1 John 1:1-4
What Is Eternal Life?
These false teachers emphasized two things…
a) matter/flesh was impure, bad
b) knowledge was supreme
These teachers were known for three things…
a) they did not believe in the incarnation, that Jesus came in the flesh
b) they believed sin didn’t matter because morality did not matter
c) they were not loving, very dogmatic, harsh and divisive
1. This has always been the Gospel, v. 1
2. Eternal life is about quality of life not quantity, v. 2
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
-John 3:16
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
-John 3:36
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.”
-John 5:39-40
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
-John 10:10
“And this is eternal life that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”
-John 17:3
“Zoe (life) refers to the absolute fulness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions and to last for ever.”
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus.”
-2 Timothy 1:1
3. Experiencing this life is what motivates us, v. 3
4. Eternal life reshapes our joy, v. 4
a) joy- “to make our joy complete
b) holiness- “so that you will not sin”
c) certainty- “so that you make know that you have eternal life”
Mental worship…
Do you experience the life of eternity?
What could you do today that would add to your joy?
What is one question you would ask as a result of what you heard today?
Have you seen and heard enough to be sufficiently motivated?
What is the one thing you want people to know about God right now?
Does your definition of joy require the Gospel?