WEEK 6
This week's study will begin a new way of studying our Bibles. While the work of Dr. Charles Stanley has certainly been a great help, at least to me, I really feel it is time to move on to another study. So let me lay some groundwork for you.
As noted in a recent newsletter to LetsShareTheLord, we will begin a study of 1 John based on the booklet "Notes on 1 John" by Edgar Lee Paschall, Pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Calvert City, KY. But before we begin the actual study, let's take a moment to consider how to get the most from this or any other Bible study. The outline I am about to give you can be used successfully even with your own personal study time in God's Word.
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This outline is worth noting or printing out if you have a printer at your disposal. Each time you begin your study, refer to this outline to guide you.(Click here for the outline only to print.)
The Word of God is so full of the things we need for a victorious life, but we sometimes miss what God is trying to tell us because we aren't digging deep enough. In His precious Word, God Himself instructs us on how to study: "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little." (Isaiah 28:10-KJV) You see, in the Word of God, nothing has been left to chance. Everything that is in there is important and everything can and must be used to help us to grow, to live, to be victorious. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17-KJV) "Throughly furnished unto all good works..." is no misprint. That word "throughly" indicates that God's Word will work not only in us but through us and out to others. Without His Word, doing His work is impossible. That is why it is so important to know what He says, who He is saying it to (us), and how to use it to reach others. It is the reason there is a new verse each week for us to memorize. It is the reason why there is a new song each week for us to learn to sing. And it is the whole reason for this Bible study...to make us throughly furnished to all good works.
So now, let's begin our study of 1 John, first by praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, then by reading 1 John 1:1-4.
Introduction-
The writer is the Holy Spirit with the human instrument being John the apostle. The time of the writing is believed to be about 60 years after the resurrection of Jesus, or about 90 AD. This epistle wasn't written to a specific church but to "professing Christians", thus this epistle is referred to as a General Epistle and is practical to us in our day.
There are 4 purposes recorded for this epistle being written
That we might have joy. (1:4)
That we might not sin. (2:1)
That we might overcome error. (2:26)
That we might have assurance. (5:13)
All of these pruposes are to help a professing Christian examine himself to see if he is just a "professing" Christian or a "possessing" Christian also.
Because there were at that time (and now as well) teachers of error who were leading the saints astray (apostates), John's pen is not a philosopher's quill but a surgeon's knife. He tells it like it is and cuts right down to the point of the root problem. John doesn't "ride the fence", but calls black, black and white, white and declares there is no gray area.
This epistle complements John's gospel. It was written so that believers might know they have life, to reveal the Divine life in the Christian, to unfold the nature of that life. It was written to combat Gnosticism. Those who were Gnostics believed that they possessed a secret, mysterious, and superior knowledge given to them by "Divine Revelation" over and above that of the Bible. Their lives were self-centered and full of pride. They had the idea that the secret, super revelation possessed by the "elite" lifted them above obligation to the standards of conduct of the Word of God into a superior "liberty." They believed the flesh is evil and the spirit is good. Therefore, the spirit can't sin while the flesh can't help it and the outcome is that they sin all they want and live like the devil. They don't believe that Christ was at all times all-God and all-man, but that He became God at His water baptism and became man again just before the crucifixion.
Gnosticism is still with us today and you don't have to look far to find it. It is taught in our schools. It is manifested in the plans we make where we do not seek God's guidance. It is shown by the lack of zeal and joy that Christians should have. It is clearly seen in the lowering of standards of conduct and the permissive attitudes of today. How many of us have heard, and maybe even spoken, these words: "He(she) has received a heavenly reward for all those good works. God is love, and He won't send anyone to hell that has lived such a good life." Or this: "He wasn't the best person in the world, but had a good heart. He couldn't help how he acted. It was his upbringing. God will surely have mercy on him and let him into heaven!" Or even: "I know what the Bible teaches, but here is what I personally believe..." All of these statement are those that a Gnostic would say. In other words, it makes no difference how you act, your soul will always go to heaven. But is that what the Word of God teaches us? Or is that the current philosophy of a society that never teaches its children that sin is sin and has its day of reckoning. And that God gave us His Son's blood as the atonement for sin.
The liberal teachings of our society are nothing new. They have been around for centuries. Many people have been deceived into thinking that God is only merciful and gracious. They forget that He is also just. What we do in the flesh, either for the Glory of God or for our own glory, is not overlooked. God doesn't wink at sin. It is our actions in the flesh which determine our reward or punishment. Not the least of which is trusting God to tell us only the truth, to be faithful to keep His Word, and believing on the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. It is this action of believing that brings us to salvation. While we do live in weak flesh, it is the presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts that determines how we live and what happens to us at our death. We cannot turn our backs on the Only Son of God, live as we please (even if we only do good deeds), then expect God to welcome us into paradise. And we certainly can't deny the Son, live a life of sin, and expect to receive the eternal rewards.
Therefore, we need 1 John to lay the line down where it needs to be laid so we may know, really know, and have our hearts settled before God. Because of all that was going on in John's day, he strikes back swiftly and powerfully at this false doctrine, without calling it by name, with this entire epistle. Especially in the introduction.
That is what makes this epistle so appropriate for teaching today. We have in our midst many people, some claiming to be Christians, that are teaching a gospel that can't be found anywhere in Holy Scripture. They say they have heard from God personally on an issue--but what they preach is in direct violation of what God has already given us. However, because it is easy on the ears and doesn't require us to be accountable for our actions, many of us fall under that evil spell and begin to believe a lie.
1. What does John tell us about in the first verse? Does he indicate that Jesus was someone he only heard about?
2. What 4 proofs does he give us in verse 1 of the reality of Jesus?
3. In verse 2, how does he reaffirm what he has stated in verse 1?
4. What does John give in verse 3 as the reason for telling them (and us) about Jesus?
5. In verse 4, John gives yet another reason for writing the epistle. What is it?
6. Note that in verse 4, John uses the word "we." About whom do you suppose he was speaking here?
7. What is the meaning of the word "fellowship"?
8. What is the meaning of the word "joy"?