The Spirit of Error: Conquered in Christ

Sermon Outline

Introduction

• Perilous Times for the True Believer
• A Worldly Mindset Cultivated by the Spirit of Error

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

• Abide in Christ: Evidenced by Keeping Christ’s Commandments
• Christ Abides in the True Believer: Evidence by the Spirit Given Us

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

• The Warning (v. 1)
• The Test (vs. 2-3)
• Confessing Rightly - the Person of Christ
• Confessing Rightly - The Work of Christ
• The Subtle Deceptions of Satan pervade everywhere

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

• The First Ground of our Victory – Our Union with Christ (v. 4; 1 John 2:14; 16:33; Rom. 8:37; Revelation 12:11; John 10:28-29)

• The Second Ground of our Victory – A Different Disposition (v. 5; John 15:19; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11; Isaiah 30:10-11; John 10:27)

• The Children of God Hear the True Preachers & Teachers of God (v. 6; 1 Corinthian 2:12-14; John 14:17; 15:26; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Ephesians 2:2)

Conclusion and Application

• “By This We Know the Spirit of Truth & the Spirit of Error”

• Put Our Trust in Him Who is Greater Than the World (Acts 4:19-20) – “Here I Stand” Luther)