I John 1:6-10 (ESV)

2. I John 1:6-10 (ESV) If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

3. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

4. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

5. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

6. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

7. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. I John 1:6, ESV

8. Impossible Fellowship Previously we were made known of the character of God God is light and in Him is no darkness at all There is a problem with those who claim fellowship with God yet walk in darkness If God is light then it is impossible to have fellowship with God while willingly walking in darkness To walk in darkness is to live a lifestyle of sin To live in such a way indicates something is drastically wrong It means these individuals lie and do not practice the truth It is similar to Matthew 7, when Jesus describes the impossibility of thistles from figs and figs from thistles…this is impossible So it is also impossible to claim to have fellowship with God while living in darkness

9. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. I John 1:7, ESV

10. In the Light This is meant to a positive “if…then…” statement (a contrast to the previous verse) If darkness equals no fellowship with God, then the opposite must be true If God is light walking in the light implies fellowship We also have fellowship with each other In context this makes sense, since the purpose of writing the letter is to have fellowship with each other (see verses 1-4) This is significant Since Abraham there were two people groups, Gentiles and Jews After Christ there came a third identity which included both Jews and Gentiles Where once there was enmity between peoples, in Christ there is fellowship

11. In the Light (2) Walking in the light reflects being cleansed of sin by Christ’s blood This does not mean what we do cleanses us This would imply a works-based salvation Instead, it is recognizing that if we walk in the light, then we have fellowship with God If we have fellowship with God, then our sins have been cleansed by the blood of Christ

12. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. I John 1:8, ESV

13. Lying to Self This time John focuses on sin It appears these individuals claim to not be guilty of sin, or to not be sinners John argues those who hold such a belief live in self deception They lie to themselves, therefore the truth is not in them This reflects what we saw in verse 6 In that verse the focus was on lifestyle In this verse the focus is on a failure to recognize what it means for Christ to have come If they claim not to be sinners, then they do not understand the life which has come which is Christ

14. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9, ESV

15. Truth of Self If we do not lie about ourselves then we will recognize we do/are sinners This honesty will cause us to confess our sins This does not only mean asking for forgiveness, but further reflects a repentant lifestyle Confession is natural for a repentant lifestyle since confession is a self-recognition of sin Repentance is important to remember One can confess of sins but remain remorseless But when coupled with repentance it acknowledges sin and seeks to separate from it

16. Truth of Self (2) What happens if we do confess/live in repentance? God is faithful and just to forgive He is faithful to His word to forgive us of our sins To be just is a reflection of God’s righteousness Why doesn’t God forgive without the cross? Because it would go against His own character God does not merely pass over our sins, but sends Christ to take our penalty on the cross

17. Truth of Self (3) We are not only forgiven of sins It ends with righteousness To cleanse implies a change This is what happens through Christ, we are changed To be cleansed of all unrighteousness implies a transformation Transformation occurs through a repentant lifestyle A repentant lifestyle is one which turns away from sin and turns toward God

18. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.I John 1:10, ESV

19. Conclusion This verse is a further reflection of verse 8 There we learned of those who claim to “not have sin” The focus there might have been on present sin Here the focus is likely on past sin hence the expression “if we say we have not sinned” It seems likely that those who held this view did not claim to have the guilt of sin If we do not have guilt before our conversion then we make God a liar The reason for this is according to His Word the world is in sin, we are in need of redemption, and we only find that redemption in Christ To claim to be without sin, however, is to claim what God did through Christ a lie and meaningless

20. Conclusion (2) There is only one conclusion If we lie about our relationship with God If we lie about ourselves If we lie about our guilt of sin (or lack thereof) Then His Word is not in us His Word, being the Life, the Eternal Life, Christ Himself, is not in us

21. Main Point We learn of individuals who live in darkness rather than the light Who claim no sin, and no guilt of sin Such individuals misrepresent themselves and God However, if we live in the light via repentance we have fellowship with God and shows our redemption through Christ If we confess our sins as sin God forgives us In the end this all is evidence that the truth is in us

22. Application Points Life in the Dark We see two ways of life The first is darkness, the second is light One cannot remain in one and the other This stems from verse 5, where we learn God is light and in Him is no darkness at all With this we focus on darkness What does it mean to live in darkness? If today’s text is any indication it is to live in sin Sin is living in a way contrary to the Law of God The 10 commandments are the basis for moral life Also Christ’s two commandments which all others hang to love the Lord your God with all your heart soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself

23. Application Points Life in the Dark (2) To live in a way which is contrary to this is to live a life of sin It is to miss the mark of righteousness and become guilty because of our sin To walk in sin is to have no care of these things To walk in darkness is to live in a way uncaring of the God of all creation and His moral law We find this kind of lifestyle further in the New Testament

24. “[9] Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, [10] nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, ESV)

25. “[19] Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, [20] idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, [21] envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 ESV)

26. Application Points Life in the Dark (3) We need to remember that there is a difference between stumbling in sin and living a lifestyle of sin The latter is what John and Paul have in mind It is recognizing, or refusing to recognize, sin in ones life and continue to live without repentance or confession This is different than the person who falls into a pit or snare Such a person does need to confess and repent, but we should not assume their lifestyle is one of walking in darkness None of us love God perfectly, and none love our neighbors perfectly Since we compare ourselves to our holy God, we must all admit that we fall short in this life

27. Application Points Life in the Dark (4) This is also why it is so important for John to recognize the fellowship aspect We need to maintain a safe place for each other for confession to take place We need to help one another by acknowledging confession is a good thing Let’s make sure we have true fellowship with one another showing grace, mercy, love, and a safe place for confession and repentance

28. Application Points Life in the Dark (5) Back to point…that is what John means when walking in darkness It is not a misstep, but a complete walk in the dark We need to be careful and check ourselves to make sure we are not in the dark Likewise we should always ask God to reveal the darkness in us so we can struggle against it

29. Application Points Life in the Light There is a lifestyle we can live which is in the light and in righteousness Because of what Christ has done we can live in the light of Christ What does it mean to live in the light? It is the opposite of living in the dark It is to live not in sin Both John the Baptist and Jesus proclaimed this lifestyle

30. times John the Baptist proclaimed, as did Jesus, the way into this lifestyle. Consider what we are told in Matthew, “[5] Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, [6] and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

31. [7] But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? [8] Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. [9] And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. [10] Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

32. [11] “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. [12] His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” (Matthew 3:5-12 ESV)

33. “[17] From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17 ESV)

34. “[15] “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. [16] You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? [17] So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. [18] A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. [19] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. [20] Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”

35. [21] “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ [23] And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:15-23 ESV)

36. “[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. [24] And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.[25] If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. [26] Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:22-26 ESV)

37. Application Points Life in the Light (2) In all of these things we are dealing with living in the Light John began by proclaiming confession and repentance Repentance in particular is to bear fruit Jesus also proclaimed this Finally Jesus in particular explains what it means to bear good fruit rather than bad fruit Good fruit and bad fruit represent different lifestyles Good fruit: Living in repentance and thereby following the Law of God Bad Fruit: Living in unrepentance and lawlessness

38. Application Points Life in the Light (3) This is what it means to live in the light, to turn in repentance away from a sinful lifestyle To turn toward God instead of self Confessing your sins as sin and turning away from them in repentance Paul caps it off by informing us of walking the Spirit God is in the light, the Spirit is God, therefore to walk in the Spirit is to walk in the light We follow Christ’s teaching on repentance, and walk in step with the Spirit This is evidence of salvation, only the work of Christ saves us So it does not mean walking in this way causes salvation, but it is the evidence that one is saved if they walk in this way

39. Application Points Life in the Light (4) When we consider dark and light, we must make a choice one or the other Be encouraged to choose light Seek out the glory of God with all of your life If we do walk in the light, then we can be sure our sins are forgiven through Christ Give praise for this redemption, and the evidence of this redemption through repentance

40. Application Points The Great Lie We see a great lie in today’s text A lie the prophets often warned against What is this lie? That the people who thought they were in the light were actually in the darkness I might acknowledge righteousness and unrighteousness but choose the latter It might not even acknowledge but think it is in the light when really in darkness We would be appalled by those who consider lying, cheating, stealing, adultery etc. to be righteous deeds This is what is happening, they think the are glorifying God but in truth they are doing the opposite in self-deception

41. Application Points The Great Lie (2) The danger is that they are not in the truth at all They lie not only to themselves, and others, but they also make God a liar To do something which is good, and claim God calls it good, when He really calls it bad, is to call God a liar There are many who claim to have fellowship with God But when we look at their lives we see something foreign to the light of God Those who claim to believe in God, yet there is no evidence of a repentant lifestyle, no confession of sin as sin, no fellowship with other believers

42. Application Points The Great Lie (3) This is something which would make a top ten list when it comes to problems with American congregations and evangelism For too long we’ve only preached half the message We’ve preached, God is light, God is love, Confess Jesus as Lord But we’ve failed to preach God has no darkness, God is just and righteous, Faith goes hand in hand with repentance We have a generation who believes they are right with God while they live in darkness We have a generation who believes that because they prayed a prayer they’re saved, yet we failed to tell them what it looks like to be saved

43. Application Points The Great Lie (4) Side note: We can’t go too far in the opposite direction We can’t cause people to think that what they do saves them Only what Christ has done saves us Knowing this will cause us to follow God as His children, not as His slaves There are many who think they are right with God when they are far from Him It manifests itself in two ways: A lawless lifestyle (defined by their sinful lifestyles), and a faithless lifestyle (those who rely on themselves rather than Christ) In either case we should weep, for them, and because God is being misrepresented

44. Application Points The Great Lie (5) We are not without hope We can be sure that the Light of Christ is greater than this darkness God can transform any heart We ache for God being misrepresented, we know He is being truly represented by those who live in repentance and faith according to His Word Always check yourselves to make sure your in the light Seek to live in repentance and faith Rejoice if you’re in the light Rejoice because we can know and distinguish light from darkness

45. Application Points The Great Lie (6) Be encouraged to preach the whole Gospel to those inside and outside of the light For those in the light need it, they crave it, and they love it because they know it is the Word of life For those in the dark it is the light by which they can be saved Preach the whole Gospel, and trust in the Lord to transform the hearts of those in the dark places

46. Application Points The Gospel This reminds us of the Gospel and the light it shines on all people We have all been in the dark believing what we do is right We are the evidence that any can be taken out of the darkness and placed in the light It begins with our origins, God created the cosmos by the power of His Word Last of all He created humanity to bear His image Because God is a God of love, reason, knows, can be known, has personhood, morality, and displays chesed, we can as well It is here we find dignity, sanctity, and worth to human life

47. Final Application Points The Gospel (2) Like God, however, we were able to choose We could choose God in obedience into life, or sin in disobedience into death, we chose and continue to choose the latter Because of this our relationships with God, within ourselves, each other, and the world are broken It is also because of this we accrue a greater moral guilt, a true guilt, before our righteous God Thankfully, God did not leave us in this darkness forever, instead He sent His Light and His Word into the darkness, that is Jesus Christ His Son

48. Final Application Points The Gospel (3) Jesus lived, died, and rose again in time, space, history, and flesh By His blood we are cleansed from our sin We are redeemed through His sacrifice on the cross His victory in life and over death become our victory in life and over death

49. Final Application Points The Gospel (4) All that is required of us is obedience in two things The first is repentance We are to live a lifestyle in accord with the Scriptures, walking in step with the Spirit for the glory of God The second is faith in Christ We recognize our dependence upon the Son of God for our salvation It is not about what we do, but what Christ has done We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to the Scriptures alone, for the glory of God alone

50. Final Application Points The Gospel (5) For those who are disobedient there is only condemnation All of our good deeds are as filthy rags before our holy and righteous God Therefore with an advocator before God they will experience judgment For those who are obedient there is no condemnation They become children of God They can have victory over sin by the power of the Spirit in them They will inherit an eternal kingdom where they will experience the love and peace of God forevermore