1 John 2:3-11

I. DO YOU KNOW GOD?

A. Man’s relationship to the Almighty (1 John 2:3; John 12:48)
B. Self-deception (1 John 2:4; Matthew 7:21-23; 1 John 1:6,8,10; Titus 1:11,16)
C. Perfected love of God (1 John 2:5; Matthew 5:43-48)

II. DO YOU ABIDE IN HIM?

A. Walk just as He walked (1 John 2:6; John 8:12; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Ephesians 5:1-2)
B. The old commandment, made new (1 John 2:7-8; John 13:34-35)

III. THE DANGERS OF DARKNESS

A. Is it possible to follow Christ while in darkness? (1 John 2:9; John 8:12; Romans 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:5)
B. Our love of man (1 John 2:10; 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a; John 15:9-10; 13:34; Philippians 2:3)
C. Hatred causes blindness (1 John 2:11)

1 John 1:5-2:2

I. “GOD IS LIGHT AND IN HIM IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL” (1 John 1:5)

A. God is light
1. The Father of lights (James 1:17)
2. The Creator of light (Genesis 1:3)
3. Dwells in unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16)
4. Calls us into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9)

B. Darkness is the realm of Satan (Ephesians 6:11-12; Colossians 1:3; Ephesians 5:8)

II. SIX “IF” STATEMENTS

A. “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” (1 John 1:6; Matthew 6:2,5,16; Galatians 2:11-13)
B. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 Jn 1:7)
C. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8; Galatians 6:3; James 1:22)
D. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
E. “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” (1 John 1:10; Romans 3:23)
F. “And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1a)

III. WHAT WE HAVE AS A RESULT OF WALKING IN GOD’S LIGHT

A. Fellowship (1 John 1:7)
B. Cleansing (1 John 1:7,9; Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Ephesians 2:13; Colossians 1:20)
C. Forgiveness (1 John 1:9)
D. An Advocate who serves as the propitiation (1 John 2:1-2; 4:9-10)

1 John 1:1-4

I. “THAT YOUR/OUR JOY MAY BE FULL” (1 John 1:4)

A. Divine fellowship (1 John 1:3; 1:7; 3:24)
B. God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9)
C. Brotherly love (1 John 4:7-11)
D. Your teachers rejoice in your faithfulness

II. “THAT YOU MAY NOT SIN” (1 John 2:1)

A. “Because your sins are forgiven for His name’s sake” (1 John 2:12; Romans 5:20-6:2; Psalm 103:12)
B. “Because you have known Him who is from the beginning” (1 John 2:13,14; John 17:3)
C. “Because you have overcome the wicked one” (1 John 2:13,14; 4:4; 5:4-5)
D. “Because you have known the Father” (1 John 2:13; Jeremiah 31:33-34)
E. “Because you are strong and the word of God abides in you” (1 John 2:14; 2 John 1:9)

III. “THAT YOU MAY KNOW THAT YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YOU MAY CONTINUE TO BELIEVE IN THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD” (1 John 5:13)

A. How does one acquire faith? (Romans 10:17)
B. Eternal life is a promise from the Father to the faithful (1 John 2:25; Titus 1:2; John 17:1-3)
C. The Spirit inspired the Word to produce faith in us (John 17:20; 20:30-31)