1 John 1:1-4

Scripture: Dale

Youth Video

Intro:

At the time of writing, John was probably the only surviving member of the Twelve, and the only one who did not die a martyr’s death.

He wrote five books in the New Testament:

the Gospel of John, which looks back to the past and presents the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus;

1, 2, 3 John, which concern the present and teaches us how we should live now;

Revelation, which looks to the future and shows us how God will consummate history in the return of Jesus to this earth

We know John spent his later years in and around Ephesus.

He wrote this letter to the churches of Asia Minor probably between a.d. 80 and 85.

The church was now composed of second- and third-generation Christians.

For some Christians this was a time of persecution. For others perhaps the thrill was gone and the flame of devotion to Christ was flickering.

False teachers were infiltrating some of the churches, and some Christians were becoming lax in their Christian standards.

Toward the end of his life (according to Irenaeus, John lived until the time of the emperor Trajan [a.d. 98–117]) and was banished to the island of Patmos. It was there that he received and wrote the visions described in the book of Revelation (c. a.d. 94–96).

Christianity is an invitation into a relationship that produces unshakeable joy.

The Reality of Christ vs. 1-2

We can have the joy of fellowship when we understand the reality of Christ

John refutes the false teachers by saying that he knew Christ

Twice he says that he has heard, seen, and touched Jesus

The beginning John wrote of is not the beginning of this world, nor is it the beginning of creation.

It is the beginning of Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1, the beginning there was before there was anything, when all there existed was God.

Word of Life vs. 1b

The idea of the Logos - of the Word - was important for John and for the Greek and Jewish worlds of his day.

For the Jew, God was often referred to as the Word because they knew God perfectly revealed Himself in His Word.

For the Greek, their philosophers had spoken for centuries about the Logos - the basis for organization and intelligence in the universe, the Ultimate Reason which controls all things

The Purpose of Fellowship vs. 3

We can have the joy of fellowship when we understand its purpose

Human beings are made for koinonia — shared life.

Not just with other humans, but with God Himself.

The purpose of the incarnation was to make this fellowship possible. 

Fellowship: The idea of fellowship is one of the most important ideas in this letter of John’s.

It is the ancient Greek word koinonia, which speaks of a sharing, a communion, a common bond and common life.

It speaks of a living, breathing, sharing, loving relationship with another person.

“The Greek word koinonia is derived from the word koinos, which very literally means common, in the sense of being shared by all.”

The use of the word in Acts 2:44 is very helpful: Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common. The word common is the ancient Greek word koinonia.

Those who have a fellowship one with another, are those who share the same resources, and are bound by the same responsibilities.

The idea becomes almost overwhelming when it is thus applied to the relationship which believing souls bear to the Father, and to His Son Jesus Christ... The Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and all believers have all things in common.

All the resources of each in the wondrous relationship are at the disposal of the others. Such is the grace of our God, and of His Son.”

The Greek mind-set highly prized the idea of fellowship, but restricted to men among men - the idea of such an intimate relationship with God was revolutionary

The word fellowship has in it not only the idea of relationship, but also of sharing a common life.

When we have fellowship with Jesus, we will become more like Him.

1 Corinthians 1:9 ESV

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

This idea of a shared life is essential.

This doesn’t mean that when Jesus comes into our life He helps us to do the same things, but simply to do them better than before.

We don’t add Jesus to our life. We enter into a relationship of a shared life with Jesus.

We share our life with Him, and He shares His life with us.

Revival: Broken fellowship

Dry bones from Ezekiel

Renewal: Burdened fellowship

Turtles w/ Barnacles

Refilled: Working hard for Jesus and the tank is empty

The word κοινωνία appears 4x in 1 John (1:3 twice, 1:6, 1:7).

It's the controlling idea of the letter.

Everything that follows — walking in light, confessing sin, loving one another — serves the goal of maintaining fellowship. 

Life Full of Joy vs. 4

When we have fellowship with God our life is full of joy

The phrase “may be complete” means “permanently full; permanently filled.

Christian joy is far removed from what is commonly construed as happiness, which is dependent upon outward circumstances

Joy as result , not goal:

Modernity treats happiness as something to pursue directly.

John treats joy as the natural byproduct of right relationship.

You don't chase joy; you chase fellowship, and joy comes. 

Nehemiah 8:10 ESV

Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

On a scale of 1-10, how "full" is your joy right now?

What does that tell you about the state of your fellowship with God? 

If I asked you to complete this sentence: "My joy would be full if ____________" — what would you say?

A raise? A relationship? A health report?

John says there's only one thing that leads to full joy: fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

Everything else gives partial, temporary satisfaction. Only this relationship fills the cup. 

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.