SF216 - Real Facts (1 John 1 1-4)
REAL FACTS
1 John 1:1‑4
INTRODUCTION
We live in a scientific age.
We put a high premium on verifiable knowledge.
One of the most often heard criticisms of the church is that it does not meet our needs, it is not relevant, and it is not real.
Have you ever asked questions like these?
Ø How can I be sure that Jesus is who He says He is?
Ø How can I know that the Bible really is the Word of God?
Ø How can I know that Christianity is any better than any other religion?
You are not the first to ask such questions.
Ø People in John's day asked the same kind of questions.
Ø John wrote this letter to settle the issue of the reality of Christ and the Christian life.
These are great questions
Despite popular belief, you don't have to check your brain at the door to be a Christian.
In fact John tells us that there is irrefutable evidence that proves the facts of Christianity.
1A. The Physical Manifestation of Christ (5:1)
1B. Our Lord’s eternal existence
John 1:1-2 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.”
Genesis 1:1-2 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.”
Genesis 1:26 “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’”
John 1:3 “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.”
John 8:58 “Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.’”
2B. Our Lord’s earthly existence
They “heard,” all that Jesus taught and said
Ø He predicted His death, His resurrection, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the beginning of His church, and the destruction of Jerusalem
Ø All were literally fulfilled
They had “seen” all that Jesus did.
John 21:25 “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.”
They had “touched,” hands on experience.
John 20:24-30 “But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were saying to him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.’ After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.’ Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.’ Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book”
ILLUSTRATION
Josh McDowell Evidence That Demands A Verdict, quotes over a dozen non‑biblical sources for the historicity of Jesus. He summarizes this section with a quote from the Encyclopedia Britannica.
“These independent accounts prove that in ancient times even the opponents of Christianity never doubted the historicity of Jesus which was disputed for the first time and on inadequate grounds by several authors at the end of the 18th, during the 19th, and at the beginning of the 20th centuries.” (p.87)
2A. The Personal Revelation of Christ (1:2-3)
It was not the disciples, physical nearness that was significant. It was their spiritual nearness. Not until Pentecost did they experience power and boldness.
He was real to them because they trusted Him. They experienced Eternal Life.
1B. The source of eternal live (1:2)
The Source Identified
1 John 5:11, 12; 20
The Source Specified
John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’”
2B. The subjects of eternal life
“We proclaim to you the eternal life.” (1:2b)
“We proclaim to you...” (1:3a)
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (NKJ)
3B. The results of eternal life (1:3b)
“fellowship with the brethren”
“fellowship with the Father”
“fellowship with the Son”
3A. PUBLIC PROCLAMATION (v.3b,4)
The natural response to a personal revelation of Christ is to proclaim him publicly.
Found here:
Ø "We proclaim" (v.3) "We write" (v.4)
@PAGE NUMBER = Page 4
1B. To Foster Fellowship (v.3b)
1C. Fellowship demonstrates Unity.
Ø "Fellowship" = to have in common
2C. Fellowship develops Bonds.
Ø With God
Ø With other Christians
3C. Fellowship destroys Loneliness
Illustration
Wealthy author hired little boy to wave bye to him.
Matthew 28:20 "I am with you always..."
2B. To Fulfill Joy (v.4)
1C. Joy destroys Emptiness.
2C. Joy is based on our relationship with Christ Happiness is based on our response to Circumstances
Psalm 16:11 "...you will fill me with joy in your presence..."
3C. Joy is an Attitude Happiness is an Emotion
John 15:11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
4C. Joy is Eternal Happiness is Temporary
John 16:22 "...no one will take away your joy."
CONCLUSION
Real People with Real Problems need
Real Faith based on Real Facts
The Tom Foust Story