October 24th, 2004, Sunday Morning

"The Antichrist is Never a Threat"
Only the saved are protected from him and know his characteristics and tactics

OPENING: 1 John 2:18-24

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• #1: THE CHURCH WILL ALWAYS HAVE AN ADVERSARY
  
  
  • John addresses the saved, reminding them of the Bible's truths
    
    
    • 1 John 2:18: We are living in the final moments before the Rapture of the world
      
      
    • 1 Peter 4:7: The end of all things is near--be of sound judgment, sober spirit and in prayer
    
    
  • The people have been warned about the anticipated appearance of the "Antichrist;" CHARACTERISTICS INCLUDE:
    
    
    • 2 John 1:7: Their denial of the true Jesus Christ having come to earth in the flesh
      
      
    • 1 John 2:22: He is a liar and deceiver
      
      
    • 1 John 2:23: Denial of the Son or the Father (because Both are One per John 10:30)
      
      
    • They find Jesus interesting but nothing about Him worthwhile--he's a good man and teacher but not the only way to Heaven
      
      
    • They deny Jesus Christ is the Messiah
      
      
    • The antichrist will be powerful and persuasive--many will follow
      
      
    • John 15:18: The Gospel (the hope of salvation) brings you joy but typically anger to the lost in the world who don't understand it
    
    
  • The danger is there are already antichrists in our midst
    
    
    • 1 John 2:18: "even now there are many antichrists..."
      
      
    • Matthew 24:5: Jesus said, "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many"
      
      
    • With the internal strife and break-ups of many churches, we see the spirit of the antichrist is already at work
      
      
      • Our pastor knew of an affair between the pastor and secretary at a certain church:
        
        
        • The congregation was surprised, bitter, frustrated and eventually scattered
          
          
        • But why be surprised? Pastors are greater targets by Satan than the congregation
    
    
  • It is the constant struggle for the heart and soul of a church that confirms we're in the last days
    
    
    • There will always be those in the church who will cause hurt and trouble for their own gain
      
      
    • They would cause the church to be torn apart and scatter
    
    
  • Matthew 24:6: We cannot stop the final moments from happening and we are not to live in fear of these final days
  
  
• #2: THOSE WHO ARE FALSE NEVER LAST LONG IN THE CHURCH
  
  
  • Matthew 24:13: One of the great doctrines of the faith is the perseverance of the saints; those that endure until the end will be saved
    
    
  • What causes them to leave?
    
    
    • 1 John 2:19: The reason some leave the church is because of who they are--they are not of us (saved)
      
      
    • HARDNESS OF HEART: Satan always removes the truth from them immediately when the pastor preaches it--they have no desire to hear the truth but want to hear things that make them feel good about their lifestyle (2 Timothy 4:3)
      
      
    • AFFLICTION/PERSECUTION: life at church can be tough; people can be hurtful; many cannot handle it; they start with joy but quickly fade away
      
      
    • WORRIES OF THE WORLD: too many problems at home/work (i.e., "I need time off," "I don't have time for it right now")--I need to solve my problems before I'll come back to church (which people rarely follow through with)
      
      
    • DECEITFULNESS OF WEALTH: I.e., "right now I need to work hard to make more money--then I can get involved" (but what's the definition of "enough money"?)
    
    
  • Jesus said they would've stayed (in church) if they were truly in Jesus Christ
    
    
    • 1 John 2:19: The lost made the choice on their own to leave--they were not forced to leave
  
  
• #3: GRACE IS WHAT MAKES US STAY
  
  
  • You have an anointing from the Holy One (2 Corinthians 1:21)
    
    
    • God's hand is on you and you have the strength/courage to walk with Him
      
      
    • You have been consecrated by the Lord to be a part of His body
      
      
    • 1 John 2:24: Those saved, who have experienced God's grace, stay with God and the church
      
      
    • Ephesians 1:4: God loved you from before the beginning of the world
    
    
  • You know Jesus--and that's all you need to know and learn
    
    
    • "Know" is said in the perfect tense--you know now and you will always know
      
      
    • Acts 4:10-12: There is no other name in which you can be saved except Jesus Christ
  
  
  
  CLOSER

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• One cause of fear is the unknown; and the world lives in unbelievable fear today because it doesn't know the truth about Christ or the antichrist
  
  
• The saved do not fear the antichrist because we know the truth about him; we are aware of his characteristics and tactics and we know that being saved means full protection by God from him
  
  
  • One element of faith in Christ is living in this world without putting your trust in a knife or gun to protect you; rather, only trusting in God to protect you
  
  
• There is no reason to not have joy or optimism in this spiritually dying world because no matter what's said about the antichrist or the "end times," we--the saved--know we've already won the final battle
  
  
• Acts 14:22: No amount of hurt, suffering, pain or worry will drive away your joy of God: you abide, you stay, you persevere
  
  
  • You can have a tough and troubling work/home/school life but still live a great spiritual life--and that's the life that matters