John’s View,” 1 John 1:1-10, 2:1-2

Open:  After three years camping out together, hiking the countryside, facing threats, you learn something about your companions.  John’s first hand witness to what he saw and touched.

I.        Seeing, Touching, Proclaiming

          A.     (v2) “The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it…”

                  1.      “…we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.”

                  2.      How similar to the start of John’s Gospel: “In him was life and that life was the light.”

                  3.      John’s run on life: 3:15, 3:36, 4:14, 5:24, 5:39, 6:27, 6:40, 6:68, 10:10, 10:28, 11:25, 17:2-3

          B.     (v3) “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship.”

                  1.      “Our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”

                  2.      [John 15:5-10] Abiding in Jesus happens when we obey his commands

                  3.      [1John 4:15-16] God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of god

          C.     (v4) “We write this to make our joy complete.”

II.       Beware the Ifs

          A.     What we may claim

                  1.      (v6) “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness…

                                   …we lie and do not life out the truth.”

                  2.      (v8) “If we claim to be without sin…

                                   …we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”

                  3.      (v10) “If we claim we have not sinned…

                                   …we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.”

          B.     What we must do

                  1.      (v7) “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.”

                  2.      (v9) “If we confess our sins…

                                   …he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins

                                   …and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

                  3.     

          C.     (v8) “I will bring my servant the Branch.” [Jeremiah 23:5—A Davidic king who will bring justice]

                  1.      (v9) A stone set before Joshua, with seven eyes and an inscription.

                  2.      (v10) “In the day…” peace and generosity.

Conclusion:  (2:1) “We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”