Rev. Eric Landry - August 9, 2020
1 John 4:1-6
Jesus Among Other Christs - Experts estimate that there are approximately $70 million worth of counterfeit $20 bills in circulation. That’s one in every 10,000 bills. The best counterfeiters create fake bills that are nearly impossible to spot. It takes the trained eye and hands of bank tellers and federal agents to know the true bill from the fake bill. In 1 John 4, the apostle warns us against counterfeit Christs and tells us to “test” the spirits to determine whether a teacher is proclaiming the truth or a lie. Do you have what it takes to find the real Jesus among other Christs?
From Series: "The Epistles of John: Life in the Light of Christ"
This Sunday, we will begin a new summer sermon series through the three epistles of John. Over the course of this series, I hope to show you how the early church was not much different than our own church. They had to deal with internal conflicts and external persecution. They had to struggle against heresy and complacency. Their temptations to sin are much like our own. Their hope, their message, their role in society is also much like our own. This week, we’re looking at the first four verses of 1 John 1. In those verses we read John’s purpose statement: what’s the point of this letter? Surprisingly, and refreshingly, it’s about joy. After a week of tremendous sadness and grief, can we really find joy—especially in an ancient epistle like this one? I invite you to join us on Sunday as we rediscover the joy of the gospel in the initial verses of 1 John.
