Preaching outline for the First Epistle of John.

1.  The believer and life eternal.  1 John 1:1-4

As we begin looking at these verses, we must understand the context of time, that this letter was written to believers approximately 60 years after the death of the Lord Jesus Christ.  It will be safe to say that the readers of this letter had never seen the Lord.  Keep this in mind as we read this introduction to the letter.  We are introduced to the –

1.  Person of the Lord Jesus 1:1,2.  

1 John 1:1-2  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

He wrote both of His –

1.  Spirit – He is God

“…from the beginning…”

“…the Word of life…”

“…that eternal life…”

And of His –

• Body – He is man, flesh and blood

He ‘manifested’ Himself to mankind

John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Philippians 2:6-8  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

It is imperative that we know, that we understand, that –

B. Proof is not through seeing only. 1:1-2a

How many had seen, yet had not believed.  Seeing, they still were not satisfied.

1 Corinthians 1:20-24 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Notice –

John 12:21,37  The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus………But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

We will help ourselves in the future if we will make a note of this portion of Scripture in our Bibles that we can show those who tell us that they would believe if they could see.  This is not true!

C. Power is in hearing.  1 John 1:2b,3

“…shew (declare, report, announce…”  1:2a

“…declare we unto you…” 1:3

Remember how the Holy Spirit led Paul to pen down this truth –

Romans 10:8-14 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Which leads us the next verse where John sets forth the –

D. Purpose – is salvation  1 John 1:3

1 John 1:3  That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Notice the excitement of John and the disciples, declaring what they knew!

“…we have found the Messias….Andrew first findeth Simon his brother…

Philip findeth Nathanael…

We are privileged to learn of their experience – seeing, speaking to Jesus, and hearing from Jesus – of coming to faith in Him.

Their whole experience will someday be ours – we, seeing Him, our faith through hearing, becoming sight!

1 John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

But know –

The fellowship which they had, salvation in the Lord, we have now – the Holy Spirit bearing witness with our spirit, convicting and convincing of Truth.

                  “…truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son

                   Jesus Christ.”

And in this fellowship, this salvation, we have the –

E. Peace is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:4

“…these things we write unto you, that your joy may be full. “

Colossians 2:9-10  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

1 Peter 1:8-9  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Perfect peace for those who have the fullness of joy.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee…..

“…Declare we unto you…”

“…Write we unto you…”

Do you want to know the Person of Jesus Christ?

Do you want to know the Proof of Him?

Do you want to know how His power is applied in your life?

Do you want to know His purpose in your life, to be your Saviour?

Do you want to have peace and joy in your life?  Not just temporary, for an hour or a day, but permanent and complete – such that you would cry out “Lord, I am overflowing with you”.  “He annointeth my head with oil, my cup runneth over”!

Do you want it?  Read it, listen to God and obey Him!

Nineteen times in this letter John states –

“shew unto you, write unto you, written unto you, this is the message”  Do you understand his message?  He is saying

“LISTEN TO ME, FOR YOUR OWN GOOD, LISTEN TO ME!

The remainder of the letter speaks to the believer’s growth in the Lord Jesus Christ through His Word.

It is milk.  1 Corinthians 3:1,2

It is meat.  1 Corinthians 3:2; Hebrews 5:12-14

It is instruction.  2 Timothy 3:16

It is conviction.  Hebrews 3:12

As you read this letter, you will see this truth repeated time after time.  Your faith will grow.  Your joy will be full.  Your love will be from the Lord to the world.  Your prayers will be constantly lifted up to the Lord.  You will share this message with others so that they might hear, and their fellowship will be with us!

Who will say – “Lord, I will hear and I will tell”.