1 John

Outline of 1 John I. Introduction (1:1-4) II. God Is Light (1:5 – 2:28) A. What walking in the light involves (1:5 -2:6) B. What walking in the light excludes (2:7-28) III. God Is Love (3:1 – 5:12) A. Evidence of sonship – righteousness (3:1-24) B. Source of sonship – possession of Spirit (4:1-5:12) IV. Conclusion (5:13-21)

1 John 1 Walking In The Light The Message Declared From the Beginning (vv. 1-4) Walking In The Light (vv. 5-7) Sin and Forgiveness (vv. 8-10)

1 John 2 Contrasted Darkness Not Sin –vs- Sin (vv. 1-2) Keep Commandments –vs- Not Keeping Commandments (vv. 3-6) Love –vs- Hate (vv. 7-11) Love of Father –vs- Love of World (vv. 12-17) Anti-Christ –vs- Acknowledging Son (vv. 18-23) Let Truth Abide in You –vs- Let Lie Abide in You (vv. 24-29)

1 John 3 Children of God Privilege of Being Children of God (vv. 1-2) Children of God Do Not Sin (vv. 3-10a) Children of God Love Brethren (vv. 10b-18) Children of God Have Assurance (vv. 19-24)

Try the Spirits & Abide in Love 1 John 4 Try the Spirits & Abide in Love The Spirit of Truth & Spirit of Error (vv. 1-6) Love One Another (vv. 7-21)

1 John 5 Faith Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 4. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 5. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is He who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. 10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. 18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is He who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. 10 He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. 11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. 18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

1 John 5 Faith Basis For Love (vv. 1-3) Is The Victory (vv. 4-5) The Evidence (vv. 6-10) The Result: Eternal Life (vv. 11-13) Confidence (vv. 14-15) Does Not Sin (vv. 16-18) Conclusion (vv. 19-21)

1 John 5 Faith Basis For Love (vv. 1-3) Is The Victory (vv. 4-5) Born of God (v. 1a) Love God (vv. 1b-3) Is The Victory (vv. 4-5) One born of God overcometh the world (v. 4) The victory is our faith in Jesus as the Son of God (vv.4-5)

1 John 5 Faith The Evidence (vv. 6-10) The Spirit beareth witness (vv. 6-8)

6 This is He who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.

6 This is He who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: 8. the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.

1 John 5 Faith The Evidence (vv. 6-10) The Spirit beareth witness (vv. 6-8) The Witness of God (vv. 9-10) The Result: Eternal Life(vv. 11-13) This is the record God gave (v. 11) Life is in the Son (vv. 11-12) Purpose of writing (v. 13)

1 John 5 Faith Confidence (vv. 14-15) Does Not Sin (vv. 16-18) He hears what we ask (v. 14) We have petitions that we desired of him (v. 15) Does Not Sin (vv. 16-18) Sin unto death and not unto death (vv. 16, 17b)

Possible To Distinguish Sin Not Unto Death Sin Unto Death Forgiven Not Forgiven Lord forgives every sin - repent & confess (1 John 1:7-9) Only sin – not forgiven is one – not repent Repents Not Repent Possible To Distinguish

1 John 5 Faith Confidence (vv. 14-15) Does Not Sin (vv. 16-18) He hears what we ask (v. 14) We have petitions that we desired of him (v. 15) Does Not Sin (vv. 16-18) Sin unto death and not unto death (vv. 16, 17b) All unrighteousness is sin (v. 17a) One born of God sinneth not  (v. 18) Conclusion (vv. 19-21) We know we are of God  (v. 19) We know that Son of God is come (v. 20) Keep from idols (v. 21)

Idols Today It may be added, in the conclusion of the exposition of this Epistle, that the same caution is as needful for us as it was for those to whom John wrote. We are not in danger, indeed, of bowing down to idols, or of engaging in the grosser forms of idol-worship. But we may be in no less danger than they to whom John wrote were, of substituting other things in our affections in the place of the true God, and of devoting to them the time and the affection which are due to him. Our children it is possible to love with such an attachment as shall effectually exclude the true God from the heart. The world-"its wealth, and pleasures, and honors-we may love with a degree of attachment such as even an idolater would hardly shew to his idol-gods; and all the time which he would take in performing his devotions in an idol-temple, we may devote with equal fervor to the service of the world.

Idols Today There is practical idolatry all over the world; in nominally Christian lands as well as among the pagan; in families that acknowledge no God but wealth and fashion; in the hearts of multitudes of individuals who would scorn the thought of worshipping at a pagan altar; and it is even to be found in the heart of many a one who professes to be acquainted with the true God, and to be an heir of heaven. God should have the supreme place in our affections. The love of everything else should be held in strict subordination to the love of him. (Albert Barnes, Comments on 1 John 5:21)

1 John 5 Faith Basis For Love (vv. 1-3) Is The Victory (vv. 4-5) The Evidence (vv. 6-10) The Result: Eternal Life (vv. 11-13) Confidence (vv. 14-15) Does Not Sin (vv. 16-18) Conclusion (vv. 19-21)