[Note: We had some technical difficulties with the microphone during this class, so I have edited this audio to remove the dead spots in the recording. -MRW]

Introduction

• Acts 24:35

It leads us toward wonderful outcomes.

• Titus 2:11-14 – We must deny ourselves.
• Luke 9:23
• Jesus had perfect self-control. He is the ultimate example.
• I Corinthians 9:23-27 – Paul also showed tremendous self-control. His self-control gave him the opportunity to do much greater things.
• II Peter 2:14, 18-19 – The false teachers were denying the need for self-control.
• Self-control is more likely than talent to lead to success. Even secular research shows the benefits of self-control.
• You never outgrow your need for self-control.

We can exercise and develop it like a muscle.

• Peter developed enough self-control to be qualified as an elder.
• Galatians 5:22-25 – Self-control is a choice.
• II Peter 1:5-8 – These qualities must increase in our lives.
• Secular research shows that building self-control in one area of your life helps build self-control in other areas also.
• We can help our children exercise self-control by giving them opportunities to do so.

Introduction

• Ephesians 4:14-15

“Contrary to sound teaching” (I Timothy 1:10)

• I Timothy 1:8-10 – Homosexuality is contrary to God’s law.
• Sinful people especially need God’s law to guide them.
• Mark 2:17
• Homosexuality was a common sin in Paul’s day.
• We have all committed sin. We all need God’s grace.
• I Timothy 1:12-14
• We should not look down our noses at other people because we are all guilty of sin.
• Luke 18:9-14
• Just because we all sin doesn’t mean that any sin is okay.
• The reason Christians come out so strongly against this sin is because the world puts such a spotlight on it.
• Matthew 16:24; Colossians 3:5; I Peter 4:3; I Corinthians 7:11; I Timothy 1:10

“Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord” (I Corinthians 1:31)

• I Corinthians 1:25-31 – No one may boast before God.
• Sometimes the attitude about the sin is just as bad as the sin itself.
• I Corinthians 5:1-6
• Romans 1:26-27, 32 – Homosexuality is clearly wrong. Giving approval of homosexuality is also wrong! Compare Acts 8:1.
• Romans 6:23 – Sin causes spiritual death.
• II Timothy 3:1-5
• I John 2:16

“Such were some of you; but you were washed” (I Corinthians 6:11)

• I Corinthians 6:9-11 – The church in Corinth was made up of people who had put away all these sins.
• Whatever sin you are drawn to, God loves you!

II Corinthians 7

• II Corinthians 7:2 – Possibly, Paul had been charged with taking advantage of them in taking up a collection. See also II Corinthians 11:20; 1:3-4
• II Corinthians 7:5 – This could be describing the anxiety Paul had for the state of the Christians in Achaia and how they responded to his last letter.
• II Corinthians 7:8 – Paul’s rebuke caused them sorrow, but he did not regret it once he saw the way they handled it. He did not like rebuking them at the time, though.
• II Corinthians 7:9-10 – Godly grief causes repentance, which leads to a life with a clean conscience.
• II Corinthians 7:12 – This is an extended not-but passage. Paul did write I Corinthians for the sake of both the offender and offended, but that was not his primary purpose.
• II Corinthians 7:14 – Paul had boasted to Titus about the Corinthians and was validated in that boasting.

Introduction

• Matthew 25:31-46

“He will separate them”

• Matthew 25:31-33
• We need to live like we know the judgment is coming!
• Hebrews 9:27
• Matthew 12:26 – This will be an exacting judgment!
• Acts 10:40-43
• Am I ready to meet the judge?

“you did it to Me”

• Matthew 25:37-40
• This is not a comprehensive list of how to serve God. But these are things Jesus cares about!
• These are all relatively easy things to do. We can’t be so afraid that we can’t do something big that we end up doing nothing at all.

“you did not do it to Me”

• Matthew 25:42-45 – These are sins of omission.
• Matthew 25:18, 26-30 – The one talent man did wrong by doing nothing.
• I Timothy 5:16
• Do I assist a needy widow when I should?
• Let us not be guilty of failing to act.

“the eternal fire”

• Matthew 25:33, 41, 46 – This is Jesus saying what’s going to happen.
• Jesus did not shy away from talking about hell:
  • Matthew 5:22, 29, 30
  • Matthew 10:28
  • Matthew 12:37, 41, 42
  • Matthew 13:41-42, 49-50
  • Matthew 18:8, 9
  • Matthew 23:15, 33

Introduction

2 John 1:1-4:

1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; 2 For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever. 3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

From this passage want to notice five things.

There is a state into which all people enter who obey truth.

The elect lady and her children were in truth. John knew they were in truth by revelation. We can know who are in truth by their fruits (Matthew 7:20).

There is a correlated body of teaching known as truth which is understandable by man.

John and others knew truth. Truth has identity; is definite. Jesus also taught this (John 8:32). Truth was once a mystery, but now it has been made known and can be understood (Ephesians 3:3-4). Anything that differs in any way with this correlated body of truth is a lie (1 John 2:4; Romans 3:4).

Truth furnishes man’s motivation.

John did things for truth’s sake (2 John 1:2). Many who are members of a local church that says it is of Christ have not learned this. They use many things other than truth for motivation. They use such things as kitchens, youth camps, ball teams, etc. for motivation. They have not learned that a thing cannot be done for truth’s sake if truth has not authorized it. Let us use some examples of doing things for truth’s sake. Abraham offered his son for truth’s sake (Genesis 22). Noah built an ark for truth’s sake. Abel offered a blood offering for truth’s sake (Genesis 4). Israelites, for truth’s sake, had to offer their offerings at the place where God had put His name (Exodus 20:24). We must do many things for truth’s sake. One who believes is baptized in the Name of Jesus for truth’s sake. We must, for truth’s sake, exalt Christ’s local church over manmade institutions that are made for religious work and worship. In short, we must contend for the truth (Jude 3).

Truth is the governing principle of the Christian’s life.

The people of our text walked in truth. Truth dwells in the Christian (2 John 1:2). Truth is to be believed. It is to be loved. It is to be obeyed.

Note: The silence of the scripture must be respected also.

Truth is indestructible.

Truth will be with us forever (2 John 1:2). Truth endureth forever (1 Peter 2:25).

Also, truth will judge in the last day. John 12:48:

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

From 2 John 3, we learn that it will be grace and peace for those who have walked in truth.

Let us be sure we believe, love and obey the truth now, and make it the guide of our lives. If so, it will be our salvation.

Jesse Jenkins