Out of the Darkness: Part 2

Introduction

Rewind

To be in the light, we must accept Jesus as our savior.

We must willingly admit that we sin and seek forgiveness for that sin.

We need to tell others by proclaiming the truth of who Jesus is.

So tonight, we will see more about light and darkness, which by the way, is the where this series on 1 John gets it’s name- Out of the darkness. Because as we grow closer to Jesus, the more light we exhibit and the less in the dark we are.

Who has a favorite celebrity?

-Wrestling Story

If your parents tell you to clean your room or do your homework, what is the best way to avoid getting in trouble?

Verses 3-6

It’s similar circumstances, but at a much higher level that John is talking about here in the first few verses. He has already told us that we are sinful and that when we accept Jesus as Lord he is our advocate. But that if we say we are a Christian but don’t even try to follow what God is teaching us through His word, then we are liars because we don’t really know Him.

That doesn’t mean we won’t mess up or sin but it does mean we are trying not to and when we do we feel terrible about it.

Who has heard the phrase actions speak louder than words?

Now, it’s not all about the actions as a Christian, but actions certainly do back up our words

Verses 7-11

When you hear the word love, what do you think of first?

So, John is defining this for us here.

This really confusing sentence about new commandments and old commandments, but wait, it is a new commandment.

He’s talking about love. That there has always been this instruction to love others. So, it’s not new.

BUT, when he says it’s a new commandment what he’s talking about because before it had never held the significance it did until Jesus came, died on the cross and resurrected. So when we trust in Him, we experience this new level love and when we do, the light pierces through the dark even more.

Have you ever said you hated someone? Did you mean it?

John is making it really clear where we are if we allow hate, not love, to guide us.

College Group Story

If we hate, we are in the darkness and we are blinded by our sin.

We must put on love, because God is.....

Takeaways

Our actions are important to God

When we know Jesus we experience love like never before.

We must love others. There can’t be room for hate in our heart.

How are we doing at this?