The Iffy Statements

“Iffy” Statements I John 1:5-9 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. I John 1:3-4 Companionship community of interest, activity, feeling, or experience a company of equals or friends mirriam-webster.com What central idea stands out to you? In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Gen.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. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. Jn.1:1-3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent….That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. Jn.17:3, 21 When God wanted to send the best message He could; He sent a person. He still does “In the beginning was the divine dance.” Fellowship is an invitation to dance with God so that the world will believe “God is light” In effect, He is holy (completely other); and in the particular context there is nothing sinful in Him. Hence, when we think of God’s holiness we mostly think of God’s Law and our conduct Law says, “Thou shall not…” For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Mt.5:20 Love says, “Thou shalt…” For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. Gal. 5:13-15 (NLT) Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. I Jn.4:20 All sin is foremost against God (God is light…”Thou shalt not”) All sin is a violation of love (God is love…”Thou shalt”) Does that change your view of sin? “We have Platonized our eschatology, moralized our anthropology, and paganized our theology” N T Wright I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Eph.4:1-3 But God chose you to be his people. You are royal priests. You are a holy nation. You are God’s special treasure. You are all these things so that you can give him praise. God brought you out of darkness into his wonderful light. I Pet.2:9 God is love I Jn.4:8 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! I Cor.13:4-8 (NLT) What follows this are five “iffy” statements 1. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. Can two people walk together (fellowship) without agreeing on the direction? Amos 3:3 (NLT) He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness… and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 2. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. “Walking in the light, as He is in the light?” He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness… and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 a) Fellowship with “one another” b)“Cleanses us from all sin” The lesson of the towel and basin –John 13 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part (a partner’s portion, partnership, fellowship) with me. Jn.13:8 if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. Jn.10:29 Can two people walk together (fellowship) without agreeing on the direction? Amos 3:3 (NLT) When did God last speak to you? How frequently do you hear from Him? “If we do not use our ability to turn our minds and thoughts toward God, we do not have contact with God. Undoubtedly God could move into the human realm and invade the mind. If God did act in such a way, what are the chances the receiver would properly interpret such an encounter, if there is no knowledge of God at all? Therefore, what human beings can and must do is progress to the point where we consciously, intentionally focus our minds on God.” Dallas Willard Eternal life is not simply something to be possessed, but experienced & expressed That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. Luke 24:13-15 “…walk with the King today, and be a blessing!” Dr. Robert A Cook