Walking in the Light: Eyewitnesses and Authentic Faith
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, I want to talk about the importance of eyewitnesses, especially in the context of our faith. Eyewitnesses play a crucial role in validating events, whether in a court of law or in sharing personal stories. I shared a personal story from my youth to illustrate how having witnesses can lend credibility to our experiences. This concept is equally important when it comes to the Bible. John, in the book of 1 John, provides us with lessons from his firsthand experiences with Jesus Christ. John emphasizes that he has seen, heard, and touched Jesus, making him a reliable witness to the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.
John's testimony is significant because it underscores that Jesus is the Word of Life, who was with God from the beginning and became flesh. John also teaches us that God is light, and in Him, there is no darkness. As Christians, we are called to walk in this light, making Jesus our number one priority. When we do this, our lives, though not necessarily easier, fall into a divine order. However, we cannot claim to walk in the light while living in sin. John warns against being fake Christians and encourages us to live authentically in the light of Christ.
John also acknowledges that we are not perfect and will sin. However, the good news is that if we confess our sins, Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us. This is the essence of the Gospel: we have a way out of our sin through Jesus Christ. As we conclude, I urge anyone who hasn't fully surrendered to Christ to make that decision today. If you're struggling with sin or need prayer, our elders are here to support you. Let's walk in the light together and let Jesus guide our paths.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Eyewitnesses: Eyewitnesses lend credibility to events and stories, making them more believable. John, as an eyewitness to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, provides a reliable testimony that strengthens our faith. His firsthand experiences remind us that our faith is grounded in real, historical events. [30:11]
2. God is Light: John teaches that God is light, and in Him, there is no darkness. As Christians, we are called to walk in this light, making Jesus our number one priority. When we follow Jesus, our lives, though not necessarily easier, fall into a divine order, allowing us to navigate the world's darkness with clarity and purpose. [37:56]
3. Authentic Christian Living: We cannot claim to walk in the light while living in sin. John warns against being fake Christians and encourages us to live authentically in the light of Christ. This means making Jesus our number one priority and allowing His light to guide our actions and decisions. [44:29]
4. Acknowledging Our Imperfections: John acknowledges that we are not perfect and will sin. However, this is not an excuse to continue living in sin. Instead, we must learn from our mistakes and strive to walk in the light. This humility and willingness to grow are essential aspects of our Christian journey. [46:36]
5. Confession and Forgiveness: The essence of the Gospel is that we have a way out of our sin through Jesus Christ. If we confess our sins, Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us. This promise of forgiveness is a cornerstone of our faith, offering us hope and a path to redemption. [48:53]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[30:11] - The Importance of Eyewitnesses
[37:56] - God is Light
[44:29] - Authentic Christian Living
[46:36] - Acknowledging Our Imperfections
[48:53] - Confession and Forgiveness
[57:51] - Announcements and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 1 John 1:1-10
2. John 1:1-3
3. John 8:12
### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 John 1:1, what are the three senses John uses to describe his experience with Jesus? How does this establish his credibility as an eyewitness? [33:15]
2. In John 1:1-3, what is the relationship between the Word and God? How does this passage emphasize the divinity of Jesus? [34:21]
3. What does John 8:12 say about Jesus' role in the world? How does this relate to the concept of walking in the light? [37:56]
4. According to the sermon, what happens when we try to balance Jesus and the world? [42:07]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that John emphasizes his firsthand experiences with Jesus in 1 John 1:1-3? How does this strengthen the message of the Gospel? [33:15]
2. How does the metaphor of light and darkness in 1 John 1:5-7 help us understand our relationship with God? What does it mean to walk in the light? [37:05]
3. In the sermon, the pastor mentions that we cannot be "fake Christians." What does it mean to live authentically in the light of Christ, according to 1 John 1:6-7? [44:29]
4. How does the promise of forgiveness in 1 John 1:9 provide hope for believers? What does this reveal about God's character? [48:53]
### Application Questions
1. John emphasizes the importance of eyewitness testimony. How can you use your personal experiences with Jesus to share your faith with others? [33:15]
2. The sermon discusses the importance of making Jesus our number one priority. What are some practical steps you can take this week to ensure Jesus is at the center of your life? [40:20]
3. Reflect on a time when you tried to balance Jesus and worldly pursuits. What were the outcomes, and how can you realign your priorities to avoid spiritual burnout? [42:07]
4. John warns against being fake Christians. Are there areas in your life where you feel you are not living authentically in the light of Christ? How can you address these areas? [44:29]
5. The sermon acknowledges that we are not perfect and will sin. How can you cultivate a habit of regular confession and repentance in your daily life? [46:36]
6. The pastor mentioned the importance of fellowship with other believers. How can you actively engage in your church community to support and be supported in your walk with Christ? [45:39]
7. If you are struggling with a particular sin, what steps can you take to seek help and accountability from your church community or small group? [53:51]
Devotional
Day 1: The Credibility of Eyewitnesses
Eyewitnesses lend credibility to events and stories, making them more believable. John, as an eyewitness to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, provides a reliable testimony that strengthens our faith. His firsthand experiences remind us that our faith is grounded in real, historical events. John’s testimony is significant because it underscores that Jesus is the Word of Life, who was with God from the beginning and became flesh. This firsthand account is crucial for us as believers because it assures us that our faith is not based on myths or legends but on real events witnessed by real people.
John’s emphasis on having seen, heard, and touched Jesus makes his testimony powerful and trustworthy. This is why the role of eyewitnesses is so important, not just in legal contexts but also in our spiritual lives. When we share our personal experiences of faith, we become modern-day witnesses, helping others to see the reality of Jesus in our lives. [30:11]
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 of a personal experience where you felt God's presence. How can you share this experience to strengthen someone else's faith today?
Day 2: Walking in the Light
John teaches that God is light, and in Him, there is no darkness. As Christians, we are called to walk in this light, making Jesus our number one priority. When we follow Jesus, our lives, though not necessarily easier, fall into a divine order, allowing us to navigate the world's darkness with clarity and purpose. Walking in the light means living in a way that reflects God’s purity, truth, and love. It means making decisions that align with His will and avoiding actions that lead us into darkness.
This divine order doesn’t mean a life free from challenges, but it does mean a life where we can see clearly and make choices that honor God. When we prioritize Jesus, we find that our lives are more aligned with His purpose, and we can better handle the difficulties that come our way. [37:56]
1 John 1:5-7 (ESV): "This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."
Reflection: What areas of your life are still in darkness? How can you bring them into the light of Christ today?
Day 3: Authentic Christian Living
We cannot claim to walk in the light while living in sin. John warns against being fake Christians and encourages us to live authentically in the light of Christ. This means making Jesus our number one priority and allowing His light to guide our actions and decisions. Authentic Christian living is about integrity and consistency between our beliefs and our actions. It’s about being genuine in our faith and not just going through the motions.
Living authentically means that our faith is evident in every aspect of our lives, not just on Sundays or in church settings. It means that our actions, words, and decisions reflect our commitment to Christ. This authenticity is crucial for our witness to others and for our own spiritual growth. [44:29]
1 John 2:4-6 (ESV): "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: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where your actions do not align with your faith? What steps can you take to live more authentically in Christ?
Day 4: Embracing Our Imperfections
John acknowledges that we are not perfect and will sin. However, this is not an excuse to continue living in sin. Instead, we must learn from our mistakes and strive to walk in the light. This humility and willingness to grow are essential aspects of our Christian journey. Recognizing our imperfections allows us to rely more on God’s grace and less on our own strength. It’s a reminder that our journey is one of continual growth and transformation.
Embracing our imperfections means being honest about our struggles and seeking God’s help to overcome them. It means being open to correction and willing to change. This attitude of humility and growth is what helps us to become more like Christ each day. [46:36]
1 John 1:8-10 (ESV): "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle with sin? How can you seek God’s help to overcome it and grow in your faith?
Day 5: The Promise of Forgiveness
The essence of the Gospel is that we have a way out of our sin through Jesus Christ. If we confess our sins, Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us. This promise of forgiveness is a cornerstone of our faith, offering us hope and a path to redemption. Confession is not just about admitting our wrongs but also about turning away from them and seeking God’s forgiveness and guidance.
This promise of forgiveness is what gives us hope and assurance in our Christian walk. It reminds us that no matter how many times we fall, God’s grace is always available to lift us up. This is the good news that we are called to share with others, offering them the same hope and redemption that we have found in Christ. [48:53]
1 John 2:1-2 (ESV): "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."
Reflection: Is there a sin you need to confess to God today? How can you embrace His forgiveness and move forward in His grace?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "As Christians, we have a light in our life and his name is Jesus Christ. When we follow him, we can see clearly. Have you ever tried to walk in the dark without a light? Like, my grandparents lived in Camas Valley in the early 80s, mid 80s. There was no street lights in Camas Valley in the mid 80s. They turned all the lights off at night. There is no extra lights coming anywhere in Camas Valley. So we were told, grab a flashlight before you go to bed so if you have to get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, you can find the bathroom. Sometimes we forgot our flashlights." [38:55] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When we have Jesus and he's our light and we're following him, it just seems that life is smoothly. So really, having Jesus as that light of our life, we should make Jesus our number one priority in our life. When we set Jesus as number one, we stay focused on what we need to do. When Jesus is number one, family and church family start to become a big priority in our life. Fellowship in with each other." [39:40] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I don't believe that there's anything called burnout for God. I don't think you can burn yourself out serving the Lord. I don't think there's such a thing. I don't think you can sell out and follow the Lord and burn yourself out. Now, you can become physically tired. And I get that. And there's things called the day of rest that you do for that, right? And we can rest for that. But if you are putting Jesus number one in your life. And you are following him with all your heart, your mind, and your soul. I believe that he will give you the supernatural power to overcome the spiritual burnout." [41:13] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We can walk in the light of Jesus Christ and not be perfect. We can walk in that light and still have some sins. That we're still falling down every once in a while. Because he says if we say that we have no sin. We deceive ourselves. John is basically saying is you're not perfect. I'm not perfect. None of us are perfect." [46:36] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We're not perfect. We're going to make mistakes. We're going to sin. However. If we confess those sins to Jesus Christ. He will be faithful. He will be just to forgive us from our sins. I don't know about you but that's good news." [49:41] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "So what John is saying here is that, I am an eyewitness of Jesus Christ himself. He's saying, I've heard him, I've touched him, I've seen him with my own eyes, my own hands, and my own ears. And he's talking about, what he's talking about is the one that was with God from the beginning. When God had said, let's go create man in our own image, God wasn't by himself. He was with the Word, and that Word was Jesus. So he's saying, I've heard him, I've seen him, I've touched him. He's saying, I've seen the Messiah myself. He's saying, I have seen the one that was there at the beginning with God." [34:21] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When we make Jesus number one. And when we live in that light of Christ. We not only have a relationship with Jesus himself but we have a relationship with each other. All of us in this room together that live in the light share that same relationship with Jesus Christ. That's why gathering every chance that we get with each other is important as brothers and sisters. And I will tell you there's no better place to be than to be around all of your brothers and sisters of Christ. When we're fully walking in light and we're loving each other. John is saying when you make Jesus number one. We get to fellowship with each other." [44:29] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We must walk in the light that Jesus gives us. And we must let him guide us through that light. Verse 6 he says, and now he's going to get into some other lessons. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. What John is saying is basically you can't be a fake Christian. You can't show up saying I'm fully involved with Jesus Christ as number one but still live in the darkness of your sin. Then you're lying. We can't be fake Christians." [43:27] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We must learn how to not keep doing the same mistakes. And here's what John says next. If we confess our sins. We confess our sins. We must acknowledge that we have sinned and that we have fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3.23 says for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We all have. And we all will. Good news is though. He. Talking about Jesus. Is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. That's the gospel in a nutshell right there." [48:53] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So I have to acknowledge here that if we say if I try to tell everybody that I'm perfect and I haven't sinned. Then I make God a liar. Again Romans 3.23. For all have sinned. And all have fallen short of the glory of God. The book. The first chapter. Of the first book of John. Is probably got a lot more lessons than what I have shared with you. I've just pulled out five highlighted lessons here. And I want to recap as we end here. So we can walk away with these lessons. From an eyewitness. And again. We're getting this from an eyewitness. Somebody that saw it happen. He heard it happen. He said I even touched it. With my own hands." [50:36] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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