In this enlightening episode, we explore the didactic teachings of 2 John, revealing how truth serves as a fundamental pillar of faith. Our journey emphasizes the various aspects of truth, from embracing it to following it sincerely. Tune in as we discuss practical insights and spiritual encouragement, seeking to deepen our understanding and application of scriptural truths.
Today, friends, let’s talk truth. That’s right. Today, our study in 2 John is coming up from the International Gospel Hour. Stay with us.
SPEAKER 02 :
Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. Welcome to our broadcast today. For over 90 years, Churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s Word through our broadcasts. Just ahead is another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour. Let’s begin.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, thank you to our J-Web and greetings to everyone. Great having you with us today for our broadcast from the International Gospel Hour. Now, if you are a new listener or relatively new, I’d like to share with you some other things about our work real quickly. We have a number of options for your listening pleasure and Bible study. Now, you are currently listening to one of our 15-minute daily broadcasts. They are available five days a week, and we are thankful for you tuning in and for the station or platform to which you are listening. And as I say at the end of the broadcast, friends, keep listening right here on this station or platform of your choice for International Gospel Hour. You will also have available our 30-minute broadcast, and occasionally you may hear our shorter segments called Are You Listening?, 60 Seconds for the Savior, and A Couple of Minutes for Christ. We also have a weekly television broadcast via our YouTube channel, which is simply International Gospel Hour. We’re also available on a number of over-the-air television markets. You can find our programming options at our website, internationalgospelhour.com. Scroll down just a bit and you’ll see all of our programs, even our Hispanic podcast, Cristianos de Elis, with our friend and brother, Marlon Ratana of SpanishBibleSchool.org. How thankful we are for every opportunity to speak the oracles of God, according to 1 Peter 4 and verse 11, and to declare the counsel of God, Acts 20 and verse 27. Thank you for joining us and stay right here where you listen to International Gospel Hour. Let’s consider the book of 2 John today, shall we? We’re going to begin with verses 1 through 6 and then a few words from our J-Web. Then we’ll come back with our study today, 2 John, Walking in Truth. The Elder, to the elect lady and her children whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever. Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Father, or the Son of the Father, in truth and love. I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth as we received commandment from the Father. And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. This is love that we walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment that, as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. And now, friends, a few words from our J-Web, and we’ll be back for our study today.
SPEAKER 02 :
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SPEAKER 01 :
Friends, the book of 2 John, of course, was written by John the Apostle, calling himself as the Elder, referring as an aged one, Actually, he is believed to be the only apostle that died a natural death. First, second, and third John are believed to have been written together. Dealing with error in that day, John brings forth, first of all, those walking in truth in verses 1 through 6. Truth is very dominant throughout this whole book of 2 John. And of course, this stands true for God’s word is truth, John 17 and verse 17. Let’s consider our lesson text and note the following with me. Of those who walk in truth. Those who walk in truth, number one, they know truth. Jesus said in John 8 and verse 32, You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. We can know God’s will for our lives. In 2 Peter 1, 21 and 22, Peter says, Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. So, friends, as truth is brought forth, God has placed it that we can know truth. Number two, we can love truth. That goes back to verse 1, of those whom John said he loves in truth. And in verse 5, that we love one another. John has been often known as the apostle of love. It is said, and this is a historical reference, friends, that when John came back to Jerusalem from the Isle of Patmos, where he was banned because of his faith, that by that time he was an aged soul who would walk the streets and would say over and over, My little children love one another. Third, those who walk in truth accept truth. They know it, they love it, they accept it. In Psalm 119, verse 11, Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. In verse 2, John reminds them of the truth that will abide in us and will be with us forever. When we know truth and love truth and accept truth, then it dwells within and it continues to blossom and to grow. Number four, there is dependable truth. Remember verse two once again, the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever. We can depend on truth. Truth is dependable. We are certain of it. In 1 Peter 2, beginning with verse 23, Peter writing concerning the Christ, who, when he was reviled, reviled not again, when he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously, who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness, by whose stripes you were healed. For you were as sheep going astray, but are now returned unto the shepherd and bishop of your souls. We can depend on God’s word. We can depend on the Christ because God could depend on him. When he suffered, he threatened not. When he was reviled, he reviled not again. But he committed himself. And we can depend on truth. When we look back at verse 3 of 2 John, we note grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. Grace, mercy, peace, truth, and love all loaded in that one verse. Well, friends, as we embrace grace, mercy, and peace, which is truth, grace is God’s approach to the sinner. It is God’s grace through faith that one may be saved. It’s not of ourselves. It is the gift of God. Ephesians 2, verse 8. The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lust, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. Titus 2, 11 and 12. Grace is God’s approach to the sinner, and as we’ve noted, mercy is God’s love to the sinner, and peace is God’s result of grace, mercy, and love to the sinner. But notice, dear friends, as we embrace the Father and as we embrace the Lord Jesus Christ, we embrace truth. As grace, mercy, and peace is there, we have the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. And we must hold to that dearly. Fifth, those that walk in truth, or those who walk in truth rather, follow truth. Well, it would only make sense. Verses 4 and 6 speaks of those that are walking in truth. You know, a special thought concerning the ladies’ children as worded here. What are our children walking in today, friends? He did not reply, I hear your children are involved in good athletic teams, good schools, good jobs, etc. He acknowledged the most important thing, walking in truth. In Psalm 1, verses 1 and 2, Blessed is the man that walks in the counsel of the ungodly. Or rather, blessed is the man who walks in the counsel of the ungodly. Let me begin that again, friends. Psalm 1 and verse 1. Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in it doth he meditate day and night. I knew I’d get it there. Bear with me. So, friend, we need to know truth, love truth, accept truth, depend on truth, embrace and follow truth. Would you love to know more? Would you love to go in that right direction, walking in truth? Oh, friends, we are excited to offer another Bible course from International Gospel Hour. For a few words on how to get that course, here is our Jay Webb.
SPEAKER 02 :
An additional Bible study by mail is now available from International Gospel Hour. It’s titled, God and Man, How to Be Saved from Sin. This study booklet addresses a number of questions about the salvation from God to man. And friends, like all materials, it’s free. Call us toll free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address and just say God and man. Or you can go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, and leave us the same information, name, address, and type God and man in the message box. Another Bible study that is free from IGH. And our friends at godandman.com. That’s god-and-man.com. And, you know, since you can’t see it, let me just spell that out for you. G-O-D-A-N-D-M-A-N.com We’d love to hear from you.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well friends, again, we hope that you will try that great study, God and Man, How to Be Saved from Sin. It’s an awesome booklet. And again, it’s free, just as is everything we offer from International Gospel Hour. An awesome study of 2 John, Walking in Truth. That we can know truth, love truth, accept truth, depend on truth, embrace truth, and follow truth. When we do that, we will walk as God would have us to go. Now, in our next broadcast concerning 2 John, we’re going to be looking at the opposite side, beginning with verse 7, of avoiding the things that be of error. If we know, love, accept, depend, embrace, and follow truth, then we will not be going the wrong way. Again, folks, we hope that this study today has been of help to you, and we hope that you’ll join us again at our next time. We’ll continue those studies then, but for now, thank you for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour broadcast. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
SPEAKER 02 :
Thank you for listening to our broadcast today, and we hope you continue onward with your search and study of God’s Word. God be with you till we meet again.
