John K. Jenkins Sr - I Know That I Know That I Know

I want you to turn to First John-the Epistle of First John. I'm telling you this right off the bat because it's going to take some of you a few minutes to find it. Not the Gospel of John, but go near the back of the Bible. If you find Revelation, start moving back slowly until you reach the First Epistle of John, then the Second Epistle, and finally the Third Epistle. I want to focus on the First Epistle of John because I want to discuss something today and try to bring some hope . There are many Christians struggling in various areas of their lives. We have people who claim they are saved but have no joy . The worst kind of person to be around is someone who is supposed to have joy but doesn 't. I don't want to be around anyone with a dried-up, negative attitude and no joy . Thank you, Minister ACR; I appreciate you very much. I want to be around people who are full of life and joy, excited about what God is doing in their lives. However, too many people lack joy and are simply jacked up and torn down. We have Christians who are in bondage to sin . Somebody say "in bondage!" In bondage to sin ! We have people being pulled away from the truth . We live in a culture and society where many are deceived and led away from the truth . Without truth , you will be in bondage ; it is the truth that makes you free. If you don't have truth, you will remain in bondage. Additionally, people have doubts about salvation . Many who claim to be Christians have numerous doubts, often because they don't know the truth. We 're being pulled in different directions, believing misleading things and allowing everyone else 's opinions to dictate our theology instead of God's. My wife, Brother Neil mentioned, spoke at the women's fellowship yesterday. She played a song , and many of the women got up and started to do the Wobble. She played " The Wobble Song"-see, there you go acting like you don't know what I'm talking about. It 's called " The Wobble Song," right? In the midst of the lyrics of this song , the truth is that we 've been in many events where " The Wobble" was played, and everybody got up and started dancing. My wife was on the dance floor backing it up, and I said, "Hold up, baby; that doesn 't belong here ." The lyrics of that song are horrific ; I can't even repeat them to you. They are terrible and explicit. At one point , in the song, he talks about quoting scriptures until you get someone in bed . Now, y'all acting like you don't know- come on, tell the truth-you' ve danced to "The Wobble." Many of you have it on your iPod, playing it in your car . Those are the words dictating our theology . Then my wife talked about a scene from a television show that many Christians are tweeting about and watching . I don't even have to tell you the name; you know what the show is . I know you know. Listen, Christians are watching this show about a woman having an adulterous affair with a married President of the United States, and the Saints are pulling for her! If you can't say "Amen," say "ouch" or " he's right!" You' re pulling for her as she destroys a family. We're watching this, and you don't realize how it influences what you accept as normal. What 's her name ? Olivia ! Notice this side of the church got quiet; they aren 't saying anything, while this side says " Olivia!" We ' re pulling for Olivia. Can you believe that ? The former Minister of Music-these shows you watch and the books you read dictate your theology regarding what is acceptable and what is not. So, you ' re cheering for Olivia , and one day, you may find yourself in her shoes. But in First John-y'all got me off track here; let me get back on topic. We 're in bondage because we don't know the truth. In the First Epistle of John , written by the same John who wrote the Gospel of John , we find significant insights that speak to the struggles people have in their lives . In chapter one, by the way, this is a Bible study. Since you don't come to Bible study , Pastor is bringing the Bible study to you!