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Title: Our Hands Have Handled
Today, for the first time in 3 ½ years, we begin anew in our Theological pursuit of Truth. That is not to say that as we begin studying 1 John today that the last three plus years in Romans have been wasted.
On the contrary, I have found them to be some of the most rewarding study and sermons sessions of my young ministry. But today, we begin an entirely new perspective on the same truths that Paul has been teaching us.
Today we will see Truth through the eyes of a very different man, and very different writer than Paul. Today we will begin to look at Christ through the eyes of John.
As we begin, I think it would be only fair to warn and prepare you concerning the uniqueness of John, his writing style, and, most importantly, how he is different from Paul as a writer.
I. I John: An Introduction
1. Author: John , son of Zebedee, one of the 12, and one of the “inner three”, the author of 1,2,3 John, The Gospel of John, and Revelation
2. Occasion: Primarily written to refute Docetism (The idea that Christ on appeared to be human, but was never truly flesh…an idea that has several implications for us today)
3. Date: Written after the Gospel of John, (A.D. 90), but before Revelation, (A.D. 95)
4. Characteristics:
1. Traditionally I John is called a letter, though it lacks a salutation, introduction, or final greeting).
2. However, it does seem to be addressed to a specific group of people, whom John knows personally “My little children” in 2:1.
3. Unlike Paul, the ideas are not reasoned point to point logically. Paul is more of an analyst, John more like an artist. (For this reason some of you will love John, others will struggle to follow his thought pattern.)
4. Most Importantly: The language of John is not difficult, or technical, but the ideas are extremely profound.
II. The Dive Right In to Truth
(Read 1-4)
John wastes no time, I’ll give him that.
So what can we take from these first four verses?
1. John references the eternal nature of Christ
Compare I John 1:1 with John 1:1. The “word” (Jesus) was in existence from the beginning.
Why is this important? What difference does it make when Jesus appeared on the scene? (Take answers)
Because, without Jesus’ eternal nature, the trinity is compromised.
2. Christ was BOTH fully God, and fully man (flesh)
John has heard it. John has seen it with his own eyes. John has touched it. Jesus was not a ghost, not an aberration, not a specter or a spirit, but God as Man.
Why is this point so central? Why is it so important to John, and also of great importance to us? (Take answers)
Because if Christ was not flesh, fully man, he can’t be our advocate before God. He can’t be the second Adam.
3. You MUST know Christ to know God.
(Read v. 3-5)
“That you may also have fellowship with us…”
John’s heart is to share the reality of the message, the reality of Christ’s coming. The reality that John himself says, “Look, I knew him. I touched him. I ate with him. I was there when the Father appeared on the mountain and confirmed my belief. I literally heard God’s voice when he said, “This is my Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Take my word for it, there is NOTHING more real in the universe than Jesus Christ being the Son of God.
“And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”
A very powerful argument, but also a very different type of argument than Paul would make.
Think of the difference this way. Paul tells the story of his conversion three times in the N.T., but he never references it as a reason others should believe. Paul uses all sorts of other detailed arguments as a reason for belief, like the obvious nature of God, the obvious depravity of man, and the impending judgement.
John, on the other hand, in a simple and profound way, says, “I’ve seen the son of God face to face, he is the most real thing I know. You want to hear more?”
“That your joy may be full”
John writes these things that we might know real joy, lasting joy, joy that is unaffected by the ups and downs of life. Joy that is eternal, because it stems from a belief in all that is eternal.
Why is it pivotal that we (as believers) not waver from this issue that the only way to God is through Jesus Christ?
A: Because ALL other ways end in death.