Sermons from 1 John Ken Trivette

Billy Sunday traveled the length and breath of this country during the 20’s and 30’s calling for people to hit the “sawdust trail.” Thousands were converted under his tabernacles and ministry. He never cut any corners or left any doubt how he felt about sin and certain evils. He said, “I’m against sin. I’ll kick it as long as I’ve got a foot, and I’ll fight it as long as I’ve got a fist. I’ll butt it as long as I’ve got a head. I’ll bite it as long as I’ve got a tooth. When I’m old and fistless and footless and toothless, I’ll gum it till I go home to Glory and it goes home to perdition.”

Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman used to tell of a Methodist preacher who often spoke on the subject of sin. He minced no words, but defined sin as “that abominable thing that God hates.” A leader in his congregation came to him on one occasion and urged him to cease using the ugly word. “Pastor,” he said, “We wish you would not speak so plainly about sin. Our young people, hearing you, will be more likely to indulge in sin. Call it something else, a “inhibition,” or “error” or a “mistake,” or even “a twist in our nature.”

“I understand what you mean,” the preacher remarked and going to his desk brought out a little bottle. “This bottle,” he said, “contains strychnine. You will see that the red label here reads “Poison.” Would you suggest that I change the label, and paste one on that says, “Wintergreen?” He made his point. You can call sin by other names, but none-the-less, it is still sin.

When it came to sin, John minced no words, cut no corners, and did not leave his readers wondering how he felt or what he believed. He labeled sin for just what it is. In verses 3-4, he once again calls our attention to sin in the life of the believer. In chapter one he denounced the denial of sin. (Cp. 1:6, 8, 10). In chapter two he discouraged the desire for sin (2:1). Now, in chapter three he defines the disobedience and describes the defilement of sin. He speaks of what sin is and how it affects us as believers.

When the Emperor arrested Chrysostom and tried to make him recant, he shook his head. The Emperor said to his guards, “Throw him into prison.”

“No,” said one of them, “he will be glad to go, for he delights in the presence of his God in quiet!”

“Well, execute him,” said the Emperor.

“He will be glad to die,” said the soldier, “for he wants to go to heaven, I heard him say so the other day.

“There is only one thing that can give Chrysostom pain, and that is, to make him sin; he said he was afraid of nothing but sin. If you can make him sin, you will make him unhappy.”

As Christians, we should be afraid of sin, yea; even hate sin. Why should we hate sin? Let’s notice verses 4-6 and consider three reasons that John gives us.

First, there is:

1. THE LAW THAT IS DISOBEYED

We read in verse 4. "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." Sin is defined many ways in the Bible. Three examples are:

(1) hamartano = missing the mark

(2) paraptoma = to slip, stumble, deviate

(3) poneria = to be depraved, actively evil

In 1 John 3:4, John gives us another word for sin. It is the word anomeeah which speaks of a violation of God’s law. As we think of this definition of sin we are reminded first:

B) The Dedication To God's Law That Is Expected

When John speaks of the “law” he is not necessarily thinking about the Ten Commandments or the Law as described in the Old Testament. He is speaking of God’s Word as a whole and the spiritual laws that are to govern our life. He is speaking of all the laws and commands of God in the Bible. You could say that the Bible is the laws of heaven for life on earth. The Bible declares to us the life that God condemns, the life that God commends and the life that God commands.

Shortly after she had her baby, Madonna was interviewed by a reporter and one the questions she was asked was, "What type of religion are you going to give to your little baby?" Madonna answered, "I am baptizing her Catholic. There are things about Catholicism I disagree with but there a lot of things I am still intrigued by. I still go to Church and light candles. The Church provides a kind of sanctuary and a sense of community. I'll teach her about Catholicism, but also about other religions, especially Buddhism, Judaism, and the Cabala, which is ancient Jewish lore. My own religion combines all of those things. I would rather present the Bible to my daughter as some very interesting stories you could learn from, rather than that it is the rule you must live by."

The Bible gives us God’s law for life. It is the rule we should live by as Christians. As Christians, it is expected of us to dedicate our lives to living as God has told us in His Word.

Secondly, we notice:

B) The Violation Of God's Law That Is Explained

John tells us that when we sin it is an act of violating God’s law. He speaks of “transgressing” the law. As I said earlier, the word that he uses for “sin” speaks of violating God’s law. When we sin we break God’s law. It is a rebellion against what we know is right. This is the first reason why we should hate sin: It is a violation of God’s law.

In 1 John 2:3-5 we noticed that a believer has a desire to keep the commandments of God. This desire is the evidence that one has been saved. A lack of desire to keep God's commandments is evidence that one is not saved.

Understanding that sin is a violation of God's law, a law that a believer desires to keep, we are given a reason not to sin. Secondly, notice with me another reason not to sin as we think about:

2. THE LORD THAT IS DISPLEASED

We read in verse 5, "And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin." The second reason why a Christian should hate sin has to do with the Lord Himself. How we live is but a reflection of what we think of Christ and how we feel about Him. If Christ has a lowly position in your life, you will take sin lightly. If Christ has a lofty place in your life, you will take sin seriously.

Notice with me that John speaks of:

A) His Atonement For Sin

John reminds us once again that Jesus was "manifested" (Cp. 1:2). The word means, “to render apparent,” to "reveal." This manifestation speaks of His coming to this earth. Why did the Lord Jesus come to this earth? The purpose was to make atonement for our sin whereby our sins could be forgiven (take away).

Secondly, John describes:

B) His Absence Of Sin

We read in 2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” He was “made” sin. He was made an atonement for sin. Yet, He Himself knew no sin. He was without sin.

One fellow said that the only perfect person he knew was his wife’s first husband. Another fellow told of his sergeant in basic training, who said, “Don’t question anything I say or tell you to do. Don’t worry—I hardly ever make mistakes. Matter of fact, I’ve made only one mistake in my life. I once thought I was wrong about something. It turned out I wasn’t.”

Jesus was perfect and sinless. The Bible tells us that He abhors sins. We read in Hebrews 1:9, “Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity.” Understanding how our Lord feels about sin gives us a second reason why Christians should hate sin. Sin in our life displeases our Lord.

If you do not love the Lord then it will not be that big of a deal when you sin. On the other hand, if you love Him, it will be a big deal to you when you sin for you know that it displeases him.

A third reason not to sin is found in:

3. THE LIFE THAT IS DISTURBED

We read in verse 6, "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him." A third reason why Christians should hate sin has to do with our fellowship. John has spoken of "abiding" on several occasions up to this point (Cp. 2:28). The word “abideth” speaks of staying in a given place, state, or relation. It describes our fellowship with the Lord.

As we think of this fellowship, we think of:

A) The Benefits Of Fellowship

John speaks of “seeing” the Lord. To see someone means that you are in their presence. He also speaks of “knowing” the Lord. When we have fellowship with Him, we not only are in His presence, but we become acquainted with Him.

During the last presidential campaign, the day before elections, George W. Bush stopped in Chattanooga. I got tickets for the boys and myself for I thought, it is rare to see a president (or future president) and especially on the day before elections. We went out to the airport to see him. Now I saw Him. I stood less than 20 yards from him. But, I cannot make the claim that I know Him.

However, I can say that I know the Lord. I have met Him personally. Through the years I have had the privilege of getting to know Him better. The benefit of fellowship is that we become better acquainted with the Lord.

Secondly, John speaks of:

B) The Breaking Of Fellowship

John tells us that if we are abiding in Him we do not sin. The implication being that being right with God is essential to have fellowship with God. (Cp. 1:6-7) In these words we are given our third reason for hating sin. It breaks our fellowship with God.

If our fellowship is broken, then we are no longer able to enjoy His presence and person. I think of David's words in Psalm 51:10-12, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit." His words remind us that sin breaks our fellowship with God.

Why should a believer hate sin? What are the deterrents to sin? When we sin we break God's law, we are so unlike the Lord Jesus, and it prevents us having the wonderful fellowship we can have with Jesus.

DO WE NEED ANOTHER REASON?