8.17.2009

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
    1. 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?

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