(4) And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
1 John 1:4 NASB “These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.”
John was a mature man when he wrote his gospel and his letters including the revelation
(around 100 years old)
Authentic Christianity, A Real Faith
Two elements: Truth and Love
Walk in Truth and Walk in Love
Fellowship – Koinonia – community, partnership, social intercourse, communion
1. THE COMMUNITY OF CHRIST COMES WITH A WITNESS
To be in Christ is to be part of a community of Faith
Community comes in receiving the signs given us by those who have seen , heard, and touched Christ.
From Christ to us, all are original and unique in the witness we give the world
2. THE COMMUNITY OF CHRIST IS IN THE LIGHT
(4) And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
1 John 1:4 NASB “These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.”
(5) This is the message [PROMISE, Greek]which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. (6) If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
We live out in the light… all the time… together.
3. THE COMMUNITY OF CHRIST BRINGS WHOLENESS.
(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 Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. (8) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (9) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (10) If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
We walk out in the light… and we are whole.
CONCLUSIONS
(4) And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
1 John 1:4 NASB “These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.”
The Community of Christ is clear and defined in the light of Christ.
The Community of Christ is in the light and tolerates no darkness.
The Community of Christ is clean, because we walk in the light.