Dr Tom Hover
September 11, 2022
I John 1:1-10
AUTHENTIC CHRISTIANITY
KOINONIA (κοινωνία)
AUTHENTIC CHRISTIANITY
Text: I John 1:1-10 Jump Off Text: I John 1:3
Introduction: In the New Testament the Greek word “koinonia” is translated in our Bibles as Fellowship. However, there is no exact translation in English, koinonia is a Greek word most closely associated with concepts of a holy, covenantal fellowship, to hold something deeply in common. While some are tempted to substitute the word “fellowship” for koinonia, it’s far deeper. Fellowship is a more surface-level, friendly relationship, while koinonia is full, intimate unity. And it’s an important element in the New Testament particularly, as the apostles became filled with the Holy Spirit and then helped establish the first communities of new believers, who shared not only in the Spirit, but also in all aspects of life together, from meals and homes to money. So let’s learn from first John chapter one how to get and keep this kind of fellowship! In order to experience this life and enjoy this life, this life that is full and free, the Apostle John tells us four things in these few verses that we’ve looked at. Notice:
I. ESTABLISHED FACT IN US
I John 1:1, 2 John 1:10, 2 John 1:9, John 14:6 John establishes who Jesus is.
A. JESUS IS AN ETERNAL FACT “That which was from the beginning” (1 John 1:1), John 1:1, Revelation 19:13 Jesus is the visible expression of the invisible God. Jesus articulates God.
1. JESUS IS GOD’S FIRST WORD (John 1:1).
2. JESUS IS GOD’S FULL WORD He says over in the Book of Revelation that He’s the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 1:8; 1:11;21:6; 22:13)
3. JESUS IS GOD’S FINAL WORD “[God] hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:2). He is the expression—the visible, physical expression—of the invisible spiritual God.
B. JESUS IS A PHYSICAL FACT I John 1:1
1. THERE WAS AUDIBLE EVIDENCE
2. THERE WAS VISIBLE EVIDENCE
3. THERE WAS PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
a. He Is My Redeemer Because He’s a Man Hebrews 9:22
b. He Is My Example Because He’s a Man
c. He Is My Comforter and Friend Because He’s a Man Hebrews 4:15
C. JESUS IS A SPIRITUAL FACT I John 1:1-2, 5:9, 1:3,5:9
II. EXPERIENCED FELLOWSHIP AMONG US I John 1:2-3 It is the Greek word koinonia, and it means “to hold things in common”—that is, this Jesus, this established fact, because of this established fact that is established, there is a fellowship that is experienced—that we can have fellowship one with another. It literally means “to have something in common.” Now, notice who we have fellowship with.
A. FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD I John 1:3 “and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
What do I have in common with the Father? Nothing—nothing. He’s holy; I’m unholy. He is Almighty; I am a worm. And, how can Tom Hover have fellowship with God? But yet, the Apostle John says, “Our fellowship is with the Father” (1 John 1:3). I have nothing in common with the Father. I John 1:5-6 We’re in the dark; He’s in the light. There’s a great chasm between us and Almighty God, so how can I have fellowship with Almighty God? Here’s how: Jesus takes on the nature of man that I might take on the nature of God. II Peter 1:4
B. FELLOWSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER Philippians 1:5,2:1-2III. ELATED FULLNESS OF JOY WITHIN US
I John 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. Joy is the byproduct of fellowship with God and fellowship with the family. Psalm 16:11 The Bible says, “Rejoice in the LORD” (Psalm 33:1; Psalm 97:12; Isaiah 41:16; Isaiah 61:10; Joel 2:23; Habakkuk 3:18; Zechariah 10:7; Philippians 3:1; Philippians 4:4).
IV. EXPRESSED FAULTS WE CONFESS ABOUT US
A. THE CONVICTION OF SIN
God the Holy Spirit, if you sin, will convict you of sin.
THE EVOLUTION OF UNFORGIVEN SIN
The Holy Spirit of God will convict you of sin. Let me show you what He needs to convict us of I John 1:6 “If we say....”, I John 1:8 “If we say”, I John 1:10 “If we say...” Now, it’s one thing to talk; it is another thing to walk the walk.
1. YOU LIE TO OTHERS I John 1:6
2. YOU LIE TO YOURSELF I John 1:8
3. YOU LIE TO GOD I John 1:10
B. THE CONFESSION OF SIN I John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1. CONFESS THE SIN IMMEDIATELY
2. CONFESS THE SIN SPECIFICALLY
3. CONFESS THE SIN CONFIDENTLY I John 1:9, I John 1:7
C. THE CLEANSING OF SIN 1 John 2:1–2
Conclusion: You say Pastor Tom I want the “koinonia” type of Fellowship you been preaching about today! Then: Know Jesus, keep clean by confession of all sin in your life and you will know that fellowship with God and others. Also, you can have fullness of Joy!
REMEMBER:
I. ESTABLISHED FACT IN US
II. EXPERIENCED FELLOWSHIP AMONG US
III. ELATED FULLNESS OF JOY WITHIN US
IV. EXPRESSED FAULTS WE CONFESS ABOUT US
Evangelism Conference
Cornerstone Baptist Church Lowell, AR
Saturday September 17th 4 pm Dinner served
This is a free event.
