Sermon Title: Does anyone really know?
Text: 1 John 2:3-6

Point 1: Just because we say we know Jesus doesn’t make it true.

And by this we know that we have come to know him… 1 John 2:3a

· “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” Matt 7:21-23

Point 2: One way to know you that you really know Jesus is you have a desire to keep his commandments.

And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 1 John 2:3

· If you love me, you will keep my commandments. John 14:15

· Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me.“ John 14:21a

· Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. John 14:23

Point 3: Delusion, deceit, and denial can make you think you know God…when you really don’t.

Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:4

· Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. John 14:24

Point 4: Jesus has given us his Spirit in part to convict, teach, remind us, and otherwise come alongside us to help us obey the commandments of Jesus.

· But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26

· And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

· When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:13

Point 5: A sure way to know if you love Jesus and are following his commandments is to look up and see if you are following his example.

Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 1 John 2:6

· Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 1 Cor. 11:1 (4:16)

· Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. Phil 3:17

· For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 1 Pet. 2:21

Application: If you want the love of God to be perfected in you, you need to love Jesus and follow his commandments.

But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. 1 John 2:5

· That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Phil. 3:10-11