Experiencing True Joy Through Knowing Jesus
Summary
### Summary
Today marks the beginning of our 10-week journey through the book of 1 John. We start by understanding the context and the author, John, who was a close friend of Jesus and a significant leader in the early church. John wrote this letter around 90 AD, addressing a group of churches facing confusion and false teachings, particularly Gnosticism. This heresy denied Jesus' divinity and resurrection, promoting a misleading belief that salvation comes through secret knowledge rather than faith in Christ.
John's primary aim in this letter is to affirm what we can know with certainty about Jesus and our faith. He uses the Greek word "genosis," meaning knowledge, to emphasize the importance of knowing Jesus truly and deeply. John wants to counter the false teachings by affirming that Jesus was both fully God and fully man, a truth he witnessed firsthand. He stresses that this knowledge is not just intellectual but experiential, involving all our senses—hearing, seeing, and touching.
John's letter is structured around several key statements that begin with "This is how we know," providing us with concrete ways to discern the truth about our faith. For instance, we know we are in Him if we keep His commands, and we know love because Jesus laid down His life for us. These statements are designed to give us confidence in our beliefs and to counter the doubts and confusion sown by false teachings.
In today's passage, 1 John 1:1-4, John emphasizes the tangible reality of Jesus. He speaks from his personal experience, having heard, seen, and touched Jesus. This firsthand testimony is crucial for establishing the credibility of his message. John wants us to have fellowship with him and other believers, grounded in the truth of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. This fellowship brings complete joy, a joy that is not only personal but shared among believers.
As we embark on this study, let's focus on two key aspects: having joy in knowing Jesus and desiring others to share in this joy. This joy is a sign that we have truly seen, heard, and experienced Jesus. Let's open our eyes, ears, and hearts to receive what God has for us, and let this joy overflow to those around us.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Knowing Jesus: John emphasizes that knowing Jesus is not just an intellectual exercise but an experiential reality. He uses the Greek word "genosis" to stress that true knowledge of Jesus involves hearing, seeing, and touching Him in our lives. This firsthand experience is crucial for a deep and abiding faith. [04:51]
2. Countering False Teachings: The early church faced confusion from Gnostic teachings that denied Jesus' divinity and resurrection. John writes to affirm the truth about Jesus, emphasizing that He was both fully God and fully man. This truth is foundational for our faith and counters any misleading beliefs that may arise. [05:43]
3. Certainty in Faith: John provides several statements beginning with "This is how we know," offering concrete ways to discern the truth about our faith. These statements are designed to give us confidence in what we believe, helping us to stand firm against doubts and confusion. [14:41]
4. Fellowship and Joy: John invites us into a fellowship with him and other believers, grounded in the truth of Jesus. This fellowship brings complete joy, a joy that is not only personal but shared among believers. This shared joy is a sign that we have truly seen, heard, and experienced Jesus. [24:13]
5. Living Out Our Faith: John encourages us to live out our faith in tangible ways, showing love and obedience to God's commands. This practical application of our faith is a testament to our relationship with Jesus and serves as a witness to others. Our joy in knowing Jesus should naturally lead us to share this joy with others. [29:49]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:41] - Introduction to 1 John
[02:55] - Context and Authorship
[03:56] - Purpose of the Series
[04:51] - The Theme of Knowing
[05:43] - Addressing Gnosticism
[08:01] - The Challenge of Knowing
[09:42] - Personal Anecdote
[13:46] - The Certainty of Jesus
[14:41] - Key Statements in 1 John
[16:39] - Beginning of 1 John 1:1-4
[20:05] - Experiencing Jesus
[23:03] - Fellowship and Joy
[26:58] - Practical Application
[29:49] - Sharing the Joy
[32:09] - Communion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1 John 1:1-4 (ESV)
> "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 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."
### Observation Questions
1. What are the different ways John describes experiencing Jesus in 1 John 1:1-4? (e.g., hearing, seeing, touching)
2. According to the sermon, what false teachings was John addressing in his letter? [05:43]
3. What does John say is the purpose of writing these things in 1 John 1:4?
4. How does John establish his credibility in the opening verses of 1 John? [17:21]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that John emphasizes both the divinity and humanity of Jesus in his letter? [24:13]
2. How does John’s firsthand experience with Jesus provide a foundation for the certainty of our faith? [20:05]
3. What does John mean by having fellowship with other believers and how does this relate to our joy? [23:03]
4. How does John’s use of the phrase “This is how we know” help counter the confusion and doubts caused by false teachings? [14:41]
### Application Questions
1. John emphasizes the importance of knowing Jesus through personal experience. How have you personally experienced Jesus in your life? Can you share a specific moment? [27:57]
2. The sermon mentioned that false teachings can create confusion about what we know to be true. Have you ever encountered teachings or beliefs that caused you to doubt your faith? How did you handle it? [08:01]
3. John talks about the joy that comes from knowing Jesus and sharing that joy with others. How can you actively share the joy of knowing Jesus with someone this week? [29:49]
4. Reflect on the statement, “This is how we know we are in Him if we keep His commands.” What are some practical ways you can demonstrate your obedience to God’s commands in your daily life? [14:41]
5. The sermon highlighted the importance of fellowship among believers. How can you strengthen your fellowship with other believers in your small group or church community? [23:03]
6. John’s letter aims to provide certainty in our faith. Are there areas in your faith where you feel uncertain? How can you seek clarity and assurance in those areas? [13:46]
7. The sermon encouraged us to open our eyes, ears, and hearts to receive what God has for us. What specific steps can you take this week to be more receptive to God’s presence and guidance in your life? [28:51]
Devotional
Day 1: Experiencing Jesus Beyond Knowledge
Description: Knowing Jesus is not merely an intellectual exercise but an experiential reality. John emphasizes the Greek word "genosis," which means knowledge, to stress that true knowledge of Jesus involves hearing, seeing, and touching Him in our lives. This firsthand experience is crucial for a deep and abiding faith. John wants believers to understand that their relationship with Jesus should engage all their senses, making their faith a living and dynamic experience. [04:51]
1 John 1:1-2 (ESV): "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us."
Reflection: Think about a recent moment when you felt Jesus' presence in a tangible way. How did this experience deepen your faith, and how can you seek more of these moments in your daily life?
Day 2: Affirming the Truth of Jesus
Description: The early church faced confusion from Gnostic teachings that denied Jesus' divinity and resurrection. John writes to affirm the truth about Jesus, emphasizing that He was both fully God and fully man. This truth is foundational for our faith and counters any misleading beliefs that may arise. By understanding and holding onto this truth, believers can stand firm against false teachings and remain confident in their faith. [05:43]
1 John 4:2-3 (ESV): "By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you encountered a teaching or belief that challenged your understanding of Jesus. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to ensure you are grounded in the truth of Jesus' divinity and humanity?
Day 3: Confidence in Our Faith
Description: John provides several statements beginning with "This is how we know," offering concrete ways to discern the truth about our faith. These statements are designed to give us confidence in what we believe, helping us to stand firm against doubts and confusion. By understanding these key statements, believers can have a solid foundation for their faith, knowing that their beliefs are rooted in the truth of Jesus Christ. [14:41]
1 John 2:3-5 (ESV): "And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says 'I know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him."
Reflection: Identify one of John's "This is how we know" statements that resonates with you. How can you apply this statement to your life today to strengthen your confidence in your faith?
Day 4: Fellowship and Shared Joy
Description: John invites us into a fellowship with him and other believers, grounded in the truth of Jesus. This fellowship brings complete joy, a joy that is not only personal but shared among believers. This shared joy is a sign that we have truly seen, heard, and experienced Jesus. By participating in this fellowship, believers can experience a deeper sense of community and support, enhancing their spiritual journey. [24:13]
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: Think of a time when you experienced joy through fellowship with other believers. How can you cultivate and share this joy within your community this week?
Day 5: Living Out Our Faith
Description: John encourages us to live out our faith in tangible ways, showing love and obedience to God's commands. This practical application of our faith is a testament to our relationship with Jesus and serves as a witness to others. Our joy in knowing Jesus should naturally lead us to share this joy with others. By living out our faith, we demonstrate the transformative power of Jesus in our lives and inspire others to seek Him. [29:49]
1 John 3:18-19 (ESV): "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him."
Reflection: Identify one specific way you can show love and obedience to God's commands today. How can this action serve as a witness to others and reflect your relationship with Jesus?
Quotes
1. "So in my mind, the thing that John talks about more than anything else is love. So I thought, well, let's just kind of dive into this so that it'll be a great way to set us up and prepare us in November that maybe just, you know, for a conversation. And so we're going to have a little bit of an economy of words so we can not act like idiots, okay? Can we maybe do that? And then, yeah, let's do that. And let's see if we can drill down on loving God by loving people and see if we can't just maybe do it differently this time around." [03:56] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "In a day and a culture in which you and I are being encouraged to become, and I choose this word very specifically, a more progressive kind of Christian, there's this false teaching. There's this false teaching that God continues to enlighten us and reveal more and more information to us as time goes on. What happens is it creates a doubt and it creates a kind of confusion about what we know and what we can actually know to be true." [07:30] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Everything John is going to present is that having certainty in what you can know gives you confidence in what you can believe. And I should have made that a note, but I'll just repeat it for you. Everything John is going to present here is having a certainty in what you can know that gives you confidence in what you can believe." [16:24] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I love how John brings together all of the possible ways to know something. He says, I heard something with my own ears. Like Jesus said to me, you follow me. I heard him teach. I heard him claim to be the son of God. I saw him with my own eyes. I saw him heal people. We walked with him. We high-fived. We hugged. We had dinners together. We saw him on the cross. We saw his scars. We saw him alive again. We talked over breakfast. We were friends. But the God, the God, right, the almighty, infinite creator became one of us. It wasn't just an idea. It wasn't just a spirit. It was a person." [20:05] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you know something for certain, and you can make that knowledge available to other people, you testify. Right? It is your duty to make what you know available to other people. Hey, the house is on fire. Hey, the sale is over here. Hey, I can cure cancer. Some of you, by the way, you do this so naturally, like you do it already. Like an hour after this, you're going to go post something on Facebook, and you're going to check in at Christ Church, and it's going to say, wow, worship was just different today. Or, wow, the word was alive. Come sit with me. Or, you know, hey, God is showing me things that are life-changing, let me tell you." [22:07] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "If you can get on board with knowing what you believe is true about Jesus, John says, look, we can all be in on this together. Like, you can have a fellowship with us. Well, who's us? Well, I think he's talking about the apostles, the leaders in the early church. John's saying, look, we all have something in common when we believe this message, when we believe that Jesus was God's Son. He appeared in the flesh, and we believe in the authority of these words." [25:37] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "This is how we know that we have seen and heard and experienced Jesus. Two things. Number one, I have joy. Okay, I have joy. Like, there is a joy that you know is true and you know him. Right? You have a confidence in him. Like, he's invited us in to be a part of something. You have a joy that God continues to reveal himself to each and every one of us through the person of Jesus. Right? I have a joy inside of me because my life has changed. Because I have seen and I have heard and I have experienced Jesus for myself." [26:58] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "When you have a great experience with something, it doesn't really matter what it is. You just naturally tell people, don't you? Like, if you wanted to share your faith with someone. Or you wanted to share your church with someone and just invite them to come here and maybe to sit with you. It's just so simple and natural, right? Hey, I have seen something. I've heard something. And I've had an experience that changed my life. And I would love you to have it, too. Listen, Jesus profoundly has changed my life." [31:16] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Hey, there was a time when Jesus did this with us, right? He said, the bread represents my body. The juice represents my blood. You should do this to remember me. And here's the amazing thing, okay? Is that when you're doing this today, we go back to John's word, fellowship. Like, you are, you've come to be part of something. A long line of followers over the hundreds of years. They go, yes. Yes, together. We believe that Jesus is who he said he was and he can do the things that he said he is." [32:09] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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