BACKGROUND:
John contends for True Doctrine, Obedient Living, and Faithful Devotion.
- False teachers and bad doctrine abound
- Fake relationships were harming people
- Devotion to God was being distorted into religious ritual
John’s Main Goal in writing: John 20:31; 1 John 5:13
1 John 1:1-2
1. (We can) ENGAGE THE REAL SAVIOR!
- Jesus really has always existed!
- Jesus really is God’s Son!
- Jesus really came into this world – truly God and truly Man!
John is contending with fake saviors…
– Knowledge
– Religious Tradition
– Rejection of Jesus
– Money
2. (We can) ENTER INTO REAL REALTIONSHIP!
1 John 1:3
- Fellowship with God
- Fellowship with One Another
“As the sun gives of itself—its own light and warmth—in shining on us, so God gives us himself and the blessedness he has always enjoyed. He does so in giving us his Son, and he does so in giving us his Spirit” (Purtian Liturgy)
3. (We can) EXPERIENCE REAL JOY
1 John 1:4
God is glorified in us when we find our joy in Him.
Psalm 16:11; John 15:10-22; Philippians 2:1-2