“You Gotta Hear about this!”
(1 John 1:1-4)
Series: A word for the Church [on screen]
Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD
First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida
August 22, 2021
The Passage
1 John 1:1-4
1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— 3 what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
Introductory Comments:
Think about the different held beliefs you’ve heard concerning Jesus. Many people believe that Jesus was a good moral teacher. Many people speak of Jesus as, “Little Baby Jesus.” Many picture Jesus as someone hanging on a cross, wearing a crown of thorns. Some people admit that Jesus walked on the earth, but they say that He was merely a man. Some people are even so hard-hearted as to say that Jesus never even existed.
You know, a little less than two thousand years ago, there were also varying beliefs concerning Jesus. In fact, there was a heresy among Christians present at that time called Gnosticism. [on screen] This false belief taught that Jesus could not have had a physical body because the physical (or material) world was evil. In fact, around 50 years or less after Jesus rose from the dead, some were questioning whether Jesus really even walked the earth.
It was on the heels of this heresy, and other misunderstandings about Jesus and following Jesus, that a man named John wrote a letter to the early followers of Jesus. That letter is what we’ve come to know as 1 John.
So, we begin our study in 1 John called “A Word for the Church.” This message for the Church long ago is also a message that we need to hear in the Church today.
Before we begin this sermon, and before we begin this series, let’s go to God in prayer and ask Him to speak to us.
(prayer)
First John was written by . . . John, one of the original twelve apostles of Jesus. He was the brother of James and one of the sons of Zebedee, also known as the “Sons of Thunder.”
John was also the author of the Gospel of John, the fourth book of the New Testament; as well as 2 John, 3 John, and the book of Revelation.
It is well accepted that John was quite old when he wrote this letter and he was probably living in Ephesus at the time. In fact, a church sits near where it is believed that John wrote part of the New Testament. I’ve had the privilege of going there and it’s a special place.
More than likely, John’s letter was not just intended for only one church, but for many churches located in Asia Minor, which was located in what is modern-day Turkey.
Because this is one of the latest letters in the New Testament (meaning it is not as old as the others), a lot of time had passed since Jesus rose from the dead and the Church had started. Many different beliefs about Jesus had come about and John sought to bring some clarity to the situation.
One study Bible said, “John wrote this letter to put believers back on track.” I think that’s right: John is trying to get the early Christians back on track about who Jesus is and how we are supposed to follow Him.
John talks about something in these first four verses. Let’s see what it is that he’s talking about.
First, we see that . . .
I. This was from the beginning. (1:1) [on screen]
Let’s start at the beginning. Look at 1 John, chapter 1, verse 1:
1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life
Now, when we first read this verse, there’s something familiar, isn’t there?
The beginning of this verse is very similar to the beginning of the beginning of the book of Genesis and it’s very similar to the beginning of the beginning of the Gospel of John.
Genesis 1:1 begins this way, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth . . .” [on screen]
John 1:1 begins this way, “In the beginning was the Word . . .” [on screen]
These beginnings of these books of the Bible all have similar beginnings.
John is speaking of this which was from the beginning. This was not a new concept, a new version of something that was old, or something trendy. This was from the beginning. John wants us to know that as we start out.
Well, what else do we know about this?
II. This was revealed. (1:2) [on screen]
Look at verse 2.
2 that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us
John says that this life, what he calls “the word of life” was revealed. He and the other apostles saw it; they were eyewitnesses. He even says that they testify about it.
If you’ve ever watched a court show, or if you’ve been to court, you may know that people are called sometimes to testify about what they saw or heard. They might be told, “Tell the jury what you saw.” Well, John is testifying about what was revealed to him! He’s giving an eye-witness account! He’s telling us what he saw!
John says that this was, “. . . with the Father and was revealed to us.” Of course, “us” means John and the other disciples of Jesus.
Remember, John is one of the last remaining disciples. He’s telling his readers that this is what really happened and they (the disciples) saw it revealed to them.
Illustration: Can you remember something that was revealed to you, or happened to you, that you wanted to tell others? Not that long ago, my oldest son, Jeremiah, and I were riding up to Sunday evening church, when all of a sudden a car stopped at a stop sign and then just pulled out right in front of us. They had the stopping part figured out but not the looking before you go part. I had to slam on the brakes and swerve to the left quickly. If it weren’t for my professional driving skills, things may have gone badly. Well, as soon as we got to church, Jeremiah was looking for someone to tell the story to. It was an experience that he wanted to share with others.
In this letter, John wants to share with others, that which was revealed to him. This was revealed to John and John wants to reveal it to others.
Well, what else do we know about this?
III. This brings eternal life. (1:2-3) [on screen]
Let’s look at verses 2 and 3 together.
2 that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— 3 what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
This that was with the Father, brings eternal life. Well, how wonderful is that?!?!
John and the others experienced this, it changed their lives, and John wants to pass this on to more people!
John describes what they are experiencing as “fellowship” with God the Father.
We must catch this, church! So often when we think of fellowship, we think of fried chicken and deviled eggs. Now, I thank God for fried chicken and deviled eggs, but this is not what John is talking about.
John is talking about fellowship in the sense of a special relationship. Because of this, John and the other apostles had a special relationship with God the Father.
Not only did they have that special relationship with God, but they wanted others to share in that special relationship. John says in verse 3, “we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship with us.”
In order to understand all of the benefits of what this brings, we must understand the terrible nature of sin. Sin brings death and judgment, as well as separation from God. This brings us life and brings us into a special relationship with God!
So, this brings us eternal life, which brings us into a special relationship with God and into a special relationship with others who are also changed by this.
Well, this must be something, or someone, very special! Have you figured out what this is yet, church?
Let’s go to point number four:
IV. This is Jesus! (1:1-4) [on screen]
This is Jesus! He is the one whom John is talking about the entire time!
Let’s look at the entire passage again.
1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— 3 what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
This is Jesus!
Jesus was from the beginning!
Jesus even said that He was from the beginning; He said He existed long before the Old Testament hero Abraham. In John 8:58, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.” [on screen]
Jesus is timeless, He’s not a new concept, He’s not a reinvention, He’s not from someone’s imagination, He’s not a fairy tale, He’s not a myth. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End!
From the very beginning of the Church and the Christian faith, it was based on Jesus!
Jesus is the One whom John saw, heard, and touched!
John is saying in 1 John 1:1 that he and the other disciples saw, heard, and touched Jesus! He is the real deal! He really walked on the earth, really showed the path to God, really gave His life on the cross, really rose from the dead, and really ascended into Heaven to be with God the Father!
Jesus is the One who was with God the Father and was revealed to us!
Jesus wasn’t created all of a sudden to come to the earth. He was with God the Father in heaven, and became a man to dwell among us, die for us, and give us fellowship with God!
He (Jesus) was revealed to humanity, as a baby who would grow into a man, be baptized and sent into ministry, be crucified, rise from the dead, and demonstrate that He has power over death and sin. He was revealed!
Jesus is the One who gives us fellowship with each other and with God the Father!
Jesus makes it possible for us to have a special relationship with God and with other followers of God
John wanted to make sure that his readers know this message. In fact, John said, “We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.”
They were full of joy to know that others would know about Jesus, the eternal life that He brings, and the fellowship that is possible with God and with others through Jesus!
This person whom John is speaking about is Jesus!
It’s all about Jesus! He’s the one!
Concluding Thoughts:
John is just getting started in this letter. However, he wants to start off strongly. He wants his readers to know that Jesus really lived, He really is the Son of God, and He really brings eternal life.
That takes us to our bottom line for today:
Bottom Line: Jesus is real and He brings eternal life! [on screen]
(repeat)
John wants to encourage the early Christians about the truth; he wants to encourage them to be faithful and remain in the truth.
Listen, church: Jesus is real and He really brings eternal life! He has been since the beginning, He was revealed, and He can bring us into fellowship with God and other followers of God.
As we get started in this sermon series, challenge yourself this week in the following ways:
Weekly Challenge: [on screen]
1. Consider John’s testimony. [on screen]
John was saying to his readers, “I have seen and heard, we have seen and heard; now you come see and hear about Jesus.”
Well, have you seen and heard about Jesus? Do you believe that He really was before all things? Do you really believe that He brings you into fellowship with God?
Consider John’s testimony this week.
2. Declare what you’ve experienced. [on screen]
John said in verse 2, “ . . . we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.”
Have you declared what God has done in your life through the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Last Sunday night we worked on some training to learn how to share the story of how God changed your life; we worked on learning how to share your testimony. Well, what’s your story? Have you shared your story?
This week, declare to someone what you’ve experienced through Jesus!
Closing:
This wasn’t John’s first time declaring what he had seen and heard. Listen to a story about John and Peter in Acts 4.
Acts 4:13-20 says this about how the Jewish rulers reacted when John and Peter were questioned by them:
13 When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And since they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 After they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What should we do with these men? For an obvious sign has been done through them, clear to everyone living in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that this does not spread any further among the people, let’s threaten them against speaking to anyone in this name again.” 18 So they called for them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
19 Peter and John answered them, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; 20 for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Listen, church: John was absolutely changed by his experience with Jesus and he wants us to know how we can be changed as well.
We were designed by God to be in fellowship with Him and with other people. What that means is that we were created to have a special relationship with God and a special relationship with others who are followers of God. This is all possible because of the work of Jesus!
Have been changed by Jesus?
(Gospel presentation)
(closing prayer)
COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: The text contained in this sermon is solely owned by its author. The reproduction, or distribution of this message, or any portion of it, should include the author’s name. The author intends to provide free resources in order to inspire believers and to assist preachers and teachers in Kingdom work.
