Sermon Summary

1 John 2:18-29 (ESV)18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 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. 20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us[b]—eternal life.

26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

Pastor Chris guides us this week in understanding what is fake Christianity and what is real. The Apostle John, who was a New Testament prophet, like the prophets of old, warns us that we are in the ‘last hour’ of the Kingdom of God – the time between Jesus’ ascension and his coming return. During this ‘hour’, many proclaim to be Christians, but they intend to deceive. These are the ‘antichrists’ he writes about (different from ‘The Antichrist’ or ‘false prophet’ in the book of Revelation). They are influencers who follow a ‘counterfeit christ.’

Chris starts with a story about a famous boxer called Kid McCoy from the 1890s who had to differentiate himself from impostors and impersonators. Norman Selby (though not a role-model) became known as ‘The Real McCoy.’ He was different from the imitations.

We all want to have genuine friends, people who we know are authentic. We don’t like wasting our time with fakers or posers. We want our friendships to be real with people we trust. Jesus wants that from us, too. Authenticity describes value – whether an antique object, precious metal or gem, or a friendship. Chris shows us how John helps us have an authentic relationship with Jesus – not just a façade of faith.

Story of Norman Selby, the original Real McCoy.

Genuine Christians have these 4 Marks of Authentic Life with God

  1. Authentic Relationships (vv. 18-19) “…now many antichrists have come….for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.”
  1. Authentic Anointing (vv. 20-21) “…you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge….because you know [the truth]…”

Ways that the Lord Speaks to His Children:

  1. Authentic Jesus (vv. 22-25) “Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also…you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.”
  1. Authentic Perseverance (vv. 26-29) “…as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.”


5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV)

Discussion Questions

  1. How do you suppose we can tell if someone is deceiving us? How have you seen ‘counterfeit christianity’ in the Church? What might be dangerous about allowing false teaching in church?
  2. How can we know that the truth is in us? What do you do when you feel like lying instead of being truthful?
  3. What are some ways you’ve sensed the Spirit’s authentic anointing in your life? How has He guided you in truth – dreams, visions, nature, teaching, scripture, others, etc.?
  4. Persevering is a common attribute of getting through a tough time, but what do you think John means by ‘abiding in Him’ as authentic perseverance?

Application Questions

  1. Be honest with yourself and God, are you in genuine fellowship with other believers? Or, do you hide who you really are? 
  2. If you struggle with being ‘real’ with others, what are some steps you can take to start walking in being an authentic Christ-follower? Consider starting by learning more about what it means to ‘abide with Jesus.’