First John Chapter One: Fellowship in the Light

1 John 1:1–4 “1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.”

That which was from the beginning

Jesus was in the beginning as God

Jesus existed in eternity past as the Father, not the Son

The Sonship of Christ came to existence in John

John 1:14 “14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ

John is saying that Fellowship happens with his experience with Jesus

Relationship with Jesus is with God

There is no need to pray to Jesus and God

Col 2:9 “9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;”

“why does Jesus say to pray, “our father who is in heaven”

The Lords prayer

Father is meant to be a relationship with His people

Father in terms of being “children” and being created and all creation

Father in creation = all things were created by Him

Thinking that Jesus and the Father are different are like thinking that

That your joy may be full

God desires us to have a Fullness of Joy

John 15:11 “11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

John 16:24 “24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

Fellowship with One Another

1 John 1:5–10 “5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”

God is Light

This whole statement is not made by Jesus, but certainly John could/would be privy to more that just what was spoken.

I am the Bread of Life (John 6:35)I am the Light of the World (John 8:12)I am the Door (John 10:9)I am the Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14)I am the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25)I am the Way and the Truth and the Life (John 14:6)I am the Vine (John 15:1,5)

John is giving a revelaiton of God

Light = revealer and exposer

Walking in Darkness with God is a contradiction

If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves

Being honest is the way out of sin

Honesty is always the way out of sin

Sin thrives in the dark, in secrecy.

John 3:18–21 “18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.””