Joy in Letters

603.  "Joy in Letters"                  September 10, 2012
1 John-Introduction
And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.  1 John 1:4

LET IT GLOW

I have kept letters and cards that are special to me over the years. I kept letters that my soon-to-be husband had written to me. I was in Louisiana visiting my sister, who had had twins. Mom and I stayed two weeks helping her manage a three year old and newborns. It was only two months before our wedding, so those letters were very cherished and brough joy at that time of my life. I read them every now and then. They bring a smile to my lips and joy to my heart.

Joy means gladness, according to Thayer's Lexicon; is an emotion of sudden pleasure, keen dilight, according to Webster's Dictionary.

John wrote this first letter so his readers, fellow Christians, would have joy. This was the main goal for the epistle- to create joy in the readers.
The proclamation of the reality of the gospel (verses 1-2) produces a fellowship in eternal life (verse 3), and in turn fellowship in eternal life produces joy (verse 4). ( MacArthur)

Do I have joy?

Introduction to 1 John

Who wrote these three small letters?
The apostle of John wrote them. What do we know about John?

• John was a disciple and apostle of Jesus Christ.
• John and James, hils older brother (Acts 12:2), were known as "the sons of Zebedee" (Matt. 10:2-4).
• Jesus named John and James "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17).
• John was one of the three most intimate associates of Jesus, along with Peter and James (Matt. 17:1).
• John was an eyewitness to and participate in Jesus' earthly ministry.
• John wrote the The Gospel According to John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation.

When did John write these three letters?
It is likely that John wrote these three Epistles in the latter partr of the first century, when he was older, advanced in age. He was living in Ephesus at this time. It was around A.D.90-95 that we think John wrote these letters. John served as in evalism, overseeing many of the churches in Asia Minor.

To whom were the letters written?
No specific group is mentioned-church, location, or individual. Therefore, they are classified as  "general epistles."

Background:
False teachers, false doctrines, and philosophical trends were infecting the church and perverting apostolic teaching. Gnosticism was one which challenged faith in Jesus, as well as His Diety.

John wrote from a pastor's heart, concerned for his people. The three themes John wrote about were happiness, holiness, and assurance. These required belief in Jesus, which produces obedience and lofe for god and fellow believers. so sound faith, obedience, and love are woven in the first letter.

[Reference: The MacArthur Bible Commentary]

Liberty Bible Commentary gives an outline of 1 John as:
Fellowship with God (1:5-2:8)
  Walking in the Light
  Walking in Sin
  Walking with the Advocate
  Walking under Commandment

Fellowship with Light and Darkness (2:9-28)
  Walking in Love
  Walking with apostates

Fellowship and Love (2:29-4:21)
  Identification of Believers
  Living with the Believers
  Warning to the Believers
  Love and the Believers

Fellowship and Assurance (5:1-17)
  Assurance of Victory
  Assurance of Eternal Life
  Assurance of Answered Prayer

Did you notice the contrasts?

LET IT GROW

Looking into the Scriptures, did you notice John did not write an intorduction, greeting, nor a concluding salutation? He is writing with an intimate tone and content, getting down to business right away. John is giving a personal testimony.

John is talking about Jesus, the One whom the apostles had:

• heard
• seen
• looked upon
• touched (handled) the Word of Life

Why is John declaring this?
It is so his readers could have fellowship with us (apostles), fellowship with the Father (God), and fellowship with the Son (Jesus Christ).

Fellowship, koinonia in Greek, refers to Christians as being partakers in common of the same mind as God and Christ, and blessings arising therefrom. (Thayer's Lexicon)

My church has developed a few traditions since we have been here. We have a cook-out and sit around in chairs, watching some play volleyball Sunday night before Memorial Day and Labor Day. We have other fellowships at Thanksgiving and Valentines Day. Our ladies have started having  a monthly fellowship.

Do I fellowship with others in the Word, with God in prayer, and Jesus in gratitude? Thank you for joining me today. You have given me joy.

LET IT GO

Develop a joyful attitude.

Contribute joy at our fellowships.

Joyfully read the Word of God, then apply it joyfully in my life.