Walking in the Truth

A Life Lived in the Truth

Book of 2 John

We already know that "truth" is things that are facts! Things that have been and things that will be and only Jehovah can teach us about those things because He is the truth!

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

We also know that the entire Bible is written to the believer and the New Testament teaches us of the early church and the commandments of our Savior.

I say these things so we can move on and not worry if there is some special lady that John was writing to, because in every case we know that John wrote to the Church.

So let’s just get our subjects listed and we can move on.

By the time the Apostle John wrote this epistle, all the other Apostles had been murdered and he was the only remaining Apostle.

All the Apostles but John were murdered because they would not reject our Savior, the true Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is the Apostle John who is the "Elder" in this passage.

The "Elect Lady" would then be the "Bride of Christ".

"Her Children" would be the individual Churches all around the world.

Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

These are of the true Church, because they only abide in the complete truth of the Scriptures.

Those who deviate from the truth or use some twisted, perverted version of the truth, cannot be part of the "Bride of Christ"!

It is only the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ that can make us free from the bondage of sin of this world!

Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

As we go through this passage let's keep in mind the subject matter and the persons John is speaking to.

*****2Jn 1:1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

2Jn 1:2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

We already know that this "Elder" is the Apostle John who may have been nearing the age of 100 years old by this time. We already know that Jesus had given us an indication that John would outlive all the Apostles.

Joh 21:19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

Joh 21:20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

Joh 21:21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

Joh 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

The Lord has not yet returned, but John did out live all the original Apostles and He was the last Apostle as there can be no more.

We know that to be a true Apostle one had to see Jesus after His resurrection!

That word "elect" means to be chosen!

Not just any chosen, but those chosen by God Himself and those who have elected to serve with the Lord Jesus Christ.

2Th 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

2Th 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2Th 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

1Pe 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1Pe 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

We can see the Apostle Paul and the Apostle Peter both used some of the same language, when referring to the Church of the Living God.

We also know that no one can come to the Lord unless, they are called by the Holy Spirit.

It is those who are called that have chosen to believe the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ, that then become the elect of God!

Mat_22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

1Th 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

1Th 1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

You see, as the "elect of God". we have chosen to accept all the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ without wavering.

We live by the truth of Christ Jesus.

We are saved by the truth of Christ Jesus.

We will walk by the truth of Christ Jesus.

We will die by the truth of Christ Jesus because it takes all these things to "live eternal" with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Only the truth of God can survive throughout eternity!

Psa 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

It is by the truth of God that comes the "Grace of God"!

*****2Jn 1:3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

What does the "Body of Christ" do? We are to live in truth and love, with all other believers!

Jesus Christ died and rose again for "One Church"!

It is different men of the Church who divided the Church that Christ died for, into all these denominations because so many reject the complete truth of God.

There is only one God, His name is Jehovah!

There is only one "Word of God" given to us by only One Holy Spirit!

God has said Himself that His will not ever change!

God's Word is settled in Heaved and it needs to be settled on earth, and all the Church need to stand on the truth of God and stop some of the wickedness that is going on in our world today!

Grace means the undeserved favor of God, but so many in the Church have placed themselves above the "Grace" of God, and think that they are already worthy to be called of God, when none of us are.

Mercy means feelings of pity, compassion, affection and kindness.

Many of these things in the modern church are now used as an excuse to allow the world inside the Church.

We truly are to meet the needs of those we see who have a need, but we are never to forget that salvation must come first, and the commandments of God are not suggestions but true commandments. Commandments that will never change!

God provides the means of our salvation because of His mercy!

That "mercy" comes in the form of God's "Grace"!

Jesus took upon Himself all the sin of the world!

God will pour out His "Mercy" and His "Grace" only upon those who accept the truth of His Son.

You cannot be a part of God's "Mercy" by changing the Words that God has said!

You cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit, if you reject any part of the Word of God that was given to us by the Holy Spirit!

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Peace means we all, the children of God, are securely bound together by assurance, confidence, and in the love and care of God.

God has shared His knowledge with us, and it is not for us to change!

Why would we want to do something so foolish as the change God's Word that is true and believe men who are full of lies?

The truth cannot be changed!

Our peace comes in knowing that our God will never change, and He will certainly keep every promise to us He has made!

Jesus is the Son of the Father so therefore He is God! Why do so many question this truth?

Jesus Christ possesses all the character of God because He is God!

Grace is all the richness of the heart and mind of God!

God's "Grace" is the reason behind our life!

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

No one can "earn" the favor of God as so many try to do!

We will never "be worthy" enough to receive the gifts of God!

"Grace" brings to us all the good and perfect gifts of God!

There is no evil in God's Grace, because there is no wickedness in God at all!

There is only one way to walk and be a part of God's Church!

*****2Jn 1:4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

You see, it is a commandment to walk in the truth of God, which will never change.

You cannot see the roots of plants, but you know they are doing their job by looking at that plant.

It is the same with the Christian. We can see the true Christian by seeing how they are obedient to the Word of God!

Remember to be more like Jesus, is our goal and Jesus kept all the Word of God.

God said His commandments are not grievous, so He gives us the ten commandments to start with, and then we are to grow in all the Word of God.

We are commanded to walk as Jesus walked and this is to be our daily walk!

If the church has the truth and teaches the truth, then her children will know the truth and walk in the truth!

Luk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Luk 9:24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Luk 9:25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

The very first commandment of the Church is to walk in love!

*****2Jn 1:5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

2Jn 1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

That word "beseech" means, "it is urgent", "it is necessary" that we all of the Church "love one another".

There are no rewards for this love because it is a commandment!

How does this love come about? We walk after commandments!

To love is not a new commandment! It goes all the way back to the laws of Moses and the very first one is to love our Heavenly Father and the next one is to love each other with that same love of God.

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.

Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

We cannot walk with God, unless we walk first in these two commandments!

We are not walking with God, unless we walk in these two commandments!

Where is the proof that the Church follows all the Word of God?

It is by the way each child of God walks outside the Church in the commandments of God!

It is by the way the children of God walk when no one is watching them!

You see, our love for the Lord is seen in our obedience to His commandments.

Our love for each other is seen, in our actions toward all the Church.

Our love for our enemies is also seen in our walk with the Lord!

*****2Jn 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

A deceiver is anyone who would lead you away from the truth of God!

This includes any portion of the Word of God.

Mat_5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Luk_16:17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

They will make wander away from your walk with God.

They lead you astray from the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

They are charlatans!

They are imposters!

Some have always been near the Church, but there are far more today than there have been in the past. At least here in America, which was at one time the key to foreign missions, but now as many missionaries come to America as there are that leave America to go to foreign nations.

In fact America has fallen so far into sin, that there is a great need for missionaries to stay home rather than go to foreign lands.

Deceivers are everywhere!

They have found a home in our politicians.

They have found a home in our colleges and universities.

They have found a home in our schools.

They are doing their very best to get inside our homes!

The fact is, any of us can be a deceiver if we do not take the time to study the Scriptures ourselves.

There are more deceivers inside the church than there are outside the church!

They reject the "Gospel".

They reject the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

They reject that Jesus is the Messiah (the Christ).

They reject major portions of the Scriptures, and choose only certain ones they will use to prove their point therefore deceiving the Church.

We cannot reject any part of the "Gospel" and still be saved!

We cannot reject that Jesus is the Messiah, come down from Heaven and be saved!

We cannot reject that the Lord Jesus followed all the Word of God and was never disobedient, He is a sinless Savior!

We cannot reject that the Lord Jesus Christ went to the cross to die for all our sins!

If we deny any part of the truth of Jesus, then we have denied that there is a God.

We absolutely cannot allow any deceiver to poison the truth of Heaven!

We must be on guard for deceivers who are waiting on the opportunity to be alone with a group of babes in Christ and to get an opportunity to get behind some pulpit, to slander the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ, and our Holy God!

Eze 33:4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.

Eze 33:5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.

Eze 33:6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.

We have been warned!

*****2Jn 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

We must be prepared to warn the church if we see any deceiver, but we must also prepare ourselves so we will know a deceiver when we see them or better, hear them.

When we meet Jesus in the air at the "Judgment Seat of Christ" we will not have to worry about our salvation because we have been "Justified" and "Pardoned" and neither of these two things will ever change!

Another truth is, that this is the time when we will receive or not receive rewards we have earned.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, "and that he is a rewarder" of them that diligently seek him.

I use this Scripture a lot about "faith", but another truth is that God is a Rewarder!

God does not give rewards and then take them away! This is not the purpose of the "Judgment Seat of Christ"!

This is when the Lord will let us know the rewards we could have had, had we not done things against His Word!

God has all these rewards that He wants to give to us, and it is really in our own hands as to how many rewards we can receive!

*****2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

What is this "Doctrine of Christ"?

There are the teachings about Christ that we are to believe!

There are the teachings of Christ that we are to follow!

Our standard in life must be the Lord Jesus Christ! We must look at our Savior and see how we measure up!

Those who go beyond the teaching of Jesus Christ, are adding to the Word of God.

Those who fall short in their teachings of Christ, are subtracting from the Word of God and both of these are false teachers!

The "Doctrine of Jesus Christ" then is all the truth revealed to us by Jesus Himself and that was passed down to those twelve Apostles when we add the Apostle Paul and that was taught to the early Church and this same Doctrine is still in full force today.

It is not to be added to and it is not to be subtracted from!

Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Rev 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

The basis of the Church is now, has always been, and will remain, until His return, the "Doctrine of Jesus Christ"!

It is by Jesus Christ that is the foundation of the Church!

1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

It is by Jesus Christ that gives the Church direction as He is the Head of the Church.

Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Col 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

Col 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

It is by Jesus Christ that nourishment is given to the Church.

Eph 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

It is by Jesus Christ who cleanses the Church.

Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

It is by Jesus Christ that physical and spiritual gifts come into the believers of the Church.

Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

When you kick Jesus out of the Church, then you have no Church!

Because it is Jesus who intercedes for the Church!

Jesus will never intercede for a deceiver!

Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Jesus is the Advocate for each believer.

Jesus is preparing a home for each believer.

Jesus is producing fruit in the life of each believer.

The Church cannot operate without the Church teaching all the "Doctrine of Jesus Christ"!

*****2Jn 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

2Jn 1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Again we see that the Apostle John does not beat around the bush, but comes straight to the point. Anyone who does not teach the full "Doctrine of Christ" then they should be sent out the doors of the Church, because they do not belong in the Church.

Of course they should be offered a chance to repent after someone points out the truth to them!

Anyone who comes into the Church that preaches some other doctrine than the "Doctrine of Jesus Christ", then they to need to be shown the door and once again offering to them the truth and a chance to repent, but not many will because they came in with Satan's purpose.

If we cannot remain loyal to Christ, how can we say we are Christian!

We must not receive a false teacher!

How many of us have hade that visit from a Jehovah Witness and after we have been nice and rejected their teaching, wish them a good day.

We are wrong for this, we need only send them on their way, wishing them a bad day!

False teachers are not to be allowed in our Church!

False teachers are not to be allowed in our homes!

We are never to listen what false teachers are teaching, because in the end their intention is to cause confusion!

We must disciple our own babes in Christ so they to, will follow the "Doctrine of Jesus Christ", the truth of the Church!

2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

If we have come out from them, why would we ever want to hear what they have to say?

Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

There is no other "Doctrine" for the Church that the "Doctrine of Jesus Christ"!

Then John closes out this small book of the Bible.

*****2Jn 1:12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

2Jn 1:13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

This is a very short letter written to the early Church. We know that each letter was passed to every Church until they all had read what John had to say and remember the Holy Spirit inspired all the Word of God.

All who want to know the truth today, can now have a copy of the completed Word of God.

John had made the point that it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that is the truth of the Church and therefore a body of people where the Gospel is not preached are not part of the true Church, no matter what they call themselves.

Any preacher who will not take a stand on the truth of God, is not then a man of God!

2Co 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

2Co 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

1Pe 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

I can say I am Christian and if I do then I'm saying I have given my heart to the Lord Jesus Christ because I know the truth!

I can truly say lead me Lord and I will follow!

Php 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

There is no other path for these things to remain true!

Amen

Let's Pray!

The Prayer of Faith

Confidence in Prayer

Book of 1 John Chapter 5 Verses 13-21

What is confidence? Confidence is the assurance planted in our minds of the truth.

Confidence is a firm belief you have the truth.

Confidence is trusting in the integrity of someone or something you have placed your faith!

What must we understand?

Pro 3:26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Pro 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

If we just did this one thing, "trust in the Lord", we cannot imagine how much better our lives would be and that we have such a future ahead of us that it goes far beyond our imaginations!

Where did we end last week?

1Jn 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

The biggest problem in the Church is that our faith, "our trust" in the truth of Jehovah God is speculative and experimental and therefore there is no change or very little change in our lives!

Our faith must become certain!

We must know that it is the spiritual world that is the real world and not this physical!

We must know for sure, "we have a Heavenly Father" who wants to be involved in every part of our lives!

We must also understand that though we may not take every commandment God gives us to be serious, God does!

Every commandment we have from God, "rightly divided" has its own intended purpose for our lives!

We must understand that this world we live in lies in wickedness, and God teaches us how to survive with some peace of mind in this evil world, until He calls us home.

God has a purpose for us after He has saved us from ourselves!

There are many that ask, why would a sovereign God care about each individual in His creation.

God answers that question along with any other question that can be asked!

Let's begin at Chapter 5 and verse 13.

*****1Jn 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

You have to get the feeling that Jehovah cares for all His children. Not just as a group but each and every individual.

God wants to get up close and personal with each of His children!

According to the Apostle John, his epistle is written to believers.

It should also be obvious that the Bible is written to the Church, each and every Believer!

We should also understand that even today, there are those who believe but still are not assured of their salvation.

The Church has become opinionated, and there are many things we voice our opinions on, when we should just shut up and let God talk.

God says if you believe upon the works of His Son Jesus, then you have eternal life and not eternal death.

We don’t have to take a vote to see who is right.

We don't have to gather the elders of the Church to get their opinion.

All we must do is trust the Word of God and believe on Jesus Christ!

There is a great blessing that comes from assurance.

There is great peace that comes with assurance.

There is great joy that comes with assurance.

We can be perfectly sure we have eternal life.

We can experience eternal life right now while we live in these bodies of flesh.

We can live as if we will never die as long as we live by the Word of God and in faith in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ!

We can know beyond a shadow of doubt that we will live with our Savior for ever when He takes us home!

The one thing that must take place is, that we believe on the name of God's Son and believe, and believe, and believe, and believe, and keep on believing!

Joh 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Since we will take on the subject of prayer let's listen as Jesus prays:

Joh 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

Joh 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Notice how Jesus addresses His Father 

Since we know how our Savior prays, then we should have more confidence in our own prayers.

Another of the great gifts of God is the fact that His ears are always open to hearing our prayers!

*****1Jn 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing "according to his will", he heareth us:

1Jn 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, "we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him".

We immediately see the key to answered prayer is praying for things that are in the will of God for your life!

We next see that this prayer must be a prayer of faith!

When we have that confidence in life eternal in God's Heaven, then we can also have that same confidence in answered prayer!

God hears the prayers of His children!

God does not hear the prayers of anyone else!

The only prayer of the lost that is heard is that prayer of salvation!

No one, not anyone, can approach Jehovah God without the Lord Jesus Christ!

You can pray five times a day or twenty five times a day, but without Jesus Christ that prayer is meaning less!

Every prayer that goes unheard is a plea for an action that will never take place.

As Christians, we should never fear the prayers of false religion, because they pray to a false god who is powerless to cause any harm to Christians.

When a Christian believer prays, God hears and if that prayer is in the will of God for your life, then that prayer will then be answered!

But don't be praying for the destruction of someone. We must never pray for God to destroy our enemies because God has already condemned them.

Don't be praying to win the lottery God has already said He would provide for us and we are to try to be good stewards of the things God lets us use.

Use prayer for the reasons God gave, and first prayer is intended for us to have a conversation with our Creator!

God hears our prayers if we ask according to His will, and this passage gives us God's will for answered prayer!

God has promised to answer our prayers if these conditions are met, but He did not say He would always make His answer obvious to us or in the time frame we have placed in our own mind!

Remember God is still the all-knowing God, and there are things we pray for that we do not need in our lives at any time!

For answered prayer we must have that total trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

For answered prayer we must possess the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

We can pray for many things, but we need to spend more time talking to our Heavenly Father than asking for any need!

Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Our Father in Heaven is not a deadbeat dad!

It is the will of God that we be delivered from the trials of this life!

1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

1Co 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

If God is first in your life because of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, then we should actually have no worries at all!

Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isa 41:11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.

Isa 41:12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.

We must pray to God by the Lord by Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit and He will answer our prayers!

We let our own selves down when we do not follow God's rules and I hate to use the word "rules".

You see by being obedient children, then we will be delivered from all evil!

2Ti 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The God of all comfort will hear His children when we pray according to His will, but it is foolish to ask God for anything, if we do not have enough faith to believe He can provide us that answer.

Mat 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Jesus would not have said this if it were not true!

We should not forget John is writing to believers and we believers are all in this thing together and therefore we need to help one another.

*****1Jn 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

1Jn 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

What are the facts? First, we are to pray for all our brothers and sister in Christ. If we see that they are in sin, then we are to pray even more for them!

We must always be concerned about sin and especially sin in the Church. Many lessons can be learned from a study of the Church in Corinth.

I will present a few things for us to consider.

It is clear that if we live in sin, then we do not love our Savior. To live acceptable to God, we must live holy and righteous lives!

By praying for our brothers and sisters who are in sin that can be seen, shows the Lord that we are aware of sin!

There is but one time that we should not pray for our brothers and sisters in sin and this is when they have committed a sin unto death!

There is also sin not unto death!

The Word of God says all sin is unto Spiritual death!

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Then the only sin that is not unto Spiritual death, is that sin that is under the blood of Jesus.

This is sin that is pardoned by our Heavenly Father by His free gift of "Grace"!

Rev_1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

We must also mention the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit which is a great lesson in itself.

Mat 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

Mat 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

What was the truth of the Messiah from the Old Testament?

Mat 12:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

Mat 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: "I will put my spirit upon him", and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

What is the sin unto death?

Joh 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God "giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him".

Joh 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: "and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him".

What we know is that the day when Jesus healed a man who was demon possessed the Pharisees and other religious leaders said these things.

Mat 12:22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

Mat 12:23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

Mat 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils".

This is the "blaspheming" the work of God the Holy Spirit who God the Father had placed on God the Son.

In reality since Jesus has returned to Heaven so blaspheming the Holy Spirit cannot take place as it did this when Jesus was upon the earth.

Now the instance of "Spiritual Death" still comes on all those who have rejected the "work" that Jesus Christ has done for our salvation, and are not a home for the Holy Spirit, but these are two separate things.

Getting back to our lesson there two more things that we can consider.

We do not judge our brothers and sisters, but we do see them get caught up in sin and we need to pray from them just as the Scripture says.

There are somethings in our world of sin that can bring capitol, punishment from the local governments, which would be a sin unto physical death and when those charges are in fact true, then maybe we should not pray that God deliver them from this death because God endorses capitol, punishment for certain crimes.

It does stop us for praying for their soul which remains in the hands of God and no man can take away.

We are also reminded of those who leave the Church:

1Jn 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest "that they were not all of us".

1Jn 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

These who have left the Church and go out of the Church, blaspheming all the truth of the Church, were probably never saved to begin with!

They were just spies, for the Devil and people trying to cause confusion in the church!

They had heard the truth and decided against that truth!

We still need to pray for their souls, even if we have a tendency not to do so.

They will suffer eternal death just as all those who reject our Lord Jesus Christ!

Now if this does not answer that question of "sin unto death", then as individuals we need to pray for God's wisdom in these matters and just make sure we remain in prayer for all our brothers and sisters.

We are all sinners saved only by the "Grace" of God!

The one other thing we should point out is the Lord's Supper!

1Co 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

1Co 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

1Co 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

1Co 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

1Co 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

1Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

1Co 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

1Co 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

By the Holy Spirit, written by the Apostle Paul, those that take of the Lord's Supper unworthily, could also see sickness and even death and we may not even notice when these things have happened.

The Lord's Supper is a simple ceremony of reverence to the Body of Christ and should be observed in that fashion!

Maybe those who are not the children of God, should not partake of the Lord's Supper since they know these things!

Trying to impersonate a Christian for evil reasons can bring death to your body and your soul which could couse your death when you are completely healthy.

This is dying when there is no physical reason for your death!

If we are true "Born Again" children of God, doing the best we can to live holy and righteous lives, praying daily for the forgiveness of our sins, we will never get caught up in any of these things!

*****1Jn 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, "and that wicked one toucheth him not".

If we have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, then all our sin is under the "Blood of Jesus" and our sin cannot ever be counted against us!

It is a fact, that we must live righteous lives as best we can, while still in these bodies of flesh and righteous means according to the Word of God.

When God says it is wrong, then it is sin!

We must not give in to temptation and remember that "He that is within us" is much stronger than "he that is in the world"!

1Jn_4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

All unrighteousness is sin! The only sin unto death is rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ!

There are no little sins and no big sins, they are all sin.

We must repent and forsake all sin, while we are still living!

And remember these are those who have been born of God!

Those who do not know the Lord as their Savior, must first invite Jesus into their hearts and be washed in His Blood!

Because we have accepted the fact that Jesus took all our sin upon Himself, we are freed from sin and are now acceptable to God, but we will never have a free license to sin!

Because of Jesus, that "Wicked one" (Satan, the Devil, the Deceiver) cannot touch us!

Though we may feel like it at times, "the Devil cannot ever get on our back", because we belong to Jehovah God!

*****1Jn 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

When we know, that we know, that we belong to Jehovah, then we also know that we live in a wicked world.

Think about Noah when he was building the ark. He knew He was right with God and He believed when God said it was going rain and the earth would be flooded.

Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

At the same time, Noah knew the world would be flooded because of sin and therefore he knew he lived in a wicked world.

Noah was not bothered because he provided good jobs, and everyone thought he was a fool.

Things have not changed so much today, the Christian is still looked upon as a fool, but now this wicked world wants all Christians to be eradicated from this world and God will come get His people one day soon.

The world we live in is not the same world God, created back in the Book of Genesis.

The world we live in is not the same world that was left after the flood in Noah's day.

Everything in this world has been corrupted by the Devil and those who follow him!

Everything in this world is aging, deteriorating, and passing away, and this is easily seen if we just open our eyes.

We must do our best to separate ourselves from this world.

We must do our best to pray for all our brothers and sisters to do the same, and we must give ourselves to the Lord for safe keeping.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2Th 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

2Th 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

While this wicked world looks to the coming of the Messiah, we know He has already come.

*****1Jn 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

1Jn 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

The Old Testament told us of the coming of the Messiah.

The New Testament tells us that He has come and who He is.

If you are a child of God, then you are aware of the Spirit world, while we live in the physical world.

We know the truth!

Jer 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Jesus the Messiah came to us to teach us the truth!

Jesus the Messiah came to restore our fellowship with Jehovah.

It is this restored fellowship that protects us from the wrath of God upon this sinful world.

We know these things because our fellowship with Jehovah is restored and this fellowship extends to every brother and sister in Christ throughout this world.

Joh 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

Joh 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

If we reject the proof of the Messiah and the person of the Messiah, then we have placed this world above our Holy Father, and we are idolaters.

As the little children of God this is the first thing we must get right!

Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Joh 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

Anything that takes first place in our lives becomes our little god or if it is our Savior then we have made the right choice!

There is only one answer to all our problems:

Jud 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Jud 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

We have only one God and His name is Jehovah!

Isa 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Isa 42:9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

The Lord has taken the time to make sure we know all these things surely we can take the time to praise Him for the truth.

Any other thing we lack, God will certainly explain them to us, if we go to Him in prayer.

God wants us to know that He is not hiding anything from us!

When we know all these things are true, we can also believe our prayers will never go unanswered!

Amen

Let’s Pray!