An Introduction to First John

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An Introduction to First John (1 John 1:1-4)

Scripture References: 1 John 1-4, 1 John 1:4, 1 John 2, 1 John 5:13, John 20:31, Revelation 1-2.

Intro:

• Introduction to 1 John, a book addressing a church in crisis.
• Acknowledge the potential feeling of being overwhelmed in a church setting.
• Announce a Q&A segment to foster understanding.
• Begin with the concept of "buyer's remorse" as an analogy for spiritual regret.

Key Points:

• The Author and Context:
  • John the Apostle, the "disciple whom Jesus loved," is the author.
  • Written to Gentile believers in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).
  • Addresses the threat of Gnosticism, a false teaching.
• The Purpose of 1 John:
  • To equip believers to discern true faith from false teaching.
  • To combat division and lead the church back to foundational truths.
  • To provide tests for believers to examine their own faith.
• The Tests of True Faith:
  • Tests of integrity, humility, obedience, love, priorities, perseverance, Christology, sin, authority, and the Spirit.
  • Emphasis on self-examination rather than judging others.
  • The importance of understanding God's character before applying principles to life.
• Key Themes:
  • God's nature as love (1 John 4:8).
  • The importance of "knowing" God (gnosis vs. true knowledge).
  • The reality of the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
  • The pursuit of joy, holiness, and confidence (1 John 1:4, 1 John 5:13).
• John’s Goals:
  • Complete Joy.
  • Holy living.
  • Confidence in eternal life.

Conclusion:

• 1 John is a challenging but vital book for understanding genuine faith.
• It serves as a mirror for self-reflection and a guide for navigating spiritual confusion.
• The goal is to cultivate a church marked by joy, holiness, and confidence.

Call to Action:

• Approach 1 John with a willingness to self-examine.
• Seek to understand God's character and love.
• Pursue joy, holiness, and confidence through a deeper relationship with God.
• Share your needs with others in the church community.