Walking in the Light

Introduction:

·This week, in 2007

· John is introducing the powerful message of the gospel that will “change your life”

LET’S LOOK AT WHAT THE GOSPEL DOES, HOW DO WE TELL IF IT’S AT WORK IN OUR LIVES, AND HOW DO WE EXPERIENCE ITS POWER. PURPOSE, THE TEST, THE PATH.

I) The Purpose of the Gospel (vv. 3-4)

A. The Purpose of Christianity is Fellowship…(vs.3)

i. The gospel draws us into fellowship”

1. Fellowship is “life in common” – “vision & Values”

2. Like “communes” the church shares a common vision & values

ii. Christians share in fellowship…

1. …with believers: Worship, service, life, mutual flourishing (vs. 3a)

2. …with God: HIS values, and vision shape ours (vs. 3b)

B. The Purpose of Christianity is our Joy

i. The gospel creates deep joy (vs. 4)

1. So much in the world creates/promotes temporary happiness

2. John wants to see joy that is complete!

ii. The Joy of the message

1. But whose joy? John’s or believers? Probably both!

2. The full joy of the gospel is seen as others are experience the joy as well!

THE GOSPEL DRAWS US INTO FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD AND EACH OTHER THAT LEADS TO THE FULLNESS OF JOY. HOW DO WE KNOW IF WE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS?

II) The Test of Genuine Christianity (vv. 5-10)

A. Genuine Christians walk in the Light

i. Can Christians persist in sin – even as believers? (vv. 5-7)

1. Gnosticism taught spirituality w/o obedience; your spirit mattered…

2. Today: how do sins (lust? Greed? Bitterness? Etc.) effect your relationship

ii. No! Genuine believers strive to obey

1. Persistent indifference to sin s a warning sign

2. One of the ways we know the gospel has transformed you: Obedience!

B. Genuine Christians Do not deny their sins

i. Are Christians somehow free from the reality of sin? (vv. 8, 10)

1. Either: “No one’s perfect, but sin isn’t such a problem for me.” Or “I don’t sin at all”

2. "Nothing is sin, strictly speaking, but a voluntary transgression of a known law of God. Therefore, every voluntary breach of the law of love is sin; and nothing else, if we speak properly. To strain the matter farther is only to make way for Calvinism." – John Wesley, Holiness Movement

ii. No – Sin is always a reality we must acknowledge.

1. Even secular people must admit they don’t live up to their own standards

2. EXAMPLE: Facebook…à the bar of God’s justice to see we fall short

THE GOSPEL CONFRONTS US WITH A TOUGH REALITY: “GOD IS LIGHT” AND WE ALL FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF HIS PRESENCE. WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT IT?

III) The Path to Christianity (VS. 9)

A. When We Confess Our Sins

i. Religion tells us to “atone” for our sins & self-justify ourselves

1. Religion teaches us to try harder à Perfectionists

2. Irreligion teaches us to prove worth: à Performers:

3. Underneath: a nagging sense that my identity & worth are in what I do

ii. Christianity says we must face our sin

1. “Confessing” our sin means agreeing with God’s evaluation of us

2. We can’t experience the power of grace until we see the seriousness of sin

B. We receive…

i. …Forgiveness

1. forgiveness = release (and God is worse at keeping score than we are!)

2. EXAMPLE: Two train cars hooked/unhooked

ii. …cleansing

1. Not only does God erase the debt we owe to justice…

2. …he also works in our lives to remove the stain of our sin

iii. How can God do this? How can he remain “faithful & just”?

1. EXAMPLE: standing before a judge if you’ve pillaged/plundered?!

2. God is faithful to us, and just, n Christ!

Transition:

Conclusion

Fellowship with God & each other at the Lord’s Table