Bible Study 1 John 1:3-4

Hello friends. Today we will continue our study in 1 John.



(1 John 1:3-4 ESV)

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

Verse 3-  We are being told these truths so that we can not only have fellowship with our brothers and sisters but ultimately fellowship with the Triune God of the universe!

The apostle John goes to great lengths to tell us he SAW   the events surrounding Jesus and that this is not some fabricated story that has no basis.

The things John is telling us are spiritual truths that MUST be believed in order to have fellowship with the God of the universe. Sadly many people want to throw out doctrine and just focus on "love".  To be a Christian is to believe certain doctrinal truths. If we do not have these distinctions then how can we say Mormonism is false when they say they love Jesus and believe in him. Of course the problem is that they have the wrong Jesus and we know that based on the doctrinal truths that John has written to us in his letters.

Joel Osteen who has a massive following was interviewed a while back on Fox News and was asked his view on Mormonism. Remember Joel has one of the largest church's in America and has made millions in his book sales. Sadly this is what happens when theology dose not matter

We live in an age where doctrine is a dirty word. I recently saw a picture with the slogan "It is better to be kind then to be right". Sadly I can not even count how many Christians that I know that hold this un-Biblical un-Godly worldly philosophy. Truth matters friends and truth divides from error.

To be a Christian is to be a slave of Jesus Christ. There are doctrinal truths that we must believe to separate the kingdom of Christ from the kingdom of the cults. Many times I hear that Christians have to much head knowledge and not enough "love".   I have yet to meet these people. Where I live in the Carolina's theology and head knowledge is very hard to find. We can not apply the truth's of the Gospel if we do not know them. How can we follow the teachings of Christ if we are ignorant of what he says.

The apostle John is clear that to have fellowship with the Triune God of the universe then we MUST  believe certain doctrinal truths.


Verse 4- John talks about the joy that the gospel brings. The main point of life is not health, wealth and happiness. The purpose of life is to know the Creator of the universe and be reconciled through Jesus Christ.

What Joy we have that should amaze us everyday. Sinful man who is by nature:

1)-Dead in sin  (Romans 5:12- 1 Corinthians 15:21)

2)-A child of God's wrath (Ephesians 2)

3)-Hostile towards God (Romans 8:7)

4)-Loves sin and darkness (John 3:18-20)

5)-Is a friend of the world and an enemy of God (James 4:4)


We could go on but we see that in our selves and by ourselves we are doomed. Yet our Glorious Savior lays his life down for the sheep:


               (John 10:11 ESV) 
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

That while we were helpless and could do nothing to save ourselves Christ  steps in:

            (Romans 5:6-9 ESV)

"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God."

This is the best news we could possibly have. I will leave you with one of the most amazing passages in scripture for you to meditate on today. Think of these incredible truths today and take time to marvel at our Glorious Master who loved us and rescued us  from death.

Summary:

1)- Verse 3

A)- The apostle John saw Jesus do many might works. His information is not from hear say but was an actual witness of the event

  B)-Man has sinned and is cut off from God from birth (Romans 5:12) and there are certain doctrinal truths  that must be believed to be a Christian which will allow us to have fellowship with our Creator.

2)- Verse 4

A)-The amazing grace that God has poured out on sinners which is the good news!

B)-We are completed in the sense that we are fulfilling our purpose for which we were ultimately created for which is union with God. Or as The Westminster Shorter Catechism says:

What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever

I will leave you with this passage from Ephesians to meditate on:

                      (Ephesians 1:3-14 ESV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.