Studd turned 25, he received a massive inheritance. What does he do with it? CT chose to give the entire sum away to Christian ministries, orphanages, and the Salvation Army

• Studd and his wife, Priscilla, served in China for 15 years until failing health forced them to return home. After recovering they then spent six years doing missionary work in India

• In 1910, at the age of 50, Studd felt a calling to take the Gospel to untouched parts of central Africa, a region known at the time as the "white man's graveyard." He traveled deep into what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo and founded the Heart of Africa Mission, which later grew into the Worldwide Evangelization Crusade. Despite severe hardships, illnesses, and being separated from his family, he spent the rest of his life there where he would pass away in 1931

Close- Bring it to the ground floor

Remember who you are (v.12-14)

• Live in alignment with your God given identity

I don’t know if God is calling you to give up your career as a cricketeer and move to India, but I do know He is calling you and I to reject the empty promises and pursuits of this world

And to live a life of joy filled obedience to the will of God, see the promise of v.17

“If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” - CT Studd

Where does that leave you and I today?