Let's Take a Test | Bryan Loritts | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Let's Take a Test

One Community Church • Oct 12, 2025 • 46 min

Start a Devotional

Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this message, Pastor Bryan Loritts walks through 1 John 2 to examine what distinguishes genuine saving faith from superficial religious appearance. John provides three spiritual diagnostic checks: the obedience test, the love test, and the belief test. Believers are encouraged to ensure that their faith is anchored in active obedience to God's Word, sacrificial agape love for others, and sound doctrine, while taking comfort in Jesus Christ as their advocate when they short.

Themes

Authentic FaithBiblical ObedienceAgape LoveSound DoctrineChrist Our Advocate

Pastor's Points

1.

The Obedience Test

2.

The Love Test

3.

The Belief Test

Key Points

1.
The Obedience Test: Authentic faith is demonstrated not by mere religious participation or quiet times, but by a consistent pattern of walking in obedience to God's commandments.
2.
The Love Test: Genuine faith expresses itself in sacrificial agape love for fellow believers, whereas harboring hatred or cutting off relationships indicates walking in spiritual darkness.
3.
The Belief Test: True faith rests on sound biblical doctrine regarding Jesus Christ, rejecting subtle errors that mix partial truths with destructive lies.
4.
It is possible to look like a true disciple—running the same drills, wearing the same uniform, and attending the same church—without ever having personally surrendered to Christ.
5.
Obedience is not a merit-earning condition required to achieve salvation, but a primary characteristic that proves salvation has taken place.
6.
God gives believers His Word not merely for study, meditation, or memorization, but to be actively put into practice in daily living.
7.
Agape love is a supernatural commitment to voluntarily inconvenience oneself for the good and betterment of others.

Sermon Moments

“Teddy made the basketball team during tryouts, put on the jersey, and ran all the drills, only for the coach to realize he had never actually applied to or enrolled in the university.”

“If a CEO sends email instructions while away for a year, he doesn't want the staff to just memorize and discuss the emails in small groups—he wants the work done.”

“Obedience is not a condition of salvation; it is a primary characteristic of true salvation.”

“Agape love is voluntarily inconveniencing myself for your convenience.”

“Obedience without love does not make you look like Jesus; it makes you look like a Pharisee operating in self-righteousness.”

“False teaching is dangerous because it contains enough truth to look acceptable while mixing in enough lies to be destructive.”

“The Bible is your spiritual syllabus from Professor God, and you must know it for yourself to discern truth from error.”

“When Satan accuses you before God, Jesus acts as your defense attorney, pointing to Calvary where your sin penalty was fully paid.”

This Week

Examine your life with honest self-reflection to ensure your faith is genuine rather than merely cultural or routine.

Identify areas of clear scriptural instruction where you have been collecting knowledge rather than living in active obedience.

Initiate steps toward reconciliation with a brother or sister in Christ whom you have cut off or harbored bitterness against.

Look for daily opportunities to practice agape love by intentionally inconveniencing yourself for the benefit and convenience of others.

Commit to reading and studying the Bible consistently so you know your "syllabus" well enough to evaluate claims against scripture.

Filter your social media consumption, political views, and daily decisions through the Word of God rather than human opinions.

When you stumble or sin, confess it quickly while resting securely in Jesus as your advocate and complete atonement before the Father.

Remember This

Authentic Christian faith is proven not by mere religious activity, but by a lifestyle of obedience, sacrificial love for others, and steadfast belief in the truth of Jesus Christ.

A Challenge for You

Remember that when you stumble, you have an advocate with the Father in Jesus Christ, whose blood was poured out at Calvary and will never lose its power to cover and restore you.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.