We began a new series today, “That You May Know: Life, Light, and Love in 1 John.” 1 John 5:13 explains the main reason that John the Apostle wrote this book, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”
In this sermon, in the first paragraph of the book, in 1 John 1:1-4 we saw that having the correct view of who Jesus is brings fellowship and fullness of joy. The main points are below:
1) The Joyful Gospel of Jesus Was Passed Down By Eyewitnesses (1:1)
2) The Joyful Gospel Leads to Fellowship With Other Believers and With God (1:2-3)
3) The Joyful Gospel Brings Fullness of Joy (1:4)
Here is a working definition of joy as defined by the New Testament: The deep confidence that regardless of circumstances, all is right between you and God (because of Jesus)!
Biblical joy is:
- Real (not something manufactured, but an overflow of our relationship with God)
- Eternal (Psalm 16:11)
- Complete