Don't Settle in Sin

July 5, 2026 In this message, we push further into our expository journey through First John, landing in the volatile landscape of chapter 2. The Apostle John, a seasoned spiritual father, writes with urgent affection to his "dear children" during a time of severe congregational crisis. A splinter group has intentionally broken away from the church, claiming exclusive, elevated revelations that surpassed apostolic teaching. The speaker strips away the romanticism often draped over the early church to show that division and spiritual deception are as old as the gospel itself. By drawing parallels to modern charismatic charlatans who manipulate emotions for profit, this sermon challenges us to reject religious fakes and rely on the objective, experiential certainty of the Holy Spirit's anointing to remain unmovable mighty oaks in a skeptical world. Main Theme: Spiritual protection against modern deception requires a deep, experiential knowledge of Jesus Christ, staying rooted in original biblical orthodoxy, and walking in the active anointing of the Holy Spirit. Key Points: The Reality of Di-Vision and Modern Charlatans • Even a church planted directly by the Apostle John experienced a massive split. People bring problems with them, and our generation is no exception to spiritual manipulation. • From self-proclaimed modern prophets to toxic church trends, like blowing literal craft glitter out of air vents to fake the presence of God, the church continues to be preyed upon by fakers. These repackaged ancient lies turn stomachs and distort reality. Experiential Knowing vs. Thermostat Head Knowledge • John’s use of the word "know" denotes an interactive, experiential awareness (Ginosco). • Looking at a thermometer that reads 109°F or 111°F is entirely different from stepping outside into the sweltering heat and physically feeling the weight of the air. God desires that same high level of absolute certainty in our relationship with Jesus. The Tension of the "Last Hour" • We have been living in the "last days" since the first century. Operating in the gap between Daniel’s 69th and 70th prophetic weeks, the church occupies an "already, but not yet" reality. • Christians are not called to be panicked "Chicken Littles" running around screaming that the sky is falling. Nor should they be ostriches hiding their heads in the sand. We are called to intentionally occupy, work, and spread life more abundantly until the trumpet sounds. The Covenant Nature of Salvation (Saul, David, and Judas) • Addressing the classic theological debate over eternal security, the speaker notes that framing salvation as "how close can I get to the edge without falling off" represents deeply corrupted thinking. • Scripture reveals that Judas Iscariot was legitimately "numbered among the twelve" and allotted a true share in the ministry before he willfully walked away. Salvation is an active, two-sided covenant relationship, not a mechanical dictatorship where humans are unthinking puppets. The Reality of Your Anointing • Anointing is not a magical "secret sauce" sprinkled exclusively on elite mega-preachers on television. John explicitly tells the everyday church body: "You have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge." • Traced back to the Old Testament—where Jacob anointed the pillar at Bethel (House of God), and Aaron, Saul, and David were set apart—anointing denotes the authentic presence of God. This active, indwelling Spirit of Truth helps regular believers spot a liar without needing a human guru to interpret reality for them. Key Bible Verses: • 1 John 2:18 – "Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour." • 1 John 2:19 – "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us..." • 1 John 2:20 – "But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge." • 1 John 2:22 – "Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son." • 2 John 1:9 – "Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God." • Psalm 1:1–2 – "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly... but his delight is in the law of the Lord..." Final Thought: The goal of your life is not to retire comfortably, but to finish faithfully. True anointing never highlights a human personality; it always glorifies Jesus. Stop chasing emotional spectacles, fire your internal self-importance, and let the Good Shepherd order your steps.