Introduction to 1 John

• Written by John the Apostle –also wrote the book of John, 2 John, 3 John, Revelation
• The last Apostle alive (the rest have been killed while preaching the gospel)
• The context –false teachers around all ready
• Circular in how he writes – very eastern
• He is going to ask and answer the question – do you have the right Jesus?

1 John 1:1–4 (NIV) — 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete.

Galatians 1:6–7 (NIV)

1. He lays out why you should believe his version of Jesus
   • His/their credentials
   • The miracles of Jesus
   • The testimony of the disciples who followed unto death

1. The disciples had been there to _________ it

Acts 2:22 (NIV) — 22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.

1 Corinthians 15:3–8 (NIV) — 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

B. God ____________ the disciples message by miracles Acts 4:13 (NIV) Hebrews 2:1–4 (NIV)

C. The disciples gave up their ________________ for the message

D. The early ___________________ of the disciples tell us where they got the message and died for it

2. Notice the story led to an understanding of, _____________ and _________________.

• Light represents ___________________- darkness represents ____________________.
• The person who believes __________________ in the truth
• This story changes how you live —

1 John 1:5–7 (NIV) — 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

1 John 4:1–6 (NIV) — 1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

2 Timothy 3:14–17 (NIV) John 3:19–21 (ESV)

3. Notice Johns desire is that we have ______________________________ with God and one another

• Koininia –intimate relationship
• Centered around the truth –we walk the narrow path together –same direction –save version of right and wrong

1 John 1:5–7 (NIV)

Acts 2:42–44 (NIV) — 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.

4. The evidence that you are walking in fellowship with God is _____________ – which builds ____________________.

Galatians 5:22–26 (NIV) 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 (NIV)

1: Are you sure you have received the right Jesus? Have you surrendered to Him? He is Savior and Lord

2: Are you walking in the light? – truth? Read 1 John this week and reflect on the path you are walking on.

3. Is there growing evidence in your life that reveals fellowship with others.

For Small Group Discussion:

Opening Question: What stood out to you the most from the sermon this week?
Main Point: As disciples of Jesus, we are called to see the world with a different perspective that is sometimes contrary to the beliefs and thoughts of the culture.
Read/Tell the Story: Matthew 5:13-16

Questions:

1. Why do you think people used to build cities on a hill?
2. Why do you think God has strategically placed you where you are today?
3. When are you tempted to hide your faith?
4. Compare Matt. 5:16 with verses 6:3-4. When should you let your good works be seen and when should they be done in secret? Does your desire to be seen as good outweigh your desire to do good?
5. What is/was the purpose of salt? What is the purpose of light?
6. What does being salt and light mean for you in your home, work, and church?
7. Jesus says many things that are contrary to the culture, what are things you say that are contrary to our current culture? And how do you choose to say them so that we represent our God well?

Supporting Scripture: Matthew 5:21-48, Matthew 7:16-20, Proverbs 15:33