Hi, this is Pastor William. On behalf of the members of Providence Baptist Church, I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and thank you for joining us. It is our joy to share God's truth, and we trust that the preaching of God's Word will always bless His people. But we humbly remind you that no recording can ever replace biblical corporate worship or true Christian fellowship. So we encourage everyone everywhere to commit themselves to the service of God's kingdom in a local church. And we pray that the Lord keep and bless you as you continue to earnestly seek Him. Amen. Good morning. If you would, please turn in your Bibles to 1 John chapter 2. We begin a new section beginning in verse 18 through 28. So the last time that we were together, we finished the verses dealing with do not love the world nor the things in the world. And we saw that it's possible for Christians to have a love for the world to one degree or another. And to the degree that we love the world, we do not love the Father. So it was an earnest call to evaluate ourselves and our attachments in light of what God our Father has done for us in our salvation and our duty to devotion to him. See, the love of God constrains us. So this morning we begin a new section that begins with a series of conflicts. Thank you. that the children of God have, which in turn is a means of assurance in their faith. So beginning in verse 18, let us read. Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that Antichrist is coming, so now many Antichrists have come. Therefore we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us. For if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they were all not of us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you have all knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the Antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father, and whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He made to us, eternal life. I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you receive from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about everything, this is true and is no lie, just as it has taught you, abide in Him. And now, little children, abide in Him so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at His coming. Let's bow our heads once more, please. Our great God and Father, we thank you from the depths of our souls for the work that you have brought in and through Jesus Christ and his shed blood on our behalf. God, our confession is that we live because he lives and is seated at your right hand. And Father, we are here today as those have been cleansed from the guilt and shame of sin and from its just condemnation, that we might worship you, the living and true God, who has done all this for our sake. And Father, we pray as always that there would be nothing said behind this pulpit that would bring dishonor to your holy name. but that, Lord, you would be high and lifted up, that you would be exalted in our hearts. And God, we confess the utter weakness and lack of strength we have in and of ourselves and pray for the movement of your Holy Spirit to, Lord, empower the preaching of your word and also, Lord, in the receiving of it. God, you know, you know, the innermost workings of our heart. You know those things that are prone to distract us, Lord, whether it was something from this last week, today, or even next week. So God, we pray that we would know your peace and the stillness of our heart, that God, we might receive your word in fertile soil that would bear much fruit for your honor and for your glory. And we pray these things in Jesus' name. Amen. at a unique time in church history, John is the last of the apostles chosen by Jesus Christ. And at this time, he's well advanced in age. He's writing concerning the believer's insurance in which he is warning against false teachings that have begun in the church. And we know that John ministered to the churches in Ephesus and the surrounding areas. In Revelation, there were mentioned seven. Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. And so it becomes very important as John is introducing this whole idea of antichrists and denying the Father and the Son. And we know that in order to have a right practice, our doctrine must be right. And Paul writes in 1 Timothy 1, verse 5, that the aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. And so the reality of it is, is that our doctrine, right doctrine, helps us in that. It guides us to that right working out of our faith in our day-to-day lives. And so we have in Ephesus, the church in Ephesus, a fairly complete history of the church beginning in its inception in Acts, where Paul causes a riot in the preaching of the gospel. We see that church is established there, that on his way back to Jerusalem, he stops in Miletus, calls the Ephesian elders together, and says this, that by pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure, fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock, and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things to draw away the disciples after them." Here we see Paul prophetically uttering what was to come to pass in the Church of Ephesians. And in his letter, what does he do? He establishes, in the first three chapters, our position in Christ, and in the last three chapters, how to practically work out that right doctrine in our day-to-day living. And in Paul's first epistle to Timothy, he urges him to remain where? in Ephesus. Why? To instruct certain men not to teach any different doctrine than what they had been taught by Paul and Timothy. And later on, in chapter 4, verse 1 of 1 Timothy, it says, So here, issues began cropping up in the church, and it did not end there. and it's clear that error crept in over time so that John begins his epistle by addressing Christ's eternal deity and his historical in humanity in verses one through four. So right doctrine of the church had begun being chipped away at at its foundation And so he begins in this introduction by laying out that which he saw and beheld with his hands, that Christ was the incarnate Son of God. So then, in John's letter, he begins and lays out, in order for Christians to be assured in their faith, he lays out some tests. And at this point in the scripture, in this letter, there have been three. There has been the doctrinal test in verses one through four concerning Christ's deity and his humanity, that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life, The life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testified to it, and proclaimed to you the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was made manifest in us. That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us, and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son, Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be made complete. So here we see, in this introduction, a strong contradiction to what, in verses chapter two, verses 18 through 28, what the Antichrists were saying. They were denying the Son, Jesus Christ, is the Son of God. They were denying the Father. And so this stands in stark contrast to what John has begun laying out in the first chapter in verses one through four. Brethren, every true Christian, every true Christian believes in the true Christ of the Bible. That is the only Christ that is able to save, It is not the Christ of our imagination. It is not the Christ or the Jesus that is proclaimed in the Quran or in the Book of Mormon. No. No. It is the Lord Jesus Christ as proclaimed to us, as revealed to us in the scriptures, that is the basis of our only hope for salvation, for the forgiveness of our sins. So now after these series of tests that John has laid out for us, he moves in to how else may we be assured of our faith, and that comes in the conflict that believers have. The conflict in this case is the conflict between truth and falsehood. So within these texts, there are four main points. There's the reality and time of the conflict, They're the tools for the conflict, discernment in the conflict, and the means of victory in this conflict. And so this morning we're going to look at verses 18 and 19, and just the first main point, the reality and the time of the conflict. So John writes, children, it is the last hour. And as you have heard that Antichrist is coming, so now many Antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour." So first, let's have some general observations of the text that John finally identifies those who are in the negative of the tests of faith. And that from these verses, it is clear that those antichrists could not abide by orthodox preaching and teaching of sound doctrine and left the fellowship of the church. So the church, or churches to whom John was writing, knew of this event where those who were of a different doctrine, not sound doctrine, but false doctrine, could not abide the true teaching of the word of God, and they voluntarily left the fellowship. Second, we see the supernatural work in the keeping of the brethren in the truth, and that is in the anointing of the Holy Spirit. And then third, we see the character of these antichrists, that they are the deniers, they are liars and deceivers. And even though they had left the church, they were still working to corrupt the church. So in verse 18, we see this very first word, we see it as an appropriate address, and that's children. And this word we've seen several times already in the course of this letter. And John uses this word, paidion, which is different from the verse in chapter two, verse one, technon, my little children, that term of endearment, that emphasizes the relational aspect of John to his congregants. And if we consider the work of the Holy Spirit and its divine inspiration of the Bible, God's terminology for us. But in this case, John uses a different Greek word and it has to do more with a child who is immature and that is in need of further instruction, further maturity. Now, these words are not mutually exclusive. If we are one, it does not mean that we are not the little children, the beloved in the eyes of God and in the eyes of John. But what he is doing here is emphasizing to us as children that we are all still in need of instruction. We are children. We are not adults. Now, brethren, as parents, our desire is to grow our children up and for them to become mature and for them to become independent from us. And you go out and enjoy life and have families and hopefully grant lots of grandchildren to your parents. But as far as Christians are concerned, for us, it is the opposite. When we come to Christ, we acknowledge our dependence upon God, but as we grow in our faith, we understand more and more and more of our deep and abiding need of the Lord Jesus Christ. And even as we increase in our knowledge of the scripture, we understand that we know nothing. that we are continual need of instruction in the Word of God in terms of how we are to grow in our knowledge of God, right doctrine, and in turn, that right doctrine, right practice. How are we to live as Christians, as children of God? And this is a term that John addresses the congregants of the letters of the churches to whom he is writing to. Children, you who are in need of further instruction. And remember, in the prior verses, he has already addressed them as children, as fathers, as younger men, and covering the plethora of Christian maturity in those terms. And yet he lumps everyone now, whether you are a father or you are a young man or you are a child in the faith, he lumps them all under that term of children. Children. And so my question to us today, do you yourself consider that you are a child in further need of instruction in the things of God and the way to practically work out our faith day by day? Do we feel is that our perception of ourselves? Because the danger is, is if we do not, then there is a level of pride for which we have set for ourselves that brings with it an inherent danger. So again, Are you a child? Are you dependent upon the work of God, dependent upon the word of God, the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and helping you to understand and to apply it? And brethren, I think we can only rightly understand the word of God when we apply it. And in this one word, John is making a distinction. He is making a distinction between the children of God versus the children of the devil. And later in 1 John, he writes in chapter 3, verse 10, by this it is evident who are the children of God and who are the children of the devil. Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. And brethren, our practice of righteousness and our loving of the brethren is directly dependent upon our right doctrine by which we live. And this stands as a reminder of Genesis 3.15 of that struggle between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent. And we see that played out throughout scripture over and over again. But here, though the serpent's head has been crushed, Jesus has won the final victory, yet there are battles to be won And as a result, we will struggle until the day that Christ Jesus returns in glory comes. So second of all, we see the reality, the time of the conflict. John says it is the last hour. In the Greek, it literally means the last hour it is. That's how it reads. And so John is putting emphasis, because of the word order, on the fact that he is saying, children, you who need instruction, further instruction, in the word of God and in godly living, it is the last hour. In other words, sit up and pay attention. And we know that this is not only does the word order give us emphasis, but the very fact that he is, he repeats it again at the end. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour. And throughout the New Testament, there are references to the last days. In Hebrews chapter one, verse one and two, it says, long ago at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets. But in these last days, he has spoken to us by his son, whom he appointed the heir of all things through whom also he created the world. 1st Peter chapter 1 verse 20, he was foreknown before the foundation of the world was made manifest in these last times for the sake of you. Paul writes Timothy in 2nd Timothy chapter 3 verse 1, but understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. And then Peter writes in 2nd Peter chapter 3, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. So when is the last days? We are in the last days. In the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ until he returns again, we are in the last days. But John doesn't say, hey, we're in the last days. He says we are in the last hour. So is he just using symbolism or hyperbole here? Remember again, the time of this writing, he is the last of the apostles. He is aged. And his concern for them is that they absolutely get what he is saying here about the dangers of the antichrists. Though he mentions the antichrist who is to come, that is secondary at this point to the reality that many antichrists have already come. And Paul writes in 1 Timothy 4, verses 1-3, Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons. through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. You see, brethren, these, the falsehoods, these false doctrines, these antichrists, they're not merely making up a philosophy of mind. Whenever we hear the word philosophy, we never attach to it the evil that we should. Because any departure from the truth, from the true doctrine which the scriptures lay out, is what Paul tells Timothy. Paying attention to the doctrines of demons, and deceitful spirits. So how important is it for us to pay attention? Since it is in, we are in the last hour. But brethren, even as he calls us to understand that we are in the last hour and calls us to be attentive and to be careful and to walk circumspectly and to be careful of the doctrine that we take in, the fact that it is the last hour should fill us with joy. Because if it is the last hour, then something better comes next. Sunday school, we were talking about repentance in the confession. And our brother made mention that, you know, there may be sins we struggle with all the days of our life. that we hate, that grieves our souls when we commit, we repent from, maybe have a season of victory over that particular sin and yet find ourselves in a situation which we sin again and start that grieving process again. with heaviness of souls. Not only do we have these internal struggles that we have to deal with day in and day out, but we look at the world around us and it is absolutely insane. Remember reading Romans chapter one as a young Christian. And it means something so much greater now every time I read it. Who knew that people would be able to change their gender on a whim because they feel like it? Not only change their gender, but change their species. Who knew that people would celebrate the slaughter of innocent women and children on campuses today? Truly, they proclaim evil as good and good as evil. And so not only do we have this inward pressure of the power of remaining sin working in us that we long to be free of, but we look on the outside and we are again pressed even at the oppression of brothers and sisters in Christ around the world and all these nations who are in warfare or under the oppression of gangs as they are in Haiti, whose day-to-day existence is in question. But we can rejoice in that this, it is the last hour. And though it does seem dark, there is a day shining that will never end because the glory of Christ will be there. He will be with us. And all the wrongs will be made right. The power of remaining sin that we deal with today will be gone, and we will be even away from the presence of sin. So while we should be on the edge of our seats and that it is the last hour, brethren, we should be expectant, joyfully expectant, because something greater is about to come. So John does mention, as you have heard, the Antichrist is to come. And the interesting thing about this term, as you have heard, is that John uses it quite often in relation in this letter. And it's always in regard to apostolic teaching. In 1 John 1, verse 5, it says, this is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you. Chapter two, verse seven, beloved, I'm writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. In verse 18, in verse 24, let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. In first John chapter three, verse 11, for this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. And again, in chapter four, verse three, every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is a spirit of antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. So this terminology here that you heard is always in reference to apostolic teaching. or the Word of God. And so now John is pointing out to the fact that this Antichrist, or the Antichrist, is to come. When? He doesn't mention it. But again, it's a secondary issue because the focus is not on the future, the focus is on now. The focus is on, it is the last hour. Now, will we see this individual sometime in our lifetime? Who knows? And to be honest with you, I don't know that it really matters that much because our focus should be the same regardless. The focus is on the antichrists that are here already. They are the deniers of the truth. They are the liars and they are the deceivers. And unfortunately, broader evangelical churches today do not have the benefit of them leaving the churches. Brethren, many times they have taken over the house. I don't know how many churches Connie and I pass on our way down from Yazzie City to here, but it's a lot. Of every flavor. Various doctrinal beliefs. that do not adhere to the truth of Scripture. You know, it's amazing that over the years, we can document historically the watering down of the Orthodox faith. The Anglicans had the Articles of Faith, which were very Reformed, and where are they now? Lutherans, where are they now? Methodists, who have forgone the true gospel for social gospel, and so much to the point now you have churches within the United Methodist Church that are leaving in droves when they can afford to. We have Baptists who have held to the confession before. And over the years, slowly watered it down little by little to make it more acceptable, more palatable. And to what a lot of Baptist churches believe today, which is not all what the Scriptures teach in regards to the sovereignty of God and salvation. If it was the last hour then, how much more so now? And so let me encourage you again, to consider yourselves as those children who are always in need of instruction and further growth in the faith. And at the same time, be thankful from the depths of your souls for how God has provided for you spiritually in this place. You are a confessional church and there is no greater time to see the benefit of being confessional than in the world today. It is a guide that keeps us between the lines, that keeps us orthodox. Be thankful for the unity of the faith and the bonds of love that God has granted that you share in this place. And let me encourage you to cultivate it. Because later on in 1 John, we're going to understand, we're going to see that love of the brethren is emphasized. John's going to say, you cannot love God who you do not see if you do not love your brother who you can see. And let me also say this, the duty and responsibility to remain within biblical doctrine not only falls on whoever is standing behind this pulpit, But it's also your responsibility. It's your duty and responsibility. You have a Bible. You can open it. You have the same spirit dwelling in you as we do. And so study the word of God. Make it your food and your drink. Do not say, I do not have time. Because in it, we understand who God is and what He requires of us. We see the revealed Lord Jesus Christ and all that He has done for us, living the life that He did, dying the death that He did for us. My hope and my prayer is for all of us to regard ourselves and children in this last hour, and that we would keep our eyes fixed and focused on those things that are the most important, rather than the things that seem to clutter our minds so easily. Let us pursue Christ, and let us pursue the truth. Let's bow our heads.