1 John 1 Sunday School

Introduction

Purpose: to provide a space for members to be connected to other members.

Target Audience: Multi-generational; 18 and above

We have so many age specific classes. This limits to options on the table for new members. Prayerfully, I would love to see this class be a reflection of our church in so many ways.

Naturally, this will lend to a larger class.

Class Environment: Exegetical teaching, verse by verse book studies.

There will be moments and opportunities for discussion, but will be primarily a lecture style lesson.

What am I really going to teach? The Bible.

What we approach, we will cover. There will be a lot of fundamentals covered as well as secondary theological discussions. However, I will not a majority of our time of those things unless it leads to practical application.

If you leave this room without encouragement and a few handle bars to assist you in life, I have failed my job!

Questions are totally welcomed. Fair warning, I am not academically inclined. I am not arrogant enough to respond by saying, “let me research and study that and get back to you!”

Beyond teaching, my prayer is really that we all grow closer together as we grow closer to the Lord.

It really is that simple to me…

What is expected from you:

Attendance/Involvement

Nobody wants to read a book that has chapters ripped out of it.

Do your best! I know life is crazy. I know nights are late. Value this class because you value this book.

When you value this book, you will value the people around you and your community is established.

Give it a chance to shape and form your life...

Bring your Bible.

You ever met the guy who went to battle without his sword? You never met him because he died.

Don’t be that guy.

Lastly, Stacy Tapscott will be filling in for me on the days I can’t teach. There are some other capable teachers in here as well...

Prayer Request?

Prayer.

I hate Cotton Candy.

1 John 1 - is going to open our eyes to a life that is complete. A life that actually makes you feel purposeful. One that can be a reality if we choose to accept it.

1 John 1:1–4 ESV

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

“Made manifest to” - no longer hidden- we don’t have to hide! It is revealed in the here and now!

God reveals Himself first through creation (Romans 1:20 ), His word, the Bible, and then the Bible made flesh (John 14:9- he that has seen me has seen the father)

Immediately, John is telling us that he has experienced this and it is life changing!

He has seen, heard, looked upon, touched the “word of life.” — HE HAS EXPERIENCED IT/Personal Encounter- not a religious experience

The “word of life” he is referring to is Jesus.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: It’s Real! (1 John 1:1–4)

Christ is to us what our words are to others. Our words reveal to others just what we think and how we feel. Christ reveals to us the mind and heart of God. He is the living means of communication between God and men

To know Christ is to know God. — Jesus Christ is God

1 John 5:20 ESV

20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Not only has he experienced the “word of life,” but he is also inviting us to have fellowship, community, or a friendship with Him...

1 John 1:3 ESV

3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

So what is different about this relationship than any other relationship?

What are the marks of a healthy friendship?

All of you were probably thinking about someone in your life and began sharing out that specific relationship’s attributes...

I want to as you question tonight that you can answer to yourself… This question can be difficult to answer for most, as it really reveals a lot about who you are and the life that you live...

Who knows what is really going on in your life?

And when I say what’s going on, I mean the struggles and sins you have dealt with.

Have you been brutally honest with others about the struggles and inner workings of your life?

When we talk about this fellowship/friendship/community that John is offering through Jesus, he is referring to one that exhibits honesty.

Notice, this fellowship is made possible because of the fellowship we have with Jesus!

When we hide or keep the realness of our lives to ourselves, the darkest areas, the past sins, we rob ourselves of truly experiencing what it means to live in genuine fellowship with one another!

We then retreat into loneliness.

When we hide our sins, we hide ourselves.

Have you ever felt alone before? Maybe in the church? Maybe you have come to services like this where the reality of your struggle makes you feel as if you’re the only one who is experiencing it.

God’s desire for you does not include loneliness.

We have to fight the lie that our struggle will bring about more pain and division if we bring it to the table.

Here is the reality of this fellowship that John is inviting us to, our struggle is a part of the common factor that enables us to commune and build relationships!

What is common between me and you? We are messed up. We can’t fix ourselves.

We all have sins of our past that are dirty and shameful. We all constantly fight our flesh, falling at times along the way.

Men- this is a serious cry to you… You have been brought up in a culture that demands toughness and a “suck-it up and move on mentality.”

Real strength is in your boldness to be found weak before the Lord...

Fellowship is Christ’s response to loneliness...

Here is the beauty in-between...

As believers in Jesus Christ, we no longer fall backwards into shame but we fall forwards into His grace...

The community of the church functions on that truth!

When we come to grips with this community being a reality for us today, we begin to learn what it means to “walk in the light.”

But for today, I want to leave you with one question and one assurance...

Question: Where is your community? John is obvious about the unique necessity of the community of believers… Have you invested in this community through your commitment to transparency, grace, service, and love?

Assurance: You don’t have to live in loneliness. You can be fully known and fully loved. When pursuing the Lord, the is grace that will break your fall. That grace is what sustains you.

It is grace that saves you and grace that sustains you. Let this be the the foundation of the community found in this room, this church, and among our people.

Let’s pray.