test the prophets!. reason #168,978,451 we are glad darth vader is not god

Test

the

Prophets!

Reason #168,978,451 we are glad Darth Vader is not God

1 John 4:1 The authority of the Word

"spirit"

A broad word; can refer to the human spirit or supernatural spirits, like satanic angels,

as in 4: 3 and 2 Tim. 1:17

1 John 4:1 The authority of the Word

Behind false prophets can be satanic influence.

Matt. 7:15-20; 12:33-37

Their behavior doesn't set them apart but their message does!

1 John 4:2 The authority of the Word

"By this you recognize the Spirit of God."

Is there a willingness to confess Jesus Christ incarnate?

1 John 4:2 The authority of the Word

If we believe every spirit we will really not know which of them is truly God's.

1 John 4:2 The authority of the Word

"of God"

Sourced in, enlightened by, motivated by God's Spirit.

1 John 4:2 The authority of the Word

"Every spirit that confesses that Jesus as Christ having come in the flesh".

1 John 4:2 The authority of the Word

Jesus must be recognized as the Christ!

2:22

This is critical!

1 John 5:1; John 20:30-31; 11:25-27

1 John 4:2 The authority of the Word

The idea of that being "in the flesh" probably addresses a heresy similar to what was then

called "Gnosticism".

1 John 4:2 The authority of the Word

What is clear is that John expects his word on the matter to be authoritative, just like Paul in

Galatians 1:8-9!

1 John 4:3 The authority of the Word

"...and every spirit that does not confess Jesus as the Christ come in the flesh..."

1 John 4:3 The authority of the Word

These spirits are not "of God".

The source and inspiration of these spirits is found somewhere other than God.

1 John 4:3 The authority of the Word

When an individual, a leader, or an organization is not clear about whether or

not Jesus is the Christ, they are not "of God", they do not have God as their Source!

This is the "spirit of the Antichrist"!

1 John 4:4 The authority of the Word

We have spiritual strength and can resist the antichrists we face!

2:12-14, 20-21

1 John 4:4 The authority of the Word

We should always remember that, left to ourselves, we also can fall into false teaching

and be deceived by Satan.

1 John 4:5 The authority of the Word

"They" = the antichrists.

"of the world"

They have a Satanic, godless world view.

1 John 4:5 The authority of the Word

Many people will be drawn to this false teaching.

The true gospel sounds far too easy.

1 John 4:5 The authority of the Word

Works oriented churches have a great appeal to many believers and unbelievers!

1 John 4:6 The authority of the Word

"We" = the apostles - 1:1-4!

Only the Apostles of Jesus Christ could say what is said here!

1 John 4:6 The authority of the Word

The Apostles and their teaching were "of God"!

They were taught by Christ and the Holy Spirit

(John 14:25-26, 16:12-15)

1 John 4:6 The authority of the Word

"knows" = "intimate knowledge"

Intimate knowledge of God cannot be separated from Apostolic truth!

Eph. 4:14; Heb. 5:11-14; 1 John 4:7-8

1 John 4:6 The authority of the Word

Mature Christians are responsive to God's Word!

1 John 4:6 The authority of the Word

"not of God"

Anyone not in touch with God; anyone unresponsive to His Spirit.

This may be a believer or unbeliever!

1 John 4:6 The authority of the Word

"we know'

The Apostles themselves were able to determine each spirit's response, or lack of response, to apostolic truth to decide "the

spirit of truth and the spirit of error".

1 John 2:19

1 John 4:1-6 The authority of the Word

1 John is simply written to believers

(1 John 3:1-2).

The same is true of Galatians and the other New Testament books, except John.

1 John 4:1-6 The authority of the Word

The New Testament writers expected normal people, some of them immature (1 Cor. 3:1-3),

to understand their words in a normal fashion!

1 John 4:1-6 The authority of the Word

The Apostles expected the to treat their words as the final authority!

(Galatians 1:8-9)

1 John 4:1-6 The authority of the Word

The Word of God is understandable

(Mark 2:25; 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:15-17)

and it is authoritative (Jude 3)!

The Bible is understandable and authoritative

2 Tim. 2:15; 3:15-17

Mark 2:25 - "Have you never read..."

Luke 16:19-31 - The Rich Man and Lazarus

Luke 24:16-27, esp. 25-27 - Road to Emmaus

1 John 4:1-6 The authority of the Word

Sola fide!

Sola gratis!

Sola scriptura!

Soli Deo gloria!