From Encounter to Transformation

White Stone Church

From Encounter to Transformation

April 15, 2024 • Brock Tharpe • 1 John 2:1–6

It is impossible to have an encounter with a holy God without being changed by it. We see it play out time and time again throughout the narrative of scripture. From Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush, to Isaiah's vision of Yahweh on his throne in the temple, to Paul's encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus; it is clear that when we encounter God's presence, we walk away differently.

In the second chapter of 1 John, the author of the letter speaks to the authenticity of our faith, making the bold claim that if we claim to know Jesus, but we do not walk in the way he did— if we have not been changed by an encounter with him— then we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. In this message, Brock breaks down the second chapter of 1 John, and teaches on what it means to have an authentic faith— how to keep an aroma of heaven about us, even through the changing seasons of life.

Bring it to Light

April 8, 2024 • Cody Zimmerman • 1 John 1, James 5:16, 2 Chronicles 7:14

The book of First John begins with a bold claim: “God is Light, and there is no darkness in him at all.” And because of that, we are called to be people who walk in the light, not under the cover of darkness and pretension. It’s no surprise then that John immediately tells us to confess our sins to each other. The rhythm of regular confession is something that many of us leave out of the rule of Christian living. Maybe we do this because we don’t think we need to, or maybe it’s because we intentionally want people to think more highly of us. Whatever the reason, a consistent rhythm of confession; for the purpose of building up, not of shame, can create opportunities in our life for deeper intimacy with God, deeper community with each other, lasting healing from sin, and greater spiritual maturity.

The Song of the Redeemed

April 22, 2024 • Brock Tharpe • 1 John 2:12–14, Isaiah 43:6–7, Romans 3:23, 1 Peter 3:18, 2 Corinthians 5:21

There is a song of worship that even the angels cannot sing. Just think about that for a second. We see references to it throughout the Bible, and it has come to be referred to as "the Song of the Redeemed." The angels can't sing it is because they have never been rescued like we have— they have never tasted separation from God, and the hopelessness that comes with it. And likewise, they have never experienced the life-altering grace and kindness and rescue that was made possible through the work of Jesus. And because redemption is not a part of their story, they cannot join in the Song of the Redeemed. Verses 12-14 of 1 John chapter 2 are markedly different from any other verses in the letter. They are written in the form of poetry, mimicking a song or a dance. After spending the majority of chapter 2 warning against hypocrisy, the author shifts and affirms the authenticity of his listeners' faith— almost like he is reminding them of their redemption and is encouraging them to once again sing out in the song of the redeemed. In this message, Brock gives a powerful presentation of the Gospel, and invites us all to learn the song of our redemption, and to join in the great symphony of God's redeemed.

Love One Another

April 29, 2024 • Colby Dorcely • 1 John 4:7–12

What is the difference between knowing about God and knowing God? Although it is a small letter, 1 John is packed full of ideas that have incredibly vast implications for what we believe and how we live. Three of the main themes covered in the letter are: sound doctrine about who Jesus is, obedience to his commands, and love. All three of these themes work together to give a full picture of what it looks like to genuinely know God through Jesus. As we have gone through the first two chapters verse-by-verse, we have seen much of John's writing about the first two of these themes: sound doctrine and obedience. In Colby's message this week, we take a short detour from where we left off in 1 John and skip to chapter four, to touch on the last of the three major themes of the letter: love. In 1 John 4 we receive the command to love one another, and the author elaborates that anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. But what exactly does it mean that God is love? And how does that inform the way that we love our brothers and sisters?