1 John Abide in the truth and love of Christ

1. 1 John Abide in the truth and love of Christ KV: 1Jn 3:23: “And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.”

2. Author • Traditional view: John the Apostle • 1:1-3 Eyewitness • Johanine literature: • Gospel of John • 1, 2, 3 John • Revelation

3. Church in Ephesus • John in Ephesus after 66AD (Jewish war & destruction of Jerusalem 70AD) • Ephesus: • Syncretism, Emperor worship, gnosticism • Paul dead, Timothy predecessor • 7 Churches of Rev – joined by roads • John pastored 30 yrs!

4. Observe Occasion • Why was this letter written? • Rep phrase: proclaim / writing these things to you • “so that” / “because” / “that” • Seek all references!

5. Occasion: “writing so that” • 1:2 proclaim eternal life • 1:3 “you too may have fellowship with us, Father, Son Jesus” – sin disrupts fellowship • 1:4 “our joy may be complete” – sin takes away joy • 2:1 “you may not sin” – obedience • 2:21 “you know the truth” – affirmation against false teachers • 1:26 warning against deceivers • 5:13 “know that you have eternal life”

6. Gospel of John Evangelistic aim John 20:31 Contain signs to evoke faith 1 John Assurance to believers of eternal life True knowledge of what faith implies Tests how to judge faith Compare Purposes

7. Witness to truth • 1:1-4 Bodily form of Jesus: • Heard • Seen with eyes • Touched • Water & blood • Purpose: true fellowship in truth between John, readers & God – agree on doctrine

8. False teachers • Observe “if”, contrasts • 1:6, 1:8, 1:10, 2:3, 2:15 • Light / darkness • Love / hate • Father / world • Sinning / righteousness • Words / deeds (3:18)

9. False teachers: Antichrist • Denied: • 1:1 pre-existence of Jesus • 2:22 Jesus is not Christ • 2:18-22 denies Father & Son (Sonship) • 4:2 Jesus came in flesh • 2:20 claimed secret knowledge (gnostics) • 2:26 try to deceive • 4:20 show little / no love • 1:8, 10 Claimed to be sinless • 2:4, 3:4 Don’t obey commandment of Christ

10. Example of false teaching • Cerinthus in Asia Minor: • Jesus was man • Indwelt by Christ • From baptism • To just before crucifixion • BUT 5:1, 6: natural birth, death, testimony of God

11. Safeguards against false teaching • 2:20-21, 24 - anointed by the Holy One (Spirit) and know truth • 2:26, 27 - indwelling Holy Spirit to guard them against deception • 4:1-6 - they were to test the spirits and they would know the true spirits by their confessions

12. Abide in the truth • fellowship 1:3, 7 • not practicing sin 3:4-10, 2:29 • Spirit abiding in them 3:24; 4:13 • confess Christ 2:23; 5:1 • keep commandment: believe & love 2:3, 5; 3:14, 23; 4:21 • keep teaching first given 2:24; 3:11

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16. Segments (1-5)

17. Segments (6-8 )

18. (1) 1:1-4 Incarnation of Eternal Life • “that which” = neutral • Gospel message (word – logos – message) BUT ALSO • Jesus (Word of Life – Jn 1:1, 14:6) • “from the beginning” • When Jesus came • Gospel = plan of God from beginning • Message about historical person – no Greek myth • NB reality of Jesus • Eyewitnesses!

19. (1) 1:1-4 Incarnation of Eternal Life • Rep wrd: • Life • Seen, heard • Made manifest – appearing of Jesus • Seen, heard connected with proclaimed • Fellowship • Possessing something in common, partnership • Sharing common life in Christ through Holy Spirit • Man – Man – God (Purpose from beginning!) • Ongoing, producing joy

20. (2) 1:5-2:6 Fellowship with God & man • Conditions of fellowship – nature of God: • God is light (FOS), love • Light is symbol for righteousness • Nothing is hidden from God – Ps 90:8 • Walk in righteousness

21. (2) 1:5-2:6 Fellowship with God & man • 3 obstacles to fellowship: • Walking in darkness • Walking = way of life (1:6,7; 2:6,11) • own ways vs to live righteously • Not practice truth vs live it! • Claim we have no sin • Sin in our hearts leads to outward actions • Claim we have not sinned • We are sinners – all need salvation (Rom 3:23)

22. (2) 1:5-2:6 Fellowship with God & man • Propitiation of sins: • We have a parakletos (advocate) • Legal term: • Jesus has right of appearance before God – no sin • Jesus pleads our cause • Forgiveness establishes the moral law • Takes away wrath of God • Divine wrath against all sin

23. (2) 1:5-2:6 Fellowship with God & man • 2:3 Obey his commandments: • Faith in Jesus as incarnate • Brotherly love • Thus obey the Father – just like Jesus • Obedience = basis of service to Jesus • Obey leads to Love of God perfected • 4:10 Love is…

24. (3) 2:7-17 Christ, the new commandment • Old = New • LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE • John 15:12! John 3:16 – self sacrificing • Hatred = darkness vs Love = light

25. (3) 2:7-17 Christ, the new commandment • 2:12-14: emphasize all have: • Forgiveness of sins • Knowledge of God • Word of God abiding in them • Victory over evil one

26. (3) 2:7-17 Christ, the new commandment • 2:15-17: World: • Heart set on worldliness • World = temporary • World vs Father: incompatible • Gen 3:6 – sin of Eve • Obedience NB for Eternal Life

27. (4) 2:18-27 Antichrists • Many – went out of church, membership was only outward • All Believers - Gift of Holy Spirit v20, 27 • Every believer has knowledge – no mysteries, select few, no new ideas! • Jesus = God & man • Focus on original gospel message!

28. (5) 2:28-3:10 Abiding in Christ • Little children – family relationship • Note “confidence” / “by this we know” • Be Christ-like! • Sinning – walking in sin (habitually), rebellion, against moral law • God transforms us • Jesus vs Sin / Devil: incompatible!

29. (5) 2:28-3:10 Abiding in Christ • God’s seed abides: • Metaphor: human begetting • Divine power frees us from sin, gives life • Remains, continues • Test = Love!

30. (6) 3:11-5:5 Living in Love • Love = heart of christian message! • Evil wants to kill love • Love does not abide in closed heart (“shuts up his entrails from him” – no emotion, compassion) • Love = practical

31. (6) 3:11-5:5 Living in Love • Key verse: 1 John 3:23 • Commandment: • Believe in Jesus (faith) – “name” = whole person • Love one another • Spirit testifies to this! • Spiritual maturity – love & bless the one who irritates!

32. (6) 3:11-5:5 Living in Love • Confidence: • No reason to be unsure! • Answered prayer increases confidence • Builds relationship • OBEY & DO = continued tense

33. (6) 3:11-5:5 Living in Love • Test every spirit: • Jewish understanding: spirit gives prophesy • OT – many false prophets • By which spirit / Spirit do we prophesy? Note contrasts • NB JESUS IN THE FLESH!!

34. (6) 3:11-5:5 Living in Love • God is Love – 4:8, 16 • True love is rooted in God • God’s nature is love • Cross • Gives meaning of love • Source of life • Note again our confidence – love casts our fear of punishment – 2nd coming

35. (6) 3:11-5:5 Living in Love • Love – relationship / faith / trust – victory • Love God – love His children • Emphasis: overcoming the world

36. (7) 5:6-12 Witness to Jesus:Water, blood, Spirit • 3 witnesses – Dt 19:15 • 3 options of meaning • Blood & water from side of Jesus after death • Metaphor for sacraments • Water – baptism, blood - death • Spirit testified at Jesus’ baptism, transfiguration

37. (8) 5:13-21 Assurance of Eternal Life • Ask according to His will: • Jn 14:13-14 - ask in my (Jesus) name • Jn 15:7 - remain in Jesus/ His words remain in you • Jn 15:16 - ask in my (Jesus) name • Jn 16:23-27 - ask in my (Jesus) name • 1 Jn. 3:21-22 - we obey his (God’s) commands • 1 Jn. 5:14 - ask according to his (God’s) will NB INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP

38. (8) 5:13-21 Assurance of Eternal Life • Prayer: • Care materially for brother (3:17-18) • Care spiritually for brother (5:16) – intersessory prayer • 3 Options: deadly sin • Specific sin (OT) • Apostacy – rejection of Christ • Blasphemy against Holy Spirit (gospels)

39. (8) 5:13-21 Assurance of Eternal Life • We know x 3: • Not keep on sinning – Jesus protects • Our origen: God • Incarnation – faith is stimulus to right thinking! • Keep yourself from all false gods! • Stay in the truth of Christ & who He is