Simplified

Simplified 1 John 1:8-2:2 

• Pastor Jay did an amazing Job last Wednesday introducing 1 John (Go and listen)
• A quick recap – John is speaking to a group of Christians who began to recast the gospel in their own terms 
• They are formulating their own ideas (introducing doubt) and corrupting the Word of God 
• He is warning the fellow Christians again this 
• John says to them;
  • I am writing to you about what existed from the beginning 
  • I among others have seen Christ with my own eyes, spent time with the resurrected Christ 
  • He is speaking of what he and the disciples have seen, what they have looked at and touched 
  • That Christ was made visible to them and there is no doubt that He is God 
• It’s interesting that are some of the same arguments that we are still dealing with even today
• And just like Peter we can learn from the story of the blind man that was healed by Jesus:
  • In John 9:1-34 – Jesus is walking and sees a blind man
  • He spat on the ground made some clay and put in on his eyes and asked him to go wash in the pool of Siloam 
  • He is healed and his neighbors questions him 
  • He is taken to the Pharisees, and they question him continuously 
  • His answer remains the same: ”I don’t care what you say about him, I was blind but now I see”
• John reminds them that there is joy in sharing this information- it’s a joy to know the truth
• It’s that concept of, I have seen the redeemer, He had healed, made me well…and if you could only allow Him – See Him as He is- This would be joy to as well
• John continues:
  • He is sharing what they have heard and seen, that God is Holy, His message is truthful, He is perfect in righteousness – and in Him there is no sin, no wickedness and no imperfection
  • And if they say that they are in fellowship with God but continue to sin, then they are lying to themselves
• Our Main Text ( 1 John 1:8-10 – 2:1-2) Nkjv
• If we say that we don’t have sin- refusing to admit that we are sinners, then we are lying to ourselves and that God’s Word does not live in us and the truth doesn’t either 
• If we say we have not sinned- we make Him a liar
  • Numbers 23:19 (Nkjv) God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
•  If we freely admit – that we have sinned and confess our sin- then Boom! He is faithful and just and will forgive us from all our wrongdoing and He will continuously cleanse us from all unrighteousness 
• Right here is the simplicity of the Gospel 
• The blood of Jesus that He shed on the cross for us – cleanses us from ALL sins 
• John continues in Chapter 2 “ My little children”
  • He is addressing them as Jesus Himself addressed the disciples (John 13:13)
  • It’s a tender and affectionate address- denoting paternal authority, love and concern
• And this matters because of what follows next – He says to them “these things I write to you so that you may not sin” – I care/Compassion/Love 
• Like a parent to a child, a coach to mentor, a Pastor to a member
• He is going this far to warn them that they may not sin, that they may stay true to the race before them
• And John continues to explain that these things he tells them will stop them from sinning 
• And even if we sin, we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ – who is the atonement for our sins – not just us, but for everyone who say yes to Christ 
• And here is where I like to break it down in a practical way
• No one like complicated – I assume most of you don’t 
• Yet, I have heard people say how it was so hard to be a Christian because of all the expectations 
• We have a tendency of making it more complicated that it ought to be 
• I am sure that when Jesus said that the kingdom of God is for those who are like children, He meant that we try so much to complicate this gospel that we end up tripping others 
• So, what is the simplicity of the Gospel according to today text?
  • If we don’t think we have sinned – Its really bad because nothing else that follows matter – “acceptance is the first step of healing” -Yes you are born into a sinful world and you have and will continue to sin
    • Romans 3:23 ( Amp)  – since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God
  • First and foremost, we accept that we cannot do this thing called life without sinning and the only way to stay away from sin is to first accept our situation,
  • What do you do with that knowledge? You don’t isolate/double down – because sin is not just what you do, is what you think and it who we are – a sinners (The minute you step into a sewer- scuba dive sewer) 
  • The minute you step into this world – it’s just like that 
  • But there is a solution that was placed many years ago before you and I were born- It was costly, and we don’t pay for it and couldn’t afford it even if we try 
  • Romans 5:6-8 (Nkjv) For when we were still without strength, [a]in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us
  • The simplicity of the gospel is to believe that this is you and that Jesus died for you so that you many have eternal life 
  • And this is the assurance (God does not lie) 1 John 5:11(Nkjv) And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
  • Its that simple?
• The world will tell you that you have to get yourself right before you can get a job, fix your credit before we can give you more credit, rent an apartment, buy a house, join a certain club e.t.c 
• But in God economy we can never fix ourselves to be at par with God – He is Holy and we are not 
• We accept our condition, we believe He is capable of changing our lives, and we confess that from this day forward, He is Lord ( Full control) over your life 
• Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord
  • Romans 10:9-10 (Nkjv) that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
• And the most amazing thing happens, we get a new heart – He gives us the Holy Spirit to reside in us (what does the Holy Spirit do? – good question)
  • John 14:15-16 If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever
• The old desires and behavior don’t control us anymore, we have new desires, and we are changed from the inside out 
• And once you have been changed and your life is rich with Gods righteousness we know for sure that is not about us at all. Our lives belong to Christ 
• Galatians 2:20 (Nkjv) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

It’s not about you

• I used to work for a cell phone company, and I was already a good hustler  growing up we had to – story for another day. I did learn one of two things… 
• Here is the secret of being a sales person – from the first word that comes out of my mouth to the last, I am trying to closing you 
• Get to know you, uncover a need, and position a product!
• I ask you about your life – As we are having a normal conversation with me, I am filling a list of things that you need in your life that I have that I can sell you
• Its not about me and you, its about the product – its why I want to know you
• Don’t get me wrong, we did/do get great people, and some end up to be amazing friends but we can never forget why we built this relationship
• The best salespeople are the people that believe the product. If you I don’t believe what am selling you is for you, no matter how good I am… you will not believe it 
• Side notes: This is why they give you free devices to play with and other perks – “Buy in” 
• If you are not sold out for Christ in your heart -not just the outside deeds – it will show
• Why do I share this – because this Christian walk is not any different – If you have been converted, if your life is changed, if you were dead and now you are alive – there is no stopping you from telling people about Christ 
• 1 John 2:2(Nkjv) – Not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world 
• The idea is not to draw people to you, the idea is to draw people to Christ – because no matter how good a sale person I was –  I cannot offer you that security you get from that home security I sell you, neither can I be your Direct TV 
• Many year back my wife shared something that she read  , that in this Christian walk – we have to be willing to be alone and different 
• Aha! – these things we do here at Faith and Victory are great and all – The relationship, the get together (here or Disney world) but the main focus is that “you may not sin” and we can present you to Christ blameless!  
• The relationships you have today – they are not for you or about you. 
• Ephesians 2:10 – For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
• We have to change our mindset to know that every person you meet is put there for a reason by the Lord   
• Get to know them, find areas in their lives that they need Jesus, the position Jesus as a solution 
• Then step out of the way and let the Holy Spirit take over – and if you have the same Holy Spirit ( which you should) He will nature that relationship and it will never be about you 
• And this is not just for the unsaved, it’s for our brother and sisters – be each other keeper 
• The issue is that we end up forgetting that its all about Christ and start turning scripture to suit our situation 
• Are you willing to walk away from who you have or the things you have if Christ requires of it?
• I have a love hate relationship with Amazon – They made it so easy – but again I like the simplicity 
• Have you ever wondered why no matter how good the things you are trying to buy is it has only 2 reviews, you will still go and find one that has 100’s of reviews?
• Review and referrals are the best way of doing any business 
• Yes you are happy about this new toy, life changing thing – and you go tell all your friend (Referral)…you write a review (Faith and victory) – we can all sniff out those fake reviews and can also tell those real reviews 
• Reviews and referrals were there way before amazon – It’s called testimony 
• Matthew 9:35-38(Nkjv) Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease [a]among the people. 36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were [b]weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
• Matthew 28:19-20( Nkjv) –  Go [a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [b]Amen
• Tonight, I spoke of two types people:
  • One that requires turning away from sins, accepting that you are a sinner and need a savior, Believing that He that while you were still a sinner, He died for you – and confessing here and everywhere else that He is Lord 
  • I also spoke about the great commission that we have been called – Go and make disciples- Turning every conversation away from us and towards Christ – Being good workers and pointing others to Christ, allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work and not trying to be the Holy Spirit – Drawing men unto God 

Jimmy Needham – Clear the Stage (with lyrics)

-https://youtu.be/hQqPOgjNQMU

For more sermons please visit our SERMON PAGE

Please subscribe to our YOUTUBE PAGE