THE LETTERS OF JOHN
Jesus is Real, Personal, and Relational · Dr. Chris Montgomery · Jan. 5, 2025
1 John 1:1-10
1. Jesus is real.
(1 John 1:1) 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 . . .
(Philippians 2:7) 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of slave and was born as a human being.
(Hebrews 2:14-15) 14 Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.
(John 1:1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2. Jesus has been revealed.
(1 John 1:2) 2 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. . .
(John 20:29) Jesus said to him (Thomas), “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
3. Jesus is the revealer.
(Isaiah 35:8) 8 And a great road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-minded people will never travel on it. It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways…
(Isaiah 48:17) 17 This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.
(Isaiah 53:6-7) 6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. 7 He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
(Proverbs 14:12) 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
4. The Christian life is relational.
(1 John 1:3) 3 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.
a. Shared Savior.
b. Shared Set of Core Beliefs.
c. Shared Service to God and Others.
d. Shared Significance (Philippians 2:3) Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
5. The Christian life is a joy-filled community.
(1 John 1:4) 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
(Romans 1:12) 12 When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
(Romans 15:2-3) 2 We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. 3 For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. How do we live in authentic Christian Relationships?
1. I must walk in the light of truth before God and with my brothers and sisters in Christ.
(1 John 1:5) 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.
(1 John 1:6-7) 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.
2. I must remember that darkness is deceptive and brings division in my relationships.
(1 John 1:8, 10) 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us . . . 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
3. I must admit my faults to others while I confess them to God.
(1 John 1:9) 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.