1 John 1:5 – 2:6“Walking in the Light”

June 14, 2015First Baptist ChurchJackson, Mississippi

USA

What’s the number one thing?

The Glory of God!

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1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV

31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

June Memory Verse

Philippians 1:6 NIV6 Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Pray for2015 Committee on Committees

Kendall Smith, ChairmanBeth AldridgeDavid Gibbs

Sherye GreenMike Lowe

Chris MadduxJim Merritt, Jr.Elizabeth RichEddy Waller

Lesson References

• Focus on the Bible: 1.2.3 John by Michael Eaton, Christian Focus Publications, 1996.

• Twelve Ordinary Men by John MacArthur, W Publishing Group, 2002.

• First John 1 and 2 by Dr. Bob Utley, Available on YouTube

Purposes of Writing 1 John

• 1 John the Epistle was possible written as a cover letter to the Gospel of John– No opening greeting and directive– Circulated to the churches in Asia (Turkey)– Written to Christians and “those who called

themselves Christians” (Claimed to have fellowship)

• 1 John answers the two basic questions about Christianity:– How are we saved?– How are Christians supposed to live?

Who was John?

• Son of Zebedee and Salome

• Younger brother of James who was a disciple & the 1st martyr of the church

• James and John referred to as “sons of thunder” by Jesus

• A follower of John the Baptist until he singled Jesus out as the Messiah (John1:35-39)

Who was John?

• Referred to himself as “the disciple that Jesus loved”

• The only disciple present at Jesus’ crucifixion

• Jesus gave him charge of his mother

• Fled to Asia because of persecution and became leader of the church at Ephesus

• Paul established this church in 50 AD

John the Preacher/Author

• Wrote the Epistles of John while at Ephesus around 85-95 AD

• Was the only disciple still alive in 85 AD

• Banished to live in a cave on Patmos and wrote the Book of Revelation there in 95 AD

• Died in Ephesus in 98 AD of natural causes, the only disciple not martyred

Churches in the 1st Century

Philosophy of the 1st Century Mediterranean world

• God is a spirit, and spirit is good; matter (physical) is evil.

• “Dualism” – contrasting aspects that are equal

• Their Logic – If this is true, God cannot be fully God(spirit) and fully man(physical body) in Jesus.

• A Holy God cannot be in sinful matter

The “…isms” of false teachers

• Docetism – the heresy that denies the reality of Jesus’ human nature

– Do not believe that God (spirit) could take human (physical) form

• Gnosticism – special “knowledge” from God

– I know the truth, and I am saved by what I know, therefore, it does not matter how I live

– Believe they do not sin

The “…isms” of false teachers

• Antinomianism – “against the law”

– There are no moral laws God expects Christians to obey, therefore I do not sin

– Jesus fulfilled the OT law and commandments and they do not apply

• Asceticism – I am saved by what I don’t do

– The more self-denial, the more holy I am

– I don’t (smoke, drink or cuss)!

John’s Style of Writing in 1st John

• Written in ‘black & white’ terms– Very direct and no middle ground for compromise

• All about the ‘horizontal’ relationships– To be right with God, you must also be right with

man

• ‘If, then’ style of writing– If you say ………, then you lie, and do not know the

truth.

• Repetitive or spiral presentation

What is this ‘fellowship’ in 1 John?

• Fellowship (Greek koinonia) is the spiritual union of the believer with Christ as well as communion with the Father and fellow believers.

– A personal relationship

– We experience the presence of the Father and Jesus through the Holy Spirit

– This fellowship is also with our fellow believers

1 John1:5-2:2The Basis of Fellowship

• The One who gives fellowship is the incarnate Son of God (Summary of 1 John 1:1-4)

• How we can have fellowship with the Father and the Son: (Lesson in 1 John 1:5-7)

– There is something we need to know…

– There is something we need to avoid…

– There is something we need to do…

– Something that will happen…

1 John 1:5

• There is something you need to know…

1 John 1:5 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.

God is light

• Light signifies the holiness of God

– God hates sin and represents moral purity

• Light signifies the revelation of God

– God illuminates our lives and directs our paths

– Light represents joy and lovePsalm 27:1a1a The Lord is my light and my salvation—

whom shall I fear?

Light in Heaven

Revelation 21:2323 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.

Revelation 22:55 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Definition of Deity according to John

1. God is light.1 John 1:5 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.

2. God is love. 1 John 4:88 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

3. God is spirit.John 4:2424 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."

1 John 1:6

• There is something you need to avoid…

1 John 1:66 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.

– You cannot be complacent about your own sinfulness

– One cannot be enjoying the blessing of God while one’s life is characterized by godlessness

1 John 1:7a

• There is something we need to do…

1 John 1:7a7a But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,

– ‘walking in the light’ means living up to what God shows us in His holy disclosures of His will.

– Referring here to the daily step-by-step walk of fellowship

The Christian Walk

Darkness

• Unconfessed sins

• Out of fellowship with God & man

• Disobedient

• Out of God’s will

• No peace

Light

• Confession and repentance

• Fellowshipping with God & man

• Obedient

• Following God’s will

• Peace

1 John 1:7b

• There is something that will happen…

1 John 1:7b7b we have fellowship with one another,

– Fellowship between Jesus (God) and me

– True fellowship with God involves fellowship with other believers

– Fellowship has a social and communal aspect

1 John 1:7c

• There is something else that will happen…

1 John 1:7c7c and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

– Not referring just to salvation for the sins of the past before you became a believer,

– Also referring to your sins after you became a Christian

– All sin = past, present & future

The continual application of Jesus’ blood for Christian’s sins

• There is a present ministry of Jesus in heaven• Jesus is not being continually sacrificed, but His

blood is continually applied to cover the Christian’s sins.

• Analogy of the Day of Atonement with animal sacrificed in courtyard and blood taken inside to holy of holies and sprinkled on altar

• Hebrews 4:14• Hebrews 9:12• Hebrews 9:14

Hebrews 4:14

Hebrews 4:1414 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

Hebrews 9:12

Hebrews 9:1212 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.

Hebrews 9:14

Hebrews 9:1414 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

1 John 1:8

• A denial that must be avoided…

1 John 1:88 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

– You sin by saying you don’t sin!

– A Christian ‘walking in the light’ and in ‘fellowship’ will be aware of their sins and sinful nature

1 John 1:9

• Another implication of ‘walking in the light’…

1 John 1:99 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

– When we confess our sins, God forgives them,

– God removes the stain of sin and restores the fellowship

1 John 1:10

• The denial to be avoided…

1 John 1:1010 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

– The opponents of John (false teachers) were saying, “We have not sinned”, and…

– Our special knowledge has lifted us above the downward dredge of the body, and we don’t need Jesus.

1 John 2:1a

• John offers encouragement…

1 John 2:1a1a My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.

– Christians are not given permission to sin

– Christians have the power to resist the temptation to sin

1 John 2:1b - 2

1 John 2:1b – 21b But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

• Let’s look at 5 encouraging aspects to John’s teaching this point:– Remember, this is addressed to Christians

Encouragement from 1 John 2:1

1. God is realistic about our continuing sinfulness…. “if anybody does sin….”

– We need the blood of Jesus every day

– There will never come a time when we can stand in our own righteousness

– We will not arrive at total sinlessness until the day we see Jesus as He is

Encouragement from 1 John 2:1

2. Jesus is continually advocating on our behalf

– “we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ” – Advocate

– In the heavenly throne room where sin is weighed and judged, we have a Friend, one who argues for our forgiveness and release.

Encouragement from 1 John 2:1

3. Our advocate is “Jesus Christ the Righteous One”

– Our advocate is the sinless one

– Jesus is the only human being who deserves to be heard by God

– Jesus is the only one who can pray in His own name

Encouragement from 1 John 2:2

4. Jesus is the ‘atoning sacrifice’ (propitiation)

– Propitiation = a sacrifice that turns away anger

– Because Jesus’ blood is being applied to our situation, the anger of God against our sin is turned aside

Encouragement from 1 John 2:2

5. Jesus is the sacrifice for every member of the human race– John 1:29

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

– John 3:16 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The Final Test of Fellowship

1. A proper view of Christ – 1 John 1:1-4

– Jesus was fully man and fully God incarnate.

2. The affirmation of sin’s reality – 1 John 1:5-2:2

– Christians continue to sin, but Jesus’ blood covers this also.

3. Obedience to God’s commands – 1 John 2:3-6

1 John 2:3-4

3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.

1 John 2:5-6

5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him (abide) must walk (live) as Jesus did.

– This is how we know (assurance) we are in him:

• We walk and live as Jesus did

• Obedience to His commands

Closing Thoughts

• Reference: Mastering Life Before It’s Too Late by Robert J. Morgan, Howard Books, 2015

– 10 Strategies for a Lifetime of Purpose

• 1. Listen to a Twelve Year-Old

Jesus’ First Recorded Statement on Earth

Luke 2:4949 "Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?"

Jesus’ Closing Words on Earth

John 17:4 4 "I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do."

John 19:3030 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Verbal Bookends of Jesus’ Ministry

• "I must be about My Father’s business"• "I have brought you glory on earth by finishing

the work you gave me to do."

– This serves as our template, model, mold and standard in life

– Walking like Jesus is ... “be about My Father’s business”

How Do We Do It?

1. We freely acknowledge the lordship of Christ over every area of our life.

2. We should meet the Lord each morning and ask Him to fill us afresh with His Holy Spirit.

3. Go into every day under the control and empowerment of Jesus Christ.

Walking like Jesus

Galatians 2:2020 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

The Plan of Hope & Salvation

John 3:16 NKJV16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

John 14:6 NKJV6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Romans 3:23 NKJV23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23a NKJV23a For the wages of sin is death,

• Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.• Even Jesus, the only one who doesn’t deserve death,

died in this life to pay the penalty for our sins. • The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the second

death explained in Revelation 21:8.

Revelation 21:8 NKJV8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Romans 5:8 NKJV8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 6:23b NKJV23b but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Revelation 21:7 NKJV7 “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.”

• Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to accept Jesus as our Savior.

Romans 10:9-10 NKJV9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:13 NKJV13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD

shall be saved.”

If you have questions or would like to know more, Please, contact First Baptist Church Jackson at 601-949-1900 or http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/