1. Message: The True Fellowship Walks in Obedience to God’s Word February 17, 2013

2. Reason John Wrote These Truths  So that we would not sin.

3. Spiritual Reality of Confession  Those in the true fellowship have a defender – Jesus Christ the Righteous One.

4. Descriptions of Our Defender 1)He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Atone: to cover  Propitiation: appeasement, satisfaction.

5. Descriptions of Our Defender 2)He is the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.  Atonement is sufficient for all people and necessary for all people.  The whole world must come to terms with their sin & with Christ.

6. Positive Proof: Being in Fellowship With God  Those in fellowship with God will live in faithful obedience to God’s commands.  Obey: to observe diligently, to keep, to guard.  God’s commands carry promise, which means they require trust.

7. Negative Proof: Not Being in Fellowship With God  Ongoing confession-less disobedience to God’s commands.

8. Characteristics of Those Living in Disobedience 1)They are liars. 2)They are void of truth.

9. Fruit of Faithful Obedience  Love for God is made complete through trusting obedience to God’s word.

10. Test of Genuine Fellowship with God  Those in genuine fellowship with God - walk with God - as Jesus walked with God.  It means to be drawn into such a close, personal, loving relationship with God who is light that you live your life in that light.

11. Your Response  Are you walking with God as Jesus walked with God?  Are you living in obedience to God’s commands?  Do you find God’s commands trustworthy?  Is your love for God being made complete through faithful obedience to his Word?