The tale of two loves

What is love?

If I say, I love my wife Rachelle. What does that imply?

If I say, I love this sandwich. What does that imply?

If I say, I love it when my football team wins. What does that imply?

If I say, I love my job. What does that imply?

If I say I love my church. What does that imply?

Our key verse for 1 john

1 John 1:3 ESV

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.

John’s letter begins with telling us why he wrote to the church. The purpose of the letter is to make sure that his fellow believers are in fellowship with him and the other apostles, and ultimately with God. So we can anticipate this theme running through the epistle.

1 John 1:7 ESV

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:10 ESV

10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1 John 2:3–5 ESV

3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:

1 John 2:10 ESV

10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.

1 John 2:12–14 ESV

12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. 14 I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

Children sins forgiven and know the Father

Fathers know Him who was from the beginning and know Him who was from the beginning

Young Men overcome the evil one and strong, the word abides, overcome the evil one

What might derail our fellowship?

Our relationship to the World

1 John 2:15–17 ESV

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Do not love the World

1 John 2:15 ESV

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

What if I do love the world?

The love of the Father is not in me.

I do not have fellowship with Him.

What do we mean by world?

1 John 2:16 ESV

16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

The desires (cravings, lusts) of the flesh

I want to feel good

“I’m hungry” or “I’m horny” or “I’m angry” or “I’m worried”

so my sin isn’t my fault, I deserve this.

The desires (cravings, lusts) of the eyes

I want to have it all

“I am susceptible to signage.” or try “I am susceptible to social media ads” or “I want what they have”

so my sin isn’t my fault, I need this

The pride of life

I want credit for it all

“Look what I did” or “No one else could do that” or “I’m the best so praise me”

so my sin isn’t my fault, I can’t help being the greatest

These are not from the Father but from the world and these break your fellowship.

Count the cost

1 John 2:17 ESV

17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Where is your fellowship?

Is it with the light. With the Father?

Is it with the darkness? With the World?

This is what Jesus came to set us free from.