1 John - Part 1

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—

1 John 1:3–4 ESV

that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

And he was there for all the stories that we only read about.

When Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead

When Jesus miraculously fed the 5000

When Jesus went up the mountain and transfigured to his glorified self and the voice of God spoke from Heaven saying, “this is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased, listen to him!”

When Jesus celebrated the passover meal with his 12 disciples and washed their feet. John was there.

When Jesus was ambushed and arrested in Gethsemane...

When Jesus was crucified...

When Jesus ascended into heaven and disappeared into a cloud. John was there.

He saw so much that wasn’t recorded. (He wrote one of the Gospels)

John 21:24 ESV

This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

John 21:25 ESV

Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

(2) John left everything to follow Jesus

In Mark 1, we see John leave everything.

This is a big deal...

Leaving your lively hood to follow Jesus.

Abandoned his plans for Jesus’ unknown plans.

When Jesus calls you to follow him, it’s all or nothing...

John was given the name “Son of thunder”

(3) John made mistakes and was redirected by Jesus.

This is the crux of the Christian life.

The righteous shall live by faith (Romans).

Jesus won’t reject you in your sin, but he’ll redirect you.

Luke 9:

Heading to Jerusalem, and Jesus sends the disciples into a Samaritan city.

Basically they told Jesus “don’t come”

“Lord do you want us to call down fire from heaven and consume them?”

Jesus rebuked him.

Mark 10:

“We want you to do for us whatever we ask”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Grant us to sit at your right and left in glory”

How would you respond??

“Can you drink my cup? Can you be baptized with my baptism?”

“We are able”

Jesus instructs, he doesn’t reject, he redirects.

He explains true greatness as a follower of Jesus.

(4) John was Jesus’ best friend

He was 1 of 3.

Supper (Peter motions to John to ask Jesus who would betray)

The one who Jesus loves

Look after my mother.

(5) John is near the end of his life

85-90 years old

John is an old guy, we need some old man wisdom.

Last living disciple of Jesus

Watched all his closest friends die for the cause of Christ.

He was boiled alive, then banished.

Jesus shows up.

(Marty, here you go little buddy)

(6) John was carried along by the Holy Spirit

2 Peter 1:21 ESV

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

We want to hear from the almighty living God.

That’s why we primarily work through, preach through, teach through books of the Bible.

The Bible answers all the biggest questions.

We want to learn about Jesus. This whole book is about Jesus.

And what better way to learn about Jesus than read a letter written by his best friend.

We should listen to John. We should pick up this book with reverence, turn to this letter and read it.

These were combating false teachers of the day, and this combats false teachers of our day too.

John says, “I saw Jesus, walked with Jesus, have fellowship with Jesus, now this fellowship is extended to you, the children of God, and this fellowship brings you joy!”

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