SCRIPTURE: 1 JOHN 1
TEXT:
OPENING: As born-again children of God, we have a NEW SPIRIT. We have been sealed unto the day of redemption when Jesus comes to TAKE US HOME! We have a choice to make! Are we going to be conformed to this world or are we going to be transformed into the person that God has purposed for us to be? God, in His great mercy and grace, will transform.
This morning, where are you in your SPIRITUAL JOURNEY? Do you see a transformation going on in your life? Do you see things changing in your life? Are you not doing the things you used? Do you see FRUIT (LOVE- JOY- PEACE) in your life?
We are living in a time of hyper-tolerance! Tolerance is defined as “the capacity for or the practice of recognizing and respecting the opinions or behavior of others.” It was a virtue.
But that is not how tolerance is taught or understood today! Tolerance today has removed the Foundation of Truth. It has now put the power to determine right or wrong into the hands of the people rather than God. Romans 1:16-32
There are two spirits at work in this world, just like there are two kingdoms, the Spirit of Truth (HOLY SPIRIT) and the Spirit of Error (ANTI-CHRIST). 1 John 4:1-6
3 THINGS THAT COME WITH THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH:
1) LIGHT (1 John 1:5 – 2:1-2):
Light produces Fellowship. If we “SAY” that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the “TRUTH”. (Verse 6) Grace is not a license to sin but the power to CHANGE!!!!!!!!
We can’t have Fellowship with one another when you are walking in darkness.
Practice Fellowship, we are not perfect but we are being transformed.
2) LOVE (1 John 2:5-20):
Love is of God for GOD IS LOVE (1 John 4:7-11).
3) LIFE (1 John 2:24):
Life is now to be transformed from glory to glory (2 Cor. 3:17-18).
The glory of life! If you are the same today as you were a year ago, then something is wrong in your growth process.
We must examine our “Willingness to lay down our life” (1 John 3:16).
CLOSING:
1 John 4:1 says to TEST THE SPIRITS. Are we being transformed (TRUTH) or are we being conformed (TOLERANCE)?