Sunday Scripture

Greetings my friends. It is Sunday October 26TH 2025, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord + Savior Jesus Christ. Let us love our neighbor as ourself.

A couple of weeks ago on a Tuesday evening I was inspired by The Holy Spirit to begin writing a new standalone sermon. I completed it less than 24 hours later. It’s titled “Rescued & Saved”, and it’s essentially a follow-up to our recent “This Is My Story” message series at my home church. It’s my 68TH sermon overall, but it’ll very likely be the next one that I preach, so it will become my 64TH sermon. My 1 Timothy sermon series will slide down to # 65 to # 68. (And I’ll continue progressing forth with it.)

This week I begin transcribing my “Apostle & Elder” sermon that I preached to my previous church family on Sunday October 18TH 2020.

Here’s Part 1:

Today I want to preach from the shortest book in the Bible – almost. It’s the 2ND Letter of John. It has 13 verses in it. No multiple chapters. Just 13 verses. As far as verses – no other book in the Bible has less than that. As far as words – there’s actually one other book in the Bible that has less than the 2ND Letter of John – and that – is the 3RD Letter of John.

So back to 2ND John – and its 13 verses. I think I can preach on this entire book over the next 1 hour and 45 minutes. Just kidding. I’ll do it in the next 30 minutes. (Julie doesn’t like it when I’m long-winded.)

So 2ND John was written by the Apostle John – one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus. He probably wrote it when he was very old. He was probably in his 80s. (That was “very old” – at the time.) He lived to be an old man. He was about 95 when he passed on peacefully of natural causes. He was not murdered like many in his day were.

John was the youngest of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He was still in his mid-20s when Christ died and rose again. He outlived the other 11 Apostles. He was truly an elder some 60 years later when he wrote what we now know as the Gospel of John, and the 3 letters of John. Oh – he also wrote the Book of Revelation; although, some will dispute that it was not the same John. Some believe that it was another John of the time. But most believe that it was this John.

In his 2ND letter John the Elder warned his fellow believers and followers of Christ that there are some in the region – the region being Asia Minor – present-day Turkey – there are some in the region – preaching that Jesus – did not have a physical human body. They believed that His human form was a mere illusion. Some members of the young church in the region believed these deceivers, and they ended up leaving the church and following them.

So here’s how 2ND John begins:

This letter is from John – the elder. I am writing to the chosen lady and to her children – whom I love in the truth – as does everyone else who knows the truth – because the truth lives in us and will be with us forever. Grace, mercy, and peace – which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ – the Son of the Father – will continue to be with us who live in truth and love. (1-3)

So you may be thinking – which lady and her children – is John writing to in his letter ? I believe that the “chosen lady” is probably a local church in the region that John is responsible for. “Her children” are probably the brothers and sisters that make up the church body. John is their Elder. John is caring for God’s children.

[TO BE CONTINUED – NEXT WEEK]

My testimony is featured each week here on #SundayScripture – whether it’s part of a sermon, a testimony, or just me writing about the events of the past week. Hopefully it encourages you and inspires you to seek the Lord – and get closer to Him with each new day.

If you wish to learn more about the God I know – then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !

Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:

The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.