In this letter, John wants his readers to be concerned with one very important thing— the truth. In today’s world, few people like objective standards for truth. It means we have to submit to something outside ourselves. We have to live according to something we do not control or be declared disobedient. Throughout his first letter, John spent highlighted how the truth—knowing God and His commands—is the source of Christian love. In his second letter, John reminds his readers that love for God’s people flows out of a true understanding of God. 2 John reminds us not only of the dangers of falling away from the truth but also of the importance of making obedience to God’s truth a priority in our lives—for ourselves and for those who are most important to us.

In this letter, John wants his readers to be concerned with one very important thing— the truth. In today’s world, few people like objective standards for truth. It means we have to submit to something outside ourselves. We have to live according to something we do not control or be declared disobedient. Throughout his first letter, John spent highlighted how the truth—knowing God and His commands—is the source of Christian love. In his second letter, John reminds his readers that love for God’s people flows out of a true understanding of God. 2 John reminds us not only of the dangers of falling away from the truth but also of the importance of making obedience to God’s truth a priority in our lives—for ourselves and for those who are most important to us.

Our willingness to trust entirely depends on the thing we trust in— we only trust something as far as we know it and its capability. The same goes for our God. This week we will look at how and why we can trust Him. Our confidence and assurance will grow as we come to understand the immensity of our God. John gives us further proof for our confidence in God when he tells us that God answers our prayers. The more we grow in fellowship with God, the more closely our desires and prayers will line up with His will. As God answers those prayers, we grow in our confidence that He hears us, leading us into an even closer relationship with Him. In the conclusion of this letter, John reminds us that our life’s purpose is to know God (grow in fellowship), follow Him (forsake the world), and live in the light of eternity.

Our willingness to trust entirely depends on the thing we trust in— we only trust something as far as we know it and its capability. The same goes for our God. This week we will look at how and why we can trust Him. Our confidence and assurance will grow as we come to understand the immensity of our God. John gives us further proof for our confidence in God when he tells us that God answers our prayers. The more we grow in fellowship with God, the more closely our desires and prayers will line up with His will. As God answers those prayers, we grow in our confidence that He hears us, leading us into an even closer relationship with Him. In the conclusion of this letter, John reminds us that our life’s purpose is to know God (grow in fellowship), follow Him (forsake the world), and live in the light of eternity.

The world does not have the last say in our lives. In this part of his letter, John’s emphasis is on overcoming. In just two verses he uses the Greek verb "nikao" three times, which literally means to overcome or to conquer. And he explains that the victory that has conquered the world is our faith. Those who believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God experience victory in the here-and-now. Through faith in Christ we enter whatever battles we face—temptation, the flesh, the schemes of the devil—under a banner of victory. Knowing God stands with us and has gifted us with His Spirit means we can overcome trials under His power. But more than that, our love for each other—our brothers and sisters in Christ—means we face this world together

The world does not have the last say in our lives. In this part of his letter, John’s emphasis is on overcoming. In just two verses he uses the Greek verb "nikao" three times, which literally means to overcome or to conquer. And he explains that the victory that has conquered the world is our faith. Those who believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God experience victory in the here-and-now. Through faith in Christ we enter whatever battles we face—temptation, the flesh, the schemes of the devil—under a banner of victory. Knowing God stands with us and has gifted us with His Spirit means we can overcome trials under His power. But more than that, our love for each other—our brothers and sisters in Christ—means we face this world together

This week we are going to look at the danger that creeps around in churches, taking the form of slick deception. We will see not only what kind of damage deceivers can do to our faith, but what we, in turn, can do to avoid falling for the lies. In this part of his letter, John focuses on the role of the Holy Spirit in discerning false teachers and the important role we have as conduits for God to love the people around us. Much like an alarm system warns us of impending danger, the role of the Holy Spirit is to help us understand the truth amid false teaching. It is the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives that grows us closer to God. He directs us in truth, preserves us from error, transforms our sinful hearts into holy hearts, and directs our affections toward our fellow believers.

This week we are going to look at the danger that creeps around in churches, taking the form of slick deception. We will see not only what kind of damage deceivers can do to our faith, but what we, in turn, can do to avoid falling for the lies. In this part of his letter, John focuses on the role of the Holy Spirit in discerning false teachers and the important role we have as conduits for God to love the people around us. Much like an alarm system warns us of impending danger, the role of the Holy Spirit is to help us understand the truth amid false teaching. It is the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives that grows us closer to God. He directs us in truth, preserves us from error, transforms our sinful hearts into holy hearts, and directs our affections toward our fellow believers.

This week, we are going to look at the confident expectation we have in God. Knowing that our future is for-sure fundamentally changes the way we live right now. And our expectations can and will also affect our relationship with God. John reminds his readers about their status before God— we are His children. And because of this status, he tells us the right expectation: One day, we will see God, and we will stand before Him. John then warns his readers to not let anyone lead them astray, believing it is acceptable to remain in a life of sin. Followers of Christ must take sin seriously and be diligent about putting it to death by the grace of God. Our hopeful expectations set our behavior

This week, we are going to look at the confident expectation we have in God. Knowing that our future is for-sure fundamentally changes the way we live right now. And our expectations can and will also affect our relationship with God. John reminds his readers about their status before God— we are His children. And because of this status, he tells us the right expectation: One day, we will see God, and we will stand before Him. John then warns his readers to not let anyone lead them astray, believing it is acceptable to remain in a life of sin. Followers of Christ must take sin seriously and be diligent about putting it to death by the grace of God. Our hopeful expectations set our behavior