The First Epistle of John Fellowship with God 1 John 1:5 – 2:2

Introduction In 1 Jn 1:1-4, John’s purpose was In 1 Jn 1:1-4, John’s purpose was –To declare the Word of Life –So that we might have fellowship with the Father and Son, just as the apostles do –So that we might have complete joy In order to have complete joy, we must have fellowship with God in this life In order to have complete joy, we must have fellowship with God in this life

The Basis for having Fellowship with God 1 Jn 1:5 1 Jn 1:5 –“God is light” Light – purity, goodness, righteousness Light – purity, goodness, righteousness We must remember His nature if we are to have fellowship with Him We must remember His nature if we are to have fellowship with Him –“in Him there is no darkness at all” Darkness – opposite of light Darkness – opposite of light –Evil, unrighteousness, impurity We can never think God would overlook or excuse sin We can never think God would overlook or excuse sin

False Claims of Fellowship 1 Jn 1:6 1 Jn 1:6 –Saying you are in fellowship with Him while walking in darkness Fellowship means “joint participation toward a common goal” Fellowship means “joint participation toward a common goal” Since God is light, then walking in darkness prohibits fellowship Since God is light, then walking in darkness prohibits fellowship

False Claims of Fellowship What is the result of such a claim? What is the result of such a claim? –We are false in our WORDS (we lie) –We are false in our DEEDS (do not practice the truth) What should we do then if we are walking in darkness but wish to be in fellowship with God? What should we do then if we are walking in darkness but wish to be in fellowship with God?

Achieving Fellowship 1 Jn 1:7 1 Jn 1:7 –We need to leave the darkness –We need to walk in the light to the same extent God is in the light The only way to participate with God in anything is to be where He is The only way to participate with God in anything is to be where He is –How can we achieve the sinlessness necessary for fellowship with God?

Achieving Fellowship The blood of Jesus The blood of Jesus –Cleanses us from sin –No matter how far into darkness we have gone, He can bring us to the light –In baptism we are washed with His blood All sins are forgiven All sins are forgiven We are then walking in the light We are then walking in the light

Maintaining Fellowship Is fellowship guaranteed forever? Is fellowship guaranteed forever? Once you walk in the light, will you always be in the light? Once you walk in the light, will you always be in the light? Will Jesus’ blood continually cleanse us from sin as we sin? Will Jesus’ blood continually cleanse us from sin as we sin? –All 3 are really the same question –Paul answered same question in Rom 6:1-4 His answer was NO His answer was NO

Maintaining Fellowship 1 Jn 1:8 1 Jn 1:8 –If we say “yes” to those questions We only deceive ourselves We only deceive ourselves And we no longer have the truth in us And we no longer have the truth in us Therefore, we are again walking in darkness Therefore, we are again walking in darkness

Maintaining Fellowship Since we can sin again, how do we maintain fellowship with God? Since we can sin again, how do we maintain fellowship with God? –1 Jn 1:9 Confess our sins to God (repentance implied otherwise we would still be walking in darkness) Confess our sins to God (repentance implied otherwise we would still be walking in darkness) God is faithful and righteous to God is faithful and righteous to –Forgive our sins –Cleanse us from all unrighteousness Therefore, we can be restored to the light Therefore, we can be restored to the light

Sinlessness What if someone says they have never sinned and therefore remain in fellowship with God? What if someone says they have never sinned and therefore remain in fellowship with God? –1 Jn 1:10 Calling God a liar (Rom 3:10-12, 23) Calling God a liar (Rom 3:10-12, 23) His word is not in us – rejecting the need for the gospel His word is not in us – rejecting the need for the gospel

Fellowship requires an Advocate 1 Jn 2:1 1 Jn 2:1 We are certain to sin, but We are certain to sin, but –We should not want to sin We should live so as not to sin We should live so as not to sin –But if we do sin (a certainty over any long period of time), we have an advocate

Fellowship requires an Advocate Advocate Advocate –Lit. “To call to one’s side” –Used in court to refer to one’s legal counsel Jesus, the perfect advocate Jesus, the perfect advocate –Jesus is sinless, and can stand before the Father –Jesus lived as a man and understands our situation (Heb 4:14-16)

Fellowship requires an Advocate Not only will Jesus stand by us and speak for us Not only will Jesus stand by us and speak for us 1 Jn 2:2 1 Jn 2:2 –He is the propitiation for our sins –“propitiation” – “the act of reconciling with an offended power” –Our sins offend God, but Jesus has paid the penalty Paid for all, though not all will accept Paid for all, though not all will accept

Conclusion In order to have fellowship with God, we must … In order to have fellowship with God, we must … –Come out of the darkness –By the blood of His Son In order to maintain that fellowship, we must In order to maintain that fellowship, we must –Try to live free from sin –Repent and confess our sins –Rely on Jesus as our advocate and the propitiation for our sins