Troy Styer
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Grand Junction

Focal Passage: I John 4:1-6

The old Verizon phone commercial asked people the question, “Can you hear me?” The question that John wants his readers to ask is, “Should we hear you?” John wanted to prepare his readers to be able to discern between those who taught the truth and those who did not. They needed to have their spiritual antennas up to make sure they were hearing the truth.

One of the grave dangers is to believe everything that you hear. John encourages his readers not to do this. The word “spirit” could refer to teachers who espoused a teaching they claimed they had received from a spirit. He challenged them to remember that just because someone claims to be spiritual does not mean they are. Just because someone has a Bible does not make them a preacher. The key is what they have to say. John admonished his readers to search the Scriptures to see if their teaching agrees with the Bible. The reason for this is because there were so many false prophets among them. His readers had experienced this themselves when some left their fellowship (I John 2:19). [Read more…]

Troy Styer
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Grand Junction

Focal Passage: I John 2:15-27

Many years ago, I took a youth group white water rafting down the Ocoee River. Shortly after starting our guide fell out of the boat. You can imagine my shock and horror at the thought of trying to navigate this river without our guide. Fortunately, we were able to get the guide back in the boat and continue down the river. John’s readers are fortunate to have him as their guide to navigate the difficult issues that are mentioned in this passage.

The first difficult issue John guides them through is their relationship with the world system. John says you cannot love God and the world at the same time. I once saw a lady on a bumper boat; she stepped on the concrete to get out while the boat went in the opposite direction. She had the choice to get wet or fall on the concrete. The bottom line is that you cannot stay upright when you are being pulled in opposite directions. [Read more…]

Troy Styer
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Grand Junction

Focal Passage: I John 1:5-2:6

Jesus said in John 8:32, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” John shines the light of truth on the darkness of three lies in this passage. The three lies are the lies of fellowship, sin, and obedience. John will make the contrast between truths and lies as great as the contrast between light and darkness. John had shared his desire for them to have fellowship with God; he did not want these lies to interrupt their fellowship. [Read more…]

Troy Styer
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Grand Junction

Focal Passage: I John 1:1-4

When we claim to know someone famous, people will often ask us how? Or where is your proof? What do we do? We tell them personal stories about the person. We show them photos of the person and how we met them. These things give credibility to our claim that we really know this person. John gave proof of how he knew Jesus and what great joy was derived from that genuine relationship. John longed for his readers to experience this same fellowship. Unfortunately, some of them were being swayed by various teachings that discredited the Incarnation of Christ. John knew this was essential to genuine fellowship with God and other believers.

The word “beginning” would alert readers that John was talking about Jesus Christ. It also demonstrated His deity by illustrating the fact that He existed before creation. John draws upon various learning styles to highlight Jesus’ humanity. He demonstrates the audible learning style by telling them he has (heard) the teachings of Jesus. He describes the visual learning style by relating all the things he had (seen) Jesus do. He (saw) Jesus perform many different miracles. He was present (observe) at the Transfiguration of Christ. He utilizes the hands-on learning style by saying that he had worked hand-in-hand (touched) with Jesus in His earthly ministry. John wraps this verse up by reinforcing to his readers that he was talking about Jesus Christ by calling Him the Word of Life. This is the title John used for Jesus in his gospel. [Read more…]

By Brent Moore
Pastor to Adults, First Baptist Church, Clarksville

Focal Passage: Malachi 3:1-7, 16-18; 4:1-2

God always has a plan. That is a good thing because I have a hard time trying to figure the plan out. It seems like the unrighteous prosper, the shady characters in this world get away with things that are not right, the oppressed are even more oppressed. The truths in Malachi speak to this predicament. The ultimate purpose in hard times and heartache for the people of God is refinement. God is working towards a pure bride. He will then bring the covenant people to Himself to marry the Lamb in the Last Day.

Being a messenger of God to “clear the way” is never a fun or easy thing. The task will have a fair share of critics. The third chapter of Malachi opens with preparation for the messenger God is sending. Ultimately we know from the New Testament the messenger is John the Baptist. John the Baptist had a specific task with some direct words. He called the Pharisees and Sadducees a “brood of vipers (Matthew 3:7).” He spoke against the adultery of Herod and lost his head for it (Matthew 14:4). [Read more…]