The Letter of First John  Message Three

The Believer and the Light of God.  1 John 1:5-10

John has written about –

I.  The Believer and Eternal Life  1 John 1:1-4                 Message 1

II.  The Believer and the Fullness of Joy  1 John 1:4             Message 2

III.  The Believer and the Light of God.  1 John 1:5-2:11

And now we continue to read, learning of –                   Message 3

  A.  The Intrinsic nature of Jesus.  He is Light    1 John 1:5

John had learned from the Lord how to maintain the fellowship of joy within the relationship with Jesus.  He began by reminding us of the nature of the Lord Jesus Christ –

1John 1:5  This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

John 12:46  I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

He walked on this same earth that we walk on, the same roads, across the same rivers, breathing the same air, and eating the same food.  He became as we are, yet without sin: He is the Light – to reveal our sin and to be our Saviour!  He is our High Priest and what a High Priest He is!

Hebrews 7:26  For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens

John 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

  B.  The Inclination of man is to walk in darkness  1 John 1:6

1John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

Why is this statement before us in His Word?  Because it is possible for us to walk in darkness!  It is possible for us to lie!  We need help from the Lord!  We need –

  C.  The Illumination of that darkness  1 John 1:7

1John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Put on His yoke and walk beside Him. Stay close to the Lord.  Do not fall back into the shadows, and then into darkness.  Walking in darkness begins by not keeping in step with the Lord –

  D.  The Illustration of the Light dispelling darkness and revealing sin.

To be illuminated when walking in darkness is a blessing. 

    1.  The Disciples’ Concentration needed

      a.  The Importance of the message

Mark 9:30  And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.

      b.  The Impending crucifixion

Mark 9:31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

     c.  The Idea of the Kingdom confused them

Mark 9:32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

    2.  The Disciples’ Contention known by the Lord

Mark 9:33,34 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

    3.  The Disciples’ Constant struggle for supremacy

Luke 9:46  Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

Someone had to begin the conversation, to step back out of the Light and draw others back with him! They slowed their pace so that He might not hear their conversation – and from the Light to the shadows and from the shadow into the darkness!  How easy it is to walk into the darkness.

2 Timothy 2:24-26  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Notice –

    4.  The Disciples’ Confession to the Lord

Matthew 18:1  At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

    5.  The Disciples’ Corrected by the Light of the Word!

Mark 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

    6.  The Disciples Contrition returned them to fellowship

Mark 9:36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
Mark 9:37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

You want to be the greatest?  Are you too great in your own mind to love this child?  Are you too important to minister to the needs of this child?

That child is important to Jesus. 

That soul is important to Jesus. 

Bringing them to the Light is important to Jesus. 

Helping them stay in the Light is important to Jesus. 

One thing that is not important to Jesus is “Who is going to be the greatest”!

We thank the Lord and bless His Holy name that the Light of His Word shines on us to dispel the darkness!

  E.  The Instruction to believers of how to be cleansed from sin.

        1 John 1:8-10

1John 1:8-10  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

The fulness of Joy is restored by the Light of the Lord being focused on our lives! It is a good thing to get caught by the Light of the Lord!

John 3:20-21  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Without the Light illuminating our sin, we might be able to hide.

When the spotlight of the Lord shines on us,

         Will we be caught in a place we should not be –

         Will we be caught doing that which we should not be doing –

         Will we be caught with something we should not have –

         Will we be caught looking at that which we should not be seeing –

         Will we be caught embarrassed, ashamed, guilt ridden, burdened         by sin –

If so – cry out  -“Bring the Light” – confessing to God and ask for forgiveness –

Psalm 51:12  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

1 John 1:4  And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

He is the Light of the World.