Scripture: 1 John 1:1-10
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete. 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out 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, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
In the last days, God will sift the people and separate
John challenged the people to:
We are people who long for fellowship.
True fellowship starts with having a true relationship with each other
God wants to have fellowship with us
But a morally perfect God and an imperfect sinner are incompatible
There is a gap in between them and they cannot come together
To bridge this gap, God sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ
He invites you to have a personal and intimate relationship and fellowship with Him through Christ – the Righteous One, the Acceptable Sacrifice to take away our sins
Only through Christ can we have fellowship with God.
Result of Accepting His invitation
Accepting His invitation means:
Sin hinders your relationship and fellowship with God.
What must you do?
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Accept His invitation by:
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin ... (1 Jn 2:1a)
We are not sinlessly perfect
We need His grace and mercy daily
We cannot take God for granted by living carelessly
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father (one who speaks to the Father in our defense) —Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2)
1. Thank God for His grace, goodness, mercy, and salvation.
2. Guard your heart and say NO to sin
3. Serve Him willingly and be faithful to Him to the end
4. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and direct your path daily.
5. Allow God to use you to bless others
6. Give God all glory and honor