Test #1 Darkness & Deception

Passage to read in prep -

Introduction - Apollo 13

April 11 1970 - Kennedy Space Center

Two days later an Oxygen tank exploded crippling the Service Module (SM) upon which the Command Module (CM) had depended. Despite great hardship caused by limited power, loss of cabin heat, shortage of potable water, and the critical need to make makeshift repairs to the carbon dioxide removal system

1995 Movie recounting the story Tom Hank, playing John/Jack Swigert famously, albeit erroneously declares “Houston, we have a problem”. This quote has worked it’s way into common vernacular to bring to light, often humorously an unexpected problem.

Read Scripture in search of affirmation/comfort. ()

English Standard Version Psalm 73

Whom have I in heaven but you?

And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

26  My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Miss that often Scripture brings to light that we have a problem.

v5 God Purity - Overriding foundational truth & source of our problem

The New King James Version Chapter 1

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

 He is light! Praise Him totally pure, no darkness whatsoever

BUT, Houston, we have a problem. Swansea, we have a problem! God may be light with no darkness, but that does not describe me!

v6 Man deception (by self) and seeks to deceive

First of five “IF” statements. NOT if/then statements - If a happens, b will follow; rather if A happens B is the reality

The New King James Version Chapter 1

If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

self deception -

The New King James Version Chapter 1

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

The New King James Version Chapter 17

“The heart is deceitful above all things,

And desperately wicked;

Who can know it?

       v7 Man purified

The New King James Version Chapter 1

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ? His Son cleanses us from all sin.

The New King James Version Chapter 1

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ? His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Walk in light/darkness- 8-10 explain/shed light

I

The New King James Version Chapter 3

And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

Does the truth vs v7

If we walk in the light AS HE IS IN THE LIGHT - Jesus was the standard

we have fellowship

The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. Amen.

  v8 Man deceives

    v8 Man deceive

  v8 Man deceives

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.    v8 Man deceive

The New King James Version Chapter 1

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

This is walking in darkness.

It’s like asking the the three old with a face covered in crumbs who got into the cake. You only deceive yourself.

v 10 will talk bout saying we have not sinned.

Most of us would not say this word for word, but we have other ways. All of life sin vs justifying every sin (not my fault, my body made me do it, my upbringing made me do it, my circumstances made me do it, it’s not really sin sin...

Another way we do this is by elevating ourselves and/or judging/looking down on others.

If there is any place on earth where an individual ought to be able to rightly confess sin it’s the church. But can we? Pressure to be perfect (primarily internal). Example of youth group growing up. Statement in Ladies study, the way we dress.

v9 God - purifier 

   What is the foundation of God’s forgiveness and cleansing? His faithfulness and Justness.

This is why it is so important to call sin sin. Sin has a divinely orchestrated solution that is rooted in who He is. Mistakes?

v10 man - deceived & makes God liar

The New King James Version Chapter 1

If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

Fearful warning, His Word is not in us.

APPLICATION

Worship God - He is light with no darkness, He is faithful & just

Praise Him - Shed blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sin; Forgiveness, cleansing from all unrighteousness

2:1 do not sin. Sin is not something to mess around with

Understand the condition of humanity & respond in grace

You are the light of the World - Story from Holiness of God?

Walk in the light

Be honest about your sin

Confess before God

Repent

Confess/ask forgiveness before others (Biblical conflict resolution) (face to face)

4.