We Know! (Part 2) (I John 5:19)

We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

THE STUDY:

The second thing John reminds the readers of is being a child of God. John again declares we know. We have an experiential certainty, given by God. It is not “insider” secret knowledge, not a mysterious super-spiritual insight only a few can fathom (as gnostics thought). Those who are truly from God are kept safe. They have the assurance of sufficient knowledge.

John’s readers know they are children of God. At the same time John makes the staggering claim that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. This is hyperbolic language. When John says the whole world he recalls the dualistic worldview in which the spirit of antichrist stands in hostile opposition to Johannine Christians (see 2:15–16). John does not, of course, mean that every last portion of the globe and all of those on it are being manipulated by satanic forces. His point is clearly that the true children of God are safe (v 18), despite those who oppose them. Even now they are being kept from the evil one.^[1]

         

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that being a child of God brings about a certainty. A knowledge that allows us to live a life that is free from worry or doubt when it comes to God. Our personal relationship with Christ gives us this certainty.

CONCLUSION:

          During the first part of the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, no safety devices were used, and 23 men fell to their deaths. For the last part of the project, however, a large net which cost $100,000 was employed. At least 10 men fell into it and were saved. But an interesting sidelight is the fact that 25 percent more work was accomplished when the men were assured of their safety!

          Today, walk out of your house with the certainty of your relationship with Christ. In that certainty you will be free to do more than you ever thought imaginable for His Glory!

         

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (173). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

I John 2:10-11 (Part 2)

Right click link for video blog: I John 2:10-11 (Part 2)

Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

THE STUDY:

          Reflecting on what we have learned previously, we can glean from the idea that John is sharing with the reader the importance of what we say and how our actions should line-up with our words. What could be the negative consequence of this thought? First, it affects us negatively with our relationship with God. As a matter of fact John says, if we are doing this we are “Liars” and we “walk in darkness.” Secondly, we see in this passage, it negatively affects others around us. John writes, “and in him there is no cause for stumbling,” which is saying if we love our brothers we remain in the light and we will not cause someone to stumble.

          The word “stumble” is found 15 times in the NT. The modern English word that derives from this Greek word is “scandalize” which means to literally “trip somebody up.” But the Greek word has a more intent meaning. The definition is found to literally mean “a trap or a snare.” But John may be using this metaphorically to mean “a stumbling block.”  This is the only occasion John uses this word. We have to ask ourselves why he used this word?

          The reason John uses this word may be due to the fact that there are two possible translations of this verse: (1) the believer who walks in love will not personally stumble and (2) the believer who walks in love will not cause others to stumble.^[1] This being said we find the idea that whoever “abides in the light” not only removes any stumbling blocks in their way but is not a stumbling block for others.

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• This morning we can walk away with the understanding that remaining in the light has effects on us as well as others. Charles Barkley said once, “I am not a role model!” John is telling the readers in this Epistle, “Yes you are.” As a role model for Jesus we can lead people toward the light or away from it.

CONCLUSION:

          I have dealt with many situations in my ministry. One of those situations that seem to always come up is the idea of drinking beer. Let me be upfront with this subject, the Nazarene church discourages the drinking of alcohol. I am in favor of this as well. As a child growing up I never saw anything good come from it. Many argue the idea that wine was part of Jesus' life. Biblically, I cannot dispute this fact. I am not going to debate the idea of drinking beer but in regards to this thought, don’t let Satan cause you to stumble and don’t be a stumbling block to others who may have a problem with alcohol.

         

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Utley, R. J. D. (1999). Vol. Volume 4: The Beloved Disciple's Memoirs and Letters: The Gospel of John, I, II, and III John. Study Guide Commentary Series (206). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.

I John 2:5-6 (Part 2)

View Video Blog by right clicking the link: I John 2:5-6 (Part 2)

“but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”

THE STUDY:

          Today we are looking at the phrase “in him truly the love of God is perfected.” I was going to skip over this part but God revealed to me this is one of the most important parts of this verse. What we find in this passage of scripture is something out of character for John. Up to this point John has been saying such things as Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him (Verse 4)! John is basically saying that if you “know” Jesus then you will keep his commandments but if you don’t keep the commandments yet say you know him, you are a liar. We can sense John’s passion in verse four but something else shines through in verse five and six, God’s perfect love. One commentator writes, the obedient child of God is characterized, not by any typical trait or quality of his own personality, but merely as the subject of the work of divine love: as the sphere in which that love accomplishes its perfect work.^[1]

          The Greek expression “the love of God” (rendered “God’s love”) could mean either His love for a Christian or a Christian’s love for God. But the NIV rendering is perhaps the best, particularly in light of John 14:21-23. In that passage an obedient disciple is promised a special experience of the love of the Father and Son. Since a Christian is already the object of God’s saving love, this additional, firsthand realization of the divine affection may be properly said to make God’s love complete in him (cf. 1 John 4:12, 17). That is to say, an obedient believer has a deep, full-orbed acquaintance with “God’s love.” Since God is love (4:16), to know God intimately is to know His love intimately.^[2]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• There are different levels of love that we all experienced in our lives. They all are different in their own little ways. The love for your pet is different from a love for your spouse or your child. A love for a sport is different from a love for a neighbor or friend. We can see in scripture there are different levels of love. Jesus asked Peter, three time, “Do you Love me?” In that passage Jesus uses two different levels of love. Let us remember that no matter what the level, the common denominator should always be “LOVE.”

CONCLUSION:

          While tucking my children in bed one night I was asked this question, “Dad, what do the words, “Cherubim and seraphim” mean?” I took time to tell them that cherubim was a Hebrew word meaning knowledge, and the word seraphim stood for flame, explaining that it some scholars believe the cherubim are angels that excel in knowledge and the seraphim are those who excel in love for God. My youngest son says, “I hope that when I die I will be a seraphim. I would rather love God than to know everything.”

          I hope this morning we realize, sense, and see the Love that God has for us. And, in our response, God realizes, senses, and sees the Love we have for Him. One way of showing God we love him, “Keep the word!”

           

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Vincent, M. R. (2002). Word studies in the New Testament (1 Jn 2:5). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[2] Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (1 Jn 2:5–6). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

I John 2:1

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I John 2:1

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

THE STUDY:

          We are entering chapter 2 of John’s 1^st Epistle. I pray that God has been speaking to you during this time and you are developing a desire to dig deeper into His word.

          This passage is promoting one of the key essentials to our Christian heritage; Forgiveness of Sin! We will look, more in detail, at the later part of this passage tomorrow but today I am excited to reveal to you what God has shared with me concerning the phrase, “My little children.” To help better understand this phrase we need to know more about John in regards to this movement called Gnosticism. I will not be sharing any new information about the Gnostics but I do encourage you to do research on this group so you can have a better understanding of what John was dealing with.

          When John says, “My little children” he is not referring to them as a child per say but as someone who he has an intimate understanding and feeling toward them. Just as Jesus stated in John 13:33, Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ We have the sense of a very intimate moment between Jesus and His disciples. John uses the same phrase (little children) when he addresses the reader. This gives the reader a sense of a father speaking to his beloved children.

          I wondered why John used this phrase. The answer may be found in the fact that John was the last living disciple. He was viewed as the last charter member of the disciples and, with that, he was looked highly upon by the church of that day. With this position in mind we can now see why John calls them “My little children.” He does this with position and influence in mind. He was the last (so called) authoritative figure (disciples) and was very influential regarding the truth of the Word of God.

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• First thing we can walk away with is the fact that there are still authoritative figures in the Church of Jesus Christ today. Those figures are called minister, pastors, elders or whatever the denomination chooses to call them. The scripture is very clear to the idea of needing and respecting leaders within the church. We can debate this fact of a need for leaders due to the fall of many prominent church leaders. This should not be a reason for God’s people to think they can do without leadership. Leaders have a responsibility to seek the face and guidance of the Holy Spirit. They will be held to this calling that God has on their life. The sheep, God has given these leaders, have a responsibility to follow and pray for their spiritual leader. This is what they will be held accountable for.

• Secondly, there is going to be times when you feel like John. He was very concerned for the church and, knowing that his time was coming to an end, felt a need to leave “his children” with some simple truths. He pin’s one of those truths in his gospel, Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Let us remember God is still in control.

CONCLUSION:

If there was one last thing I could share with my children before I left this world it would go something like what I found in the song “These Simple Truth” by Sidewalk Prophets:

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say!

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

The Study of I John 1:9

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I John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

THE STUDY

          Verse 9 is the next contrast (#4) which is a positive one. As I stated yesterday, becoming a believer is to ask Christ into our hearts, believe He died on the cross for us, and confess and ask for forgiveness of all those sins.

          Today, let’s look at some key words in this passage; confess, faithful, and just. I have learned through years of ministry that we don’t mind confessing we have sinned, but we don’t like to confess the sin. We are glad in saying, “I am a sinner,” but don’t ask us to share what sin we committed? The bible tells us to confess our sins, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another..” (James 5:16) not, confess we are sinners, but to confess; come in agreement with! By naming it, you are agreeing to this fact that whatever you did, is sin.

          The next two words sort of go hand in hand. When you see one, in scripture, the other is not far behind; Faithful and Just! What stands out to me with these two words is the question of Who? Who is faithful and just? We know that is Jesus. Jesus is the one who we will stand before on Judgment day. He is also the one who forgives and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Why? Because of his love for us and his faithfulness and justice.

           

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH …

• ·         We walk away with the understanding that confessing sin is what’s required, not just confessing that we are sinners.

• ·         The one who will judge us is the Son of God and he is the one who is faithful and has justified us by his sacrifice.

CONCLUSION:

           A police detective was sentenced to three-years in prison after confessing to planting drugs and other evidence on four men in an effort to brighten his promotion chances. All four had been convicted. As a result of his confession they were given pardons and their names were cleared. The officer turned himself in shortly after becoming an active in a local congregation. “I want to be totally committed to Christ,” he told authorities. “I feel I cannot do that until I have come to terms with my fellow men.”

          This man could have gone to his pastor and confessed that he was a sinner, but his confession of the specific sin not only had an effect on him (Salvation) but on others as well (the 4 men).

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

The Study of I John 1:8

View Video Blog for this lesson:   I John 1:8

I John 1:8

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

THE STUDY

          Again we see John using contrast #3 (the negative). He is combating the Gnostic view that we (as human beings) do not have any principle of sin within us, since matter is evil and the soul is not contaminated by sinful flesh. John says that we are deceiving ourselves when we make these types of claims. As a Pastor of a Nazarene church I believe that we do not sin every day in thought and deed. We need to understand what the definition of sin is; a willful transgression against a known law of God. Translated, this means, I put my hand up to God and say; “I don’t care what you command or ask of me in a given situation. I am going to do it my way.”

The mistake John is addressing in this passage of scripture is us saying, “We have arrived.” We no longer have to deal with sin and the temptation of it. If this be the case, 13 books of the New Testament would be omitted due to Paul writing to the church and warning them against “SIN.” We need to be careful to not allow our pride to get in the way of our beliefs. At any point in time we can fall away, walk away or refuse to believe that we will sin again. We are too weak and Satan is too crafty for us to believe this. Through Christ we receive our strength and the power to combat the enemy.

John is saying in this verse that those who claim the fact of having no sin are ones who are not in the truth. What they are speaking is heresy and should be avoided at all cost. The only one that John say will be negatively affected by claiming “no sin” is the one claiming it.

John uses the word’s “we” and “us” deliberately. He includes himself along with the reader in this consequential statement. He does this for two reasons; 1) So the Gnositc's would be more receptive to the truth, 2) for the reader today!

           

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH …

• Salvation and Sanctification is not an end result, but a starting point. Saying we have obtained all and can stop walking in the light, is like saying “I do” at the wedding and then stop developing the relationship with each other. You will not be married very long, nor will you experience the fullness God has for you.

CONCLUSION:

           I have heard the old saying concerning our walk with God. Some believe that you only need to come to the altar twice; once for salvation and the other for sanctification. I will repeat what I said earlier, these two acts are from God and should not be viewed as an end result but a starting point.

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

The Study of I John 1:6

View the video blog for this lesson:   I John 1:6

I John 1:6

If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

THE STUDY

          I want to reiterate the fact that John is presenting this epistle in response to a group of people (Gnostics) who didn’t believe in the fullness of the Christian belief. John does this by starting from the beginning, as the foundation, and applies layer after layer constructing the truth.

          Yesterday we read how John revealed the message of this epistle, GOD IS LIGHT. Light is positive, darkness is negative. In his writings, John habitually contrasts opposites, including light and darkness, truth and falsehood, love and hate, right and wrong, life and death, faith and unbelief. He writes, “In [God] there is no darkness at all.” Using the emphatic negative, John stresses the positive. God and darkness are diametrically opposed. Anyone who has fellowship with God cannot be in darkness. He is in the light, glory, truth, holiness, and purity of God.^[1]

Today we are going to see the next layer that John adds to make this point. Verses 6-10 are examples of this contrast between positive and negative. Contrast number 1 (Verse 6) is negative; “we lie and do not practice the truth.” The sinner, who refuses to set his life in harmony with God’s will, cannot claim to have fellowship with God.^[2] I believe this can be a very hard fact to swallow but it’s the truth. We cannot claim to have fellowship with God yet walk in darkness.

By “walking” John means, our daily life, our movement and activities in the world. This activity will inevitably express the fellowship in which we live.^[3] When John writes, “we lie and do not practice the truth,” he is referring to the fact that we are false, both in word and in deed. John was concerned about the TRUTH believing it is not just confined to our language but to our conduct as well.

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH …

•  John acknowledges the fact that we lie (sin) if we are professing fellowship with Jesus yet continuing to live in the very sin He released us from.

• He also shows us that a lie is not just words mis-spoken but played out in our conduct. Let out conduct match our words spoken toward our Lord Jesus Christ.  

CONCLUSION:

          I remember when the big fad in Christian culture was the WWJD bracelets. My wife and I had one and we wore it like a badge of honor. Nothing wrong with wearing this bracelet but as I have grown older I believe this question was asked with the wrong response in mind. WWJD is not a question to be answered, “do I respond Christ-like or UN-Christ-Like?” This would present itself as if believers have an option. Meaning, whatever we choose we would still be OK in our relationship with Jesus. As a Christian we are to be like Christ, no if, and's or but about it. WWJD should be a question/statement that is lived through our daily walk with Jesus. 

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (242). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

^[2] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (243). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

^[3] The Pulpit Commentary: 1 John. 2004 (H. D. M. Spence-Jones, Ed.) (4). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

The Study of I John 1:5

View the video Blog for this lesson:  I John 1:5

I John 1:5

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

THE STUDY

          This begins the main body of this Epistle. In the prologue we read how John was revealing what they had heard, seen, and touched. He starts verse 5 by stating, “This is the message we have heard from him.” What is it they heard? God is Light!

John uses the phrase “God is light” as a running theme throughout this epistle (John 1:4-5, 7-9; 3:19-21; 8:12; 9:5; 12:35-36, 46; Rev. 21:23)^[1]. We see John presenting two aspects to the idea of “GOD IS LIGHT.” 1. The Positive side to walking in the light (Verse 5 - 2:6). 2. The Negative side: things or people to avoid (2:7-28).

          We don’t have to be scientist to know that darkness cannot consume light. When you walk into a dark room and turn on a flashlight it disperses the darkness. There has never been a case when someone has been in a lite room and turned on darkness and it consumed the light. If you really think about it there is only one way darkness can become present, when the light is either turned off (man turning lights off with a switch) or it chooses to leave (sun setting in the evening).

          As we look at this passage today we need to focus on the message John is revealing to the readers, God is Light! In the Greek there are 3 names used to describe God:

Theos: Greek word translated “God.” Primary name for God used in the New Testament. The writers of the NT used this name to teach us that He is the only true God (Matt. 23:9; Rom. 3:30), unique (1 Tim. 1:17), transcendent (Acts 17:24; Heb. 3:4; Rev. 10:6), and He is the Savior of the World (John 3:16). This name is used of Christ as God in John 1:1, 18; 20:28; 1 John 5:20; Tit. 2:13; Rom. 9:5; Heb. 1:8; 2 Pet. 1:1.

Kurios: Greek word translated “Lord.” Stresses authority and supremacy. While it can mean sir, owner, master, husbands, it is used mostly as the equivalent of Yahweh of the Old Testament.

Despotes: Greek word translated “Master.” Carries the idea of ownership while kurios stressed supreme authority (Luke 2:29; Acts 4:24; Rev. 6:10; 2 Pet. 2:1; Jude 4).

          The one used in this passage is the word “theos” to define God. John formulates short statements that describe God’s nature. In other places he says, “God is spirit” (John 4:24) and “God is love” (I John 4:16). Here, in verse 5, he reveals God’s essence in a short statement of three words: “God is light.” God is not a light among many other lights; he is not a light-bearer; God does not have light as one of his characteristics, but he is light; and although he created light (Gen. 1:3), he himself is uncreated light. Moreover, the light of God is visible in Jesus, who said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).^[2]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH …

          I think we need to stop at this point. I believe we can walk away with this in mind ….

• Where there is Light there can be no darkness. Where there is God there will be no evil, where Jesus dwells there will be no Satan.

• This name of Jesus is so powerful that when we speak it, demons HAVE to flee. Like darkness disappearing due to the light that is penetrating, Satan and his demons have to vanish due to this one named Jesus.  

CONCLUSION:

          If you are sitting in a dark room with no windows, you can't see the objects in the room.  Even though the objects are there, you aren't aware of them because you're in darkness.  However, if someone turns on the light switch, the things previously hidden from your eyes are now obvious. 

          Don't get angry at people in spiritual darkness for not being able to see what's obvious to you.  Instead, bring them some spiritual light.

          I was preaching once and I ask this specific question, "What is a saint?" A little boy pointed up at one of the stained glass windows which had an apostles portrayed in it. He cries out, "People who let the light shine through!" Let your light shine through today!

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (1 Jn 1:5). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

^[2] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (242). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

The Study of I John 1:4

View the video blog for this lesson: I John 1:4

I John 1:4

And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

THE STUDY

Translations differ on the wording of this text. Some have the reading “And these things we write to you that your joy may be full” (NKJV). Others, among which is the New International Version, follow the Greek manuscripts that read, “We write this to make our joy complete.”^[1] For the purpose of this lesson we are going to follow the Greek manuscript.

As I read this verse two things jump out at me:

1.   John made a point to say, “we are writing these things.” Why?

2.   I was intrigued by the fact that our joy can be complete. How?

First, let’s look at the “we are writing.” We discussed in the beginning of

this study who the author was, JOHN! Twelve times in this letter he says “I write” or “I am writing” (2:1, 7, 8, 12, 13 [three times], 14 [twice], 21, 26; 5:13). Is he putting himself with the readers in one class?^[2] The pronoun we must be understood literally, because John, like the other apostles, preaches and writes as an eyewitness and ear-witness. Thus John is not the only one to testify orally or with pen and ink. He stands next to his fellow apostles. He says, “We [all the immediate disciples of Jesus] write this to make our joy complete.”^[3]

          Secondly, he talks about “our Joy can be complete.” The Greek word for “JOY” is Chara (Kara) which literally means “Joy.” No big surprise here just thought you would like to know the Greek word for Joy. Whereas Gnosticism, by denying the atonement, and “the personal office of God in the salvation of the world,” cuts off one great sphere of God’s love, and consequently one great cause of the believer’s joy. The greatest joy to fill the heart of the apostle John and those with him is to see the believers increase in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. He wants them to have full fellowship with the Father and the Son, so that the believers live in full communion with God.^[4]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH …

- John writes his Gospel to share of this union we are to have with Christ. In his epistle he writes that we all may find joy in this union with Christ. Today let us find joy in being one with Christ. It should be a joy and not a struggle.

CONCLUSION:

When my kids were younger I was indoctrinated with kids programs. Winnie the pooh was one of my favorite. I remember preaching a sermon once and used the illustration of being either a “Tigger” or an “Eeyor” Christian. What I was trying to point to was the fact we should be filled with joy and allow it to be displayed in our lives. Church, it takes 72 muscles to frown—only 14 to smile! Let us find our union with Jesus joyous, not a burden.

           

Blessings
Pastor Rod

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^[1] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (238). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

^[2] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (238). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

^[3] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (239). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

^[4] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (239). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

The Study of I John 1:3 (Part 3)

View video blog for this lesson:   I John 1:3 (Part 3)

I John 1:3 (Part 3)

 … that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

THE STUDY

Today we will conclude verse 3 and all God’s children said, “AMEN!” The thing I am learning about studying God’s word is that you never know were the Holy Spirit is going to take you.

Verse 3 concludes the foundation of which John is building his case toward the Gnostics. Joining the disciples in fellowship is the same as joining the Father and the Son, Jesus! This fellowship is looked at as a way of life more so than a club to join. It’s dependent on one’s reception of life, which is, in turn, dependent on one believing reception of the Word of life, Jesus as the incarnate Son of God. “Fellowship” further denotes the “oneness in community” with other believers, with the Father, and with his Son that results from faith in this Son. Such fellowship for John is, in fact, inseparable from having eternal life: to have eternal life is to have fellowship with the apostolic witnesses who have testified concerning the Word of life. Fellowship with these witnesses is, in turn, nothing less than fellowship “with the Father and with his Son, Jesus the Christ.”^[1]

I find it interesting that John states “the Father” first then “the Son.” Again, John is connecting with the reader with common ground. The readers (mostly Gnostics) believed in God but were not acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God. John brings the two together in this verse, our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.  John finishes this passage by joining together the idea that fellowship with the Disciples is on the same level as fellowship with the Father and Son.

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH …

          I believe in today’s devotion we can walk away with a couple of things ….

1.   The great importance of fellowshipping with other believers should be viewed as the same importance as fellowshipping with God. If you are joining the team with the disciples then you are joining God’s team as well. They are one in the same.

2.   Don’t believe the old lie from Satan that you can worship God without having to attend church. I agree that you can! But if we make that our practice for fellowshipping with God we will soon stop. You have heard the old expression, “I was at church every time the doors were open.” Let that be the passion we have today for fellowshipping together. Anytime there is an opportunity to fellowship (with the Father/Son, or other believers) let us make time for it!

CONCLUSION:

          A question was asked of me once, “Can I be a Christian without joining the church?” I responded, “Yes, it is possible. It is something like being:

A student who will not go to school, you are a student, just a bad one. An author without readers, your name is on the book but nobody wants to read it. A football player without a team, you’re a football player with no one to join you on the field of play. Finally, yes it is possible but highly unlikely of being a successful one.”

          Being a Christian, is more than knowing Jesus and his followers. It’s living it daily in front of Jesus and all who are watching.

Blessings

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Akin, D. L. (2001). Vol. 38: 1, 2, 3 John (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (57–58). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

The Study of I John 1:3 (Part 1)

Link to the video blog for this lesson: I John 1:3 (Part 1)

I John 1:3

That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. (ESV)

THE STUDY

          Continuing from yesterday, verse three brings everything together and concludes this long sentence. What was John trying to do? He writes this epistle for the purpose of the readers, so they might have fellowship with the disciples who have fellowship with Jesus who has fellowship with God.

          In the first part of verse three we see John using repetition, that which we have seen and heard, to help burn into the minds of the readers the authenticity of what he is sharing. The disciples have seen it, and they have heard it! He is not speaking on hearsay or rumors! He was there and saw everything! He goes on to say that these very things the disciples saw and heard is what he “proclaims” to the reader.

This word (proclaim) is defined as [to report or inform] and is the same word that Luke uses in his Gospel 7:18.  The disciples of John reported all these things to him. John is not saying he announced something, but that he reported something. John gives us the feel of spy’s who come back from a mission to report on the enemy. They are sharing what they have seen, heard, and possibly touched.

John is doing all of this to warn the readers against false doctrines that deny the human nature, physical appearance, and bodily resurrection of Jesus.

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH …

          This is a great place to stop. We will pick up tomorrow with part 2 of verse three. What we can walk away with from today’s lesson is ….

·         John shares and reveals the very thing we should be sharing and revealing “JESUS.”

o   Our methods change but the message is the same!

·         What we need to glean from this verse and apply to our methods today is to share what we have heard, seen, and touched or been touched by!

o   Reciting scripture is great and has value but applying our experiences with scripture has so

    much more authentication.

CONCLUSION:

If we look into the New Testament we see 40 people who suffered from the same disease. They all were healed by Jesus. Of this number, thirty-four were either brought to Jesus by friends or He was taken to them. Only six of those people found their way to Jesus without assistance. Most of the people who find their way to Jesus today do so by someone who is concerned about the welfare of their souls.

The Study of "First John!" - 1:1-4 (Part 3)

View the Video Blog for this Lesson: I John 1:1-4 (Part 3)

     I John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our 
                 eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life

THE STUDY

     Yesterday we looked at John laying down the foundation for combating the Gnostic view. He starts with the beginning, Jesus, and today we will read how he starts to build from that. As we read, John not only states "That which was from the beginning" he brings all of us into the picture. He does this by using three of the five  human senses; hearing, seeing and touching. There might be some debate on the word "We." Is John talking about the disciples or is he referring to all who the Epistle was written to?  I personally believe it is not important the debate of WHO heard, seen and touched, but what John brings importance too is that "WE" is inclusive. WE, being all who have heard about, seen close up or far away, and has touched or been touched (emotionally or physically) by this one named Jesus. John is revealing or reminding, those who are listening, what he and others have heard, seen, and felt from Jesus. Yes, John was privy to the inter-personal relationship with Jesus but as for the overall message Jesus lived and shared, all were exposed to it.

     John continues to build his case by applying layer after layer. What do I mean by that? John starts off with stating, "which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands"! If you look at this closely you can see a natural progression; hearing, to seeing to touching. I know that as human beings we are not the most trusting of creatures. If someone tells us something we hear it first, then we will need to see it, and then the final straw is usually when we have that item in our hands. John reminds the reader that not only did they hear about Jesus, not only did they see the life and miracles of Jesus but they touched and was touched by this one named Jesus.

WALK AWAY WITH THIS ...

     This is a great place to stop for today. We can walk away with this in mind .....

* Once we hear about this one named Jesus we are forever accountable to the fact. We will not be able to stand before Jesus on judgement day and say, "I never heard of you!"
* Many of us are at different points in this walk with Jesus! You might be at the point of hearing about Him. Others may have progressed to the point of seeing Jesus working through others. But finally, some of us have felt the touch of Jesus in our hearts.

CONCLUSION

Whatever the case may be, keep on keeping on! Don't stop at hearing about Him or stop at seeing him once or twice, or ever stop after He has touched you. He has so much more to offer in love for you and I. There is a banquet table of blessings He has for us. Step up to the table and taste and see how good Jesus is!
Blessings my friends!

The Study of "First John!" - Introduction

Video Blog for Today's Study: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJnNDLpvmcA

Good morning,
   
     Over the next few months we are going to be walking through the First Epistle of John. Today I would like to share with you some interesting things concerning the reason why the epistle was written and some discussion on the debate of calling it an "epistle" or a "letter?"

     First John is authored by the Apostle John or as he refers to himself as "Jesus' beloved." He likes to remind us of this. There is not a great debate on who authored this epistle. The debate comes in the assessment of whether it is an epistle or a letter. You might be asking yourself what is the difference? A letter is considered a writing that is directed to a specific person and is not something that is required to be circulated among other churches. An epistle is a writing that is viewed as to be circulated and is addressing overall issues opposed to individual ones. Summing this up it looks like this:

          - Epistle: is to a group of people and to be circulated among the body of believers.
          - Letter: is to an individual and very personal.

     The main reason for this epistle is to address the issue of Gnosticism. You might be asking, "What is that?" It was not an open enemy of Christianity. It was a sly, come in the back door after the leaders leave, seduction that was affecting the church at large. Gnostics had “a more excellent way.” They understood the gospel better than the apostles themselves. It was a mistake to suppose that the historical facts and moral precepts of the Scriptures were to be taken literally. It was a still greater mistake to suppose that the Scriptures contained all that was necessary for man’s spiritual well-being. There was a higher knowledge, a more profound gnosis; and this the Gnostic could attain to and impart. Illumined by this, men would see that everything else was comparatively of unimportance (1).

     How did this skew ones view of Christianity? It did three things, (1) Righteousness was made of no account in comparison with intellectual illumination. (2) Scripture was made of no account in comparison with a knowledge which partly transmuted and partly superseded it. (3) The work of Christ was made of no account; for there could be no need of an atonement if there was no real evil in sin (2). As you can tell this was a cancer that was infiltrating the Gospel of Jesus Christ. John was referring to those who were teaching this as “Liars,” “seducers,” “false prophets,” “deceivers,” and “antichrists!”

     Gnostics may boast of their knowledge; but believers in the Incarnation have their knowledge too. They know that they have passed over out of death into life (1 John 3:14). They know that they are children of God, and as such are freed from sin by his Son (1 John 5:18, 19). They know that the Son of God has come in the flesh, and has given them a mind wherewith to know, not the remote abstraction which the Gnostic calls God, but the loving Father in whom they can abide through his Son Jesus Christ (1 John 5:20).

     We will be reading I John 1:1-4 tomorrow and discussing it over the next few days. Please join me in this wonderful time. Blessings

Pastor Rod

(1) The Pulpit Commentary: 1 John. 2004 (H. D. M. Spence-Jones, Ed.) (iv). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
(2) The Pulpit Commentary: 1 John. 2004 (H. D. M. Spence-Jones, Ed.) (v). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.