CHRISTIAN CONFESSION

July 20, 2021

  1. Starting point: 1 Tim. 2:1-6

 

  1. Praying from: 1 JOHN 1

 

EXPERIMENTAL KNOWLEDGE

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

2     (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

SAINT’S FELLOWSHIP

        3     That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

4     And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

5     This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

6     If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

7     But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

PERIL OF SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS

8     If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9     If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10     If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

 

  1. THE SAVIOUR—vv. 1–3

EXPERIMENTAL KNOWLEDGE

  1. Personality—v. 1. John was with Christ. He heard Him speak. He touched Him (John 13:23).
  2. Power—v. 2. Christ was always with God (John 1:3). Christ was the great Creator (Col. 1:16).

SAINT’S FELLOWSHIP

  1. Partners—v. 3. We share in fellowship with Christ. We share both his blessings and sufferings.
  2. THE SATISFACTION—vv. 4–5
  3. Delight—v. 4. God wants His people to be happy. Lack of joy means a lack of Christ.
  4. Divine—v. 5. God the light. Note the words of the Lord in John 8:12; 1:4. Do not wander in darkness—allow Christ the light to guide you.

III.   THE SINNING—v. 6

There are various ways in which a person may lie:

  1. Lie by our loving (James 4:4). Loving the world shows we do not love God. We cannot serve two masters (Matt. 6:24).
  2. Lie by our living (Luke 6:46). If we call Him Lord, then let us obey and follow Him. Let us obey His commands and serve him.
  3. Lie by our looking (Matt. 5:29). Many sins are committed through the eye-gate.
  4. THE SACREDNESS—vv. 7–8
  5. Fellowship—v. 7. Two-fold: (1) Companionship—walking with Christ. (2) Cleansing—His blood then cleansing from all sin.

PERIL OF SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS

  1. Fooling—v. 8. If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves.
  2. THE SIMPLICITY—vv. 9–10
  3. Confession—v. 9. Confession always precedes cleansing.
  4. Claiming—v. 10. If we say we have no sin, then we are liars, and God’s truth is not in us!
  5.    THE A-MEN OF ROMANS 16:20, 24, 27

16:20   “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. A-men.”

16:24   “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. A-men.”

16:27   “To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. A-men.”