Character Witness: The Word of Life

Introduction

This is the beginning of my sermon series on 1 John. In this series, I seek to glorify God through our LORD Jesus Christ by demonstrating in this letter, John is writing to combat the doctrine of false teachers who deny the divinity of Christ. The central theme of this letter is "fellowship with God." Three main evidences of authentic fellowship with God are: 1) Belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; 2) love for fellow believers; and 3) Obedience to God's commands.

John is writing to the church in Asia Minor. The false teachers of this time were believed to be the converts of an early form of Gnosticism. Gnostics believed they were saved by a special knowledges not faith in Jesus Christ. They borrowed ideas from various religions like Judaism, Christianity, and pagan religions. The believed the material world was evil and only the spirit is good. They believed they could practice immoral behaviors since their bodies do not affect their spiritual state. Therefore, their rejection of the material world led to a denial God could take bodily form and Jesus’ death atoned for sins.

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.

In verse 1, John emphasizes the divinity and humanity of Christ. John’s writing is often rhythmic which aids in memorization for the reader.

First, he writes “that which was from the beginning.” Emphasizes the Jesus is eternal. Before anything, He existed.

Second, John identified his humanity with 1) we have heard; 2) we have seen with our own eyes; 3) we have looked up and touch with our hands. This lets the readers know, they experienced a physical form, not something spiritual.

All of this is concerning the word of life

John then states the word of life was made manifest. The word “made” in some of our translations does not imply created. The Greek transliteration of the word simply means “reveal” or to “make clear.” Verse two also follows the pattern of verse one.

1) We have seen it; 2) we testify to it; 3) we proclaim eternal life. Again, John emphasizes the physical existence of the word with “seen it.” That which they have seen he bear witness (testify) to it. And that which they have seen and bear witness to is the eternal life they proclaim. There is something significant about “word of life;” “the life;” and “eternal life” and that is this: Those are not mere words of encouragement from Scripture. Those are descriptors of Jesus. Therefore, to proclaim of eternal life is to speak about Jesus.

This verse ends with stressing His eternality and relationship with the Father. “Which was with the Father and was made manifest to us” alludes to the truth Jesus was eternally with the Father and revealed to us in bodily.

In verse three, John states the purpose telling them about seeing, hearing, and proclaiming Jesus Christ. That is so we too may have fellowship with them in their fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. Fellowship is not just a word we us to describe a gathering of people. Fellowship is more about intimacy in relationship with God and each other. Our fellowship with God and one another must be liken to the unity between the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

In addition to fellowship with God and each other, the things written about Jesus’ divinity and humanity are done so to make our joy complete. John writes these things not to give you joy in the moment. Instead, render perfect the joy we have in Christ Jesus our LORD.

Conclusion

Jesus was eternal with the Father and revealed in bodily form

John and others can bear witness of both Jesus’ divinity and humanity

Jesus is the word of life, the life, and eternal life which we must bear witness to and proclaim

The purpose of testifying and proclaiming Jesus is to bring people into fellowship with God and each other, and to make the joy we have in Christ Jesus our LORD complete.