Stay the Course
Book of 2 John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
Service Notes
Service Notes
Tonight we start in a new series on 2 Thessalonians with Pastor Beau
Paul discusses persecution, the return of Jesus, the need to remain hopeful and faithful, and idleness among believers.
It reminds us that what we hope for shapes what we live for.
The Bible tells us that God’s word revives us, it brings life. It is through the Word we are born again. However, our relationship with the Word doesn’t stop there.
“Truth in the mind, brings hope to the heart.”
Prayer
Prayer
2 John 1–13 (KJV)
Sermon Introduction
Sermon Introduction
The Year is 1912: A Quiet Message Amidst Scandal
At a small but prestigious university nestled among the ivy-covered walls of the East Coast, a wave of scandal was beginning to engulf the campus. The bright-eyed young men and women who had been accepted into the university, long considered the future leaders of society, now faced an unspeakable breach of trust. Word spread quickly of a cheating scandal—final exams were compromised, and some of the brightest students, those who seemed to have everything, were accused of using illicit aids, cheat sheets, and collusion to secure their grades. The university, its reputation tarnished, was in crisis.
In the midst of the chaos, one student, a sophomore named Samuel Turner, found himself at the heart of the storm. Samuel, a quiet, diligent young man from a small town, had worked tirelessly to make it to this esteemed institution. He had no part in the cheating scheme but now found himself caught between the social pressure of his friends, some of whom were implicated, and the academic integrity he held dear. His classmates were divided, the campus was abuzz, and Samuel’s future seemed uncertain.
Samuel’s father, Jonathan Turner, a respected local businessman who had attended the same university many years before, was not unaware of the situation. Having built a life based on honor and hard work, Jonathan was determined that his son would not be swayed by the corruption infecting the campus. But Jonathan knew that his son didn’t need a long, drawn-out lecture on right and wrong. He understood Samuel’s nature—his quiet strength, his resilience in the face of adversity. And so, rather than writing a lengthy letter filled with advice, Jonathan kept his message simple.
A single letter arrived at Samuel’s room on a rainy Thursday afternoon, when the weight of the scandal had never felt heavier. The handwriting was familiar, the envelope plain, but the message within would be one Samuel would carry with him for the rest of his life.
The Letter:
April 14, 1912
My Son,
Stay the course.
With love,
Your Father,
Jonathan Turner
Review
Review
John the elder, is reminding this church and all of us to “stay the course.”
John has learned through life the wonderful relationship between truth and love
He rejoices in seeing people “walk in truth.”
He warns of the false teachers, “wanderers”, who want to pull us astray.
They were active that day, and active today with all the modern resources available to them to propagate their lies.
Today we are going to look at a motivating factor. 2 John 8 “8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.”
There is a full reward in view.
There is a full reward in view.
2 John 8 “8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.”
I can understand the sentiment, “I don’t care where they put me in Heaven or what is waiting for me as long as I am there that is good enough.” Though I understand that perspective that does not make it Biblical. We should live with a full reward in view.
Before we look at a Biblical understanding of heavenly rewards, let’s consider some of the reasons I was anxious about this topic.
Before we look at a Biblical understanding of heavenly rewards, let’s consider some of the reasons I was anxious about this topic.
People want to gravitate towards a works based salvation. What I say could misunderstood and lend itself towards the false teaching we are warned about.
We are told to “compare ourselves among ourselves among ourselves is unwise.” I have no desire to give an occassion for judging one another.
There is a tension between “every tear wiped away,” “no condemnation” and “be ashamed before him at his coming.”
There will be a confrontation in the life of my friends who may realize that in their getting all that the world has to offer have missed out on many opportunities to receive a full reward in Heaven.
What are the passages that inform our understanding of this warning?
What are the passages that inform our understanding of this warning?
We will look at more passages outside of 2 John than we have because this passage assumes that our understanding, as with the original audience, is grounded in an understanding of the writings of the other apostles.
Jesus is the judge who will give out the rewards.
Jesus is the judge who will give out the rewards.
Do you realize we have “Red Letters” in the book of Revelation? Revelation 22:12 “12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
This truth had been revealed before Revelation. The Apostle Paul mentions it as a motivating factor in his life. 2 Timothy 4:7–8“7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
When Jesus comes for His church, it will be immediately followed by a time of rewards.
When Jesus comes for His church, it will be immediately followed by a time of rewards.
This is in our future: (1) We leave this world. (2) We meet Jesus Christ in the air. (3) We go to the Father’s house, and (4) there is a time of reward.
Anytime we add something to our calendar we should consider that these 4 events could happen before that time; including between now and lunch.
This is referred to as the Judgement Seat of Christ by Paul on a couple occasions.
2 Corinthians 5:10“10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
Romans 14:10 “10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”
In context you will see the “we” of those passages is us as believers.
In anticipating the coming of Christ, we must also be anticipating a time of reward for the service which we have rendered to Him.
When we talk about judgment we think about sin because all the judgments that take place in the Bible are judgments upon sin, except this one.
When we talk about judgment we think about sin because all the judgments that take place in the Bible are judgments upon sin, except this one.
Each judgment is distinct, with its own timing, location, and purpose, demonstrating God's organized and specific plan for judgment.
You know when you make a birthday card you outline who, when, and where. I thought about doing that but glad I didn’t it would be a weird way to communicate this information. / Want to run through these briefly. Might be a Core Seminar in the future. If you would like this list, it is available online with the full notes for today.
Judgment of Sin
Time: Around 30 AD
Place: Calvary (the Cross)
Details: God judged sin in Jesus Christ, who bore the penalty of sin for humanity.
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:21 “21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Judgment of Self
Time: Ongoing throughout the believer’s life
Place: Earth
Details: Believers are called to self-examination to avoid God's corrective discipline.
Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 11:31 “31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.”
Judgment of Believers' Works
Time: After the Rapture
Place: Heaven
Details: Believers' deeds are judged for rewards, not salvation.
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:10 “10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
Judgment of Israel
Time: End of the Tribulation, before the Millenial Kingdom
Place: Earth
Details: Christ purges rebels from Israel and brings believing Israelites into the Millennial Kingdom.
Key Verses: Ezekiel 20:33-44
Judgment of the Nations (Gentiles)
Time: End of the Tribulation
Place: Earth, Mount of Olives
Details: Christ separates believing and unbelieving Gentiles; the former enter the Kingdom, and the latter are condemned.
Key Verses: Matthew 25:31-46
Judgment of Satan and His Demons
Time: End of the Millennial Kingdom
Place: Lake of Fire
Details: Satan and his angels are judged and cast into eternal torment.
Key Verses: Revelation 20:10; Jude 6“6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”
Judgment of the Unbelieving (Great White Throne Judgment)
Time: After the Millennial Kingdom
Place: Great White Throne (unknown location)
Details: All unsaved individuals are judged according to their deeds and cast into the lake of fire.
Key Verses: Revelation 20:15 “15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
Let’s look more intently at Judgment of Believers' Works
Let’s look more intently at Judgment of Believers' Works
2 Corinthians 5:10 “10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
The literal Greek term is the term bema; if you’re going to transliterate it, it’s B-E-M-A.
A raised platform mounted by steps.
We see it in Acts 18 for the seat of a judge, we see it in modern days in the Olympics.
A seat of dignity or prominence or authority.
A summary of what will happen is given in 1 Corinthians 4:5“5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”
There are no losers in Christianity. It’s a can’t-lose proposition. We will all receive praise of God. We will all go up on the reward stand. - John MacArthur
It may be that we follow in the example of the elders and caste these crowns at the feet of Jesus. Revelation 4:10–11“10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
Everything we invest our time into will not lead to a reward in Heaven.
Everything we invest our time into will not lead to a reward in Heaven.
1 Corinthians 3:15“15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”
The Bible describes these things as wood, hay, and stubble.
Even when not morally wrong, they are not eternal.
Transitional Statement: As a believer there should be nothing on this earth I want more than a full reward in Heaven to be able to worship at the feet of Jesus.
Transitional Statement: As a believer there should be nothing on this earth I want more than a full reward in Heaven to be able to worship at the feet of Jesus.
We should consider the investments already made.
We should consider the investments already made.
Compromise with false teaching leads to a loss of reward. Loss of salvation is not in view here, but the loss of full reward.
2 John 8 “8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.”
“I’m afraid that if you don’t start being vigilant about who you love and who you let in your house and who you expose yourself to, that you might lose what we labored so hard to accomplish. You’re going to go in reverse and you’re going to undo what’s been done in terms of your spiritual development.”
This is happening all around us.
Just as we rejoice in seeing many become first generation Christians we also hear an older generation mourn as their family no longer follows Jesus.
Many want to turn us away from the truth.
Many want to turn us away from the truth.
The infamous criminal Willie Sutton was once asked why he robbed banks. His reply? “Because that’s where the money is.”
A parallel reasoning motivates our enemy. Why does Satan work so hard at deceiving believers in Jesus? Why, in every generation, does he continually unleash legions of false teachers on the church? Answer: Because that’s where the worship is. The devil hates to see God honored. He will do anything to stop this. In fact, he would really like to steal this affection for himself.
Paul accuses false teachers of defrauding you of your prize. Colossians 2:18“18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,”
Everywhere the truth goes, Satan sends them and they preach their other gospel.
Jungle of Ecuador been offered a coke. Everywhere our messengers have been sent Coke and false teaching was already there.
Deception works because we think we’ll be happier if we turn away from Christ and embrace sin.
Deception works because we think we’ll be happier if we turn away from Christ and embrace sin.
Living together in love, even if surrounded by antichrists, is a happy way to live.
We have been blessed to learn the Gospel from those who know Jesus all satisfying.
We need to walk in love together because many deceivers have gone out into the world. 2 John 6–7“6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”
Kristen Mize wants to start a small, library for the families in our church. Why? Books are expensive and sharing is better. But more importantly she loves you, she loves your kids, she loves the truth.
So much has been invested in my life, by so many people.
God is doing such a wonderful work among us at this time. Our kids are blessed to have people who care for the truth around them.
All this is continually under attack. Look to yourself and examine yourself because you have a role in this fight for truth.
Let us renew our commitment to not “lose those things”
Let us renew our commitment to not “lose those things”
Paul expresses a similar desire (for full reward for his hearers) in Colossians
Colossians 3:23–24“23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
God said Paul planted, Apollos water, God gave then increase and “every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.”
He probably doesn”t surprise you when Hebrews 13 says that pastors will give an account to God for the people under their care. But do you know on that day you will be standing we will be standing beside each other. We all have a life to live for His glory.
Everyone of you should have a sense of calling in life.
There is a “full reward” awaiting you. There is also the potential of you not receiving the full reward.
God’s will for your life is not a mystery, it is revealed in His Word and we are guided by the Holy Spirit to make application to His Word.
Look out for your walk for our sake.
Look out for your walk for our sake.
2 John 8 “8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.”
God has interconnected our lives together.
We are to imagine a day together standing in the presence of Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20“19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 20 For ye are our glory and joy.”
Our lives together are not just good and enjoyable but they have eternal consequences.
The next verse explains that the doctrine of Christ is where the battle will be won or lost.
The next verse explains that the doctrine of Christ is where the battle will be won or lost.
2 John 9 “9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.”
Transgresseth: means whosoever goes beyond revealed truth and professes to teach something more profound.
Grant illustration
James 5:19–20“19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”
We are to be calling one another continually back to the Gospel.
Since Satan can’t remove a believer’s salvation, he will try everything he can to keep a believer from experiencing all the good there is to experience now and the full reward on that day of judgment.
The reward is going to come from Christ Himself.
The reward is going to come from Christ Himself.
Revelation 22:12 “12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
One of the most encouraging moments in my life came in the summer of 2002 in Boulder, CO. I was part of a group of about 75 young men from college sent throughout America to help churches with their NBT/VBS. We came home in the middle of the summer for a week of rest. We were lined up. Dr. Homsher looked us each in the eyes and rehearsed what God had allowed us to witnessed over that first month. Though He did not have the rewards to give Jesus will have nor did He have the full knowledge, that moment created a desire for me to redeem the time and make the most over every opportunity in the last month.
The thought of standing face to face with Jesus and having him say, “This is for you from me, for your faithfulness.”
SOUNDS TO GOOD TO BE TRUE. Ephesians 1:7 “7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
God is more gracious than you ever dare to believe.
Let us live our lives motivated by desire for the full reward
Let us live our lives motivated by desire for the full reward
2 John 8 “8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.”
What all is in mind? Certainly all that has been mentioned about the coming day with our Lord.
Also, the joy that is found during our days on earth. 2 John 4 “4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.”
Being led a astray from the truth will cause us to lose out on some much in this life and the life to come. STAY THE COURSE
