Sermon Two - John’s Foundation of our Fellowship

Introduction

John wrote about the most vital aspects of faith so that his readers would know Christian truth from error. He emphasizes the basics of faith so that we may be confident in our faith. In a dark world, God is light, in our cold world, God brings the warmth of love. In our dying world, God brings life. This is the purpose of John’s proclamation.

John’s Foundation of Fellowship (vv.3-4)

B. The Purpose John Proclaimed

John proclaims the supreme blessedness one enjoys in Christ. This fellowship is the supreme blessedness every true believer has in Christ. John proclaims that he is part of a circle so intimate with God that if one has fellowship with his circle, one also has fellowship with God the Father and with His Son. There is no form of true Christian fellowship outside of apostolic truth, since the New Testament truth is nothing more nor less than the truth which the Lord Jesus revealed to His apostles and which He commanded them to teach to us.

John 14:25–26 “These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Matthew 28:18–20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Acts 4:20 “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

Now John in his first epistle proclaims the truth concerning this fellowship we have in Christ, which is “the foundation of fellowship” that makes up “The Framework of our Fellowship” and it is through this fellowship with Christ we gain true assurance of our salvation.

John’s Purpose is so Believer’s may Enjoy True Communion with Christ - The word “fellowship” conveys an intimate, mutual participation in a life shared with one another. It is called “communion” because it is the outworking of a deep spiritual union between God and the believer as well as between believers. John proclaims the Word of Life so his readers could enjoy this communion with Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:9 “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”

John’s Purpose is so Believer’s may Exercise True Contemplation of Christ

Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”

Philippians 4:5–9 “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

John’s Purpose is so Believer’s may Experience True Comfort through Christ - This word “joy” is more than a human emotion. Emotion is the shallowest part of your nature. Goosebumps, liver shivers, and emotional hiccups should never be thought of or trusted as a work of the Holy Spirit. On the other hand Salvation is the deepest work of God in the soul of an individual’s life and is the source of true joy and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Joy is something very deep and profound, something that affects the whole and entire personality.… It comes to this; there is only one thing that can give true joy and that is a contemplation of the Lord Jesus Christ. He satisfies my mind; He satisfies my emotions; He satisfies my every desire. He and His great salvation include the whole personality and nothing less, and in Him I am complete. Joy, in other words, is the response and the reaction of the soul to a knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Conclusion

John is proclaiming this fellowship may only be realized in the person he witnessed, the Lord Jesus Christ. Is this a realization in your life?