1 John 2:3-10 Tests reveal where we are compared to where we should be in specific areas. Do you really know God? Do you obey God? Do you walk like Jesus walked? Do you love your brethren?

1. THE TEST FOR
AUTHENTIC
CHRISTIANITY

2. 1 John 2:3-10 Now by this we know that we know Him,
if we keep His commandments. [4] He who says, "I
know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is
a liar, and the truth is not in him. [5] But whoever
keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in
him. By this we know that we are in Him. [6] He who
says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just
as He walked. [7] Brethren, I write no new
commandment to you, but an old commandment
which you have had from the beginning. The old
commandment is the word which you heard from the
beginning. [8] Again, a new commandment I write to
you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the
darkness is passing away, and the true light is already
shining. [9] He who says he is in the light, and hates
his brother, is in darkness until now. [10] He who
loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no
cause for stumbling in him.

3. CHRISTIANITY?
A. Authenticity is vitally important
especially in Christianity
B. How do we know Genuine
Christianity?
C. John gives a simple three
question test in 1 John 2:3-10.

4. I. "DO YOU KNOW GOD?"
v. 3-5
1 John 2:3-5 Now by this we know
that we know Him, if we keep His
commandments. 4
He who says, "I
know Him," and does not keep His
commandments, is a liar, and the
truth is not in him. 5
But whoever
keeps His word, truly the love of
God is perfected in him. By this we
know that we are in Him.

5. I. "DO YOU KNOW GOD?" v. 3-5
A. Knowing Someone and KNOWING
Someone
1. Elvis? Barack Obama? Donald Trump?
2. We meet people regularly, they’re called
acquaintances
3. Then we have friends, good friends, and
then close friends
4. Where does God fit into that list of
categories?
a. Do you know OF God?
b. Do you know ABOUT God?
c. Or do you REALLY KNOW God?

6. B. How do you know if you know God?
v. 3--Now by THIS we know that we know
Him, IF we keep His commandments. He
who says, "I know Him," and does NOT
keep His commandments, is a liar, and the
truth is NOT in him.
1. Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says
to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the
kingdom of heaven, but he who does the
will of My Father in heaven. 22
Many will
say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we
not prophesied in Your name, cast out
demons in Your name, and done many
wonders in Your name?' 23
And then I will
declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart
from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

7. B. How do you know if you know God?
v. 3--Now by THIS we know that we
know Him, IF we keep His
commandments. He who says, "I
know Him," and does NOT keep His
commandments, is a liar, and the truth
is NOT in him.
1. Matthew 7:21-23
a. How could people who thought
they knew God be lost?
b. They used the WRONG test!
Prophesy, demons, wonders
c. The RIGHT test is Did we obey
GOD?

8. B. How do you know if you know God?
1. Matthew 7:21-23
2. Hebrews 5:8-9 though He was a
Son, yet He learned obedience by
the things which He suffered. 9
And
having been perfected, He became
the author of eternal salvation to all
who obey Him,
a. It is not our position, or our
ability, or our intelligence
b. It is our obedience that proves we
know God.

9. GENUINE
CHRISTIANS
OBEY THE
LORD!

10. II. DO YOU WALK LIKE
JESUS? v. 6
1 John 2:6 He who says he
abides in Him ought
himself also to walk just
as He walked.

11. II. DO YOU WALK LIKE JESUS? v. 6
A. Jesus walked submissively.
1. In the garden of Gethsemane, Luke 22:42
saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take
this cup away from Me; nevertheless not
My will, but Yours, be done."
2. On the cross, Luke 23:46 And when
Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He
said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit
My spirit.' " Having said this, He
breathed His last.

12. II. DO YOU WALK LIKE JESUS? v. 6
B. Jesus walked Humbly.
1. When reviled, 1 Peter 2:23 who, when
He was reviled, did not revile in return;
when He suffered, He did not threaten,
but committed Himself to Him who
judges righteously;
2. Humbled himself, Philippians 2:8 And
being found in appearance as a man, He
humbled Himself and became obedient
to the point of death, even the death of
the cross.

13. II. DO YOU WALK LIKE JESUS? v. 6
C. Jesus walked Lovingly.
1. As He washed the disciples' feet. John 13:5
After that, He poured water into a basin and
began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe
them with the towel with which He was girded.
2. Compassion for a multitude. Matthew 9:36 But
when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with
compassion for them, because they were weary
and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
3. The rich young ruler. Mark 10:21 Then Jesus,
looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One
thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you
have and give to the poor, and you will have
treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross,
and follow Me."

14. GENUINE
CHRISTIANS
WALK LIKE
JESUS.

15. III. "Do you Love your Brethren?" v. 7-10
1 John 2:7-11 Brethren, I write no new
commandment to you, but an old
commandment which you have had from the
beginning. The old commandment is the word
which you heard from the beginning. 8
Again, a
new commandment I write to you, which thing
is true in Him and in you, because the darkness
is passing away, and the true light is already
shining. 9
He who says he is in the light, and
hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10
He
who loves his brother abides in the light, and
there is no cause for stumbling in him.

16. III. "Do you Love your Brethren?" v. 7-10
A. Jesus made the same statement in John
13:34-35 A new commandment I give to
you, that you love one another; as I have
loved you, that you also love one another. 35
By this all will know that you are My
disciples, if you have love for one another."
B. John 15:12 he said "This is my
commandment, that you love one another
as I have loved you." Did you hear that?

17. III. "Do you Love your Brethren?" v. 7-10
C. Genuine Christianity is Loving Like Jesus!
1. Would you be willing to love even if it
cost your life? Jesus did! Ephesians 5:2
And walk in love, as Christ also has
loved us and given Himself for us, an
offering and a sacrifice to God for a
sweet-smelling aroma.
2. Would you die for an enemy? Jesus did!
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His
own love toward us, in that while we
were still sinners, Christ died for us.

18. III. "Do you Love your Brethren?" v. 7-10
D. GENUINE CHRISTIANS love
unconditionally.
E. GENUINE CHRISTIANS love the
unlovable, harsh, rude, arrogant, ugly,
hateful, mockers, abusers, liars,
adulterers, murderers.
F. GENUINE CHRISTIANS do not love in
word or in tongue, but in deed and in
truth." (1 John 3:18)

19. IF YOU ARE A GENUINE,
AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN…
A. You will know & obey God
B. You will walk like Jesus walked
C. You will love like Jesus loved
ARE YOU A GENUINE,
AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN?