God is Greater Than Error: Sermon from 1 John 4

1 John 4:4 “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

Note: This passage of Scripture speaks of the spirit of Antichrist.

Note: John reminded us that the spirit of antichrist is already in the world. 

Note: The Antichrist doesn’t deny Christ but claims to be Christ.

Note: The “instead of Christ” spirit began with Cain in the book of Genesis.

Note: Cain wanted to come to God his own way. He offered God a sacrifice that wasn’t what God had instructed.

Note: A blood sacrifice was required, which was a picture of the Lamb of God who would crush the head of the serpent.

Note: But Cain had his own ideas. 

Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death”

Note: Cain had a way that seemed right, but it wasn’t what God ordained.

Note: Cain came his own way.

Frank Sinatra sang a song in 1969 entitled “My Way.”  He declares in the song, I did it my way. There are many in this world that rejects God’s pathway and goes their own way.

Note: It’s the spirit of Antichrist to do it our way and replace Christ with something else.

Note: John is speaking of False Teachers that were in Asia Minor in 1 John 4:1

1 John 4:1 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

Note: Many were being being carried away by the spirit of error.

Note: Believers were falling prey to the latest fads in spiritual teaching.

Note: So John says in Verse 2, put them to the test, and try the Spirits.

I believe this is speaking of an element of the spiritual warfare that Christians are engaged in. 

Spiritual beings trying to deceive.

We know that Satan is an angel of light and one who deceives the world. 

He has been busy trying to blind the minds of those who do not believe. 

Many false religions in our world today have their origins with an “angelic” being giving a message to the world to reform Christianity. 

Mormonism and islam to name a few.

It’s sad to say that as people set out on a quest for knowledge it normally leads them further away from God. 

But the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. So, what is the answer? 

John says to try the spirits.

Note: What is the test?

Note: The test is found in 1 John 4:3, Who is Jesus Christ? It’s a statement that speaks of the incarnation of Jesus – that God robed Himself in flesh and dwelt among us. Ultimately dying for our sins.

Note: Who is Jesus Christ? It’s the question that was asked of Peter and Martha. 

Note: Note the words of Martha after the death of Lazarus. 

John 11:26–27 “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.”

Note: Also notice the words of Peter.

John 6:66–69 “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Mark 8:27–29 “And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.”

Matthew 16:17 “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”

Note: So the work of God through His Son is revealed to us by God. 

Note: Jesus is light given to a lost and dying world. 

Note: We are invited to come to Christ for Salvation. 

Note: But the Devil isn’t sitting back letting people just come to Jesus.

Note: The Devil is fighting hard to confuse and contaminate the minds of people so that they would be conquered.

Note: We are in the care of Christ. Only what God allows, can the devil do to us. 

Note: But the devil doesn’t leave us alone. He tries to keep us from running our race well for the glory of God. 

Note: But within each of us is this powerful aid that’s always available. 

Note: The power to defeat or overcome the false teachers, John declares, is found in the teaching and instruction of the Holy Spirit that indwells us.

John 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

Note: It is the Holy Spirit that leads us into that truth for our lives. 

1 John 2:27 “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”

Note: So John writes to these believers. These little Children in the Lord. 

Note: I want to show you three simple truths this morning. 

Note: These powerful three truths can revolutionize our lives if we allow them to this morning. 

Note: It’s how we thrive in a confusing world. 

Note: It’s how we finish our race, bringing glory to God. 

Note: It’s how we live an authentic Christian life. Allowing God to guide our lives, and not live according to own desires and will. 

Note: What Does John say to these Believers?