The Purifying Hope

1st John 2:28 – 3:3

1 John 2:28-3:3Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him. 3:1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

• A Call for Christ-like Living (2:6)– John shares three incentives for a Christ-like

life– These combine to make up John’s purifying

hope

• The Return of Christ Is Central to This Hope– John wrote of it in the Book of Revelation– His heart turned to this truth

• Why John Chose Purity of Life

1 John 2:6the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked

Because He Didn’t Want to Be Ashamed (1st John 2:28)

• Nothing more sure than Christ’s return– The promise of Jesus (John 14:1-3)– The promise of angels (Acts 1:11)– The promise of Paul (1st Thess. 4:13-18)

1 John 2:28Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming

John 14:1-3 Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

Acts 1:11They also said, " Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven."

1 Thess 4:13-18But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words

Because He Didn’t Want to Be Ashamed (1st John 2:28)

• Nothing more sure than Christ’s return• Christ will come when least expected (Matt

24:44)• His return will occur in a moment (1st Cor

15:51-52)– Some will be ashamed– Caught in acts of sin– Minds filled with evil thoughts– Words and actions that would grieve God

1 Cor 15:51-52Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Matt 24:44"For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will

Because He Didn’t Want to Be Ashamed (1st John 2:28)

• Nothing more sure than Christ’s return

• Christ will come when least expected (Matt 24:44)

• His return will occur in a moment (1st Cor 15:51-52)

• John encourages us to live clean and not be ashamed.

Because He Appreciated His Position (1st John 3:1)

• Two things John couldn’t find words to express– The love of God (John 3:16)– That sinners are made sons (John 1:12)

1 John 3:1See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life

John 1:12But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

Because He Appreciated His Position (1st John 3:1)

• Two things John couldn’t find words to express

• A simple fisherman, a child of the Most High God

• This high position made John grateful– He wanted to live worthy of his position (1st

Thess 2:12)– He wanted to live like a child of the King (1st

Pet 2:9)

1 Thess 2:12encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory

1 Peter 2:9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood , a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Because He Appreciated His Position (1st John 3:1)

• Two things John couldn’t find words to express

• A simple fisherman, a child of the Most High God

• This high position made John grateful

• John was ready for the world’s rejection

• His main desire was to be like Jesus

Because He Anticipated a Personal Meeting with Christ

• We will all stand before Christ (2nd Cor 5:10)

• Some will be changed to be like Christ (1st John 3:2-3)

• We should long to see our Savior• This hope should keep us pure• How has the hope of Christ’s return

changed you?• Are you ready for the Lord’s return today?

2 Cor 5:10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.1 John 3:2-3Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure

• Live life so your not ashamed

• Value your position

• Anticipate His return

End