1 John 1:5, God is Light
This Is the Message
The Message is not a Discovery by Man
1. Man did not discover God as an archeologist discovers findings.
a. Romans 3:10-11 – “There is not who seeks after God”
b. Isaiah 31:1 – Man discovers the world and trusts in it.
c. Genesis 3:8-10 – The Lord went looking for Adam saying, “Where are you?”
2. God Himself bridged the infinite gap that was between God & Man!
a. Religions are the useless attempt of man trying to reach the infinite God.
1) Man tries to touch God by his works or self.
2) Adam and Eve covered themselves
b. Christianity is the infinite God reaching down to man through Jesus Christ.
1) Luke 19:10 – "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
2) The parable of the lost sheep – Matthew 18:11-14
3) We can touch God through faith in Jesus.
The Source of the Message is Jesus Christ.
“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you.”
1. Only God can reveal God
a. John 1:18 – No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared [Him].
1) Moses seen the “after glow” – Ex. 33:18-23
2) Jesus demonstrated & brought forth-full revelation of who God is.
b. Hebrews 1:1-2 – God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by [His] Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.
c. When they heard Jesus speak they heard the voice of God.
2. Christians must obey God
“to hear,” means to give head and obey – continue to obey
a. John 18:37 – “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
b. John 10:27 – “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
c. "He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God"
3. Christians must proclaim the gospel of God.
a. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” – Mark 16:15
The Substance of the Message, “God is Light”
God is Light.
– God is light & in Him is no darkness – 1 John 1:5
– The Lamb of God is the light in heaven – Revelation 21:22-23
– Jesus said, “I am the light of the World” – John 8:12; 9:5
– The light of the knowledge of God is seen in the face of Christ – 2 Corinthians 4:6
– Jesus Christ lights every man that comes into the world – John 1:9
– Believers are said to become “children of light” through belief in the Light, Jesus Christ Himself – John 12:36
– Believers have been transferred from the dominion of darkness into the Kingdom of Christ – Colossians 1:13
– Believers are now the light of the world – Matthew 5:14-16
– We are His disciples and are to become more like Him, reflecting His light – 2Corinthians 3:18
– So, Whatever light is and does, the believer is to be and do.
– When we were saved, God called us out of darkness into His marvelous light – 1 Peter 2:9
– We have became sons of light – 1Thessalonian 5:5
LIGHT IS & DOES SEVERAL THINGS
1. Light is clear & pure. It is clean, that is, good, right, and true.
· For you were once darkness, but now [you are] light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) – Ephesians 5:8-9 NKJV)
2. Light penetrates, cutting through and eliminating darkness
· You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness – (1 Thessalonians 5:5 NKJV)
3. Light guides, directing the way to go, leading us along the right path.
· "I have come [as] a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness – (John 12:46 NKJV)
4. Light exposes & strips away the darkness
· "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed – (John 3:19-20 NKJV)
5. Light warns of dangers that lie ahead in a persons path
· And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose [them]. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." (Ephesians 5:11-14 NKJV)
6. Light protects a person from the dangers of darkness
· The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light – p (Romans 13:12 NKJV)
Morally –
1. “Light” refers to purity & holiness
2. “Darkness” refers to sin or wrongdoing – Romans 13:11-14…1Thess. 5:4-7
a. “In Him is no darkness at all” There is no sin or wrong doing in God
b. No such thing as dirty light
Intellectually – Light is Truth.
1. Light is Biblical truth – John 14:6 I am the way, the truth & the life.
2. Darkness refers to error or falsehood.
a. Psalm 119:105…Proverbs 6:23…John 1:4; 8:12
John gives us three pictures of God from Christ’s revelation.
1. God is a Spirit
2. God is light.
3. God is love.
Those who dwell with God dwell in light.
1. John 8:12
2. John 12:46
The Deception of Men
“If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness…” 1:6
1. The world is full of darkness.
2. Some claim fellowship with God, yet they walk in darkness – 2 Corinthians 6:14
3. We lie and do not practice the truth – Matthew 7:21-25…Titus 1:16…James 1:22…Revelation 21:8
“If we say that we have no sin…” 1:8
1. The denial of the sinful root or nature – Psalm 51:5…Ephesians 2:1-3
2. Passing the buck – Adam & Eve did this
a. Not willing to accept our won blame, seeking to blame others
3. This is self-deception – the truth is not in us.
“If we say that we have not sinned…” 1:10
1. The denial of sinful acts
2. We make God a liar
a. The Word’s of God
1) Romans 3:23…Eccl. 7:20
3. His Word is not in you.
Living In the Light
Come to the Light – John 1:9-12
1. There are those who reject the light – John 3:19-20
a. Love darkness rather than light
b. Deeds were evil
c. Hate the light
d. Will not come to the light
2. There are those who receive the light – John 3:21
a. He who does the truth comes to the light.
b. His deeds are done in God
3. The result of receiving the light
a. Become a child of the light – 1 Thessalonians 5:5
B. Spend Time in the Light – His Word
POSITIVE
1. Believers must allow God’s Word to shine upon our hearts daily!
a. Psalm 119:105, 130 – able to walk without stumbling.
b. Proverbs 4:18-19 – the path of the just
2. Believers must spend time in His presence.
a. Moses – Exodus 33:8-23; 34:29
1) The Lord spoke to Moses as a friend speaks to his friend
2) The presence of the Lord was with Moses-Moses would not go without the Lord.
3) Exodus 34:29—Moses’ face shone from the presence of the Lord.
NEGATIVE
1. Believers must reflect the Light – The two lights.
a. The greater light (sun-Jesus) to rule the day.
b. The lesser light (moon-us) to rule the night.
1) We reflect the light of our Lord onto this dark world.
2) Ephesians 5:8 – For you were once darkness, but now [you are] light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.
c. The eclipse
1) The world gets between the sun & the moon
2) The lesser light no longer shines.
C. Live in light
1. Believers must put on the armor of light
a. Romans 13:11-14
1) Putting on the armor of light also consists of the casting off the works of darkness.
2) Put on the Lord Jesus Christ – daily conduct
3) Make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lust.
b. Philippians 2:15
c. Ephesians 5:18-16
1) Walk as children of light.
2) Have no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness, expose them.
D. Proclaim the Light
1. Speak in the light, preach on the housetops
a. Matthew 10:27
1) What I have taught you in privacy, go now and proclaim publicly.
2) This happens through prayer and the study of the Word – Quiet time.
2. Preach the word.
a. 2 Timothy 4:2
a. Romans 10:15 – And how shall they preach unless they are sent? (The harvest is plentiful the workers are few) As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
3. Set our light on a candlestick -- Matthew 5:14-16
The Message is a Revelation of “Him”
1. Nature revealed God to man – The heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1-4)
a. Through Creation - the universe around us.
b. Through Organization - the purpose, order, & design of the world call for a designer.
c. Through Man – man is a moral, intelligent, & living being.
2. Man made his own God.
a. Romans 1:18 – man knows the truth and suppresses it
b. Isaiah 44:14-17 – a man chops down a tree, uses part of it for fuel, and uses the rest of it to make himself a god.
c. Romans 1:24-25 – man worships the creature rather than the Creator
1. Romans 13:11-14
a. Putting on the armor of light also consists of the casting off the works of darkness.
b. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ – daily conduct
c. Make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lust.
2. Ephesians 5:18-16
a. Walk as children of light.
b. Have no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness, expose them.