The Gospel Doesn’t Change| 1 John 2:18-27
In a world where everything seems to change at lightning speed, it’s easy to feel lost and uncertain in our faith. In his sermon, Pastor Avel Rivera guides us through 1 John 2:18-27, unpacking a timeless truth: the gospel never changes. No matter how much the culture shifts, or how many new teachings arise, the message of Christ remains our sure anchor.
Drifting Away: The Danger of False Faith
Pastor Rivera uses the vivid image of a boat without a motor drifting on water. At first, everything feels calm, but without an anchor, the boat gradually moves off course. Similarly, during the days of the Apostle John, believers started to drift—not by renouncing their faith immediately, but by slowly redefining truth. They “talked about God, but little by little...redefined what was true.”
John’s purpose in writing was to pull the early church back to shore, reminding them that truth doesn’t change. Today, deception doesn’t always arrive from outside the church; often, it begins within. Not every teaching that mentions Jesus is rooted in the spirit of truth. This is why knowing the gospel deeply is so critical—“that any lie that comes to our ears becomes obvious.”
John warns about the “spirit of the antichrist”—not just a distant future figure, but a real, present danger: those who deny Jesus as the Son of God and lead others astray. False faith is ultimately exposed. Though it may look sincere for a season, “time and truth exposes what is real and what is not.” In changing times, the true gospel is our anchor.
Standing Firm: The Spirit Guards Us
If all we had were warnings about deception, the message would be bleak. Yet, John—and Pastor Rivera—remind us that believers carry an incomparable gift: the Holy Spirit.
John writes, “You have been anointed by the Holy One”—that is, by Christ Himself. Every believer carries the Spirit of truth. The Holy Spirit grounds us in the truth, teaches us, reminds us of what Jesus said, and guards us from deception. True faith isn’t about seeking another spiritual experience or a new revelation. The Spirit is our anchor chain, holding us steady when the world pushes and pulls in every direction.
When confronted by new teachings or so-called revelations, John exhorts us to “test it by the word of God.” If it denies Christ’s divinity or adds to His work on the cross, it isn’t from the Spirit of truth.
Holding Fast: The Gospel Upholds Us
John closes his letter with encouragement, not fear. “Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you.” The gospel—Christ crucified and risen for sinners—is enough. There’s no need for a new revelation or spiritual trend. Staying rooted in the message that saves affirms your faith.
Perseverance in faith doesn’t depend on your grip on God, but on His grip on you. True believers are marked not by spiritual intensity, but by steadfastness in truth. The promise remains: eternal life is secured in Christ. The Spirit not only guards the truth; He affirms that you belong to God.
John’s invitation is simple and powerful:
"Abide in Him. Stay near the Savior who never changes. The same gospel that saved you will sustain you to the end."
If you find yourself chasing spiritual novelties, let today be the day you return to what’s eternal. Come to Christ, trust His grace, and rest in His finished work.
Final Thoughts
The message is clear: the gospel that once saved us, still sustains us today. The Spirit keeps us anchored, and Christ will carry us to the end. As Pastor Rivera concluded, “Abide in Him, trust His truth, and stand firm in the gospel that never changes.”
Let this truth guide your heart as you navigate the ever-changing tides of life.
“Father, thank You for Your unchanging word and Spirit. Help us to abide in Christ and stand firm in Your truth, especially when all around us feels uncertain. Amen.”