JOHN THE BELOVED GATHERED HIS PEOPLE AROUND HIM LIKE A GRANDFATHER GATHERING HIS LITTLE ONES

1. Note the radical change in mood- from 1:10/2:1 He becomes tender, affectionate, personal
2. The same words were used by Jesus- John 13:33 -at the last supper- & John uses them 7 times
3. John has a stern warning to give his loved ones, so he gathers them in close to himself so that they can feel the warmth of his love and not be offended by what he says

I.- "MY LITTLE CHILDREN"

There is nothing as tender as the touch of love given to little children so John speaks
The Bible reveals four stages of spiritual growth in the Christian life- be aware of them

A.- THE BABY STAGE - I Cor 3:1-4 - AND THIS IS NOT COMPLIMENTARY EITHER - ALSO CALLED CARNAL STATE!

1. The baby thinks only of himself-raises a rumpus if denied anything, easily hurt, jealous,
2. A baby lives to be served, must be fed milk, tries to talk, but never makes sense -needs love!

B.- THE LITTLE CHILD STAGE -  I John 2:12 - SOME CHRISTIANS GROW TO STAGE OF LITTLE CHILDREN - DON'T STOP THERE!

1. Often untruthful, envious, cruel, martyrs if rebuked, resentful if crossed, makes a scene
2. Tail bearers, given to emotional outbursts, easily puffed up, love praise, seeks things they like.

C.- THE YOUNG MAN STAGE - I John 2:13 - THIS SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS ADMIRABLE, NOT REACHED BY MANY - DON'T STOP THERE!

1. He is strong, has a vision, with faith & courage to tackle it; preparing for productive years
2. But without the span of years- idealistic, can be easily tricked, when wrong can do damage-strong

D.- THE FATHER STAGE - I John 2:13 - THE STAGE OF GROWTH CALLED "SPIRITUAL" - VERY FEW ATTAIN THIS!

1. The father has peace with God, & knows the peace of God, rejoices in his spiritual children
2. This one has learned spiritual contentment, knows the source of true strength- looks to future
3. He may lack the enthusiasm of youth, but he has the sure footstep of wisdom with his knowledge

Search out your own stage of growth, and do something about it - food, exercise, training - 

II.- "THAT YE SIN NOT"

John seemed to foresee a two-fold perversion of his teaching and so it already had set in-

1. "If we can never in this life escape sin- why strive after holiness?-sin is an abiding necessity
2. "If forgiveness is so easy, why dread sinning? Do it with a light heart-and prove the blood"

A.- ST AUGUSTINE WAS BOTHERED WITH THE FULL GROWTH OF THE NICOLAITANES - "So sin that grace abound"

1. There were those in the early church, and we are warned- "do what we will-Christ forgives"
2. When a doctor tells you of a sickness- he does so to warn you,-not an excuse to loaf!
3. Men have twisted the scripture to their own damnation- if you want to do the same, have fun! - Dead

B. LITTLE CHILDREN MAY PLAY WITH FIRE, BUT THOSE WHO ARE MATURE KNOW THE DANGERS OF A SPARK

1. My brother-in-law ate smoke to pull out a young boy-who had set the fire playing with matches!
2. From "fun" to "Danger" involves getting burnt a few times! - but can you bear the scars?
3. Every sin leaves its scar upon you- body, soul, spirit!- until the resurrection! 100th Birthday?

C.- LEST YOU FORGET - I John 5:16- "THERE IS A SIN UNTO DEATH" AND THIS WRITTEN TO CHRISTIANS

1. There are some sins- that do not kill,- but all scar! - 5:17 - All sin is candy coated-but bitter
2. Our culture today has lost the sense of the Sinfulness of sin - too much salve in the world!
3. But salve does not cure.  Many are encouraged into worse sins - by a little salve from a friend-

God has offered you the command, and the empowering, to make sin scarce - why not use it?

III.- "AND IF ANY MAN SIN"

God has made wonderful provision for His little children- and gathers us into his arms of care

A.- WE ALREADY HAVE OUR LAWYER - "OUR ADVOCATE, JESUS CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS" 2:1b

1. The word -Advocate- (Paraclete) is one who is called to our side to stand with us at court
2. In that day it was a friend of the accused, serving as a Character witness- to sway the judge
3. And truly our friend pleads our case in the heavenly court- than as a friend-pleads with us!

B.- "IF ANY MAN SIN" THIS IS AORIST SUBJUNCTIVE - PLAINLY POINTS OUT THAT THIS IS A SINGLE ACT!

1. John regards sin in the life of a believer as something unusual, not habitual, an accident!
2. If your heart is changed by God's love your walk will be changed too- or watch at- ulcers
3. But if you make a misstep, He is there to help you up, plead your case, teach you something

C.- JESUS CHRIST IS NOT ONLY OUR ADVOCATE, BUT ALSO OUR PROPITIATION - AND THIS COSTS SOMETHING

1. "Hilasmos"- means to appease, to conciliate the angry, God-, almost to bribe the judge!-
2. But the NT adds something to this pagan word!-something from without has broken fellowship, so Propitiation is to take care of paying the price for that which has broken in-
3. Jesus satisfied the claim of the law, so that God can forgive, and restore fellowship

SO JOHN HAS INSTRUCTED YOU, NOW SEE TO IT THAT YOU BEWARE OF SIN, BUT IF YOU FALL, CARE FOR IT.