The First Epistle of The First Epistle of JohnJohn

Walking in the Light

The Gospel and the EpistleThe Gospel and the Epistle

Historical narrative

1st Epistle of JohnGospel of JohnReflective Sermon

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (1:1). And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we

beheld His glory… (1:14).

What was from the beginning, what we have

heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and our hands handled, concerning the

Word of Life (1:1)

…ask, and you will receive, that your joy may

be made full (16:24).

…these things we write, so that our joy may be made complete (1:4).

The Gospel and the EpistleThe Gospel and the Epistle1st Epistle of JohnGospel of John

For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds

should be exposed. 21 "But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God

(3:20-21)

If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the light as He Himself

is in the light, we have fellowship with one

another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin (1:6-7).

The Gospel and the EpistleThe Gospel and the Epistle1st Epistle of JohnGospel of John

A new commandment I give to you, that you love

one another, even as I have loved you, that you

also love one another (13:34).

Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to

you, but an old commandment which you

have had from the beginning… (2:7).

The Gospel and the EpistleThe Gospel and the Epistle1st Epistle of JohnGospel of JohnWe know that we have

passed out of death into life, because we love the

brethren (3:14).

He who hears My word, and believes Him who

sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into

judgment, but has passed out of death into life

(5:24).We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us…

(4:6).

He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are

not of God (5:47).

The Gospel and the EpistleThe Gospel and the Epistle1st Epistle of JohnGospel of John

He who has the Son has the life; he who does not

have the Son of God does not have the life

(5:12).

He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but

he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides

on him (3:36).

The is a Book of ContrastsThe is a Book of Contrasts

• Light versus Darkness

• Truth versus Error

• Love versus Hatred

• Christians versus the World

The Rise of GnosticismThe Rise of Gnosticism• From the Greek word gnosis (“knowledge”).

• It would arise in the 2nd century, but its seeds were already evident.

• The physical is bad; the spirit is good.

• Views of Jesus.– Docetism: Christ only seemed to be human.– Cerenthianism: The Divine Christ entered

Jesus at His baptism and departed prior to His death.

• Salvation through knowledge.

Your walk in the light will be Your walk in the light will be evidenced…evidenced…In how you walk and in what you say

In how you obey

In how you live

In how you love

In how you believe

11stst JOHN JOHNWALKING IN THE LIGHTWALKING IN THE LIGHT

Chapter 1 Chpt 2 Chpt 3 Chpt 4 Chpt 5