LIFE IN THE SON
Lesson One, continued (1:1-4)
Last week:
THE FOUNDATION AND CORNERSTONE OF THE LIFE
The Cornerstone = “That which was from the beginning…”
The Foundation of eyewitnesses = which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim…
I. The Person, v. 1
A. His Pre-existent Reality.
B. His Earthly Reality.
C. His Post-resurrection Reality.
B. His Earthly Reality.
C. His Post-resurrection Reality.
II. The Proclaimers, v. 2
This week:
III. The Plan, v. 3
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
Eph.1:9-10:
…he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
IV. The Purpose, v. 4
We write this to make our joy complete.
John’s purpose for writing relates to his purpose for proclaiming Jesus and God’s purpose for sending Jesus. He proclaims Jesus so that fellowship can happen. Now he will write about maintaining that fellowship so that our joy may be complete.
Whatever hinders fellowship hinders our joy.
Whatever heightens fellowship fills up our joy.
Lesson Two: Jesus, the Light of Life (1 John 1:5-2:6)
Do we know who the real God is? We must start by viewing both God and ourselves correctly. Only then will fellowship and joy really happen.
I. The Revelation of God, vv. 5-7
A. His Character, v. 5
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
The message John heard from Jesus began with the statement, that “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”
To be “light” mentally is to have knowledge.
To be “light” morally is to have purity.
As Christians we have been recreated in God’s image. If He lives in us, light lives in us as well.
B. Our Conduct, vv. 6-7
1. What it is not to be (v. 6)
If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.
John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
2 Cor. 3:18
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Eph. 4:15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
Fellowship with Christ is to affect both what we say and what we do.
Fellowship with Christ is to affect both what we say and what we do.
Let’s get down with “walking the talk,” not just “talking the walk!”
Book of Common Prayer, General Thanksgiving:
Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks
for all your goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all whom you have made.
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks
for all your goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all whom you have made.
We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up our selves to your service,
and by walking before you
in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
