Enter your e-mail address below to get Musing Upchurch sent directly to your in-box!

Past Ponderings

Saturday, June 18, 2016

PONDERING... A Full Greeting (2 John 1-3)

A Full Greeting
Scripture: 2 John 1-3
GIST: Because we are loved in and by the Truth, we can experience grace, mercy, and peace.

Tonight we’ll continue our study of John’s letters by looking at 2 John. I want to start this by looking just at it’s packed greeting.


To Whom?
1 The elder to the elect lady and her children...
There is debate about whether this letter was written to an actual lady and her children or to a church and its members. I have looked at and considered arguments on both sides, and am not willing to come down on either side. Either way, the content of this letter was clearly meant to be heard by congregations both in John’s time and our own.

Message?
1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:
1. We are loved in and by the Truth
1. It’s “in” Truth
-Based upon that which is TRUE, Jesus and His Word
-Spurred by Christ
2. Shared mutually by all Christians (those who know the Truth)
3. The product of the Holy Spirit who abides in us
4.This Truth, and the Salvation it is both product and sign of, lasts forever
-Doesn’t fade and cannot be taken away


2. Because we our so loved by and in the Truth, we experience 
grace, mercy, and peace
3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.
Grace- Getting unearned favor (Salvation)
Mercy-Not getting what we deserve (Hell)
Peace- The end of war (contrary to our natural state of war with Christ), harmony (Heaven)

Short book, but not words are wasted.

No comments:

Post a Comment