Aug 28, 2022

1 John 1:1-4

John wrote the book of 1 John about 60 years after being with Jesus. He was writing to believers that were starting to splinter over gnosticism. The Gnostics believed that they had special knowledge about God. They believed Jesus did not really have a flesh and blood body but was more like a phantom. They believed Jesus didn’t really die or rise from the dead, and only those with special knowledge could be saved. John had a clear thesis statement for writing this letter when he wrote, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may KNOW that you have eternal life.” 1 John 5:13 John shows the readers that Jesus was fully man in the first verse. He speaks of knowing God and that many interacted with Him. They heard, saw, looked upon, and touched Him. You can be sure of who He is! It’s ok to have doubts because He can handle them and He longs for us to talk to Him about them. Our God is a revealing God. John writes about 3 main Truths:
1. Doctrine/Teaching
2. Obedience
3. Love

John wrote His Gospel to prove the deity of our Lord assuming His humanity. 1 John was written to prove His humanity assuming His deity. We are family, but as “the church”, we have not done a great job recently of loving like a family. We are stuck together, and it is good! 1 John 1:3 It all starts with ABIDING IN HIM. If you abide in Jesus, and step into the beating heart of Carmel, people will take notice. Read 1 John this week and let the Word change you.