A True Relationship
Notes
Transcript
A True Relationship
A True Relationship
I John 1:1-10
I John 1:1-10
INTRODUCTION:
INTRODUCTION:
God has the same purpose for every Christian – To be conformed to the image of His Son.
(Rom 8:29 KJV) "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
That conforming process is a Spiritual Process. Each of us who are saved is on that journey. We are somewhere between point “A” and point “B”. God is working with each of us to get us to complete the process. That is known as sanctification.
Illustration: In 1492 Christopher Columbus set out for the Orient and ended up in the Caribbean. Some people have said that Columbus set a pattern that’s continued for the last 500 plus years..that men still won’t stop and ask for directions.
Men may resist asking directions when it comes to a car trip, but in the spiritual realm both men and women equally resist asking for directions. If life is a spiritual journey many of us tend to act like we have it all figured out, like we know exactly where we’re going. We often refuse to ask for directions.
John wrote this book from Ephesus and he was around 90 years old according to most historians.
Before being sentenced to the Aisle of Patmos John’s ministry had been in Asia Minor, which is located in the area of where Turkey is today. The believers there had been assaulted with false teaching concerning the apostolic writings of the life of Christ and John’s purpose was to correct these mistakes.
John gives us five purposes for the writing of his first epistle:
John gives us five purposes for the writing of his first epistle:
1. That we might have fellowship (1:3). “Fellowship” is one of the key words of the letter, used in 1:3, 6-7. Fellowship has to do with the believer’s communion with Christ, not his union with Christ. That’s sonship. Our daily fellowship changes; our sonship remains the same.
2. That we might have joy (1:4). The word “joy”, also a key word, is used only here in the letter, but the blessing of joy is seen throughout the entire letter. Joy is the result of a close fellowship with Christ. A distant walk with God brings a loss of joy. When you see a Christian that is always full of joy you can be assured they have a healthy walk with God.
3. That we might not sin (2:1-2). The penalty of sin is taken care of when the sinner trusts Christ; but the power of sin over the daily life is another matter. 1st John explains how the Christian may have a life of victory over sin, and how he may have sins forgiven when they do come into his life. This is the hard part of the Christian life, overcoming sin.
4. That we might overcome false teaching (2:26). John was facing the false teaching of his day, just as we face false teachers today. Satan doesn’t care how much we talk about the Bible, heaven, God, or even Jesus Christ, as long as we keep it a little off center of the truth. He promotes false teaching to its fullest.
5. That we might have assurance (5:13). In his Gospel, John tells us how to be saved. (John 20:31 KJV) "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." In 1 John 5:13 he tells us how to be sure we are saved. The letter is a series of “tests” that the Christian may use to examine his fellowship (chapters 1-2) and his sonship (chapters 3-5).
False teaching had begun to creep into the First Century Churches:
The first thing John brings to our attention that must be corrected is:
The first thing John brings to our attention that must be corrected is:
I. THE REALITY OF CHRIST
I. THE REALITY OF CHRIST
John is arguing for the reality of Jesus Christ. The false teachers were spreading false doctrine among the churches.
John is writing from first hand experience. He was one that heard, saw, handled and walked with Jesus Christ.
My prayer: God help me to always speak of you from 1st hand experience.
A. He Is Eternally Real. Vs. 1.
A. He Is Eternally Real. Vs. 1.
1. Christ was from the beginning. 1Jo 1:1 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, of the Word of life; (KJV)
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (KJV)
2. When all else is gone – He will still be eternal. Alpha and Omega. Re 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. (KJV)
Jesus makes reference more than once of His fellowship with the Father before the world began.
B. The Apostles Witnessed His Reality.- vs. 1
B. The Apostles Witnessed His Reality.- vs. 1
John uses four phrases that describe his own experience with the reality. We heard – We saw – We looked – We touched.
1. We heard it:
1. We heard it:
we heard the voice of Jesus’ teaching with God’s own authority, we heard Jesus declare to people that their sins were forgiven, we heard the sound of leaves crunching under Jesus’ feet as they walked together, we heard the sound of the whip Jesus used to drive the money changers out of the Jewish Temple. We heard it. Our ears heard that which He did on His earthly mission.
We as Christians have heard the voice of Jesus Christ through His holy inspired Word. It speaks to each of us plainly and straightforwardly. We hear it in S/S lessons; we hear it preached from the pulpit; we hear it in our private devotions. We hear it is the songs of the faith. We have heard His voice loud and clear.
2. We saw it:
2. We saw it:
with our own eyes we witnessed the many miracles Jesus performed, we had seen Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. We saw it. We know it happened – we heard it and we saw it.
Have we not seen His mighty hand at work here.
3. We looked at it:
3. We looked at it:
this word means to stare intently at something, to study it and contemplate what it means. John had stared in amazement at Jesus Christ after his resurrection from the grave on Easter Sunday. John was the disciple that was closest to Christ. He was the one whom Jesus loved more – John said, “I stared at the matter and I know what I am talking about.”
4. We touched Jesus with our own hands:
4. We touched Jesus with our own hands:
because of John’s and the other apostles’ experience with Christ, they stand as reliable eyewitnesses to proclaim to us what they heard, what they saw, and what they touched.
a. The false teachers in John’s day were claiming: (four falsehoods)
a. The false teachers in John’s day were claiming: (four falsehoods)
(1) that Christ did not come in the flesh;
(2) that Christ only appeared to be a real man;
(3) that knowledge of truth is more important than living the truth; and
(4) that only a “spiritual few” could understand spiritual truths.
b. As you read 1st John, you will see that John emphasizes: (four truths)
b. As you read 1st John, you will see that John emphasizes: (four truths)
(1) man’s nature is sinful;
(2) that Jesus Christ had a real body and experienced a real death;
(3) that it is not enough “to say” what we believe, we must practice it.
(4) all Christians have an unction from God and can know His truth.
C. He Is Real Personally
C. He Is Real Personally
– He lives in my heart. The indwelling Christ.
He’s real, He’s real,
I know He’s real.
Thank God all doubt was settled
And I know He’s real.
I. The Reality of Christ
II. THE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST-vs. 3-4
II. THE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST-vs. 3-4
A. That We Might Have Fellowship. Vs. 3
A. That We Might Have Fellowship. Vs. 3
1Jo 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (KJV)
We learn here that true fellowship is based on a common fellowship with God and God’s Son Jesus Christ. In Vs. 5 we also learn of John’s desire that there be joy in this spiritual journey, that this joy might be full.
John is telling us the importance of having fellowship with Christ. Later John would be exiled to the Aisle of Patmos and would have firsthand experience in what he is writing here. When we are in harmony and union with Jesus Christ we can have sweet fellowship.
An example is any missionary family that visits with us. Usually we have never met them before, but because of their relationship with Jesus Christ we have sweet fellowship together.
It is necessary to have the right kind of fellowship within our spiritual journey.
Christians today have diluted that word “fellowship” to describe any kind of social event. We use it to describe watching Monday Night Football with a friend where we never even talk about spiritual matters. Yet the word describes genuine life involvement, a true investment of ourselves in relationships with other Christians. It’s impossible to be in fellowship if this relationship is one-way, if we’re the only one giving or if we are only taking, but it’s a mutual thing.
Our Relationship With Christ.
B. That We Might Have Joy-vs. 4
B. That We Might Have Joy-vs. 4
1Jo 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. (KJV)
Joy comes from fellowship with Christ and with believers. Each of us have experienced great times of enjoyment when we gather together in Christian fellowship. Joy will overflow.
That’s why it is so important that each member of Fellowship Baptist Church be in every service each week. The fellowship together is vital for the growth of each member and every member. Without that fellowship together we will become dry, cold, and indifferent, and not be sensitive to the needs of others.
We have that mutual joy because our relationship is with Christ.
I. The Reality of Christ
II. The Relationship with Christ
III. THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BELIEVERS WALK-vs. 6-10
III. THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BELIEVERS WALK-vs. 6-10
Notice the five “If We’s” in Vs. 6-10.
A. If We Say Vs. 6 - The Walk Of Darkness
A. If We Say Vs. 6 - The Walk Of Darkness
Vs. 6. 1Jo 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: (KJV)
Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (KJV)
God cannot and will not look upon sin. When you sin you break the fellowship between you and God. He will wait for confessing of your sin. Your fellowship with Him will not resume until your sin has been thoroughly dealt with. It matters not how much you pray, or how much you read your Bible, or how many times you come to church. If you have sinned and not confessed it, your fellowship will not be restored, and you are walking in darkness.
What happens when one walks in darkness?
Stumbles.
Falls.
Wrong paths.
Cannot see where you are going.
B. If We Walk Vs. 7 - The Walk Of Light
B. If We Walk Vs. 7 - The Walk Of Light
Vs. 7. 1Jo 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (KJV)
Walking in the Light and fellowshipping with fellow believers around Christ brings cleansing from sin. This is the answer to broken fellowship. Walking in the Light. What a joy it is to walk in the light.
C. If We Say Vs. 8 – The Walk Of Deception
C. If We Say Vs. 8 – The Walk Of Deception
Vs. 8. 1Jo 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (KJV)
How does one say he has no sin?
This is what the man that rejects God’s grace is saying.
By convincing yourselves that you don’t need to come to Jesus Christ for salvation the lost man is deceiving himself.
The unsaved man convinces himself that his sin is not really sin in God’s eye. It may be sin for others but not me. Vs. 8 says, you are void of truth.
D. If We Confess Vs. 9 – The Walk Of Confession
D. If We Confess Vs. 9 – The Walk Of Confession
Vs. 9. 1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (KJV)
Requires self examination. “If we confess”. We must first admit we have sinned. Some say, “Lord, if I have sinned, forgive me.” Friend, you have sinned. And by making that statement makes you even more of a sinner. Suggesting that you may not have sinned. You are saying, “I am nearly on the same level with God. I haven’t sinned today.”
How to confess sin:
Call it sin-accurately, thoroughly, and without excuse.
Give it up
Make it right
E. If We Say Vs. 10 – The Walk Of Lies
E. If We Say Vs. 10 – The Walk Of Lies
Vs. 10. 1Jo 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (KJV)
When you refuse to admit that you have sinned – you make Jesus Christ a liar – His Word says, “All have sinned.” To resist that truth is to say, “Lord you did not tell the truth.” Do you want to face God with that accusation on your record?
The truth is the Word of God – if your life is saturated with the Word of God, you will be sensitive to sin. If you are not saturated you will be deceived.
Samuel Rutherford: “The closer you get to God the less you will sin, but the closer you get to God the more you realize your sinfulness.”
The one main reason that so many professing believers sin so quickly and so willfully is they are not saturated in the Word of God. Ps 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (KJV) That’s not just memory only, but being saturated in His Word.
The Bible says, “You need to come and confess your sin.”
You reply, “I don’t have any sin to confess”. Someone is a liar. Who is it? You or Christ?
“I don’t need to go to the altar”. Someone is a liar. Who is it? You or Christ?
1Jo 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (KJV)
IV. THE REJOICING OF THE BELIEVER IN CHRIST Vs. 4
IV. THE REJOICING OF THE BELIEVER IN CHRIST Vs. 4
1Jo 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
John is giving the blueprint for the believer’s rejoicing. This is the only time joy is mentioned in 1 John but by following John’s instructions joy can be a constant companion.
John’s Gospel gives us much about joy also.
John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. (KJV)
John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (KJV) What things? John 15:1-10.
John 15:1-10 is a passage dealing with serving and obeying the Lord. John says that if we do these things he has written about we will have joy or rejoicing continually. Do you have periods of depression?
Study John 15:1-11. Let the Word of God quicken your heart and your emotions. Let the Word of God bring joy into your bosom. There is no need for anyone to be continuously depressed on in a low state of the soul. God wants you to have joy.
We often lose our joy because of disobedience.
Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
1Th 5:16 Rejoice evermore. (KJV)
We have much to rejoice about. If you are not rejoicing or cannot rejoice and you are a child of God, then there is a blockage somewhere that is preventing your rejoicer from working. Why don’t you get the rejoicer fixed?
Come to the altar, confess sin, rededicate your life of service to Him, and then begin rejoicing because your name is written in heaven.
Have you ever thought about this? The songs we sing about rejoicing, are wonderful. Songs about being saved, redeemed, going to heaven are all great subject material for songs.
I love the song, “When We All Get To Heaven.” What a day of rejoicing that will be. Have you ever heard anyone sing with joy, “When We All Get To Hell?” I never have. Why? Because there is no joy or rejoicing about hell.
Every believer has much to rejoice about. Our joy is to be overflowing with the blessings of God.
Listen to the fruits of the Spirit: Ga 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Ga 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Ga 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Ga 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (KJV)
Practice being joyful. Work at it.
Refocus on the fact that you are a born again child of God and on your way to heaven. That will bring joy into your heart.
Refocus on the fact that you are a born again child of God and on your way to heaven. That will bring joy into your heart.
INVITATION
INVITATION
Is Jesus Christ real to you?
Do you have personal relationship with Jesus Christ as your Saviour?
Are you living out your responsibilities as a believer in a Jesus Christ?
Have you allowed the world, the flesh or the devil to mute or steal your joy?
Refocus on Jesus
Refocus on Jesus