This week we look at the letters of the Apostle John. There is little wonder why he is called the Apostle of love, as this is a major theme throughout these letters, as is light and life.
1 John 1: The Word of Life
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life---
2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us---
3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
Walking in the Light
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1 John 2: Christ Our Advocate
1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,
5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:
6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
The New Commandment
7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.
8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.
9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.
10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.
11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.
13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father.
14 I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
Do Not Love the World
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world---the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions---is not from the Father but is from the world.
17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Warning Concerning Antichrists
18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.
20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.
21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.
22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.
23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.
24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that he made to us---eternal life.
26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.
27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie---just as it has taught you, abide in him.
Children of God
28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.
29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
Things to think about…
John was an eyewitness to the entire earthly ministry of Jesus. He says “that which we have heard, seen and looked upon – He is the word of life” 1Jn 1:1,2. This gives his testimony authority and must be our experience with Christ’s witness in us. Christ’s personal witness within us gives us the assurance that brings us peace and hope to a lost community.
You may have heard the phrase “Once saved always saved”. This statement is trite and grossly lacking in the light of scripture. We are saved and nothing is able to separate us from the love of God we have in Christ as Paul says in Rom 8:31-39, but John says we must walk in the light. Fruit needs to be observed by others in those who consider themselves the favourites of Christ. If we are truly saved by His grace we must show some evidence of that and walk as He walked, 1Jn 2:1-6.
What do you think of fellow Christians, not just in our church, but in general? John tells us they are part of our family in Christ. We may differ on some issues, even some fairly substantial ones, but if we do not love them, when Christ loves them, John says we are not in Christ. 1Jn 2:9-11.
A fairly quick test to see if we are distracted by the world or of the world is given by John in 1Jn 2:16 by three things. A. Do we desire to satisfy the flesh? B. Do we covet things we don’t have, and C. Do we think we are above others simply because we have an expensive car or beautiful house filled with desirable fixtures? Jesus says these things are wood, hay and stubble and we one day be burned up. Trust the One who saves the soul not in the stuff that stifles it.
John says in this letter that it is the last hour, 1Jn 2:18. He says the antichrist is coming. Is John lying here? It has been 2000 years since these words were written. But the principle is still the same. We must live as it is the last hour. For every generation this is true. Every generation meets Christ one way or another.
What is it to practise righteousness, 1Jn 2:29? Christ of course is our righteousness, but if we put Him on then His righteousness is on display through us. Our words and actions should reflect the person and work of Christ as we are His ambassadors.
What a wonderful father heart John has as he writes as a very elderly man – probably in his 90’s. This letter from the “apostle whom Jesus loved”, calls his readers, “little children” 1Jn 2:28. This is not a patronizing term but one of endearment. May we have the same heart towards each other, especially towards younger Christians.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer Points
1. Leaders’ meetings this week. Year planning events/services.
2. The right choice for a full time Youth and Young Adults Pastor.
3. New contacts remain engaged and connected into the church.
4. Our One for Israel ministry.
5. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
6. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Youth Pastor motion agreed to set aside 3 days pay for the role.
2. Ministry Leaders being set apart.
3. Thankyou to those who have supported the church and youth and young adults role - $49. 640 raised thus far.
4. New folk becoming members of CBC
5. Those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
6. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
