1 JN 1:1-9
Fellowship
Intro: FLT 800 crashed. FAA looked for witnesses to put it together.
John was
there with Christ. He knew fellowship
1. The Source-That Which (vv. 1-2)
From the beginning-preexist. divine
character; JN 1:1
We heard
We saw-perfect tense: an act in the
past with lasting results
Looked-calm, intent,
continuous contemplation; as in a museum
We touched-grope or feel after in
order to find (JN 20:28)
Concerning the Word of Life-JN 1
Life was
manifested-incarnation (v. 2 forms a parenthesis which the writer inserted to
make clear beyond all possibility of mistake that the life to which John bears
witness was revealed by God in the
historical person of Jesus (Howard Marshall, The Epistles of John)
We saw
We witness it
We show you it-to report
with reference to the source from which a message comes; the resurrection changed
lives
Manifested to us
2. The Purpose-That which (v. 3)
We saw and heard
We declare to you-in order that you
may have fellowship with us (set aside private interests and desires and
joining with another for common purposes)
Our fellowship is with
the Father
Our fellowship is with
Jesus Christ-Christ is common ground for us; a rallying point
These things we write so your joy may be full
3. The Message-contains a conception of God men
could not have formed without His help; a revelation and not a discovery; this
is how we know God is good
We heard of Him
We declare to you
God is light-"if" x5: a
supposition which is possible
Walk in darkness and say
fellowship, then lie-MT 7:15-20: you shall know them by their fruits
Walk in light, then
fellowship with one-another and blood cleanses us; present tense; the necessary
condition of fellowship; more than forgive-erase
Psalm 119:105
If we say no sin, truth is not in
us-Rom. 3:23; 1 Tim. 1:15; God's target
Confess our sins, we are
forgiven-present tense; say the same; Jesus and feet/bath (JN13:5)
Continue
1 JN 1:9
Keep playing the banjo when make a mistake. Continue
1. We all sin
God created us with the ability to
choose
Heroes of the Bible sinned (had man
written the Bible, these heroes
would’ve been perfect)
2. God wants
to forgive us (present tense, as in NOW)
Jn. 13:5-Jesus washes feet, but bath
is unnecessary
1 Jn. 2:1-2, don't sin (Jn
5:14/8:11), the advocate (Rom. 8:34), Jesus is counsel for the defense
This is one of the purposes of the
Lord’s Supper
3. The
difference between success and failure
The successful person confesses
(homologeo: to say the same) and
moves on (Ps. 37:23-24), or Continues
The unsuccessful person refuses
forgiveness, but is fearful God would
never accept them again (Woman at the well, Jn. 4)
Keep playing the Banjo. Confess, realize forgiveness, and CONTINUE
Walk the
Talk
1 JN 2:1-6
1. (1-2) The Covering
Don't sin-Jn 5:14/8:11
The advocate-Rom. 8:34; Jesus is
counsel for the defense
Propitiation for our
sins-4:10; Lev. 16:15; Rom. 3:23-25; placating the wrath of God
Propitiation for sins of
the world-Jn. 1:29
2. (3-5) The Relationship
The test-keep holding something fast
in memory; Ps. 119:11; Jn. 14:15; Jn. 15:10
The liar-Jn. 8:42-45
The fellowship-perfected; true love
for God is expressed not in sentimental language or mystical experience, but in
moral obedience. The proof of love is loyalty.
3. (6) The Walk
Abiding-Jn. 15:1-8; menw-pres. tense-continual being in Him;
ought-to be morally obligated
Imitating-to conduct one's life like
His; 1 Cor. 11:1
1 Jn.
2:8-11
Step into
the Light
1. A new
commandment v.8
-Write-to be read; 1 Tim. 3:16; 1
Pet. 1:21
-True light-Christ
JN 9:4-5
Ps. 119:105
We are to respond to the
light
2.
Stumbling in the Darkness v. 9-11
-Hate brother-walk in darkness; all
law hangs on love brother and God; lips-IS 29:13/MT 7:20
-Knows not where he goes
-Darkness has blinded him-Tit. 3:3
-Walketh-death march at Pickett
where it was blinding darkness-cateyes
3. Walking
in the light v. 10
-Love brother-abide in light; JN 15
-No occasion of stumbling; scandal-1
Tim. 3:7
A letter to
the Family
1 JN
2:12-14
I like to
say something to everyone when I write home
1. Little
Children
-Sins forgiven-pf tense-have been
and remain forgiven; Rom. 5:20; Ps. 32:1; Mic. 7:19
for His Name's sake-Acts
4:12
-Known the Father; Ju. 2:10; Ps.
95:10; Mt. 7:23; Jn. 1:10; Jn. 10:11-15, 27-28
2. Young
Men
-Overcome the wicked one-bring about
victory; Ph'p. 4:13; Jn. 16:33; 1 Cor. 15:57; 1 Jn. 5:4
-Strong
1 Pet. 2:2
Eph. 6:10
-Word of God abides in you
Jn. 15:4-7
1 Jn. 2:24
3. Fathers
-Known Him from the beginning
(x2)-pf, continuing results
-Jn. 1:1-not created, but did create
-Rev. 1:8
-Jn. 8:58
1 John
2:15-17, "The State of the World"
Intro: State of
1. Its Position (v. 15)--diametrically opposed
to God
- Love not (PAImv)--Jn. 15:18&19
- If loving the world (kosmoV:
world system; mankind organized in rebellion against God--TDNT), then
not the father (Mt. 6:24)
2. Its Product (v. 16)
- Lust (strong desire) of the flesh
-Gen. 3:6a: "when the woman saw that the tree was
good for food" (disobedience because of the bent to do evil-Ps. 51:5)
-Gal. 5:16-25
-Mt. 4:1-4--Jesus passed
- Lust of the eyes
-Gen 3:6b: "that it was pleasant (desireable) to
the eyes"
-Mt. 4:5-7--Jesus passed
- Pride of life--boasting arrogance;
exaggerating possessions to impress others;
-People buy things they
don't need, with money they don't have, to impress people they don't know.
-Gen 3:6c: "a tree to be desired to make one
wise"
-God enjoys working
through those considered not wise--1 Cor. 1:17-21; 1 Cor. 2:1-5; Jer.
9:23&24
-Mt. 4:8-10--Jesus
passed
3. Its Duration (v. 17)
- Passes away (PMInd)--in the
process of passing away
-Heaven and earth shall
pass away
-Rev. 21:1-5
- Lust passes away
- He doing (PAPtc) the will of God
abides forever
Concl.: What is the state of the world? Its position, product, and duration. Focus you attention on the eternal one. The world is passing away.
Stand your
Ground
1JN 2:18-29
1. The
AX-opposes X
v.19-they were not all of us; what
is counterfeit cannot remain forever hidden
v. 22-Denies that Jesus is X
v. 26-Seduce-planaw
2. The
Unction/Annointing
v. 20-The Holy Spirit-Jn. 14:26,
16:13-14
v. 24-Let it abide in you-His word
v. 25-His promise-Eternal life
3. The
appearing-v. 28
Abide
Appear
Have confidence/not be ashamed
Born of Him-the child exhibits the
parents' character because he shares the parents' nature
Love's
Responsibility
1 John 3:1
We want our
rights
How about
responsibility?
1. (1-3) The Gift
Bestowed--unearned gift
Sons
Jn. 3:16
Heb. 12
Like Him--Rom. 8:29
Purifieth--2:28
2. (4-8) The Test
Continuing Action
planaw
Destroy--so we don't have to live
under sin
Jn. 16:33
3. (9-11) The Responsibility
Seed
1 Pet. 1:23
Eph. 4:30
Love one another--Mt. 22:36-40
1 John
5:1-5
Origin,
Purpose, Destiny
“We hold
these to be self evident, that al men are created equal, that are endowed by
their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among them are life,
liberty, and pursuit of happiness....”
Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of
We all, to
some degree, have to know where we come from, why we are here, and where we are
going. In the first epistle of John, the
apostle by the same name is writing to a group of believers during a time of
Gnosticism-those who would deny the incarnation. They were those who like nothing better than
to shake the faith of those believers.
It was at this crucial point in the history of Christianity that John had
to deal with. Christianity was still in
it infancy and was forming opinions.
John wanted them to be at peace, and to be assured of their origin,
their purpose, and their destiny.
1. Origin (v.1)--The family of God
-born of God--John. 1:11-13, The NT
writers used “Children of God,” “sons of God”, and “born of God” because you
cannot be unborn
- 1 Cor 5:17
- I can join organizations and then
get out
- My
son could turn he back on me, and still be my son
- family take care of family-- we
get into squabbles, but let another interfere and watch how that family bonds a
country threatened bond together-- the homeless and family.
A family watches out for you now and
in the future--inheritance (Rom 8:16-17).
- many who was put up for adoption
later in life want to know their family origin--they then can identify and have
a beginning.
- John liked the word believe (99x);
not assent; Jn. 3:14-15.
- begotten of him--other Christians.
2. Purpose (vv. 2-3)--Keep His Commandments
-”Unalienable Rights”. (With responsibilities, “we have our rights”
Ecc. 12:13
Keep His Commandments
-policy letters: I don’t
operate independently, I receive guidance.
The Decalogue-first four
man’s rel. w/God, last six is man’s w/man’s (Matt. 22:35-40) (vert/horiz)
- This defines our Love for God
We have a bent towards evil--my 2yr
old
I never have to teach
him to disobey
he’s already checked the
block
-Fletcher and Love--end justifies
the means; absolute w/ no substantive content.
They are not grievous--not God’s
intent that we live in misery (2 Cor. 5:12; Rev. 21:4, Jn. 10:10).
3. Destiny (vv. 4-5)-- Victory over the world.
Overcomes the world--1 Jn. 2:15; 1
Jn. 4:4; kosmos (2 Cor. 4:17-18; Heb. 11:1--when we trust in that which we
cannot see).
-Those born of God/those who believe
-synonymous phrases
-Nero’s persecution (AD 64); is your
world crashing down on you?
-The victory--Faith (Eph 6:12).
We all, to
some degree, have a desire to know where we came from, why we are here, and
where we are going. When you have
trusted, knowing that you are in the family of God, and family takes care of
family. Understanding His guidance for
you life. And look forward to a time
when you will ultimately overcome the world.
“We hold
these truths to be self evident.....”
To
unbelievers:
1. Origin
William
Paley and the Watchmaker
Moral
law within us
Created
in the Image of God (Gen. 1:27); We can have a relationship with Him
2. Purpose
(Ecc. 12:13): Keep His Commandments
”Unalienable
Rights”. (with rights come
responsibilities)
Two
Ethical Systems
Teleological: end-centered; Situationism (Joseph
Fletcher)—Love is the Driving Force; But we do not know the end
Deontological: duty-centered; Graded Absolutism—Do the
Higher Moral Law; A small percentage of books survive more than 20 years. Less survive 100 years. A fraction survive 1000 years. The complete Bible has survived 2000
years. No other historical book
parallels the Bible in manuscript evidence (5000 surviving mss. support the New
Testament alone; by comparison, Homer is supported by about 650 mss.). All the discoveries from Bible lands which
have any relation to scripture speak with one united voice, testifying to the
accuracy of the statements of the Bible.
The Bible has been the object of never-ending persecution. Edicts have been issued to ensure every copy
was destroyed. Commands have been given
that all found with a copy of the Bible should be put to death. The Word of God has passed through the
furnace of persecution, philosophical disputation, scientific reasoning, and
literary criticism, without losing one ounce of its purity. Every possible effort has been made to
undermine faith in its inspiration and authority. Yet it is the Best-Selling book of all
time—six billion copies sold and given away. The Bible speaks of the love of
God suffering with His creatures; the holiness which necessitates His
punishment of sin; the forgiveness of sins which took place on the cross; the
full assurance of a pardon; and the regeneration which makes man new. The other books lack a real solution to the
problem of sin and misery, of any moving out of the earthly into a pure and
liberated life, of an absolute righteousness, and of a blessed and active
eternal state in the presence of God.
The Bible is the only book that describes a continuous history from the
first man to the present era; is the only religious book containing detailed
prophecies of events which are to come; and is the only book which has the
power to convict men of sin, leading them to the only One who can free them
from sin
Policy
letters: I don't operate independently, I receive guidance.
God's
Commandments are not grievous—not God's intent that we live in misery (2 Cor.
5:12; Rev. 21:4, Jn. 10:10)
3. Destiny
Since
we were created in the Image of God, we are eternal beings
Death (2LoT; one out of every one
person will die) and Judgment (Heb. 9:27)
Kosmos;
the world loves to divert your attention from what is most important--that
which you cannot see; is your world crashing down on you?
Ill.
68; Throwing the grenade takes an element of faith; The victory that overcomes
the world—Faith (Eph 6:12); when we trust that which we cannot see
A certain courthouse in
We all, to some degree, have a desire to know where
we came from, why we are here, and where we are going. We were created in the Image of God. Understand His guidance for your life. And look forward to a time when you will
ultimately overcome the world.
“We hold
these truths to be self evident.....”