1 John 1.5 - 2.2
We are more guilty than we could ever imagine. But, He is more amazing than we could ever conceive.
Do You Get God? (1.5)
Matthew 4.15-16
Luke 2.30-31
John 1.1-9
Do You Do Truth? (1.6-7)
"Sin does not affect me"
They are lying about their relationship with God. You can't walk in darkness and fellowship with Light Himself.
They are "not doing the truth." John 3.19-21
"Direction, not perfection"
Fellowship with… one another. Expecting a reference to God here? Sure. But remember the false teachers had left the church. John is reminding them that there is no true fellowship with God that is not expressed – walked out – in fellowship with His children.
Forgiveness. Purity and cleansing because of His blood, His death on the Cross.
Are You in Denial? (1.8-9)
They said "no" but we say "yes" - they deny sin; we confess sin.
Repentance and confession become a way of life. This daily acknowledgement will help bring into focus two wonderful qualities of God's character:
1. He is always faithful to forgive us.
2. He is just. He is righteous to make us righteous.
Do You Believe God? (1.10 - 2.2)
Do you see the sad spiral downward in their deception?
Sin? What sin?
Sin? We don't do that anymore!
Sin? Nope. Never.
Have you noticed the same sad spiral in their speech?
They are lying.
They are actively lying to themselves.
They are calling God a liar.
Do you get their increasingly rotten response to the word, the truth, the gospel?
The gospel is not practiced – lived.
The gospel finds no place – no home in their heads or hearts.
The gospel is no longer even needed. - it is not present. It is not agreed with or believed. It is no longer true. Quite the opposite. God is a liar.
But...
We have an Advocate!
He is the sacrifice!
What a Savior!
How wonderful the Father's love for us!
"John's question" Restated
Do you avoid sin...
By closing your eyes in denial?
By closing your eyes in terror?
Or by embracing the gospel's motivation and comfort?
Some Caregroup Questions
Did you pass the test? Do you have fellowship with God?
How do you deal with remaining sin in your life? Where (or to who/Who or what) do you run to in order to deal with a screaming conscience? What happens? Why?
Did the sermon affect the way you view confession? Why or why not?
Are you typically more aware of your sin or your Savior? Why or why not?
Does this passage make you more aware of God's love? How does this affect your fellowship with Him?
Did this passage make you more aware of God's provision for your sin? How does this affect your fellowship with him?
