The Real Life
1 John 1:1-4
I. Introduction
A. Reality or Fantasy
1. A Golf’s Therapy
a) A golfer who had been badly went to a psychiatrist to help him relax.
b) The advice was to play his normal round of golf, except use an imaginary ball.
c) The golfer took the advice and on the first tee and imagined he hit a 260 yard drive, made a great approach shot, and birdie.
2. A splendid round.
a) As he approached the 18th tee, the golfer met another golfer playing the same way – With an imaginary ball.
b) They decided to play the last hole together and play for $10.
c) The first golfer hit his imaginary ball 280 yards right down the middle and the second matched the drive.
d) The first fellow took his five-iron and knocked the ball in the hole and declared himself the winner.
e) The second golfer said, “No you did not win, because you hit my ball.”
B. God’s Reality
1. The Book of 1 John has three main themes.
a) God provides Real Light – 1 John 1:5-7
b) God is the essence of Real Love – 1 John 4:7-11
c) God is the Giver of Real Life – 1 John 1:1-4
2. These three themes have an underlying purpose.
a) That we might have fellowship with one another through Jesus – 1 John 1:3
b) That our joy may be full – 1 John 1:4
c) That we might not sin – 1 John 2:1
d) That you may have eternal life – 1 John 5:13
3. Tonight we begin an eleven week series on 1st John.
a) This evening look at the real life in Jesus.
b) Three aspects of the real life in Christ.
II. The Real Life
A. A Life Demonstrated to Us by God (1:1)
1. By His Creation
a) Romans 1:20 – “For since the creation of the world. His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power…”
b) Psalm 19:1 – “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork.”
2. By His Character
a) God is eternal – Exodus 3:14, Psalm 90:2
b) God understands the needs of man – Psalm 118:5-6
c) God is approachable – Hebrews 4:16
d) God is giving – John 3:16
3. By Christ Himself
a) Jesus is eternal – John 1:1, 8:58
b) Jesus took on Human form – John 1:14, Philippians 2:6-8
c) Jesus understands the nature of man – Hebrews 4:15
d) Jesus is approachable – John 20:27
e) Jesus gave of Himself – John 10:18
f) Jesus in anchor for the soul – Hebrews 6:18
g) Jesus gives us a real look at our Father – John 14:9
h) This life is a real as it gets.
B. A Life Developed by God (1:2)
1. Through Personal Relationship
a) John personally saw the earthy ministry of Jesus.
b) John knew Jesus personally.
c) Saul had a personal experience with Jesus – Acts 9:1-6
d) Paul had a desire to know Christ personally – Philippians 3:10
e) Jesus desires to have a relationship with us – Proverbs 18:24
2. Through Practiced Application
a) John believed because he saw Jesus.
b) John demonstrated his belief by practicing his faith – Revelation 1:9
c) The Sanhedrin realize that John had been with Jesus – Acts 4:13
d) When we put into practice the life afforded to us by Jesus, people will notice a difference in us – 2 Corinthians 5:17
3. Through Proclaiming the Good News
a) Because John had seen, known, and applied his experience with Jesus, he could not help but to declared it others.
b) Paul was indebted, ready, and unashamed to preach the news of Jesus with others – Romans 1:14-16
c) John willing to defend the truth of God – Jude 3
d) We may not have walked the earth with Jesus, be we can all testify of what He has done through us and for us.
e) God has done marvelous things for us – Psalm 98:1
f) Therefore our light should shine before others – Philippians 2:15
C. A Life of Devotion (1:3-4)
1. A Life of Fellowship With Each Other
a) Fellowship simply means to have in common or to share.
b) The real life in Christ allows us to share with one another – 1 John 1:7
c) The early church shared all things in common.
a. A common doctrine or teaching – Acts 2:42
b. A common concern for each other – Acts 2:44-45, Romans 12:15
c. A common love for one another – 1 John 3:23
d. A common love for the Lord –
e. A common desire to please the Lord – Hebrews 11:6
f. A common mind-set with common goals – Philippians 2:1-2
2. A Life of Fellowship With the Lord
a) Partakers of the divine nature – 2 Peter 1:4
b) Called by a faithful God to do so – 1 Corinthians 1:9
c) Abiding in His love - 1 John 4:16
d) Walking in His light and love – Ephesians 5:2, 8
3. A Life of Full Joy (4)
a) The thesis statement of 1 John is found in verse 4.
b) The joy of Jesus is lasting joy – John 15:11
c) The joy of Jesus replaces worldly sorrow – John 16:20-22
d) The joy of Jesus is a joy that is beyond description – 1 Peter 1:8
e) The joy of Jesus is an abundant joy – Jude 24
III. Conclusion
A. The Reality of Jesus
1. He is eternally real.
2. He is historically real.
a) He really walked the earth, really died, and really came forth from the grave.
b) He really helped people overcome what that they could not do on their own.
B. The Relationship with Jesus
1. Based on love – 1 John 4:10-11
2. Based on life – John 10:10
3. Based on light – 1 John 1:5
C. Invitation
