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