By The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Leggett
Sunday, June 7, 2009 · Trinity Sunday
Sermon Text: I John 2:12-13
Sermon Theme
John has been writing about various misinterpretations of the gospel. He wants his churches to be aware of the dangers of false teaching and false beliefs. He turns now to the theme of their confidence in Christ. He assures them of who and what they are. He addresses them as “little children,” “fathers” and “young people.” These terms actually describe all Christians seeing them from different perspectives. The final goal of Christians, seen as “young people” because they have all experienced new birth in Christ, is to conquer the evil one. This is the final goal and vindication of Christian faith (I John 5:4).
Sermon Outline
- Verify. All Christians are “little children” since we have been united in Christ under one heavenly Father. John wants to verify for all believers the fact that as “little children,” our sins have been forgiven on account of Jesus’ name. Sin is a reality but it is a reality that God has overcome. Today is Trinity Sunday. The whole trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit overcomes our sin through the cross of Christ. Satan has been opposing God “from the beginning.” The reality of Satan is a result of God’s essential commitment to the freedom of creation. God’s single goal throughout history is to destroy the works of the devil and bring about the salvation of the world.
- Vigilant. The problem of evil is the fundamental issue in all of life. The first priority of the “evil one,” Satan, is the distortion of the gospel. Jesus warns that the devil has been a liar and a murderer “from the beginning.” There is a threefold identity to the Christian based on the reality of God being three in one. All Christians are “little children” because we all depend on God our heavenly Father. All Christians are “fathers” since we are all examples of faith to both believers and unbelievers. Finally, we are “young people” since we have all experienced the new birth in Christ. We are each a combination of childlike faith, fatherly experience and boldness in the new life in Christ. Satan seeks to undermine us by tempting us with childish faith, destructive experiences and over confidence. John calls us to be vigilant, remembering the gospel, and spiritually strong in our new life in Christ.
- Victory. The conquering of evil is the goal of God’s plan of salvation. In being born of God (or born again), Christians are freed from the power of the evil one. Yet Satan’s influence over us can still take many forms and his power in the world is very real. Yet John is saying, having received the new birth, we have “conquered the evil one.” We are therefore called to expose evil, confront it and, in the name of the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, overcome it. We need to be prepared for the delusions and temptations Satan puts in our path. This is all a matter of faith but our faith is the victory that overcomes the world. We cannot be hesitant Christians. We need to live out this faith.
Questions for Us
- Why do you think the problem of evil has been so disturbing throughout the ages? How does the Biblical certainty of the conquering of evil affect the way we live today?
- What are some of the examples in which all Christians are "little children," "fathers," and "young people"? Why do you think John lists "young people" last in both lists in vss. 12-14?
- How do we understand the Trinity in our walk of faith? Why do you think this doctrine is so important in Christian faith?
