1 John 1:1-4 ESV
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
The importance of knowing God’s Word -
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
English Standard Version Psalm 119
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
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— 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. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
Verse 1
Verse 1
That which was from the beginning - Gen 1:1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
What is he talking about here? Who is he talking about?
Which we have heard, seen, looked upon, touched.
John, had been with Jesus, he’s not talking of something he’s heard from someone else. He’s sharing from a first hand experience.
Sometimes I struggle remembering that Jesus walked the very same earth I walked - Guardian of the galaxy - same earth, but different - no - he walked this earth.
I think this is what John is trying to do in this passage, I have personally seen Jesus, followed Jesus, touched him, heard him.
VERSE 2
VERSE 2
Manifest - What does this mean? - God becoming like man - From spirit to flesh and bone.
Jesus is fully God and fully man.
The eternal life - which was with the father - who is he talking about here? Jesus.
Okay, so Jesus is real, he was here - Isaiah and I joking around this week - He had hair, finger nails, fingers, he probably had BO, he probably farted - true question — did it smell?
CS LEWIS - Jesus can only be one of these three things
He’s either a liar, Lunatic, or he’s Lord - He can’t just be a good teacher with morally good principles - I am the son of God.
I think this is what John is trying to get at here - He’s real, and he is Lord.
VERSE 3
VERSE 3
This Eternal life, the one from the beginning - He is real, and we are sharing this all with you that you my part take in this fellowship with us.
He talks of Fellowship, and I see to parts of it - 1 - Fellowship with each other.
Fellowship - koinōnia — Deep relational Community — All things in common. — I love this image of what he’s inviting the church to — A community, devoted to each other and God.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
This image of people that have completely forsaken the “What’s mine is mine” and took care of each other.
Mower story \ Hearing worship songs in other languages - There are bothers and sisters in christ all over the world that I have everything in common with - We both Love God deeply.
Is this what you see in your life? A fellowship were we care for each other?
Second part of this fellowship is with God - This would have been such a hard concept for some - That we have relationship with God - The holy God from the beginning, Eternal, We have fellowship, relationship with.
God wants fellowship with us - in-fact, the very purpose of Jesus coming to earth and going to a cross was to eliminate the barrier between you and him - sin.
Next week we are going to unpack this a lot more - As we talk about walking in the light
But to wrap up - Verse 4
Why is John doing this all? For personal gain - no — it’s for our joy - it’s for our good that we know we can have fellowship with others and God.