Experiencing God's Life, Light, and Love
Summary
Experiencing God is not just a concept but a reality that John, the beloved disciple, invites us to embrace. John, who walked closely with Jesus, assures us that we too can experience the same intimacy with God. He emphasizes that experiencing God involves engaging with His life, light, and love. John writes from a place of firsthand experience, having seen, heard, and touched Jesus. He encourages us to enter into fellowship with God and with one another, creating a community of faith that is marked by joy and completeness.
John's writings are a response to the false teachings of Gnosticism, which claimed that salvation comes through secret knowledge and denied the physical reality of Jesus. He counters this by affirming the tangible reality of Jesus and the truth of His incarnation. John uses a repetitive and contrasting style to emphasize the themes of light versus darkness, truth versus error, and love versus hate. He invites us to walk in the light, which means living in truth and holiness, and to love one another as Christ loved us.
The message is clear: to experience God, we must experience Jesus, who is the Word of life and the light of the world. Walking in the light involves confessing our sins and living in the truth of God's Word. It means allowing God's light to expose the darkness in our lives and choosing to walk in His ways. Love is not just a feeling but a choice to pursue the well-being of others, reflecting the love God has for us.
John's writings remind us that our relationship with God is not just intellectual but experiential. It's about knowing God personally and allowing His life, light, and love to transform us. As we walk in the light and love of God, we become witnesses to the world, showing them the reality of Christ through our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Experiencing God's Life: John invites us to experience the life of Jesus, which is not secondhand knowledge but a firsthand encounter. This life is about fellowship with God and others, creating a community of faith that brings joy and completeness. [49:46]
2. Walking in the Light: To experience God, we must walk in His light, which means living in truth and holiness. God's light exposes the darkness in our lives, and as we confess our sins, we are cleansed and able to walk in His ways. [57:17]
3. The Reality of Sin and Confession: John is honest about our ongoing struggle with sin. He emphasizes the importance of confession, which is agreeing with God about our sin and allowing His light to expose and cleanse us. [01:00:41]
4. Love as a Choice: Love is not just a feeling but a decision to pursue the well-being of others. It's about loving God with all our heart and loving others as ourselves, reflecting the love God has for us. [01:15:05]
5. Living as Witnesses: Our relationship with God should be evident in our lives as we walk in His light and love. We are called to be witnesses to the world, showing them the reality of Christ through our actions and choices. [01:17:27]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [40:01] - Upcoming Men's Conference
- [40:39] - Candypalooza Event
- [41:23] - Community Outreach
- [41:54] - Introduction to 1 John
- [43:41] - Sin Relief Efforts
- [44:16] - Experiencing God
- [45:00] - Historical Context of John's Writings
- [46:43] - Combatting False Teachings
- [47:38] - John's Writing Style
- [48:41] - Experiencing God's Life
- [49:46] - Fellowship and Joy
- [51:18] - Community and Intimacy
- [52:08] - Staying Close to Jesus
- [53:43] - Experiencing God's Light
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1 John 1:1-7
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Observation Questions:
1. How does John describe his experience with Jesus in 1 John 1:1-3, and what does he emphasize about the nature of this experience? [49:09]
2. What contrasts does John use in his writings to emphasize the themes of light and darkness, truth and error, and love and hate? [47:38]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of walking in the light, and how does it relate to our fellowship with God and others? [56:28]
4. What role does confession play in experiencing God's light, according to 1 John 1:9 and the sermon? [01:00:41]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does John emphasize the tangible reality of Jesus in his writings, and how does this counter the false teachings of Gnosticism? [46:43]
2. How does the concept of walking in the light challenge the way believers live their daily lives, and what does it mean to live in truth and holiness? [57:17]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that love is more than just a feeling, and how does this understanding impact our relationships with others? [01:15:05]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between experiencing God's life, light, and love, and being a witness to the world? [01:17:27]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal experience with God. How can you seek a more intimate and firsthand encounter with Him, similar to John's experience with Jesus? [49:09]
2. Consider areas in your life where you might be walking in darkness. What steps can you take to bring these areas into the light and live in truth and holiness? [56:28]
3. Confession is a key aspect of walking in the light. Is there a sin or struggle you need to confess to God or a trusted friend this week? How can confession lead to healing and growth? [01:00:41]
4. Love is described as a choice rather than just a feeling. Identify a relationship where you can choose to love more intentionally. What specific actions can you take to pursue the well-being of that person? [01:15:05]
5. How can you be a witness to the reality of Christ in your daily life? Think of one practical way you can demonstrate God's life, light, and love to those around you this week. [01:17:27]
6. Reflect on the idea that knowing God is more than intellectual knowledge. How can you cultivate a deeper, experiential relationship with God in your spiritual practices? [01:12:45]
7. The sermon mentions the importance of community and fellowship. How can you engage more deeply with your faith community to experience the joy and completeness that John describes? [51:18]
Devotional
Day 1: Experiencing the Life of Jesus
Experiencing the life of Jesus is not about acquiring secondhand knowledge but about engaging in a firsthand encounter with Him. John, the beloved disciple, invites us to enter into a deep fellowship with God and with one another, creating a community of faith that is marked by joy and completeness. This life is not just about individual spirituality but about being part of a community that reflects the life of Jesus. As we engage with His life, we find ourselves transformed and filled with joy that comes from being in His presence. [49:46]
1 John 1:3-4 (ESV): "That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete."
Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to today to deepen your fellowship and share the joy of Christ with them?
Day 2: Walking in the Light
Walking in the light means living in truth and holiness, allowing God's light to expose the darkness in our lives. John emphasizes that as we confess our sins, we are cleansed and able to walk in His ways. This process involves being honest about our struggles and allowing God's truth to guide us. Walking in the light is not a one-time event but a daily choice to live in alignment with God's Word and His holiness. As we do so, we experience the freedom and cleansing that comes from living in His light. [57:17]
Ephesians 5:8-10 (ESV): "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord."
Reflection: What is one area of darkness in your life that you need to bring into the light today? How can you take a step towards living in truth and holiness?
Day 3: The Reality of Sin and Confession
John is honest about the ongoing struggle with sin and the importance of confession. Confession is not just admitting our wrongs but agreeing with God about our sin and allowing His light to expose and cleanse us. This process is essential for maintaining a healthy relationship with God and experiencing His forgiveness and grace. As we confess our sins, we are reminded of the reality of our human condition and our need for God's continual cleansing and renewal. [01:00:41]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Is there a sin you need to confess to God or a trusted friend today? How can confession lead to healing and renewal in your life?
Day 4: Love as a Choice
Love is not just a feeling but a decision to pursue the well-being of others. John reminds us that loving God with all our heart and loving others as ourselves reflects the love God has for us. This love is active and intentional, seeking to serve and uplift others. As we choose to love, we reflect the character of Christ and become conduits of His love to the world around us. Love is a powerful force that can transform relationships and communities when we choose to live it out daily. [01:15:05]
1 John 3:18 (ESV): "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can choose to love intentionally today? What practical step can you take to show them Christ's love?
Day 5: Living as Witnesses
Our relationship with God should be evident in our lives as we walk in His light and love. John calls us to be witnesses to the world, showing them the reality of Christ through our actions and choices. As we live out our faith, we become a testimony of God's transformative power and love. Being a witness is not just about words but about living a life that reflects the character and teachings of Jesus. Our lives can be a powerful testimony to those around us, drawing them to the reality of Christ. [01:17:27]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: How can your actions today serve as a witness to the reality of Christ in your life? What is one specific way you can let your light shine before others?
Quotes
1) "John is saying, all right. He is saying, amen. This is how you experience God in your everyday life. This is what I'm going to show you. How to experience God in your everyday life. You ready? The first one is right here. You've got to experience his life. His life. Okay? So this is John. He's one of the disciples. He's one of the original 12. He's not just one of the 12. He is in the inner circle. Peter, James, and John. He is the one. The only one that's called the beloved disciple. He's the one that sat next to Jesus at the table." [48:41] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "And I want you to experience God like I experienced God. In fact he says I'm writing these things so that our joy. He didn't say your joy. He said our joy may be complete. He's basically saying our joy comes from you experiencing what we experienced. I want you to experience what we experienced. Now I told you he talks about life. Eternal life. He calls Jesus the word of life. And he said what was revealed to us I'm declaring to you. He said and in that we have fellowship. We have fellowship with the father, the son. But we have fellowship with one another." [50:34] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "God is light. So, if you want to experience God, you have to experience his life. He's the Word of life. Then you have to experience his light. God is light. Jesus said, I am the light of the world. John didn't say Jesus was a light or he didn't say Jesus has a light. You know, people that smoke say, have you got a light? Have you got a light? No, no. No, Jesus is light. It's the very nature of God himself. He is light. In him is no darkness at all. Physically, that means the glory of God, his Shekinah glory. Paul on the Damascus road was blinded by a physical light." [57:17] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "Now, John's very honest about our ongoing struggle with sin. He plainly says here, if you claim to have no sin, then you're just deceiving yourself. We're sinners. Your pastor's a sinner. You are a sinner. If you're married, you're married to a sinner. If you go vote, you're going to go vote for a sinner. We don't have another option. Do you hear me? We're all sinners. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. And the Bible's honest about the sins of the saints. Abraham, the Bible says he lied. He and Sarah tried to help God out with Hagar." [01:00:41] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "And I'm telling you, when you confess your sin, and Jesus is pleading in our behalf, you remember when David stopped hiding his sin, confessed his sin, then he could pray what? Create in me a clean heart. renew a right spirit within me. And that could happen for you and for me. I'm just telling you, the secret to victory, here it is, is walking in the light, not walking in darkness. Now, I told you, he repeats these things, life and light and love. If you want to experience God, you experience his life. You experience his light and his love." [01:07:51] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "Now, we got to walk like Jesus walked. How did he walk? Well, he loved sinners. He loved publicans. He loved sinners. He even loved his enemies. On the cross, he said, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And I'm telling you, those who walk in the light practice love, and those who walk in darkness practice hatred. Now, again, Jesus is the standard. We got to walk as he walked. You remember the bracelets we used to have? WWJD, what would Jesus do? It's not WWJD. It is DWJD. Do what Jesus did. Do what he did. Walk as he walked." [01:09:16] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "We love God only because He first loved us. So I'm saying today that we love people even in their imperfections, knowing that we're imperfect, knowing that we're sinners. It's okay to not be okay. It's just not okay to stay that way. I'm just telling you, God loves you like you are, but loves you too much to leave you like you are. He paid a high price on the cross. And I love this verse. I close with this. Look at it, Romans 5, 8. But God proves His love for us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." [01:18:41] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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