The Believer's Lifestyle, pt.2 (2:1-17)

Intro

How do you know you have a good relationship with someone? How can you tell when that relationship is real or fake?

Wife (real) - Salesmen (fake)

Proposition

Main Idea - Believer’s relationships (pt. 2).

Proposition - Two relationships:

How we relate to Jesus

How we relate to other believers

Context

Who wrote this? John, the Disciple of Jesus

Who to? Early Church or Believers (dealing with people leaving, skepticism, attacks on the truth of Christ, needing some assurance and answers)

Why? 1 Jn. 5:13 - He wants Christians to know (37x and 106x in John) or be certain of the faith as well as to be certain of their own faith.

What did he just discuss (last week)? Lifestyle pt. 1 (1:5-10) - Believers do two things: 1) fellowship with God, and 2) repent of sin.

Main Points

Believers love and obey Jesus (2:1-6)

How Jesus Loves Us

Read: 2:1-2

What does it mean?

“Advocate” - 1 Tim. 2:5

“Propitiation” - 2 Cor. 5:19

How does this relate?

Jesus in John 17:24 - Jesus prays for us!

Have you ever gotten in trouble, and someone stick up for you?

Aaron with law school.

How We Love Jesus

Read: 2:3-6

What does it mean?

1 Cor. 11:1

The way we love Jesus is not by saying it but by doing it!

How does it relate?

Have you ever heard: “Walk the talk” “Practice what you preach” “Actions speak louder than words”?

Think about someone you want to be like or imitate. Is it enough to want to be like them?

Think of it like this: I love my wife, but how does my wife know that I love her? Just because I tell her, but what if I don’t. How do you know when someone really cares about you? It’s when they follow-through!

Believers love other believers (2:7-14)

Read: 2:7-14

What does it mean?

“Old and New Command?” - Jn. 13:34-35

“Love vs Hate” - 1 Jn 4:20

How does it relate?

Example of Hate and Fake - Story of Judas - Jn. 18:3 - Delilah

Example of Love - Early Church - Acts 2:42-46

Can you think of someone in your life with a particular ability to love? What are some specific ways you have seen this?

Conclusion

The believer’s lifestyle or relationship to Jesus is one of love and obedience, and to other believers, one of love!

Believers love and obey Jesus

Believers love other believers.

How does it apply?

Do you love Jesus, and do you love other believers?

How does that show up in your life?

Encouragement > Read: 2:12-14 - Because of Jesus …

You are forgiven.

You know the Father.

You can overcome sin and evil.

I want to love more. I want you to know and love Jesus more. I want you toknow that you know! John is good at simplifying the Christian life. Basically he says to know Jesus, obey God, and love others

Discussion Questions

Even though all are sinners, what does John say about Jesus that gives us hope?

Thinking about what we read, what does it mean to “know God”?

Why do think knowing God leads to obeying God?

How would you define “love” and “hate”?

Any questions?