John's Epistles: Walking in Truth
1, 2, and 3 John
"The Birthmarks of a Believer"
April 27, 2022 • Dr. Joe Martin • 1 John 5:1–5
Newborns have characteristics of their family that, in time, become even more pronounced and recognizable. The Christian life is like that. Join Pastor Joe as he explains the three "birthmarks" that identify people who are in the family of God.
Love Points Us in the Right Direction
March 16, 2022 • Dr. Joe Martin • 1 John 4:7–11
The compass is responsive to the nature of the earth. So, a Christian is responsive to the nature of God, which is love. Join Dr. Martin as he explores 1 John 4:7-11 to find God's direction regarding biblical love.
Discerning Truth from Error
March 9, 2022 • Dr. Joe Martin • 1 John 4:1–6
Can you notice the difference between truth and error? One would think spotting the difference would be simple. However, because the Bible warns about the presence of false teachers we must test the teachings of each person claiming to represent God. Listen in as Dr. Martin helps us understand the three-fold criteria to recognize biblical instruction.
Your Life is a Matter of Paternity
February 23, 2022 • Dr. Joe Martin • 1 John 3:4–10
Paternity tests have become sensationalized on courtroom dramas and day time television, but paternity is no laughing matter. Our paternity determines our family resemblance. People who are born into God’s family should bear family resemblance! Today we will see that the opposite is true as well: people who are of their father the devil will bear a resemblance to him as well. Join Dr. Martin as he explains the Apostle John's directions to examine our attitude toward sin and its corresponding birthplace of that attitude.
A Family Resemblance
February 16, 2022 • Dr. Joe Martin • 1 John 3:1–3
Children bear a strong resemblance to their parents, and the same is true of God's children. In this week's Bible study, Dr. Martin explains that Christians should bear a strong family resemblance to the Lord because they are born into God’s family.
Spiritual Safeguards Against Seducing Spirits
February 9, 2022 • Dr. Joe Martin • 1 John 2:26–29
America alone has more than 350 sects and cults, and most of them claim to base their doctrines on the Word of God. Dr. Martin explains the tactics used by cultists to recruit adherents and shares spiritual safeguards to protect yourself from anti-christian teachings.
Truth or Consequences
February 2, 2022 • 1 John 2:18–25
Faith in a lie will always cause serious consequences; faith in the truth is never misplaced. God has warned the church family about the conflict between light and darkness (1 John 1:1–2:6) and between love and hatred (1 John 2:7–17). Now He warns them about a third conflict: the conflict between truth and error. Listen as Dr. Martin explains that we must walk in truth or face the consequences!
The Love that God Hates
January 26, 2022 • Dr. Joe Martin • 1 John 2:12–17
In more than one area of life, love and hate go hand in hand. John’s first epistle has reminded us to exercise love for God and others, which is the right kind of love. Now the passage warns us that there is a wrong kind of love, a love that God hates. This is love for “the world.” Listen to Dr. Martin explain the three reasons why Christians should not love “the world.”
A Real Walk with God
January 12, 2022 • Dr. Joe Martin • 1 John 1:5—2:6
“Walking with God” involves progress, and Christians are supposed to advance in their spiritual life. And, just like learning to walk has difficulties, the fundamental difficulty involved in walking with God is the matter of sin. Listen in as Dr. Martin explains that all of us must deal with our sins if we are to enjoy the life that is real.
Eternal Life is REAL Life
January 5, 2022 • Dr. Joe Martin • 1 John 1:1–4
Written centuries ago, the biblical letter known as 1st John deals with a theme that is forever up-to-date: the life that is real. John had discovered that satisfying reality is not to be found in things or thrills, but in a Person—Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Listen to Dr. Martin explain three vital facts about the life that is real.
The Truth About Cats and Dogs
December 8, 2021 • Dr. Joe Martin • 3 John
3rd John tells us about 3 influential people. Two are serving the Lord “like a dog,” and one is prancing around the church “like a cat.” Follow along as Dr. Martin jovially explains the similarities of those addressed by John with the characteristics of dogs and cats.
The Church & The Truth
December 1, 2021 • 2 John
In John’s day, false teachers sought to infiltrate the church and peddle their false doctrine. John resisted them sternly, and he teaches us today to do the same. Listen as Dr. Martin explains that in order to resist false teachers, the Church must know the truth, walk in it, and abide in it.