So the World Will Know

1 John 1:1–4 ESV

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 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. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

STORY: Singing in Carnegie Hall

1 John 1:2 ESV

the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—

The life of Jesus is on OPEN PUBLIC DISPLAY. (vs. 2)

Phanaroo - to make clear. to put on open public display.

More investigation has been done into the factual history and spiritual significance of Jesus than any other person in history.

John 1:1–4 ESV

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.

Jesus is the WORD OF LIFE. His life was:

Predicted in prophecy. (over 300 OT prophecies fulfilled)

STORY: My Address

RESOURCE: Josh McDowell - https://www.josh.org/jesus-fulfill-prophecy/

Experienced by eyewitnesses. (heard, seen, investigated/experienced, touched - conservatively over 60,000 people)

RESOURCE: Sean McDowell - https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/the-state-of-historical-jesus-studies

Proclaimed to this day by followers who would rather die than dishonor Christ.

What personal investigation have you done?

Have you HEARD, SEEN, INVESTIGATED and COME TO GRIPS with the reality of a Savior?

“…that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you...” - 1 John 1:3

Jesus brings inexhaustible JOY to those who KNOW and PROCLAIM Him. (vs. 4)

Ecclesiastes 5:20 ESV

For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

Joy is the unwavering delight of a confident faith.

Joy is not determined by my current condition but in my earnest expectation and hope that this condition will turn out for my salvation through Jesus Christ - on this side of eternity or the next.

Jesus is the Word of Life who unites us with God. (vs. 1)

Jesus is the Word of Life who unites us with one another. (vs. 3)

STORY: Sharing with a friend...

Response: What will it take for your joy to be complete? Do you know the Word of Life? Who have you told lately?