Hillview Baptist Church
Morning Worship, September 22, 2019
Hebrews 12:1–2ESV
- The Glories Of Calvary
- I Know Whom I Have Believed
- Doxology
Psalm 121NIV2011
- Let Your Kingdom Come
- Indescribable
- Rock of Ages
1 John 1:5–10NIV2011
- Scripture ReadingOpening PrayerIntroductionToday’s passage begins with a profound theological statement that introduces a theme that will carry on throughout the book.Then, following this statement there are 5 conditional or “if” statements, the first 2 and second 2 are paired to contrast followed by the fifth and final statement in v. 10..ReviewYou might recall from last week that, though the book of 1 John is not really a letter in the traditional format, the opening portion still serves to establish John’s credentials as an apostle who knows Jesus quite well and who saw the true life manifested in him....Exposition 1 (5) - The Theological StatementNow that this authority is established, the author begins his primary portion of the book by making a statement about the message that he heard from Jesus. Let’s read it in the verse...
1 John 1:5 ESV 5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.We? John in his Apostolic roleSo this is the message, God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all.What does that mean?Obviously we are not simply talking brightness but what are we talking about?First, let’s talk about the illustration, then we will get to what is being illustrated.Light and dark...Not oppositesLight is presence of lightDarkness is absence of light.Light is needed for lifeenergywarmthvisibilityDarkness leads to deathThey are mutually exclusiveMeaning of the metaphorIt is a Metaphor (God does not = photons)Light and dark is and always has been, a common religious metaphor for Goodness and Wickedness and here it comes as no surprise that this is in thought here but it can be helpful to examine John’s thoughts on the matter. (23 occurences in the Gospel of John)John 1:4–5 ESV 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.John 1:9 ESV 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.John 8:12 ESV 12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”John 9:5 ESV 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”John 12:35–36 ESV 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.Light is associated with Jesus, lifeBecome a “son of light”Back to our verse1 John 1:5 ESV 5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.So in light of what we have talked about, our first point is...I. God is light, the source of all goodness and life (5)ImplicationsGod is creator of life and the one who decides what is “good”Jesus has manifested the light of God to us. Pursuing “christlikeness” is pursuing the light and shining a light on our darknessSince God is free from all “darkness” He is trustworthy and blamelessRegarding darkness, one commentator calls it “all that defeats life”in other words, its the opposite of goodness and life, it is sin and death, it is all that is not of God.The implication that will ultimately be fleshed out in the verses to follow is God expects Christians to be “children of light”Opposition of light and darkExposition 2 (6-7) - The First 2 Contrasting Conditional Clauses1 John 1:6–7 ESV 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice 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 cleanses us from all sin.Walk = “way of life” “manner of living”1, 2, & 3 John Explanation of the Text“To walk in the light” means allowing God’s revealed will to motivate and guide one’s actions and decisions.
1 John 1:6–7 ESV 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice 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 cleanses us from all sin.II. Fellowship with God and God’s people is characterized by faithfully living right (6-7)Exposition 3 (8-9) - The Second 2 Contrasting Conditional Clauses1 John 1:8–9 ESV 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.AIII. The life in the light is manifested in the fleeing and repenting of sin (8-9)God is faithful to forgiveChristians must be the people to “own up” to their shortcomings.Exposition 4 (10) - The Final Conditional Clause1 John 1:10 ESV 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.AIV. If your life is not characterized by the repentant pursuit of God’s righteousness, you are yet lost (10)or God is a liarConclusion 1 John 1:5NIV2011
John 1:4–5NIV2011
John 1:9NIV2011
John 8:12NIV2011
John 9:5NIV2011
John 12:35–36NIV2011
1 John 1:5NIV2011
1 John 1:6–7NIV2011
1 John 1:6–7NIV2011
1 John 1:8–9NIV2011
1 John 1:10NIV2011
- Beautiful One
Numbers 6:24–26ESV
