1 John Expository Sermon 1 - Background, Introduction, and Conditions for Fellowship

Background: Historical Context

Heresies

Antinomianism

Claim the covenant of grace, like the Abrahamic Covenant, was not established on conditions, preventing man from being held accountable to any moral law so long as he believes he is justified.

Perfectionism

Believe sin nature is eradicated entirely upon salvation as though it had been surgically removed

Gnosticism

Knowledge is superior to virtue

Non-Literal Scripture understood by elect few

Presence of evil in the world indicates another creator besides God

Deity cannot be joined with anything material, making the Incarnation significant (Docetism - that Jesus was an incorporeal spirit | Cerinthianism - that deity joined with the man Jesus at Baptism and left at the crucifixion)

No resurrection of the flesh

Date, Place and Reason for Writing

Written by John roughly at A.D. 90 from Ephesus to the churches of Asia Minor

Necessary to identify characteristics of true Christians so as to contrast, identify and cast out heretics.

Introduction: The Purpose of the Letter

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.

Johns Prologue:

1st hand witness of Christ, invoking progressively more comprehensive evidence to the senses (heard, seen, looked upon, handled)

v1: Johns witness and testimony of Christ in the flesh (counter to Docetism) and harkening back to his Gospel account.

Illustration: More evidence to say Jesus Christ lived, died and walked again after His crucifixion than of George Washington.

v2: A bold statement, declaring the eternal nature of Jesus as God, and His being the unique path to eternal life.

v3: “Proclaim to you” = Responsibility to share what you have learned. Fellowship is with believers, the Father (incredible privilage), and Christ

Illustration: Cure for Cancer

v4: “your joy” not “our joy” - Joy is realized by fellowship with other believers.