The Open Word (Audio)

Today Pastor David discusses sin in the lives of those who follow Jesus. We know that this world is imperfect, and because of its imperfection, sin will always exist and will always cause us temptation. It may be gossiping, lying, drinking to excess, cheating, sexual impurity, gambling, or any number of things for you personally. But whatever it may be… Pastor David wants you to know that as long as you’re drawing breath, you can ALWAYS turn from that sin, and you can ALWAYS turn back to Christ.

When you consider the wretchedness of humanity, it is clear that no one deserves mercy from a Holy God. So, when you also think about the fact Jesus took the punishment of each sinner, it can stop you in your tracks. What kind of love is it that He calls each of us His children? That reality, Pastor David teaches today, should motivate you deep in your soul to seek to live a life worthy of this great love. To stay away from the sin that once held you captive and instead walk in the freedom and grace of God who lavishes you with love.

Who do you say Jesus is? You can’t say you love God while denying the son, Jesus. If you deny Jesus, you deny God and the truth isn’t in you. John warns of liars among the church trying to thwart the truth that Jesus is the son of God, the Messiah. Today Pastor David will encourage you to examine how you view Jesus. Is He your savior? Let the truth of God’s word abide in you – Eternal Life is only possible through God’s son, Jesus. He is entirely faithful even when you are not.

John says the world and all that’s in it is passing away. But if you do the will of God, John declares, you will abide forever with Him. Today, Pastor David offers practical advice about how to combat the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life that can destroy your faith if you’re not careful. He encourages you to curb your appetite for the things of the world – choose to walk away from anything that’s contrary to the will of God in your life by the power of the Holy Spirit. Don’t allow temptations to linger.

In these last days, John warns, those against Christ will be among the church attempting to lead believers astray. These anti-christs will twist gospel truth, confuse believers and proclaim lies in the place of truth. They will often come with religious wrapping – further deceiving men who will be confused and tempted to believe anything. Today, Pastor David will challenge you to be a student of the Word of God, so you will not be led astray. There is no new truth – if what you hear doesn’t line up with God’s word, it’s a lie.

In his letter, John warns the believers against pride – the continual inner focus and reliance on self. Mentally placing yourself in a position of superiority or boasting about your giftedness has no place in the life of a believer. Pastor David teaches that pride is arrogance and vanity. It presumes you can direct your life independently and you don’t need God. God grieves your foolishness and you miss out on a relationship with him. Instead you are called to humility, submission to God and service in the Body.

How attached are you to the things, the ways, and the power of this world? When you honestly examine yourself, you may be surprised by the hold the world has on you. John issued a clear warning to his readers that they should not love the things of this fallen world. If they did, it was an indicator that the love of God was not in them. Today, Pastor David will challenge you to think about what fills up your life and whether these things push out the love, purposes and plans God has for your life.

John, wise and mature in his faith, encouraged the believers in the church by addressing them as little children, young men and fathers. Pastor David teaches that each of these life stages is simultaneously pictured in the soul of every believer. You should come to God as a fearless child, knowing your father as a powerful provider. Like a young man, you should realize the strength you have comes from the Holy Spirit in you. And similar to a father, you should never grow complacent or forget the wonder of your relationship with God.

It’s clear that, in this life, a walk of total obedience to God is difficult. The enemy wants nothing more than for you to give up because it’s too hard, or stop trying because you think you don’t need to. But, as Pastor David reminds you today, God, who is in you, is far greater than anything that causes you to stumble. The Apostle John writes to encourage you to use the power of the Spirit inside you to strengthen your walk with God, so that you come closer to complete obedience and great fellowship with the Lord.

As a believer, you are called to examine your life to verify you are walking in the light of Jesus as evidence of your faith. Pastor David further explains today that your obedience to God’s will is the proof of your verbal claim to being a Christian. What good is saying you have faith if your life isn’t showing it. The apostle John challenged his readers that if they claim Christ lives in them, they must live as Jesus lived - not to gain or maintain salvation but as a confirmation of salvation.