Follow along with

1 John Chapter 3

Confidence in Christ- 1 John Chapter 2

Series Main Idea: “Genuine fellowship with God, made possible only through the incarnation of Jesus Christ, transforms how we walk, how we love, and howe we discern truth from deception.”

"My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin."

- 1 John 2:1-2

Question: What helps “little children” to not sin?

Context to Consider:

1 John Chapter 1: God is the Light, and His followers walk in this Light, having fellowship with one another, confessing our sins, and believing Jesus cleanses us from those sins.

- 1 John 2:1b-2

Our Confidence is in Christ alone, through faith alone,by grace alone

- 1 John 2:4-6

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another

- John 13:34

- John 14:15, 21 & 23

Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

- John 15:9-10

- 1 John 2:7-11

Question: What helps “little children” to not sin?

- 1 John 2:12-14

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

- 1 John 2:15-17

Children, it is the last hour and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.

- 1 John 2:18

For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

- Matthew 7:14-15

They went out from us, but there were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.

- 1 John 2:19-23

Question: What is the one marker of antichrist teachings?

As for your, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.

- 1 John 2:25-27

Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him.

- 1 John 2:28-29

Takeaways:

Do you know Christ?

Are you striving or abiding?

4/12/26 - The Book of 1st John : Chapter 1- Pastor Melissa Stelly

“Genuine fellowship with God, made possible only through the incarnation of Jesus Christ, transforms how we walk, how we love, and how we discern truth from deception.”

Matthew 4:18-22 NLT

“One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.

A little farther up the shore,he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.”

Luke 9: 51-56 NLT

"As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them.”

1 John 1: 10

“Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.”

Central Idea: “Jesus’ incarnation was God’s radical plan to bring salvation to humanity enslaved by sin—and our response to that plan is to walk in the light through honest confession and genuine fellowship.

I. The Word of Life Incarnate (vv. 1–4 NIV)

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.”

II. God Is Light (vv. 5–7 NIV)

“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

III. The Deadly Trap of Denial (vv. 8–10)

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.”

First lie (v. 8): “We have no sin.” 

Second lie (v. 10): “We have not sinned.” 

The remedy (v. 9): Confession. 

1. Anchor your faith in the incarnation. 
2. Make confession a regular spiritual discipline. 
3. Pursue transparency in community. 

Sermon notes not available.

Central Idea: Jesus describes living in God’s kingdom as the wise way to live, and the church—as His body—is called to reflect His image to the world through love, obedience, and community.

1. There Are Only Two Paths (vv.13-14)

Matthew 7:13–14 NIV “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

“Jesus makes clear there are ultimately only two categories of people, despite all the gradations we might otherwise perceive. Those who hear, obey, and are saved—and those who only hear and are destroyed. In each case, eternal life and judgment are at stake.” Craig Blomberg

2. Watch Out for False Guides (vv.15-23)

Matthew 7:15–16 NIV “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Matthew 7:17–20 NIV Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Matthew 7:21–23 NIV “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

3. Build on the Rock (vv. 24-27)

Matthew 7:24–27 NIV “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Do you embrace kingdom values—humility, mercy, peacemaking?

Do you practice radical love, even when it costs you?

Do you trust God with your finances, your family, your future?

Or are you still white-knuckling your way through life trying to control everything?

4. Living as the Body of Christ

Colossians 1:15 NIV The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Acts 2:42–47 NLT All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

John 13:34–35NIV “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

And we stay rooted through the spiritual rhythms that have sustained God’s people for centuries—

1. Prayer
2. Scripture
3. Worship
4. Sabbath
5. Fasting
6. Solitude
7. Witness
8. Service
9. Generosity
10. Hospitality
11. Community
12. Unity
    

Three Important Questions

First: Which path are you on?

Second: What are you building on?

Third: How are you reflecting Christ?

You are not call to make believers, but disciples. So go do that.

Freedom from Anxiety Through Kingdom Priorities

Week 5: The Way of Trust — Freedom from Anxiety Through Kingdom Priorities Matthew 6:19–34

Central Idea: Jesus calls His followers to make obedience to God their one priority and to trust that He will provide all their needs. Anxiety about possessions and provision reveals divided loyalty and lack of trust in our Father's care.

Today we are exploring one of the most practically challenging passages in the Sermon on the Mount — Jesus's call to release anxiety and reorder our lives around His kingdom. In a world that tells us to earn more, secure more, and worry about everything in between, Jesus offers a radically different way of living.

This week we'll look at why anxiety is really a spiritual issue at its root, not just a psychological one. Jesus diagnoses our worry as a symptom of divided loyalty — trying to serve both God and the security that money promises. The cure isn't a better mindset. It's a reordered heart.

As we work through Matthew 6:19–34 together, we'll be asked three honest diagnostic questions: What do you worry about most? What does your budget reveal about your priorities? And are you living like someone with a heavenly Father — or like an orphan who has to secure everything on their own? Come ready to be honest, and come ready to be free.

I. YOU CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS (vv. 19–24)

Treasure Reveals Heart Location (vv. 19–21)

Matthew 6:19–21 NIV

The point is: everything you try to secure on earth is ultimately insecure. Every earthly treasure has an expiration date.

The Eye as Lamp (vv. 22–23)

Matthew 6:22–23 NIV

The Impossibility of Dual Allegiance (v. 24)

Matthew 6:24 NIV

Do you own your possessions — or do they own you?

II. DO NOT BE ANXIOUS (vv. 25–32)

The Command and Its Reason (v. 25)

Matthew 6:25 NLT

Look at the Birds (v. 26)

Matthew 6:26 NIV

Anxiety Is Useless (v. 27)

Matthew 6:27 NIV

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Consider the Lilies (vv. 28–30)

Matthew 6:28–30 NIV

What the Gentiles Seek (vv. 31–32)

Matthew 6:31–32 NIV

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

III. SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM (v. 33)

The One Priority

Matthew 6:33 NIV

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

The Promise

"And all these things will be added to you."

What Does Seeking the Kingdom Look Like?

IV. DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT TOMORROW (v. 34)

One Day at a Time

Matthew 6:34 NIV

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Anxiety Robs Us of Today

Can you trust God enough with tomorrow to actually rest today?

Three diagnostic questions to sit with this week.

First: What do you worry about most? 

Second: What does your budget reveal?

Third: Do you live like you have a heavenly Father who provides — or like an orphan who has to secure everything yourself? 

Matthew 5:20 NLT - “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

Jeremiah 17:9 - “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? NLT

SIX SIGNS OF A SPIRITUALLY UNHEALTHY HEART:

1. HARBORING ANGER

Matthew 5:21-26 - You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment. 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.25 “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny. NLT

2. HARBORING LUST

Mark 5:27-30 – “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery’ 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 So if your eye—even your good eye— causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

3. UNSCRIPTURAL DIVORCE

Mark 5:31-32 – “You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’ 32 But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.

4. PLAYING WITH THE TRUTH

Mark 5:33-37 – “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ 34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. 35 And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. 37 Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

5. MAKING RETALIATION

Mark 5:38-42 – “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.

6. HATING YOUR ENEMIES

Mark 5:43-47 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.

Notes coming soon!