Sunday School Lesson

1. 1 John 1:5 – 2:6
“Walking in the Light”
June 14, 2015
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA

2. What’s the number one thing?

3. The Glory of God!
http://eat-art.org/images/uploads/The_Glory_of_God_(1).jpg

4. 1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or
whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

5. June Memory Verse
Philippians 1:6 NIV
6 Being confident of this, that he who began a
good work in you will carry it on to completion
until the day of Christ Jesus.

6. Pray for
2015 Committee on Committees
Kendall Smith, Chairman
Beth Aldridge
David Gibbs
Sherye Green
Mike Lowe
Chris Maddux
Jim Merritt, Jr.
Elizabeth Rich
Eddy Waller

7. Lesson References
• Focus on the Bible: 1.2.3 John by Michael
Eaton, Christian Focus Publications, 1996.
• Twelve Ordinary Men by John MacArthur, W
Publishing Group, 2002.
• First John 1 and 2 by Dr. Bob Utley, Available
on YouTube

8. Purposes of Writing 1 John
• 1 John the Epistle was possible written as a cover
letter to the Gospel of John
– No opening greeting and directive
– Circulated to the churches in Asia (Turkey)
– Written to Christians and “those who called
themselves Christians” (Claimed to have fellowship)
• 1 John answers the two basic questions about
Christianity:
– How are we saved?
– How are Christians supposed to live?

9. Who was John?
• Son of Zebedee and Salome
• Younger brother of James who was a disciple
& the 1st martyr of the church
• James and John referred to as “sons of
thunder” by Jesus
• A follower of John the Baptist until he singled
Jesus out as the Messiah (John1:35-39)

10. Who was John?
• Referred to himself as “the disciple that Jesus
loved”
• The only disciple present at Jesus’ crucifixion
• Jesus gave him charge of his mother
• Fled to Asia because of persecution and
became leader of the church at Ephesus
• Paul established this church in 50 AD

11. John the Preacher/Author
• Wrote the Epistles of John while at Ephesus
around 85-95 AD
• Was the only disciple still alive in 85 AD
• Banished to live in a cave on Patmos and
wrote the Book of Revelation there in 95 AD
• Died in Ephesus in 98 AD of natural causes,
the only disciple not martyred

12. Churches in the 1st Century

13. Philosophy of the 1st Century
Mediterranean world
• God is a spirit, and spirit is good; matter
(physical) is evil.
• “Dualism” – contrasting aspects that are equal
• Their Logic – If this is true, God cannot be fully
God(spirit) and fully man(physical body) in
Jesus.
• A Holy God cannot be in sinful matter

14. The “…isms” of false teachers
• Docetism – the heresy that denies the reality
of Jesus’ human nature
– Do not believe that God (spirit) could take human
(physical) form
• Gnosticism – special “knowledge” from God
– I know the truth, and I am saved by what I know,
therefore, it does not matter how I live
– Believe they do not sin

15. The “…isms” of false teachers
• Antinomianism – “against the law”
– There are no moral laws God expects Christians to
obey, therefore I do not sin
– Jesus fulfilled the OT law and commandments and
they do not apply
• Asceticism – I am saved by what I don’t do
– The more self-denial, the more holy I am
– I don’t (smoke, drink or cuss)!

16. John’s Style of Writing in 1st John
• Written in ‘black & white’ terms
– Very direct and no middle ground for compromise
• All about the ‘horizontal’ relationships
– To be right with God, you must also be right with
man
• ‘If, then’ style of writing
– If you say ………, then you lie, and do not know the
truth.
• Repetitive or spiral presentation

17. What is this ‘fellowship’ in 1 John?
• Fellowship (Greek koinonia) is the spiritual
union of the believer with Christ as well as
communion with the Father and fellow
believers.
– A personal relationship
– We experience the presence of the Father and
Jesus through the Holy Spirit
– This fellowship is also with our fellow believers

18. 1 John1:5-2:2
The Basis of Fellowship
• The One who gives fellowship is the incarnate
Son of God (Summary of 1 John 1:1-4)
• How we can have fellowship with the Father
and the Son: (Lesson in 1 John 1:5-7)
– There is something we need to know…
– There is something we need to avoid…
– There is something we need to do…
– Something that will happen…

19. 1 John 1:5
• There is something you need to know…
1 John 1:5
5 This is the message we have heard from him
and declare to you: God is light; in him there is
no darkness at all.

20. God is light
• Light signifies the holiness of God
– God hates sin and represents moral purity
• Light signifies the revelation of God
– God illuminates our lives and directs our paths
– Light represents joy and love
Psalm 27:1a
1a The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?

21. Light in Heaven
Revelation 21:23
23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to
shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and
the Lamb is its lamp.
Revelation 22:5
5 There will be no more night. They will not need
the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the
Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for
ever and ever.

22. Definition of Deity according to John
1. God is light.
1 John 1:5
5 This is the message we have heard from him and
declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness
at all.
2. God is love.
1 John 4:8
8 Whoever does not love does not know God,
because God is love.
3. God is spirit.
John 4:24
24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the
Spirit and in truth."

23. 1 John 1:6
• There is something you need to avoid…
1 John 1:6
6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet
walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the
truth.
– You cannot be complacent about your own sinfulness
– One cannot be enjoying the blessing of God while
one’s life is characterized by godlessness

24. 1 John 1:7a
• There is something we need to do…
1 John 1:7a
7a But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
– ‘walking in the light’ means living up to what God
shows us in His holy disclosures of His will.
– Referring here to the daily step-by-step walk of
fellowship

25. The Christian Walk
Darkness
• Unconfessed sins
• Out of fellowship with God
& man
• Disobedient
• Out of God’s will
• No peace
Light
• Confession and repentance
• Fellowshipping with God &
man
• Obedient
• Following God’s will
• Peace

26. 1 John 1:7b
• There is something that will happen…
1 John 1:7b
7b we have fellowship with one another,
– Fellowship between Jesus (God) and me
– True fellowship with God involves fellowship with
other believers
– Fellowship has a social and communal aspect

27. 1 John 1:7c
• There is something else that will happen…
1 John 1:7c
7c and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from
all sin.
– Not referring just to salvation for the sins of the past
before you became a believer,
– Also referring to your sins after you became a
Christian
– All sin = past, present & future

28. The continual application of Jesus’
blood for Christian’s sins
• There is a present ministry of Jesus in heaven
• Jesus is not being continually sacrificed, but His
blood is continually applied to cover the
Christian’s sins.
• Analogy of the Day of Atonement with animal
sacrificed in courtyard and blood taken inside to
holy of holies and sprinkled on altar
• Hebrews 4:14
• Hebrews 9:12
• Hebrews 9:14

29. Hebrews 4:14
Hebrews 4:14
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest
who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of
God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

30. Hebrews 9:12
Hebrews 9:12
12 He did not enter by means of the blood of
goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy
Place once for all by his own blood, thus
obtaining eternal redemption.

31. Hebrews 9:14
Hebrews 9:14
14 How much more, then, will the blood of
Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered
himself unblemished to God, cleanse our
consciences from acts that lead to death, so that
we may serve the living God!

32. 1 John 1:8
• A denial that must be avoided…
1 John 1:8
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive
ourselves and the truth is not in us.
– You sin by saying you don’t sin!
– A Christian ‘walking in the light’ and in
‘fellowship’ will be aware of their sins and sinful
nature

33. 1 John 1:9
• Another implication of ‘walking in the light’…
1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all
unrighteousness.
– When we confess our sins, God forgives them,
– God removes the stain of sin and restores the
fellowship

34. 1 John 1:10
• The denial to be avoided…
1 John 1:10
10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out
to be a liar and his word is not in us.
– The opponents of John (false teachers) were saying,
“We have not sinned”, and…
– Our special knowledge has lifted us above the
downward dredge of the body, and we don’t need
Jesus.

35. 1 John 2:1a
• John offers encouragement…
1 John 2:1a
1a My dear children, I write this to you so that
you will not sin.
– Christians are not given permission to sin
– Christians have the power to resist the temptation
to sin

36. 1 John 2:1b - 2
1 John 2:1b – 2
1b But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate
with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not
only for ours but also for the sins of the whole
world.
• Let’s look at 5 encouraging aspects to John’s
teaching this point:
– Remember, this is addressed to Christians

37. Encouragement from 1 John 2:1
1. God is realistic about our continuing
sinfulness…. “if anybody does sin….”
– We need the blood of Jesus every day
– There will never come a time when we can stand
in our own righteousness
– We will not arrive at total sinlessness until the day
we see Jesus as He is

38. Encouragement from 1 John 2:1
2. Jesus is continually advocating on our behalf
– “we have one who speaks to the Father in our
defense – Jesus Christ” – Advocate
– In the heavenly throne room where sin is weighed
and judged, we have a Friend, one who argues for
our forgiveness and release.

39. Encouragement from 1 John 2:1
3. Our advocate is “Jesus Christ the Righteous
One”
– Our advocate is the sinless one
– Jesus is the only human being who deserves to be
heard by God
– Jesus is the only one who can pray in His own
name

40. Encouragement from 1 John 2:2
4. Jesus is the ‘atoning sacrifice’ (propitiation)
– Propitiation = a sacrifice that turns away anger
– Because Jesus’ blood is being applied to our
situation, the anger of God against our sin is
turned aside

41. Encouragement from 1 John 2:2
5. Jesus is the sacrifice for every member of the
human race
– John 1:29
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him
and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away
the sin of the world!
– John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one
and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not
perish but have eternal life.

42. The Final Test of Fellowship
1. A proper view of Christ
– 1 John 1:1-4
– Jesus was fully man and fully God incarnate.
2. The affirmation of sin’s reality
– 1 John 1:5-2:2
– Christians continue to sin, but Jesus’ blood covers
this also.
3. Obedience to God’s commands
– 1 John 2:3-6

43. 1 John 2:3-4
3 We know that we have come to know him if we
keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, "I know
him," but does not do what he commands is a
liar, and the truth is not in that person.

44. 1 John 2:5-6
5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is
truly made complete in them. This is how we
know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in
him (abide) must walk (live) as Jesus did.
– This is how we know (assurance) we are in him:
• We walk and live as Jesus did
• Obedience to His commands

45. Closing Thoughts
• Reference: Mastering Life Before It’s Too Late
by Robert J. Morgan, Howard Books, 2015
– 10 Strategies for a Lifetime of Purpose
• 1. Listen to a Twelve Year-Old

46. Jesus’ First Recorded Statement on
Earth
Luke 2:49
49 "Why were you searching for me?" he asked.
"Did you not know that I must be about My
Father's business?"

47. Jesus’ Closing Words on Earth
John 17:4
4 "I have brought you glory on earth by finishing
the work you gave me to do."
John 19:30
30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It
is finished." With that, he bowed his head and
gave up his spirit.

48. Verbal Bookends of Jesus’ Ministry
• "I must be about My Father’s business"
• "I have brought you glory on earth by finishing
the work you gave me to do."
– This serves as our template, model, mold and
standard in life
– Walking like Jesus is ... “be about My Father’s
business”

49. How Do We Do It?
1. We freely acknowledge the lordship of Christ
over every area of our life.
2. We should meet the Lord each morning and
ask Him to fill us afresh with His Holy Spirit.
3. Go into every day under the control and
empowerment of Jesus Christ.

50. Walking like Jesus
Galatians 2:20
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no
longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now
live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for me.

51. The Plan of Hope & Salvation
John 3:16 NKJV
16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His
only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him
should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 14:6 NKJV
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and
the life. No one comes to the Father except
through Me.”

52. Romans 3:23 NKJV
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23a NKJV
23a For the wages of sin is death,
• Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.
• Even Jesus, the only one who doesn’t deserve death,
died in this life to pay the penalty for our sins.
• The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the second
death explained in Revelation 21:8.

53. Revelation 21:8 NKJV
8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable,
murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters,
and all liars shall have their part in the lake which
burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second
death.”
Romans 5:8 NKJV
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in
that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

54. Romans 6:23b NKJV
23b but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus
our Lord.
Revelation 21:7 NKJV
7 “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I
will be his God and he shall be My son.”
• Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to accept
Jesus as our Savior.

55. Romans 10:9-10 NKJV
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord
Jesus and believe in your heart that God has
raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes unto
righteousness, and with the mouth confession is
made unto salvation.
Romans 10:13 NKJV
13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD
shall be saved.”

56. If you have questions or would like to know
more, Please, contact First Baptist Church
Jackson at 601-949-1900 or
http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/