The Incarnate Word - 1 John 1:1-4

INTRO

When I was a kid I went to a church camp.

Told to go to our cabins, turn lights off and lay quietly in bunks.

Cop car drove around

Went to chapel in lines quietly

Windows were covered with boards and trash bags

Camp director was “arrested”

Will you get serious about your faith

At the altar response people were asked why have you come? The Answer: “I don’t know…I don’t know…I just felt like I was supposed to.”

Many people have stories about feeling emotionally manipulated.

They were told to come and repeat a prayer only for the emotion to fade and then their lives drifted back to the same monotony.

I grew up in the church and for years I struggled with this.

I certainly think God can and does use events like church camps, conferences and the like.

I am not against that…not at all.

In fact without an event like that I wouldn’t ever have become a pastor.

But growing up I was confused how someone could have such a visceral emotional response and then drift into monotony.

They seemed so passionate and then within months could care less about Jesus.

How could you have this epic moment and then months later be so cold.

Not only that, it seemed like the same kids were getting saved every year.

There was so much doubt and uncertainty.

Have you ever experienced that?

Fast forward and I am in college I grew up in the church, but I had never really experienced expositional preaching.

One of the first sermon series I ever heard preach through an entire book was on the book of 1 John.

John speaks so confidently that we can know Jesus, we can be certain of our hope in him and our eternal state.

So when I was first preaching I decided to give it a crack and 16 years ago this was the first book of the Bible I ever preached through.

Listen, I love this book.

It speaks to this instability many of us in the church have felt.

Can I really live a life that is changed?

Can I really know that I am saved, that I really know Jesus?

Can I have assurance?

Can I walk in fullness and joy?

This is one of my favorite books in the Bible and I am so excited to walk through it with you because it speaks so deeply to our hearts.

Maybe you didn’t grow up in the church and you’ve not had those experiences.

John still speaks to you because you live in our culture that pulls our gaze from Jesus.

We can all feel that drift away from holiness and the way of Jesus.

1 John will speak to your heart.

Really this is an unusual book.

It reads less like a letter and more like a sermon.

You could think of this as, a kind word from Grandpa Pastor John.

WHO IS JOHN?

One of the 12

beloved

one of 3

‘cares for Jesus mom

gospel

John in this letter is refuting Gnosticism.

Gnostics saw Jesus as this cosmic messenger with a VIP pass of secret knowledge meant to free our souls, which they thought were stuck in a bodily prison.

Physical = Bad Spiritual = God

According to them, Jesus didn’t really have a human body while on Earth; He just gave off the illusion of being flesh and bone—a belief known as "dah-so-tism.” docetism

This was a straight-up rejection of the core Christian truth that Jesus was fully God and fully man at the same time.

But they didn’t stop there—they even denied Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, something Paul was adamant had to happen, or else our whole faith crumbles to dust.

The fallout from this Gnostic thinking was huge

It sent shockwaves through the church.

It wasn’t just that some churchgoers got pulled into this Gnostic way of seeing things,

but their off-kilter ideas started to sneak into church teachings, too.

On the ground, this led to some Christians thinking they had to go to extreme lengths,

Some people were treating their bodies like the enemy, pushing themselves into super strict, joyless ways of living to avoid any kind of physical pleasure.

On the flip side, you had folks swinging the other way,

People were letting loose and following whatever bodily desire popped up, figuring, "Hey, my body’s going down anyway, but my spirit’s safe,"

They were totally missing the mark on how we're meant to live.

Into this issues speaks John.

John is now much older in his mid to late 80s.

He writes a letter that speaks against this idea that you either need to punish yourself and try really hard or that you can live carelessly and sinfully.

John is going to show us that when we add to Jesus or take away from Jesus we miss everything.

He invites us to know who Jesus is, to take him at his word, that we should head his commands.

John is a man captivated by Christ.

He speaks so much on the love of God.

Today we get to his preface which is profound.

In just these 4 short verses there is a lot for us to unpack

Here is our big idea

Big Idea: Complete joy is found in the fellowship of Christ.

Let’s go to these verses and see first that it starts with knowing Jesus.

1. Knowing Jesus (v.1-2)

1 John 1:1–2 (ESV)

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— 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—

John loves epic prologues.

In his gospel, it starts with a similar prelude, “In the beginning was the word…”

John's message to us is crystal clear: he introduces us to the “Word of life”—Jesus, who stepped into our world, bringing us into deep connection and endless closeness with the true God (v. 3).

He highlights two key truths about Jesus, he is fully God.

Jesus is Fully God

Right from the start, the Son, Jesus Christ (v. 3), is described as existing from eternity (“what was from the beginning,” v. 1) and as “the eternal life that was with the Father” (v. 2).

This tells us that Jesus, the Son, has been with God forever, sharing in God's divine nature.

There’s never been a moment without the Son.

He is eternal, beyond the confines of time as we understand it.

John believes this firmly, mirroring what Jesus proclaimed about Himself.

For instance, Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I am,” in John 8:58, asserting His divinity.

He also declared, “The Father and I are one,” (John 10:30),

and to Philip, He said, “The one who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).

Through these words, Jesus identified Himself as God, a belief John echoes.

Jesus, in His essence, is God made flesh, ever-present, from and before the beginning, and will remain forever.

Jesus is Fully Human

As Jesus’ apostle and close friend, John staunchly defends Jesus’ true humanity.

John, an actual eyewitness to Jesus' life, isn’t sharing secondhand stories.

He gives a firsthand testimony, highlighting the incarnation's reality. John points out four aspects of Jesus' humanity:

(1) They heard Him—John emphasizes this fact.

(2) They saw Him—repeated for emphasis, they continuously and deliberately observed Jesus, taking in every action and teaching.

(3) They touched Him—Jesus was tangible, not a ghost or an apparition.

(4) They continuously testify to Jesus, the “eternal life” made manifest among them.

John is repeating himself to underline the reality of Jesus’ humanity and divinity.

This slam dunks Gnosticism

John says listen I was there, he was a real man.

He is purposely countering the Gnostics,

Again remember that either claimed Jesus was merely a spiritual apparition or believed that Jesus was only temporarily endowed with divinity.

John knew well their threats

He knew that the church would be tempted to treat their physical lives as not important.

He knew that would be looking outside of Jesus for some kind of enlightenment through secret knowledge

We can have temptations like this in our day too.

We can treat sin lightly.

We can look for spiritual enlightenment in other places and just call it harmless fun, “what’s your zodiac sign, you think the eclipse speaks to that?”

Or when I have heard people who claim Jesus say we need to align our Chakras.

Y’all no, Jesus over everything.

John is telling us we don’t need to look anywhere else, we understand who we are perfectly in Christ

He is saying be careful what you are giving up.

The Gnostics were leading the church to a denial of Jesus’ genuine incarnation.

Theologically, grasping the incarnation's true nature is crucial.

Understanding that Jesus isn’t a myth or a mere spiritual being but God in full humanity.

It is essential

He’s not a divided entity but fully God and fully human, the unique God-man who existed with God from the beginning and chose to dwell among us to reveal God’s nature and bring salvation.

Saint Athaneuas said, “He became what we are that he might make us what he is.”

An Iranian pastor shared that it was the theological truth of the incarnation that stirred in him an affection for Jesus.

He writes, “To a Muslim the very idea of God becoming man is blasphemous, but it was this ‘blasphemy’ that saved me from unbelief.

To me it came to be the most natural thing.

Stories are told of Shah Abbas and how, in order to get to know his poorer subjects, he used to dress up as a poor man—as a dervish—and thus go among them.

This gracious act he was able to do precisely because he was king and by such an action nothing was taken away from the glory of his kingship.

If we admire such action in human beings, why should we not admire it in God?”

John is going to build the entirety of his argument on the reality that we can know Jesus.

We can be have full assurance

That he is a real person that lived among us, that he really is God and that we can know him.

He says not only can we know him but we can know his fellowship.

2. Know His Fellowship (v.3)

1 John 1:3 (ESV)

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.

The transformation Jesus brings to those who follow Him is beyond words.

His disciples were so changed by His life—

a life unlike any other—

that they were compelled to spread the gospel message far and wide, believing it was their undeniable mission.

They were willing to give their lives to tell others about Jesus, that he is alive.

They wanted everyone to experience the profound change they had encountered in Jesus.

Now as believers we have an Invitation to Join in Fellowship

John kicks off verse 3 with "what we have seen and heard," emphasizing the importance of witnessing Jesus' life.

He is declaring…proclaiming

John is making it clear:

the life-giving message of Jesus, this eternal Word, is something we can't keep to ourselves.

Everything we've heard, seen, and touched regarding Jesus drives us to share and testify about Him, spreading the gospel far and wide.

Why do we do this?

"So that you may also have fellowship with us."

John talks about fellowship, or koinonia, The Greek word that speaks of sharing in common something that is significant and important.

When he says fellowship, it entails the joy and oneness in a group of people who are in accord

We are together united in something that really matters.

He uses this word several times,

He is underscoring a shared, deep connection around something meaningful.

Our uniting bond is in the gospel.

It's about common values, loves, and goals—uniting us in the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

John's heart for the church is so vast that he wants everyone to be part of this unique community.

Through Jesus—the life-giving Word—no one is turned away.

Entering into a relationship with Him means gaining this incredible life and joining in this fellowship.

But this fellowship is even deeper because it is not an invite to a nice cause, this is an Invitation to Become Family

The bond among Jesus' disciples goes deeper than any other association,

This is a fellowship that surpasses all allegiances, affiliations with teams, clubs, or even bloodlines.

It's a "fellowship of family" that breaks down every barrier humanity has erected.

Through Jesus' coming to Earth and His ultimate sacrifice, we're brought into a family relationship with God the Father and with Jesus Himself.

We are wrapped up in the triune community.

Sometimes you run into quotes that are too good to just summarize.

This one from Tim Keller is such a quote.

It’s essential we understand the kind of fellowship we have been brought into with the Triune God:

Why would a triune God create a world? If he were a unipersonal God, you might say, “Well, he created the world so he can have beings who give him worshipful love, and that would give him joy.” But the triune God already had that—and he received love within himself in a far purer, more powerful form than we human beings can ever give him. So why would he create us? There’s only one answer. He must have created us not to get joy but to give it. He must have created us to invite us into the dance, to say: If you glorify me, if you center your entire life on me, if you find me beautiful for who I am in myself, then you will step into the dance, which is what you are made for. You are made not just to believe in me or to be spiritual in some general way, not just to pray and get a bit of inspiration when things are tough. You are made to center everything in your life on me, to think of everything in terms of your relationship to me. To serve me unconditionally. That’s where you’ll find your joy. That’s what the dance is about. _Tim Keller

Embracing Jesus as Savior brings God close as our perfect Father,

Not only that we are brought alongside countless brothers and sisters from every corner of the globe.

This family bond we share as Christians is stronger than any tie to those who don't share our faith, even our closest geographical neighbors.

We share more with fellow believers across the world than with those next door who haven't yet met Christ.

(Going to Brazil - Paulo - Susanna - Rodrigo - Deep connection in Jesus)

Remember, the life-changing eternal life we've been given is the same life we're called to share, inviting others into this vast, eternal family.

Our goal is always to welcome more into this transformative relationship.

We know Jesus and his fellowship and this overflows finally to our joy.

3. Our Joy (v.4)

1 John 1:4 (ESV)

And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

God's glory shines through us when we find our deepest joy in Him.

Sharing a common theology, Savior, Father, and experience of joy binds us all who have encountered the extraordinary life offered in Jesus, the incarnate Word.

These shared blessings create a vibrant tapestry throughout 1 John

How do we fully embrace these blessings?

Embrace Complete Joy

John pens this letter with a purpose: to make our joy full, not just a bit of happiness, but complete joy.

He echoes Jesus’ own words about this fullness of joy that comes from knowing Him

John 15:11 (ESV)

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

John 16:24 (ESV)

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

This joy overflows from our collective life in Jesus, enriched by our friendships with one another and with God, now our Father, all thanks to Jesus Christ's gospel.

He wants your life to be dripping with joy.

A young Chinese christian whose given name was Lo became greatly excited when he first read Matthew 28:20.

As a brand new Christian, he took the word “lo” to apply to him personally.

Aglow with the joy of his newly-discovered partnership with God, he exclaimed, “Look, missionary, it says, “Lo, I am with you always!” 

That’s how John wants you to feel.

Jesus is alive, real, and with you

We see John’s joy filled purposes all over this letter.

Striving for Holiness produces Joy

1 John 2:1 (ESV)

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

On this side of heaven, we won't be without sin, but as we grow in Christ, we should find ourselves sinning less.

This journey towards Christ-likeness isn’t about duty; it's about a joyful response to the gospel.

It's living a life marked by joy, following Jesus’ teachings, and loving our brothers and sisters.

Holding Fast to Sound Doctrine produces joy

1 John 2:26 (ESV)

I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.

John packs his letter with theology because understanding who Jesus is—truly understanding—is key to our joy.

He alerts us to those spreading false teachings, labeled as “antichrists,” because what we believe about Jesus, the Word of life, is foundational.

We can't cherry-pick aspects of Jesus we prefer; we must accept Him as He reveals Himself in the gospel.

Recognizing Jesus in His fullness, as He is presented in Scripture, is essential for truly receiving the life He offers.

John had no interest in a “Jesus minus theology” or a “Jesus plus theology.” Thabiti Anyabwile says it like this

To receive the Word of life is to embrace Jesus as He offers Himself in the gospel. That phrase—“as He offers himself in the gospel”—is very important. We must receive Jesus—the Word of life, the eternal life, the Son of God—not as we imagine Him to be, or as we like to think of Him, or as someone else believes Him to be. We do not truly receive Jesus if we do not accept Him as He defines Himself. We know that we are Christians and have received God’s salvation when we humbly accept the Word of life, which means to believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who appeared in our flesh, was crucified to take our punishment for our sin, was raised from the grave three days later for our justification with God, and is coming again to bring the fullness of God’s kingdom. Is that the Jesus you have received? _Thabiti Anyabwile

Our Assurance of Salvation produces Joy

1 John 5:13 (ESV)

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

John acknowledges that it’s possible to doubt our salvation,

but he writes to dispel such doubts,

He wants you to know for certain that you belong to Jesus

So long as Christ is dwelling in your heart you have the resources to get you through anything in life—not just to get you through life, but to celebrate life at every point.

You have the infinite love of Christ pulsating in your heart.

And we are told that nothing can separate you from his love.

John is aiming to boost our confidence and joy.

Our assurance comes from trusting in Christ’s work on the cross and then examining our obedience and love for God and others.

John wants us free from uncertainty, assured of our place in God’s family through faith in Jesus.

Through these teachings, John invites us into a life of full joy, holy living, steadfast belief, and assured salvation—all found in Jesus, the Word of life.

This isn’t just about knowing doctrine, just getting the answers right.

No this is experiencing the transformative, joy-filled life that comes from walking with Jesus.

This is a joy that overflows, that we can’t help but share with others.

Because seeing people encounter Jesus that makes our joy complete.

There is the story of jewel merchant named Harry Winston

One day he watched one of his salesmen show a beautiful diamond to a rich Dutch merchant.

The customer listened thoughtfully to the expert description, but he eventually turned away, saying, “It’s a wonderful stone, but not exactly what I want.”

Winston stopped the customer on his way out and asked, “Do you mind if I show you that diamond once more?”

The merchant agreed.

Winston took the stone in his hand.

He did not repeat anything the salesman had said.

He simply talked about the gem as an object of deep beauty.

Abruptly the customer changed his mind and bought the diamond.

While he was waiting for it to be brought to him, he turned to Winston and said, “Why did I buy it willingly from you, though I had no difficulty saying no to your salesman?”

Winston answered, “That salesman is one of the best men in the business. He knows diamonds—but I love them.

CONCLUSION

I go back in my mind to those emotion filled moments.

Mission Church, More than a one-time response, I want you to have a joy-filled life.

Not fleeting happiness, joy.

I think back to many moments of those emotional responses.

The message preached often had very little if any gospel.

To me Jesus was just this guy or this ethereal force that could take all the bad away from your life.

He was buddy Jesus.

Who wouldn’t want to accept Jesus? If he didn’t change my life, he just enhances it or makes it better.

I remember reading through the New Testament and never seeing it say to pray a prayer to accept Jesus into my heart.

But instead Luke 9:23

Luke 9:23 (ESV)

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

The cheap gospel offered a temporary emotional high.

As soon as the cares of this world swooped in…following Jesus got buried.

But real gospel change, well that brings real joy.

Joy that isn’t contingent on circumstance.

John who writes this letter has seen all of his friend become martyrs and die one at a time.

Then he is boiled alive…but doesn’t die.

So he is exiled alone to the island of Patmos.

We get this letter from this old beat down saint.

GOSPEL - JESUS PURSUIT OF YOU - John knew who Jesus was. He was there.

He saw water into wine.

He saw Jesus heal the sick.

He watched demons flee at his name.

He saw baskets full of leftovers come from a few loaves of bread and fish

He saw Jesus radiate with glory as he spoke with Moses and Elijah on the mount of transfiguration.

John was the lone disciple who watch Jesus’ blood pour out on Calvary.

He took his mother as his own mom.

He out ran Peter to the empty tomb.

He embraced his dear friend and saw the holes in his hands and his feet.

John knows Jesus came.

Sinless perfect human, fully divine God.

He knew this God-Man died for him and for you.

That he rose for you.

He wants you to know him.

Do you know what word is mentioned more times here than anywhere else in the Bible? Love.

The only book that mentions it more is the Psalms of which there are 150

1 John only has 5 short chapters and mentions it almost 50 times.

John isn’t interested in an emotional moment, he is bound captive to the person of Jesus.

This morning I want your joy to be full and complete.

Do you know Jesus?!

Is my faith based in emotions or circumstances or in a deep, enduring relationship with Jesus?

Do I truly believe that Jesus is both fully God and fully human? How does this dual nature of Jesus deepen my relationship and fellowship with Him?

How have I experienced the fellowship of Christ in my daily life? Can I identify moments when this fellowship has brought profound joy?

Am I confident in my salvation through Jesus? How do John's expressions of his intimate knowledge of Jesus bring me comfort or pose a challenge to me?