1 John 1:1-4

Introduction:

1. Christians in every generation face challenges to their faith.

2. Though the challenges to the faith of the recipients of 1 John differ in many details from our own, the root cause and solution is the same.

3. It all depends upon our assessment of Jesus’ nature and identity.

Discussion:

I. The Challenge 1 John Addressed

A. The issues John addressed indicate he was battling an early heresy later named Gnosticism, and perhaps specifically the Docetic brand.

B. They denied that Christ came in flesh (1 John 2:22-23; 4:2-3) because they believed matter to be evil and spirit good.

C. They formed a new community founded on their claim to a special knowledge the apostles lacked (1 John 2:18-23).

D. John refuted this false doctrine as an eyewitness (1 John 1:1-4; 2:23-24).

II. The Human-Divine Jesus

A. John’s gospel opens with the dual nature of Christ (1:1-2, 14) with the overarching purpose of producing faith in the Christ (20:30-31).

B. 1 John opens with an emphatic eyewitness defense of the fact of the incarnate Christ, God in the flesh (1:1-2; cf. Philippians 2:5-8).

C. This reality is the core and foundation of our faith and hope which these false prophets denied (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 2:18, 22-23).

III. The Human-Divine Fellowship

A. John wrote to assure these believers of their fellowship with the saints, the Father, and the Son (1:3, 5-7; 2:3-6, 28-29; 3:14; 4:7).

B. Fellowship: Gr. koinonia: “communion, joint participation” (Thayer; cf. 1 Corinthians 10:16) also “partnership” (Mounce, Strong; Philippians 1:5).

C. This partnership permeates the NT (cf. John 14:20-23; 17:21; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 12:10; 2 Peter 1:4).

IV. That Your Joy May Be Full

A. The result of such knowledge is fullness of joy (John 15:11; 1 John 1:4).

B. Any false philosophy robs us of this joy God intended (Colossians 2:2-4, 8-10).

Conclusion:

1. As we study the text of 1 John, our aim is the complete our joy in Christ.

2. Our faith rests on the historical reality declared in the gospel of Christ, so we can rest assured of the promises contained therein.