The Spirit of Truth vs. The Spirit of Error

Sermon Outline:

Introduction

• The Blind Leading the Blind (Luke 6:39)
• The Deception of False Teachers & Prophets (Matthew 24:24; Acts 20:29-30)

I. The Reassuring Truth of the Spirit Given to Those Born of God (3:24)

• Abide in Christ: Evidenced by Keeping Christ’s Commandments (Heidelberg Catechism #64; John 15:5)
• Christ Abides in the True Believer: Evidence by the Spirit Given Us (John Chapters 14-16; 1 John 2:20; Matthew 18:20)

II. The Warning and the Test (4:1-3)

• The Warning (v. 1; Genesis Chapters 3-5; Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 11:14-15; Matthew 24:24)
• The Test (vs. 2-3)
o Confessing Rightly Concerning the Person of Christ (John 1:1-14; 8:58; 10:30, 34-39; Philippians 2:5-9; Colossians 1:15-19; 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:9-10, 17; 1 John 1:1-3; Revelation 1:8, 11, 17-18; 19:11-16; 22:12-13, 20)
o Confessing Rightly Concerning The Work of Christ
o The Subtle Deceptions of Satan pervade everywhere and Seen in the Different Religions of the World

III. The Victory that Belongs to All Who Are Born of God (vs. 4-6): (Next Lord’s Day)

Conclusion and Application

• Listen to Teachers & Preachers with Discernment
• Are you confessing Jesus Christ as He is revealed in Scripture?