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
- We’ve been given the opportunity to experience real joy in Christ
-- Not manufactured; not made up (it’s exhausting to lead a double life)
-- But, honest joy which changes the lives of those who experience it
- TRANS: So, where do we go from here?
∆ Big Ideas
- Let’s just say that John is a mature disciple, so it’s not all flowers and roses
-- John is a man concerned about the status of the church; but there’s more
-- He writes an honest examination of what God has given us in Christ:
- 1) The life appeared
- 2) We have seen it and testify to it
- 3) We proclaim to you the eternal life
- Pray
