1. by Bob DeWaay November 1, 2015 Eyewitness Proclamation and Fellowship

2. Gospel of Grace Fellowshipggf.church1  “seen” and “heard” imply the basic reliability of sense perception  “we proclaim” is the principle verb of the sentence  The priority is to preach Christ!  Christian claims are based on objective reality through the valid testimony of eyewitnesses 1John 1:3a (ESV) That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you...

3. Gospel of Grace Fellowshipggf.church2  “So that” translates a purpose clause in the Greek  Proclamation of Christ leads to true fellowship for those who believe  Jesus reveals the Father and makes fellowship with Him possible 1John 1:3b (ESV)... so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

4. Gospel of Grace Fellowshipggf.church3  John expresses his purpose for writing  John and the other apostles have joy when their gospel is believed (3John 1:4)  If we have a wrong doctrine of Christ, we do not have true fellowship 1John 1:4 (ESV) And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

5. Gospel of Grace Fellowshipggf.church4  Judgment will be based on objective truth revealed using human languages  Christian faith is grounded in objective reality  True fellowship is found only through the gospel  True joy comes through faith in Christ

6. Gospel of Grace Fellowshipggf.church5  See Matthew 7:24-27 – building on the Rock  Written languages convey objective truth John 12:48 (NASB) He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.

7. Gospel of Grace Fellowshipggf.church6  Faith is not subjective or without an object  “Are written” is in the perfect tense – happened in the past and is still valid  Messiah is the Son of God John 20:31 (HCSB) But these [truths about Christ] are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name.

8. Gospel of Grace Fellowshipggf.church7  Jesus is the great “I AM”  Receiving Christ is receiving the Father John 13:19, 20 (NASB) “From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”

9. Gospel of Grace Fellowshipggf.church8  We have fellowship now and will be kept until the day of judgment with guiltlessness  Our hope on that day is grounded in the faithfulness of God who called us 1Corinthians 1:8, 9 (NASB) who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

10. Gospel of Grace Fellowshipggf.church9  We believe based on apostolic testimony  Loving and believing are not based on metaphysical impressions but on the truth of the gospel 1Peter 1:8, 9 (NASB) and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.