Sermon Tone Analysis

# 1

1 John 1: 1-4

This morning, I want to begin a study of the first epistle of John.

This epistle was written to the church at large, with no specific greeting or references to a particular group.

It is apparent John had the well being of the church in mind.

The Church had become complacent and had little care of what was taught in the church.

It is a general consensus that John wrote this epistle around 95 AD

this would but John writing around the 3rd generation of the church.

John Phillips makes and interesting argument he says and I quote:

Exploring the Epistles of John: An Expository Commentary (Introduction)

For by its third generation, it seems churches need a fresh touch of the Holy Spirit.

The first generation is motivated by conviction; great truths have been grasped, and those who have espoused them have a compulsion to spread those truths abroad.

They will dare all and die for them.

The second generation inherits these truths, but the conviction softens into a belief.

They believe the truths they have been taught; they debate them, defend them, and disseminate them, but the fire and passion have gone.

By the third generation, the belief becomes an opinion.

The third generation will trade first-generation truth, dilute it, change it, accept counterfeits, and make room for error.

And that’s why John wrote for the third generation—the third generation needed a fresh revival.

This is so true, just think about it.

The 50’s -The 70’s the IFB was strong and vibrant.

Then the 80’s through the early 2000 we were strong but not as aggressive.

Now look at where we are, Look at were the Christian Church is as a whole.

We have allowed counterfeits we have allowed room for error.

We don’t have the fire like we use to.

We don’t have a care for souls like we use to.

We have become complacent.

John was writing to counter Thee major heresies that had made there way into the church, But John was not writing this letter just to rebuke them, He sought to strengthen their faith and comfort them in difficult times.

John also desired to defend the faith and strengthen the church in the face of false doctrine and heresies that abounded in his day.

There can be no doubt this epistle is of great benefit to each of us as well.

It provides practical application for our daily lives.

We are in the midst of the most difficult times the American church has known.

We face obstacles and adversity that were not present a few years ago.

We face heresies that 30 years ago might have been rebuked at the door, these same heresies now creep in and stand in pulpits.

I pray our time in 1 John will challenge our commitment and strengthen our faith in Christ.

As we begin our study, John who was an eyewitness to the life and ministry of Christ, in this first chapter, presents Christ as the Word of Life, so for that reason I want to examine the certainties revealed in the text as we consider:

A Witness to the Word of Life.

I.

The Preeminence of the Word (v1a)

– That which was from the beginning.

Keep in mind that John was writing to the church at large, in essence all believers.

It would appear that he would’ve begun with a greeting or introduction, like most letters do, but he immediately speaks of the eternal nature of Christ.

Why?

He wanted to get right to the point.

He wanted them to consider the source of their faith, the Principle element in Christianity.

The early believers were under intense persecution and he wanted them to take comfort in the fact that their faith in Christ was not some new found religion.

It wasn’t something that sprang up from a group of lunatics at Pentecost.

They had trusted in the eternal God, the Sovereign of the ages.

Our faith did not start with a man named Muhamad getting some vision while on a mountain or some man named Jospeh Smith getting some new revelation that has become known as the Book of Mormon.

No our faith started before the beginning of time and will be still be alive and well when time comes to an end.

The word “was” translates in a Greek imperfect tense, it suggests something that always has been.

Christ the Word did not come to be at some point in time like you and I; He already was when time began.

John 1: 1-2

II.

The Presentation of the Word (vs 1b-2)

–, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; [2] (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

John had already assured them of Christ’s eternal nature, but for those who needed a bit more assurance, he now speaks of the proof he has to offer regarding Jesus.

John’s use of words here affirms and emphasizes the real humanity of Christ.

He was tangible, He was very much present in their day to day lives.

John was an eye witness

He was one of the first three apostles called by Jesus.

He was an eyewitness to the life, ministry, and miracles of the Lord.

He had sat at His feet and heard His wisdom.

His eyes had beheld the miracles He performed.

He was there when Christ said, John 14:6

John was there on the day of Christ’s death as He died upon the cross

he was one of the first ones on scene of an empty tomb

He was among those who witnessed the Lord after the resurrection, receiving instruction to continue in the faith and the furtherance of the gospel.

He had not been part of something carnal; he witnessed the glorious majesty of God Himself.

We have never seen the Lord with these eyes, but I pray you have encountered His glory and power.

I have witnessed God transform too many lives to doubt who He is.

I know what He has done for me and you will never convince me that my Lord is not alive and well today.

The world may doubt and scoff, but we have undeniable, irrefutable proof that our Lord lives and has the power to change lives!

Hey, We Are Saved To The Uttermost from the Guttermost

III.

The Proclamation of the Word (v3)

– That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

There are a couple of things we need to consider concerning the proclamation.

Notice:

A. Its A Personal Obligation (v3a)

– That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you.

It is impossible for us to understand all John had hidden within his heart.

He had enjoyed the very presence of Christ!

He knew the Lord in an intimate way and it had drastically and eternally changed his life.

There was no way he could keep it quiet.

He was compelled to tell all he met of the love of Christ and the hope He brought to the world.

John was filled with abundant joy and he wanted the world to experience that joy as well.

He was simply sharing his personal encounter with the Lord.

We too should feel that same obligation.

We too should be filled with so much joy and excitement that we can’t keep it to ourselves.

You might argue that your life doesn’t compare with the experiences of John, but I believe that anyone who has met the Lord in salvation has something wonderful and worthwhile to share.

Has Christ not changed our lives?

Have we not experienced a wonderful and fulfilling transformation?

How can we experience such wonder and keep it quiet?

The God of the universe, the One that created all things.

sent His only begotten Son to die for you.

Why would you want to keep that to yourself.

B. A Practical Expectation (v3b)

– that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

John had one desire: to tell others of Christ.

He knew what had happened to him and he was convinced that Christ had the power to transform their lives as well.

He wanted them to know that salvation was not limited to just a select few.