Swim with the wise. They stay with the Lead Swimmer.

The People of the Lord

(1 John 2:19, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, June 12, 2016)

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

In the prior verse, the Apostle John writes of multiple antichrists. A brief examination of 1 and 2 Thessalonians (man of lawlessness), 1 John 2:18, 22, 2:4, 2 John 7 (antichrist/s), and Revelation (beast and company), reveal a summary portrait of the antichrists that are in league with Satan: Antichrists specialize in lies, particularly about Jesus, and lawless disobedience against the Word of God. Antichristism as a disease has reached its final stages when one person/society demands for himself/themselves the worship and absolute obedience that is due to the Triune God alone.

They went out from us,

In 1 John 2:19, John is still writing about these antichrists. He says, “They went out from us.” The “us” referred to here is the church. The antichrists were once a part of the church, but then they went out from it. We are not given the details of what took place. Just that they were once in, but now they are out.

But they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.

Were these antichrists ever really sincere followers of the Lord? John insists that “they were not of us.” What is his point? Those who are sincerely of the body of Christ demonstrate their belonging in part by remaining in that body. If as some evidently did, they stop confessing “the coming of Jesus in the flesh,” (2 John 7) if they no longer “abide in the teaching of Christ,” (2 John 9) then they have demonstrated that they were never really “of us.”

But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

This is not something that we can diagnose perfectly at the present moment. Eventually there will be perfect clarity concerning the true children of God. (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Romans 8:19) And there will be a permanent separation between the church and the antichurch. (Revelation 20:10, 15, 21:1-8) Until that day, the word of the Spirit and the church is “Come!” (Revelation 22:17) Nonetheless, sometimes people show that they are not of us before the final hour, normally through their own choice to renounce any association with the church.

A sincere life in the fellowship of a worshiping community is an important element of the Christian experience. Jesus identified with His church. (Acts 9:4, Hebrews 2:12-13) So should we. Not every departure from a church is a sign of antichrist disease. But some are. Sad. [Example of “Rev.” Moon.] Very commonly a departure from the body of Christ takes place over generations. Example of Bishop J. C. Ryle (1816-1900), clergyman son Dean Herbert Edward Ryle (1856-1925), philosopher grandson Gilbert Ryle (1900-1976).

Application: Swim with Jesus not by just holding on to a life-preserver and drifting along the river. Keep your eye on Him, and swim with the wise. Jesus is our only propitiation. (1 John 2:2)

Old Testament Reading—Proverbs 11:19, 12:26, 13:20, 14:1, 15:31, 16:25, 17:3 – Walking with the wise

Gospel Reading—Luke 7:11-17 – God has power to raise the dead. He has visited His people.