"THE PURPOSE OF THE BOOK"
>I. 1:4 "THESE THINGS WRITE WE UNTO YOU THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL."
A. The difference between joy and happiness.
1. Happiness is a temporary pleasant state of mind that results from desirable circumstances or surroundings.
a. It is thus transient.
b. In a moment it can change to sadness or sorrow.
c. Have you ever noticed with a baby how that they may be smiling as you go through your antics, but in a moment their faces begin to pucker up and they start to cry?
d. You may see a roll of hundred dollar bills lying in the street and you are very happy until you discover they are conterfeit.
e. You may be driving down the street in your new sports car thrilled at the way it can handle the curves, and red lights appear in your rear view mirror.
2. Joy is a constant state of the spirit of man that is in fellowship with God.
a. Thus you can have joy in the midst of the direst circumstances.
b. Joy is independant from my outward circumstances.
3. Happiness is a state of mind; joy is a state of the spirit.
4. Man is in pursuit of joy but is only finding happiness.
a. Joy does not come by direct pursuit, but is the byproduct of a right relationship with God.
b. The fruit of the Spirit is joy.
c. It is interesting that Paul's epistle of joy and rejoicing was writen when he was in prison.
d. To the Corinthians he wrote, "I am exceeding joyful in all my tribulations."
B. Jesus spoke to the disciples of the fulness of joy.
1.
John 15:11 "These things have I spoken unto you that My joy might remain in you and that your joy may be full."
2.
John 16:24 "Hitherto you have asked nothing in My name, ask that you may receive that your joy may be full."
C. John in his epistles mentions the fulness of joy twice.
1. In this verse.
2. In his second epistle. II John "I have many things to write to you, but I will not write them with pen and ink, but I trust to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full."
D. David in
Psalm 16:11 declares, "In your presence is fulness of joy."
E. Peter wrote: Whom having not seen, you love; and though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy indiscrible and full of glory:
F. Thus this fulness of joy is related to.
1. The words of Jesus to us.
2. Our prayer life.
3. Our fellowship with God.
4. Our fellowship with the body of Christ.
5. Our living in the presence of God.
6. Our faith in Jesus.
G. The word joyful which actually means full of joy is used 25 times in the scriptures. God wants your life to be full of joy.
>II. 2:1 "MY LITTLE CHILDREN, THESE THINGS WRITE I UNTO YOU THAT YOU SIN NOT."
A. The word of God in our hearts will give us power over sin in our lives.
1. Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
2. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his ways, by taking heed to Thy Word.
B. Jesus answered every temptation with the Word.
1. It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God."
2. It is written, "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve."
3. It is written, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."
C. There are many believers who have a great problem with sin in their lifes.
1. They desire to live a pure life, but the power of the flesh seems to overwealm them.
2. They find themselves identifying with Paul in
Romans 7. "That which I allow not, I do, and that which I would, I do not."
3. There is a sincere and genuine desire to be free from, what Paul calls, the bondage of corruption.
4. They testify to their weeping over their failures.
5. Asking God for help free them from the damning practices.
6. We would all like a quick fix, lay hands on me, cast the demon of lust out, and I will have no more problems.
7. It takes the word of God planted in our lives on a daily basis.
>III. 5:13 THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD THAT YOU MIGHT KNOW THAT YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. ASSURANCE OF SALVATION.
A. I have noticed on the call in radio program that so many people are seeking assurance of their salvation.
B. We get so many calls where a person doubts that they are really saved.
1. I think that part of the doubts come from unrealistic expectations.
2. They think that now that they are a Christian they will have no more temptations.
3. When temptation comes they are devastated.
4. As long as we are living in these bodies we are going to be subject to temptations.
5. We and all of creation groan and travail together as we wait for the manifestations of the Sons of God that is the redemption of our bodies.
C. Some people who love Jesus are not sure of their salvation from week to week.
1. We can know that we have eternal life.
2. We know that we have passed from death unto life.
3. I always like to ask a person the question, "On what do you base your hope for eternal life?" It helps you to know where they are.
a. I had a young Mormon boy answer, "My faith in Jesus Christ and my continued membership in the Mormon Church."
b. I asked, "What if you do not continue faithful in the Mormon Church?" He responded that he would be lost.
c. I then said, "Then you are not really sure that you are going to be saved are you?"
d. He said that no one could know that until they die.
e. I asked, "Isn't that a little late to find out?"
f. Paul said, "I know in whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day."
IV. NOTE HOW THESE ARE TIED TOGETHER. MY FULNESS OF JOY COMES FROM MY ASSURANCE OF SALVATION, WHICH COMES FROM MY VICTORY OVER SIN.
V.
ISA 55:10 FOR AS THE RAIN COMETH DOWN, AND THE SNOW FROM HEAVEN, AND RETURNETH NOT THITHER, BUT WATERETH THE EARTH, AND MAKETH IT BRING FORTH AND BUD, THAT IT MAY GIVE SEED TO THE SOWER, AND BREAD TO THE EATER: SO SHALL MY WORD BE THAT GOETH FORTH OUT OF MY MOUTH: IT SHALL NOT RETURN UNTO ME VOID, BUT IT SHALL ACCOMPLISH THAT WHICH I PLEASE, AND IT SHALL PROSPER [IN THE THING] WHERETO I SENT IT.
A. God promises that His word will not return unto Him void, but shall accomplish the purposes for which it was sent.
1. Why did God send I John?
2. What then can you be sure will happen as we study this epistle together?
a. Your joy will become full.
b. You will have victory over sin.
c. You will have assurance of your salvation.
B. We know that Jesus Christ is our example. Peter said that He left us an example that we should follow in His steps.
1. John will give six places where Christ is our example in this epistle.
2. I want you to find all six.
3. I will give you a hint, look for the words as He.
Verse-Reference
Square — [Jhn 1:1 KJV]
Abbreviate Books
Use SBL Abbrev.
