I John 1:5-10

Introduction

1. Reasons for the letter?
• I John 1:4 - So our/your joy may be complete
• I John 5:13 - So you may know you have eternal life
2. v5 this is the content of the promise (message)
• God is light and in Him is no darkness
• NOT Light is aGod - Do not worship the rising sun
• Light as shown in all of scripture
• 1st manifestation of God in creation
• The burning lamp passed between the pieces of animals in God’s covenant with Abraham. 
• Before Israel in a pillar of fire
• Descended in fire upon Sinai

Part 1

1. What does it mean to say God is light? 
• Reflection of light is what produces color
• Mt 5:16 Let your light so shine...
• Black objects reflect no light; White objects reflect all light
• We reflect Him - How God makes Himself known in creation
• Consider Rainbow - symbol of promise & beauty
• Reflects all colors of visible spectrum
• It is a reflection of God (Promise & beauty)
2. What does it mean to walk in Darkness?
• v6 No fellowship with God (*walk = course of life)
• Fellowship - Close mutual association w/ idea of sharing generosity
• James 1:17 Every good gift from God
• Like Black t-shirt absorbs all light...
• Likewise walking in darkness reflects non of its glory (presume on gift of salvation & patience)
• Taking all God's good gifts for self
3. What does it mean to walk in Light?
• v7 Fellowship with one another
• Reflecting God's gifts produces fruit of fellowship, communion, sharing, love
• Regardless of other person's sins; Acceptance upon repentance
• God's light = Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
• Who wouldn't want to be friends with such a person
4. What is the result of walking in the light?
• I John 2:1 that you may not sin (Sanctification)
• Sin = not perfectly reflecting God to the world
• John 15:2 more light reflect; more light given

Part 2

1. What does it mean to say God is light?
• Illumination (revealer)
• Obvious trait of light to even the non-scientific mind
• wakeup at night, run into things in bedroom
• Know all objects, but w/o sight (& w/ fatigue), still may run into them (I walked into the closet)
• During day with lights on, and in right mind, navigate room w/ ease
• God's presence enables us to reason properly (with scripture)
• God's presence enables us to see properly (especially OUR sin)
2. What does it mean to walk in Darkness?
• No Confession
• v8,10 If we say we have no sin, not sinned
• v8 Deceive selves
• If you think you are doing great and do not need to change, you're life is not illuminated by God's truth
• V10 make God a liar
• Never sinned and still continue sinless
• This is someone who says there is no God to sin against
• This is someone who considers their sin of little importance
• This is someone who considers themselves "pretty good"
• Truth is not in us because the LIGHT illuminates sin
3. What does it mean to walk in Light?
• v9 Confession
• Eyes are opened to see truth about self
• Holy Spirit reveals sin & encourages confession
4. What is the result of walking in the light?
1. v7,9 Cleansing
2. 2:1 Advocate (Helper) - John 14:16 "Another" Helper sent by Jesus

Conclusion

1. Fellowship
• We tend to join groups and keep our eyes open for reasons to leave them.  
• We are taught to seek affiliations most beneficial to self.  
• Staying at a job for 30-40 years is unheard of these days.  
• People often bounce between churches regularly.
• Walking in the light means communion with God and His people (the Church)
• This grows as we reflect the good gifts from above (Love, Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, & self-control)
2. Confession
• Illumination - Ability to see the kingdom (John 3:3) & to see wonderful things in God's law (Psalm 119:18)
• When we see the wondrous, we also recognize the filth
• Walking in the light means continually confessing sin to the Lord
• Active (looking to root it out), not passive
• This grows as we move closer to the light (2 Cor 6:14 what fellowship light w/ darkness)
• We immediately point out our children's sin
• Out heavenly father is immediately pointing out our sin through His spirit whether we see it or not
• It is easier to see other people's sins (our children) (Matthew 7:5)
• Psalm 32:1-5 Read this
3. Forgiveness
• God's good gifts includes salvation
• Jeremiah 33:16 The Lord is our Righteousness
• 1 John 5:13 So you may have eternal life
• I John 1:4 So your joy may be complete
• The "Message" is that forgiveness is found in the light of God
• He has made some objects to reflect His light & others to not reflect it (objects of glory and objects of wrath)
• John 3:19-20 
• Light came into the world and the People loved darkness rather than light
• We resist Spiritual light and embrace Spiritual darkness - We are not neutral
• Examine your life in light of this message
• Where is your fellowship?