A Riveting Testimony

A Riveting Testimony

1 John 1:1-4

February 15, 2004

1 John 1:1-4

The one who existed from the beginning is the one we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is Jesus Christ, the Word of life. [2] This one who is life from God was shown to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and announce to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was shown to us.

[3] We are telling you about what we ourselves have actually seen and heard, so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

[4] We are writing these things so that our joy will be complete.

Jesus…The Eternal

• Jesus has eternally existed – John 1:1-3

– Eternal in nature

– Present at creation

– God himself

John 1:1-3

In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn’t make.

Establishing Credibility

• They had heard Jesus

– His teaching

– His claims

• They had seen Jesus

– Performing miracle after miracle

– Die on the cross

– Resurrected and alive

– Ascending into heaven

• They had touched Jesus

– Before the cross

– After the grave

The Life

• Jesus is life – John 14:6

– Eternal in nature

– Apart from him there is no life

• Eternal life was witnessed in Jesus Christ

John 14:6

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

The Purpose of Proclamation

• That others may join in fellowship with God – Romans 10:14

Romans 10:14

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?

The Purpose of Proclamation

• That others may join in fellowship with God – Romans 10:14

– Fellowship with God only comes through fellowship with Christ - Acts 4:12

Acts 4:11-12

For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,

’The stone that you builders rejected

has now become the cornerstone.’

[12] There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them."

Gotta Tell Somebody

• The only thing that could add to the joy of faith is sharing it with someone else – 1 Peter 3:15

1 Peter 3:15

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

**Powerpoint available on request