New Series: Being Light in a Dark World: A Study of 1 John

Sermon Recap

The Christian faith is not built on wishful thinking, religious speculation, or a collection of inspiring ideas. It is built on a Person who entered history. John begins his letter by emphasizing that Jesus was heard, seen, looked upon, and touched. The eternal Son of God truly came in the flesh, and John and the other apostles were eyewitnesses to His life. Jesus has been revealed to us so that we can know with confidence who He is.

But John doesn't simply want his readers to know facts about Jesus. He wants them to experience fellowship with Jesus. The apostles proclaim what they have seen and heard so that others can share in fellowship with them, and ultimately with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. This fellowship produces something the world cannot manufacture - complete joy.

Jesus is the proven Son of God who completes our joy.

 

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 looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—[2] 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—[3] 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. [4] And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. (ESV)

 

Discussion Questions

What stands out to you most in 1 John 1:1-4?

Why do you think John emphasizes the physical reality of Jesus so strongly?

How does knowing that Christianity is grounded in the historical person of Jesus strengthen our confidence in Him?

How would you explain the difference between knowing about Jesus and having fellowship with Jesus?

What things are you tempted to look to for the joy that John says is ultimately found in fellowship with God?

How should our fellowship with God affect our fellowship with one another?

If you genuinely believe Jesus is the eternal Son of God who has been revealed to us, how should that change your life this week?

 

 

Closing Thoughts:

John's experience with Jesus didn't end with him. Because John had encountered the risen Christ, he wanted others to know Him, too. He says, “what we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you.” Genuine fellowship with Jesus should naturally overflow into helping others know Jesus.

Living on mission begins with knowing Christ ourselves and then faithfully sharing what we know about Him with others.

 

We should ask ourselves:

Who has God placed around us who needs to hear the truth about Jesus?

We don't have to have every answer. Like John, we can simply testify to the Jesus we have come to know and invite others into fellowship with Him.

END