1 John 1:1-4 — Introduction – The Essence of True Fellowship
GOD MANIFESTED HIS LIFE TO BE PROCLAIMED, SHARED, AND ENJOYED
1 John 1:5-7 — Theme of Part 1 – The Test of Fellowship
THE TEST OF FELLOWSHIP IS WALKING IN THE LIGHT
1 John 1:8-10 — Taking Sin Seriously
WALKING IN THE LIGHT MEANS TAKING SIN SERIOUSLY
1 John 2:1-2 — Christ – Our Advocate
THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST ALLOWS US TO TAKE SIN SERIOUSLY WITHOUT DESPAIRING
1 John 2:3-6 — Keeping the Commandments
WALKING IN THE LIGHT MEANS OBEDIENCE
1 John 2:7-11 — Old But New . . . Familiar But Fresh
WALKING IN THE LIGHT MEANS LOVE
1 John 2:12-14 — Encouragement for All Ages – All Levels of Maturity
ASIDE: ALL BELIEVERS NEED ENCOURAGEMENT AS THEY APPLY THESE TESTS OF FELLOWSHIP
1 John 2:15-17 — Separation From the World
WALKING IN THE LIGHT MEANS SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD
1 John 2:18-28 — Abiding in the Truth
WALKING IN THE LIGHT MEANS ABIDING IN THE TRUTH
1 John 2:28 – 3:1 — Theme of Section 2 – Test of Sonship
THE TEST OF SONSHIP IS PRACTICISING RIGHTEOUSNESS
1 John 3:2-10 — Children of Whom? Fruit Reveals Roots
OUR LIFESTYLE REVEALS OUR FAMILY IDENTITY
1 John 3:10-13 — Loving the Brethren
TRANSITION: A LIFESTYLE OF PRACTICING RIGHTEOUSNESS INVOLVES LOVING THE BRETHREN
1 John 3:23-24 — Theme of Section 3 – The Test of Abiding
THE TEST OF ABIDING IS FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AND LOVE FOR THE BRETHREN BY THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT
1 John 4:1-6 — The Foundation of Truth
TRUTH IS THE BASIS FOR FAITH AND LOVE —
SPIRITUAL TEACHING MUST BE EXAMINED TO IDENTIFY ITS SOURCE
1 John 4:7-12 — God is Love
THREE ARGUMENTS FOR LOVING THE BRETHREN
(BASED ON THE TRINITY) — cf. Boice
1 John 4:13-16 — How Can I Be Sure?
THE HOLY SPIRIT PRODUCES THE ASSURANCE OF ABIDING
1 John 4:17 – 5:4 — How Can I Be Sure? Love the Brethren!
LOVE FOR THE BRETHREN PRODUCES ASSURANCE
1 John 5:1-5 — How Can I Be Sure? The Victory of Faith!
THE VICTORY OF FAITH PROVES A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD —
TRUE BELIEVERS WILL DEMONSTRATE A NEW NATURE
1 John 5:6-10 — Faith is the Answer
OUR FAITH AND OUR ASSURANCE REST UPON THE HISTORICAL VALIDITY OF THE WITNESSES WHICH GOD HAS PROVIDED
1 John 5:11-13 — No Christ . . . No Life
OUR NEW NATURE IS THE ASSURANCE OF THE POSSESSION OF THE SON HIMSELF — THUS ETERNAL LIFE
1 John 5:14-17 — Qualified Confidence in Prayer
THE ASSURANCE OF A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD BRINGS QUALIFIED CONFIDENCE THAT GOD WILL ANSWER OUR PRAYERS
1 John 5:18-21 — Solid Convictions Regarding Spiritual Victory
THE ASSURANCE OF A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD BRINGS 3 SOLID CONVICTIONS REGARDING SPIRITUAL VICTORY