The Study of I John 1:3 (Part 2)

View Video blog for this lesson:  I John 1:3 (Part 2)

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.

THE STUDY

As we studied yesterday, John was “proclaiming” what he and the other disciples had heard, seen and touched. This was not an announcement so much as it was a report from those who were present. He was reporting the fact that they heard, seen, touched and was touched by Jesus Christ. Not just a mere man but the one who was from the beginning, was made manifest, and was with the Father.

The purpose of John's Epistle is to invite the readers to the fellowship of the disciples who are eyewitnesses of the earthly life and ministry of Jesus.^[1] We read next, how John states the purpose of this writing, so that you too may have fellowship with us. The word “fellowship” has an interesting meaning in this passage. John uses the same word that is found in Philippians 3:10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. The word “share” is the same Greek word used in I John 1:3 “fellowship.” The word is Koinonia which means, community; fellowship; participation. Paul states in Philippians that he may not just understand but participate in every aspect of the life of Jesus. This is not one who longs to hang around the team but someone who desires to be on the team.

In I John we get the feel of the same passion found in Philippians. John invites the reader to join the team (have fellowship with us). Not just walking along side of them but participating fully in this relationship with Jesus Christ.

Every year my oldest son would ask me, “Dad, can I play football?” And every year I would tell him “When you are older and bigger.” What my son was asking me every year was “Can I join the team?” He did not want to watch from the sidelines any more. He wanted to play the game. He no longer wanted to be a spectator but a participator in this game called football.

John is telling these "worshipers of another god," they were spectators of a false god. But, they could come and participate with the disciples who were worshipers of the one true God. He is encouraging them to be a part of the team of Jesus Christ.

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH …

·         - Let’s stop being spectators and become participators in this walk with Jesus.

o   Stop watching and start being.

o   Stop talking and starting doing.

·         - Let’s be like John and invite others to come and be participators as well.

o   Jesus is not someone who we should keep all to ourselves.

o   He demands to be shared with others who don’t know Him.

CONCLUSION:

          The 1935 game between Dartmouth and Princeton was played in a blinding snowstorm. A Dartmouth man was on his way to a touchdown, with no Tiger player within ten feet of him, when from the sidelines a spectator suddenly scampered onto the field and made a perfect tackle.

          This is a great example of someone who no longer wanted to be a spectator but a vital participator. I am not encouraging everyone to go to a football game and tackle the other teams running back as he runs for a touchdown. What I am encouraging us to do is invite someone to join the team. As a matter of fact, if you have been watching from the sidelines, now can be a great time to join the team.

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 (237). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

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 I John 1:2

Video Blog Link for this Lesson: I John 1:2

RECAP LAST WEEK

Let us recap what we have learned so far when it comes to our study of I John.

·         I John is an Epistle not a Letter: the difference is ….

o   - Epistle: is to a group of people and to be circulated among the body of believers.

o   - Letter: is to an individual and very personal.

·         The main reason for this epistle is to address the issue of Gnosticism.

o   Definition: a set of religious beliefs and spiritual practices. A common characteristic of some of these groups was the teaching that the realization of Gnosis (esoteric or intuitive knowledge), is the way to salvation of the soul from the material world. They saw the material world as created through an intermediary being (demiurge) rather than directly by God.

·         John addresses this cultic sect by starting on common ground.

o   In the beginning ……. Jesus!

·         John builds his case against the Gnostics layer by layer. He talks about hearing, seeing and touching this one named Jesus. (Common Ground).

·         John ends verse 1 by giving Jesus one of His many titles “Word of life.”

THE STUDY

I John 1:2

[The life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us]

A literal translation of the first clause in this text is, “And the life appeared.” Although most translations omit the conjunction and, some render it “for,” “when,” or even “yes.” It can be best translated to help us understand what John is trying convey by saying, “indeed the life appeared.”

Verse 2 is considered a parenthetical remark. What does that mean? A parenthetical remark is a word or clause within a statement that has been added by the speaker as an explanation or comment. John adds this clause to further explain the word “LIFE.” One of the commentaries states there is significance to John stating “the life” instead of just “life.”

Remember who John is dealing with, Gnostics. They had a belief that dealt with a figure called the DEMIURGE which means “Craftsman.” This craftsman was considered a Divine Being ascribed by Plato in his account of the formation of the visible world. The Gnostics used the word “God” disparagingly to their inferior deity to whom they ascribed the origin of the material universe. This word distinguished him from the supreme God.^[1] John is introducing Jesus as “the life” opposed to this one the Gnostics believed in.

In verse 2 John emphasizes a few things to help solidify his point.

(1)He shares that this “Life” is eternal. Both in the Gospel and in his first epistle, John employs the expression eternal life repeatedly. In the Gospel it occurs seventeen times (3:15, 16, 36; 4:14, 36; 5:24, 39; 6:27, 40, 47 [everlasting], 54, 68; 10:28; 12:25, 50; 17:2, 3). And in I John it appears six times (1:2; 2:25; 3:15; 5:11, 13, 20).

(2) Next, John describes this life as more than a concept. It stands for Jesus Christ, as John shows in the clause “that which was with the Father.”

(3) Finally, John writes that “the life appeared” and “the eternal life … has appeared to us.” John refers to the historic event of Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection, and personal visits after his resurrection.

All of this was done by John to build his case against the Gnostic. He does this by starting with Jesus.

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH …

·         First, we need to remember Jesus is forever! Don’t let anyone tell you any different.

·         Secondly, Jesus is not a concept, HE IS and will ALWAYS BE!

·         Finally, don’t let anyone take away your testimony. John was sharing his testimony with the Gnostics and this is the foundation that he uses to reveal the TRUTH!

CONCLUSION:

Just one letter of the alphabet makes all the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian. A non-Christian loves the world, where as a Christian loves the Word. May God bless you because of the love you have for the “WORD OF LIFE.”

Blessings

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Cross, F. L., & Livingstone, E. A. (2005). The Oxford dictionary of the Christian Church (3rd ed. rev.) (471). Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press.

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

Video Blog for this Study: I John 1:1-4 (Part 4)

I John 1:1-4 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

     In the last part of verse 1 we see the phrase “word of life.” In the Bible Knowledge commentary it reads …. By capitalizing the term “Word” the NIV interprets this as a title for the Lord like that found in John 1:1, 14. But there, this title has no qualifying phrase such as the expression “of life” which is used here. It seems more natural to understand the phrase in the sense of “the message about life” for which Philippians 2:16 furnishes a parallel (see also Acts 5:20).^[1] Let me try to explain what this commentary is saying in terms that I can relate too. In John 1:1 we read “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” In all three of these instances John capitalized “Word.” But in his Epistle he chooses not to capitalize it. This may be due to the fact that the phrase “of life” follows the word and in the Gospel of John it is without any phrase connected to it. We also know that in Philippians 2:16 … holding fast to the word of life, refers to “the message about life.” Either way it seems to be consistent to the fact that one of the many titles Jesus has, “Word of Life” is what John is alluding to.

     The NIV adds the wording “This we proclaim” to summarize and complete the sentence that was started in the beginning of this verse. All of this is done so that those who read this passage will understand “That which was from the beginning (ESV)…. this we proclaim concerning the Word of life (NIV).

     John is laying down the foundation for his dealings with the Gnostics. He started with “in the beginning.” He finds common ground with the Gnostics. From this he brings the understanding that Jesus was heard, seen, and touched by those who were with Him. John ends this verse with one of the many titles Jesus has been given, “Word of life.”

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH …

     This is a great place to stop so let’s see what we can walk away with today.

·              *    Let us remember that Jesus, who is called the Word, speaks God’s word with authority. The next sermon  you listen to let this thought resonate within you, “IT’S THE AUTHORITATIVE WORD OF GOD!” We cannot take the word and water it down, cut and paste what we like or dislike, or only receive what makes us feel good. If we are living in Christ then we must realize Jesus is the living Word of life and for us to have life in Jesus we must live in the Word.

CONCLUDE

     We will be doing this study 5 times a week. The next time we are together will be Monday. I look forward to getting back together with you. Remember, Jesus loves you and his Word reveals that!

Blessings

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 1:1). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

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!" - 1:1-4 (Part 2)

Video Blog for this Lesson: I John 1:1-4 (Part 2)

     Let me say what an honor it is not only to study the word of God but to do it with you. I hope you have a hunger like I do to sink your teeth into the meat of scripture. No longer drinking of milk but tasting and digesting what is needed to become a healthier follower of Christ! Lets get started!

THE STUDY

      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.

     Let us not forget what and who John is combating, Gnosticism: a belief that their way is a better way. John starts to lay down the foundation for his presentation to address this issue. He starts with "THE BEGINNING!" This seems only natural for John being that he does the very same thing in his Gospel of John (1:1) In the beginning was the Word. This can be compared to the O.T. passage found in Genesis 1:1 In the beginning. John is finding common ground with the Gnostic's. They professed to give their approval and patronage to the gospel of Jesus as well as the Jews.(1) So John starts "in the beginning" on common ground.

     One of the commentaries (Bakers NT Commentary) I  read focused on the the first two words of this passage "That which." Baker writes, that the first word in this epistle is “that” instead of “who.” Instead of saying, “Jesus Christ, who was from the beginning,” John writes, “That which was from the beginning.” The term that is broader than the word who, for it includes the person and message of Jesus Christ.(2) I find this difficult to digest. The question comes to mind, "Is their a difference between the Person of Jesus and His message?" If we look at who John is dealing with I then understand why he would use this wording. But the question in my mind still remains, is there a difference?



     I think this is a great place to stop for today! We need to answer this question in our hearts and minds. Is there a difference? Does it matter if there is or isn't?



WALK AWAY WITH THIS ......

      We need to remember some important facts when it comes to our walk with Jesus:
* He was, is, and will always be! Meaning, there was never a point in time or history when Jesus didn't exist.
* Our entire belief system stems from the understanding of the Trinity. (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
* If we don't consider Jesus as "the way , the truth, and the life", Houston we have a problem!

CONCLUSION:
     Concerning leadership, John Maxwell states, "everything rises and falls on leadership." I understand the context of which that statement is made. But let me say when it comes to our faith, our eternal existence, or our purpose on earth "Everything rises and falls with Jesus!"

Blessings my friends
Pastor Rod

(1) The Pulpit Commentary: 1 John. 2004 (H. D. M. Spence-Jones, Ed.) (iv). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
(2) Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (234). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

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

Video Blog to this lesson: I John 1:1-4 (Part 1)
I Jn 1:1-4
      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— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 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. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. (Underline is my emphasis)
   
     As we study scripture one of the first things to look for is words that are repeated in a passage. In First John 1:1-4 we see a few words that are repeated; Which (6), seen (3), heard (2), manifest (2), and proclaim (2)! This should draw our attention to and cause us to start looking them up to see if they are all the same word. We need to understand why different words are being used. Understanding the style or purpose of the writing helps us to answer some of these questions.
     John writes this epistle to address the influence of Gnosticism. He does this with simple but yet direct wording and phrases. The ideas which he places before us are among the deepest mysteries of revelation: man’s relation to God, to the evil one, and to the world; the Incarnation; the Atonement; the judgment to come; the Son’s relation to the Father and to the Spirit; the essential characteristics of the Godhead. And all this is stated in propositions, which commonly contain simple words in a very simple construction. “Now are we children of God.” “He that doeth sin is of the devil.” “The world is passing away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” “The Father hath sent the Son, the Saviour of the world.” “The blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” “God is Light, and in him is no darkness at all.” “God is Love.” What form of expression could be more simple? There is not a dependent sentence or a relative clause in any of these statements, much less an involved construction. And the words used are of the simplest. Yet who can fathom the depth of such statements?(1)
     What we need to do is look up each of these repeated words and their definitions. Your homework today is to do just that. We will come back tomorrow with this information and see what God has revealed to each of us.
     I will start today with the word "which!" It is  found 6 times in the first 3 verses. In the Hebrew, this word (Hos) is defined as (Who, or Which)! This is a singular pronoun which means it is addressing one noun! All the other times the word "which" is used it means the same thing except in verse 2. The word used here is (Hostis) and the meaning of this word is (Whoever, or Who)! This word is found to be a relative pronoun. This means that it qualifies a noun by relating it to another phrase or sentence. In this case John relates Verse 1 and 2a to the latter part of Verse 2. This connection is JESUS!
      So to conclude today let us walk away understanding that John is constant in his writings. In the Gospel of John and in this epistle (I John) he introduces Jesus. If you would like to know what that may look like today take a look at this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix3MHV_RfeM. If today, you might be reading this and thinking to yourself, "I don't know Jesus" let me introduce you. He is the one who will love you, care for you, lift you up when needed, and tell you when you are doing wrong. This is who John is revealing in his writings found in the Bible. Blessings my friends!

Pastor Rod

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