Having Complete Fellowship Series

Having Complete Fellowship

1 John Bible Study, Part 1

1 John 1:1-4

Introduction

- The author of this letter (or epistle) is the disciple, John

- This Epistle was probably written in Ephesus between the years 95–110.

-- It was written to counter Docetism: belief that Jesus did not come "in the flesh"

-- It was written to counter that Jesus only appeared as a spirit.

- Additionally, it defines how Christians are to discern true teachers:

-- By their ethics, their proclamation of Jesus in the flesh, and by their love

-- It is important as we draw closer to God ourselves that we are able to learn

- Read 1 John 1:1-4 / Pray

∆ Point 1 – What is the focus? (1-2)

- John opens this book pretty directly without much fanfare or explanation

-- If you break down verse 1 you see three things instantly leap out (v1):

• That which was from the beginning

• Which we have seen with our eyes

• That which our hands have touched

- This is what I am about to proclaim to you, this is all you need to know

- John says: I have seen, I have heard, and I have touched all that is Christ

-- But, what is it that he has experienced? This is imp to us …

- “That which was from the beginning” is a ref to Gen 1:1 and John 1:1

-- However, this is more specific … since the beginning of His ministry

- Remember we talked in 2 Peter about false teachers spreading bad info

-- John’s intro is also straight to the heart of that issue; correcting doctrine

- False teachers (ref: anti-Christs) often brought bad teachings to the church

-- John had first-hand dealings with them throughout His life

-- Re: John was probably the youngest disciple; yet lived the longest life

- So, in the early church, he would have experienced the nonsense often

-- Pharisees, Sadducees, and other “slick willies” would have been common place

-- People who tried to profit from God would’ve been an obvious problem

- So John sets the record straight: I have seen this with my own eyes

-- What has he seen? The Word of Life (John 1:1) … the actual Christ of God

-- “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

- John says that this life literally appeared to him (v2)

-- It is eternal, it is with the Father, and now has appeared to all on Earth

-- IMP: This supports that Jesus is coequal with God the Father

- TRANS: Why is Christ being the focus important to the church?

∆ Point 2 – We have complete fellowship (3-4)

- John proudly proclaimed to all what he knew; revealed from Christ about God

-- Why? “So that you (me) may also have fellowship with them”

- Turn ahead and read 1 John 2:12-14

- John’s implication of fellowship is NOT referring to new believers

-- IMP: He is referring to the ONGOING fellowship with other believers

- They needed to be sure of who Jesus is and of their salvation (security)

-- If we doubt our salvation, our fellowship will obviously be limited

-- John’s comments here are to those who are secure and living for Christ

- Implication: If we are not in full fellowship with God; ours is limited

-- Our fellowship is rooted in the example of the Father-Son-Holy Spirit

-- It is an intimate, personal, all-encompassing fellowship (ref: agape)

-- APP: Again, if we are not in full fellowship with God, ours is limited

- One of the most important things false teachers do is cause doubt

-- They weaken the stance of one who is secure in Christ; false teachings

-- So John is reaffirming the reader’s faith … tremendous encouragement!

- By way of introduction, John does something unique here in v4

- FACT: John is over-flowing with joy that has been received from Christ

-- He is “the disciple that Jesus loved”; held place of honor (inside group)

-- Witnessed the transfiguration, garden of gethsemane, and the crucifixion

-- He has seen what Jesus has done, and His promises come true in his life

- John is often referred to as “love” disciple; one concerned with feelings

- Note the words in v4 … “We write this to make our joy complete”

-- Not just you (which would be like a dictatorship tone)

-- Not just him (which would be a selfish tone)

-- But all members of the church – all those who call Christ, Lord!

- His implication is this: If readers’ salvation is affirmed, joy is complete

-- It’s a unique way of looking at what God has given us in Christ