Would you join me in a word of prayer? Heavenly Father, we look forward to your word, Lord,

and First John. So would you speak to us, Lord? Would you clear our minds? Give us a focus, Lord,

that will not sway, Lord. Again, thank you for your teaching, Lord. Thank you for Pastor J.D.

Would you bless him, Lord? And give him the strength, Lord, to stand up here and speak your words, Lord. Thank you for Pastor J.D. Would you bless him, Lord? And give him the strength,

Lord, to stand up here and speak your words, Lord. We ask these things in your mighty name. Jesus,

we pray. Amen. Amen and amen. Good morning. Welcome. So glad you're here. You can be seated or

remain standing. It might be better if you remain standing because I'm going to ask you to remain standing.

For the reading of God's word, today we are going to commence in chapter 2 of 1 John, where

we're currently in a verse by verse study, just the first two verses.

I think you'll see why here shortly.

So I want to welcome those of you that are joining us online.

We'll begin reading in verse 1, 1 John chapter 2.

John by the Holy Spirit is is writing, and he says, verse 1, my dear children,

I write this to you so that you will not sin, but if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense, Jesus Christ,

the righteous one. He, verse 2, is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world.

So let's pray if you would, please join with me. Father, thank you so, so, so much for your word.

And this time that we have together today here in your word,

we thank you for these two verses that are before us. But Lord, we need the Holy Spirit to give

us understanding, to teach us and guide us through all that is here just in these two verses.

And there is so much here that you want us to see and you want us to know.

You want us to hear and more importantly heed.

So Lord, we do want to do that and we need the Holy Spirit in order

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