Fellowship with the Light
What does it mean to be a Christian? • Sermon • Submitted
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· 4 viewsIn the second part of this series we explore that apart from God, who is light, we are not free from darkness. For us to be free from darkness we need to continue walking in the light of God, His Son Jesus of Nazareth. His Holy Spirit empowers us to live out his word like Jesus who is the Living Word.
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Introduction
Introduction
Story of Eric Liddell
Story of Eric Liddell
Synopsis
Synopsis
Eric Henry Liddell was born January 16, 1902 in China, the son of Scottish missionaries. At the 1924 Olympic Games he dropped out of the 100-meter run because it was scheduled for a Sunday. However, he won the the 400 meter gold in record time. Liddell later returned to China for missionary work. He died in a Japanese camp in 1945, during WWII, in Weishien, China. The 1981 film Chariots of Fire portrays Liddell's Olympic victory.
Taken from https://www.biography.com/people/eric-liddell-9381746
What do we know so far?
What do we know so far?
Who wrote 1 John?
Who wrote 1 John?
John the apostle, the disciple of Jesus.
Why did he write the letter?
Why did he write the letter?
To explain “What does it mean to be a Christian?”
Main points: True Teaching, True Living, and True Loving
What does it mean to be a Christian?
What does it mean to be a Christian?
To be a follower of Jesus.
To follow is an action.
What does fellowship mean?
What does fellowship mean?
Answer: To share life and partner with others continuously.
Answer: To share life and partner with others continuously.
Today I want us to look a bit more closely at this word, fellowship, and what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
The Source of Light ()
The Source of Light ()
John is sharing with us a message Jesus shared with him. It is consistent with what we he shared in his gospel
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Jn
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
For you are the fountain of life,
the light by which we see.
This characteristic of light points to God’s holiness.
The late theologian R.C. Sproul explained it best in his book The Holiness of God:
The Holiness of God Chapter Three: The Fearful Mystery
The primary meaning of holy is “separate.” It comes from an ancient word that meant, “to cut,” or “to separate.” To translate this basic meaning into contemporary language would be to use the phrase “a cut apart.” Perhaps even more accurate would be the phrase “a cut above something.” When we find a garment or another piece of merchandise that is outstanding, that has a superior excellence, we use the expression that it is “a cut above the rest.”
The Holiness of God Transcendence
He is so far above and beyond us that He seems almost totally foreign to us. To be holy is to be “other,” to be different in a special way.
But fellowship with God, the source of light, should come with proof of relationship to him.
The Proof of Light ()
The Proof of Light ()
Next three vv. begin with “If...”
Characteristic of Jn to be black and white about perspectives.
v. 6, 8 - If… yet we walk in darkness, we are lying or the truth is not in us. We cannot have fellowship with God and walk in darkness at the same time.
Case & Holdren share a key insight here:
1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2 & 3 John, Jude: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition 5. From Darkness to Light 1:6–7
Walking in darkness refers to an intentional, habitual lifestyle. It refers to the way one is by inner decision and outward action. As it relates to darkness, it refers to a style of life that is ungodly. The term contrasts the expressed nature of God with a life void of light.
v. 8 -
v. 7 - If… we have fellowship with one another and Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
Reading book of Leviticus
Incredible detail on how, when and how many sacrifices to make for atonement of sins.
Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.
You will notice I left v. 7 for last. It is on purpose as it segues us from showing proof of light in our lives into returning to the light of fellowship with God.
The Return to Light ()
The Return to Light ()
My father instilled a deep love for the book of Proverbs as they convey deep truth in short phrases. I would like to introduce our last point with one.
People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
Joy in personal journey is preceded by humility and offering in brokenness. I once knew an Officer...
God, give me mercy from your fountain of forgiveness!
I know your abundant love is enough to wash away my guilt.
Because your compassion is so great,
take away this shameful guilt of sin.
Forgive the full extent of my rebellious ways,
and erase this deep stain on my conscience.[b]
3–4 For I’m so ashamed.
I feel such pain and anguish within me.
I can’t get away from the sting of my sin against you, Lord!
Everything I did, I did right in front of you, for you saw it all.
Against you, and you above all, have I sinned.
Everything you say to me is infallibly true
and your judgment conquers me.
5 Lord, I have been a sinner from birth,
from the moment my mother conceived me.
6 I know that you delight to set your truth deep in my spirit.[c]
So come into the hidden places of my heart
and teach me wisdom.
TPT
Constant process in journey with Christ.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Summary
Summary
Thanks to our heavenly Father, our source of light, sending Jesus we can make sure our lives show proof of this light when we are following him. Whenever God reveals patterns of darkness in our lives we can return to the light by repenting from whatever God wants us to turn away from as we continue to follow Jesus.
Altar Call
Altar Call
Do you have a hard time recognizing God as the source of light in your life? It all begins here. We cannot walk in the light if we cannot recognize the source. That is why Jesus came to open the eyes of the blind so we may see.
Maybe you feel there are areas of your life where there is a walking in darkness. Do you feel parts of your life are out of control no matter how much you try? Turn to Jesus and he will bring proof of light.