February 5, 2012
Evening Service

This morning we introduced ourselves to the apostle John and looked some of the issues that were facing the church at the time of his writings.

                He sought to rekindle the fire of living a devoted life to the now second generation of the church.

                He is addressing doctrine that was being taught from within the church that was false.

He revealed to us that one of his purpose for writing was that we would find true fellowship (relationship) with our God and our brothers.  It is through those relationships that we are able to find joy to the fullest degree.

 

1Jo 1:5 And this is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.

 

What does this tell us about God?

·         Light illuminates-He wishes to be seen and be known without any secrets

·         Light speaks of His holiness and purity without darkness (sin)

·         Light is a guide for our way.

o    Psa 119:105 Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.

·         Light reveals truth.  Flaws & imperfections that are hidden in the shade become obvious in the light.

·         It tells us that darkness separates us from God.

o   Rom 3:23  for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,

 

1Jo 1:6-7 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice 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 Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

            To have that fellowship (relationship) with God who is light, we must also strive to walk in that light.  We must be giving our best effort to be like Him, by obeying His commands. (Matt 12:30-31).  Our goal should be to grow into what God would have us to be.

 

            Mat 7:15-23  Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?  (17)  Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit.  (18)  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruits, nor can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  (19)  Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  (20)  Therefore by their fruits you shall know them.  (21)  Not everyone who says to Me, Lord! Lord! shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven.  (22)  Many will say to Me in that day, Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your name, and through Your name throw out demons, and through Your name do many wonderful works?  (23)  And then I will say to them I never knew you! Depart from Me, those working lawlessness!

 

            It indeed is our actions (fruits) that prove we are in the light or we lie and continue to walk in darkness.

            As we walk in the light we have that fellowship (relationship) that we desire with God and with one another.  We also enjoy the promise of the cleansing of our sins.

 

 

 

 

1Jo 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  (9)  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (10)  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.

            By not owning up to the fact that we are sinners (Rom 3:23) we fail to take responsibility for our actions and also the consequences that they bring (separation from God) (no relationship).

            The essence of our relationship with God is to realize our sin; and then go to Him for the forgiveness of them.

            It like us stepping into to the light and letting all our sin scars to be revealed and then ask Him to heal them:   He promises to do just that!  Verse 9

            If we come to Him with a sincere, humble, and contrite heart, He is full of mercy and will forgive us and put those sins forever out of His mind.

 

Psa 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

 

 

1Jo 2:1-2 My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  (2)  And He is the propitiation concerning our sins, and not concerning ours only, but also concerning the sins of all the world.

            Just because we have come into a relationship with Jesus, does not mean we then will never sin (miss the mark) (be perfect) again.  No, it only changes how we handle it.  Sin becomes a separation in our closeness to God and must be dealt with to remove it.  It is never to be taken lightly.  Our goal is to not sin at all.

            God created us so He already knew we would struggle with sin, so He made a way for us to deal with our failures.

            Jesus is our Advocate (paraclete).  That is “one who comes alongside” and in its active form it means helper, supporter or one who will witness in someone’s favor.  He will plead our case for us before our Heavenly Father.

            Jesus also is the propitiation for our sins.  Once we have sinned we need something to cleanse us from it and restore our relationship with a Holy God.  The work on the cross not only erased our past sins, but also will erase any future sins.  It not only creates the initial relationship we have with God, but also maintains it.  It is God’s antidote for sin.

 

Heb 2:16-18 For truly He did not take the nature of angels, but He took hold of the seed of Abraham.  (17)  Therefore in all things it behooved him to be made like His brothers, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of His people.  (18)  For in that He Himself has suffered, having been tempted, He is able to rescue those who are being tempted.

            He became flesh and blood and now is able to identify with us. 

            His love and mercy stretch far for this propitiation goes out for “the sins of all the world.”

 

Joh 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  (17)  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.

 

The plan of God all along was to send His Son Jesus to be our Advocate (one who comes alongside us) and be the propitiation (antidote) for our sins.  This then creates the true relationship we long to have with our Heavenly Father and Jesus His Son.