1 John - Fellowship with God
Notes
Transcript
Theme of Fellowship
Theme of Fellowship
1 John is known as the “letter of certainties”. John wants you to know some things for certain. The word “know” or it’s equivalent is used over 30 times
If you start a new job, and your employer gives you policies and procedures emphasizing critical information, you will pay extra attention. This letter emphasizes some critical info for believers.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
john 1:1-
Speaking of what we have personally heard, seen physically experienced is called a testimony or witness
1 John starts by emphasizing the importance of testimony, especially personal experience.
All believers testimony should point to Jesus and the Father - Holy Spirit testifies about Jesus
But when the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth Who comes (proceeds) from the Father, He [Himself] will testify regarding Me.
John’s testimony points us to one of the purposes for this book - encouraging fellowship, with God and each other
Testimony should educate us about God. This testimony teaches God is life and light - health, growth, energy,
Testimony should speak of the eternal realities being manifested here “to us”
God is Life & Light
God is Life & Light
Mark Hayes - Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
Fellowship is God’s desire and our privilege
Fellowship is God’s desire and our privilege
definition of fellowship - company of equals or friends; community of interest, activity or experience. Greek - koinonia - active participation (used of marriage and church)
Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Fellowship
In the beginning, Adam was placed in the garden to enjoy friendship and communion with God. When the creature chose to assert his own autonomy rather than live under the Creator’s gracious care, fellowship was broken. Hence Adam and Eve hid themselves from the Lord’s presence (Gn 3:8). Yet God immediately sought them out (v 9) and revealed his plan for the ultimate restoration of sinners through the work of the Redeemer (v 15)
John says he writes this testimony so that we will have fellowship with God and make our (your) joy complete or full . vs 3 & 4
It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:
Joy - positive human condition that can be either feeling or action;
True Joy should evoke some physical evidence - new baby, Penquins advancing to finals
Come before him with Joyful songs -
(MW) the emotion evoked by wellbeing, success or by the prospect of possessing what one desires (faith & promises)
Joy of our salvation -
Joy of His presence - Ps 21:6
Joy complete (full) - (MW) to bring to an end and especially into a perfected state;
a legally caught football pass - keep your eye on the ball, don't start to run until you secure it; the opposing player will try and interfere with your ability to see it and complete the catch)
God is our quarterback; calls the play and makes the throw, but if we don’t listen or execute as instructed, incompletion. (receiver running and ball hitting him in the head)
It is God’s desire that we “Be joyful always”, how ? “pray continually” Fellowship with God is a key!
Our joy should be evident at church, home, work - Harold Clark, Pastor Yun
God is Life & Light
Walking in the Light a sign of relationship with God
Walking in the Light a sign of relationship with God
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
1 John 1:5
Light has a powerful effect on our life. There is comfort in light - long days of summer;
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) - typically characterized by feelings of lethargy, fatigue, cravings for certain types of foods (carbohydrates), excessive sleep, anxiety, etc. Treatment with bright light has been found to relieve those symtoms
Light exposes defects and defeats darkness
Joy - positive human condition that can be either feeling or action; (MW) the emotion evoked by wellbeing, success or by the prospect of possessing what one desires
* Joy - positive human condition that can be either feeling or action; (MW) the emotion evoked by wellbeing, success or by the prospect of possessing what one desires
complete - (MW) to bring to an end and especially into a perfected state; (a legally caught football pass - keep your eye on the ball, don't start to run until you secure it; the enemy will try and interfere with your ability to see it and complete the catch)
* complete - (MW) to bring to an end and especially into a perfected state;
a legally caught football pass - keep your eye on the ball, don't start to run until you secure it; the enemy will try and interfere with your ability to see it and complete the catch
The people of God as the light of the world
Light
Light exposes defects and defeats darkness
You, Lord, are my lamp;
the Lord turns my darkness into light.
2 sam
The mayor of Toronto launched a “Light the Night” campaign. The idea was for residents to leave their lights burning overnight in order to discourage crime. A similar campaign was carried out in the Oakland, California, area, and reports show that crime was greatly reduced—in fact, reduced fantastically.
There is no darkness in God, but man has a penchant for darkness
There is no darkness in God, but man has a penchant for darkness
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
Sin City
Man often chooses to be blind
Scripture uses “light” to describe God’s people
Scripture uses “light” to describe God’s people
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Stephen -
Stephen -
Stephen -
Stephen -
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the righteous ruler, fully realised in Jesus Christ; Job as a counsellor; John the Baptist; Stephen; the Philippian church
The gospel of forgiveness as a source of light
The gospel of forgiveness as a source of light
God and his law as the source of light
God and his law as the source of light
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See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
The gospel of forgiveness as a source of light
The gospel of forgiveness as a source of light
I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
The people of God are called to live in his light
The people of God are called to live in his light
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See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;