Let Us Walk in the Light of God

Home Group Study

Sermon Date: 7 September 2018

Text: 1 John 1:5-10

Opening Discussion: For many years, polls have shown that about one-third of Americans claim to be born again. So-called “seeker” churches are thriving, with thousands flocking into their huge auditoriums each week. Do you think Christianity is alive and well in the USA? What about your country (if not USA)?

Observation - What does God’s word say?

 There are many ideas and teachings out there about what a Christian is and how to become one. The apostle John opens his letter by asserting that fellowship with the Father, is through His Son Jesus Christ” (1:3). Such fellowship with God is at the very heart of what it means to be a Christian. What does the Bible say the characteristics of a true believer are? As you observe God’s word, what do the scriptures teach:

• Ephesians 2:1-7
• Ephesians 1:18-19
• Ephesians 2:8-10

 Read:  1 John1:5-10

What are your observations? What is the difference between professing and possessing?

Meaning - What does God’s word mean?

To have genuine fellowship with the holy God, we must walk in the light, as He Himself is in the light. It’s easy to claim to have fellowship with Him, but to be mistaken or deceived. The false teachers were claiming to have fellowship with God, but their claims were blatantly false. There was in John’s day, as there is today, the peril of profession, the danger of claiming to know God, but of being deceived. John’s message is:

To have fellowship with the holy God, we must not walk in the darkness, but walk in the light.

John begins with the apostolic message, that God is light (1:5). Then he develops the implications of that message as it relates to having fellowship with this holy God (1:6 – 2:2). 

Read:  2 Corinthians 11:12-15; 1 John 2:8-11; 1 Peter 1:15,16.

What are your observations from these verses?

Application - How must I change?

•  Is there a Truth to be believed?

 To have fellowship with God, we must begin with His holiness, not with His love. Why?

Can you find a single instance in the Bible where evangelism begins with God’s love? What therefore would be the best evangelistic approach, when sharing the gospel?

• Is there an Attitude to be fostered?

 How can we avoid the deception of thinking that we are walking in the light, while really we’re walking in the darkness? How does walking in the light enable us to have fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7)?

• Is there a Behavior to be changed?

If we’re forgiven at the cross, why do we still need to be forgiven?

  Conclusion

God is light and in him there is no darkness. But the bibles assessment of us is not positive. Scripture calls us evil. If we deny our evil, we call him a liar. John uses strong words so we (believers) will be strong people. Denying our sin is part of what it means to walk in darkness, and confessing our sin is part of what it means to walk in the light. Which implies further that denying our sinfulness cuts us off from fellowship with God (just the opposite of what we are prone to feel); and confessing our sin opens the channel of forgiveness and cleansing.

• Do we walk in the light?
• Are there any ways in which you are not walking in the light? Do not make God a liar. We have many sins that need the continual cleansing of the blood of Jesus.
• Do we confess and engage in self-examination?
• Does our walk and talk line up?
• Do we apply the light of God’s word in reviewing our walk?
• Do we apply the light and truth of God’s word to reveal what is sound teaching in order to inform both our walk and our talk?

Closing Prayer: Help us to see sin as you do Lord. You did not die for a mistake on my part, or a failure, you did not die for a small wrongdoing on my part. Jesus came to this world to die for SIN. Help us Lord to become more and more uncomfortable with our sin, and more and more obedient to you and your word, as we walk in the light.