God dwelling among us–tabernacle

1.	Incarnation and observation--We saw God in the flesh

a.	1 What was from the beginning,

i.	what we have heard,

ii.	what we have seen with our eyes,

iii.	what we have looked at

iv.	and touched with our hands,

b.	concerning the Word of Life –

What is it that was from the beginning? Whatever it is, it concerns the Word of Life.

This is not a new message about God. It was from the beginning, even though our own observations form part of it.

Outer Court

2.	Incarnation to Observation and proclamation–What are we doing about it? We're telling you!

a.	(Summary: manifestation) 2 and the life was manifested,

i.	and we have seen

ii.	and testify

iii.	and proclaim to you

b.	the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us–

Do we know what was from the beginning yet? Their proclamation! What is their proclamation? It's not info it is a Life, an eternal Life. How do you proclaim a Life?

When we preach Jesus we're actually proclaiming THE Eternal Life!

Do we actually see ourselves as proclaiming to people THE Eternal Life which was with God and which was manifested to us? What a boldness that would give us! What would it take for us to be as bold as John? We'd have to see Jesus. Have you seen Him? Do you know that what you are telling people about is THE Eternal One who takes on human flesh?

Holy Place

3.	Observation to proclamation to ?fellowship? The motive: Why are we telling you? So you can have 2-fold Fellowship

a.	3 what we have seen and heard

i.	we proclaim to you also,

(1)	so that you too may have fellowship with us;

(a)	and indeed our fellowship is with the Father,

(b)	and with His Son Jesus Christ.

Apparently when we tell what we've seen and heard, other people can also enter into the same sort of experience with God that we have. What must be taking place when we tell what we've seen and heard? How does our testimony and proclamation allow others to have fellowship with God? (They must experience the incarnation over again in us.)

Most Holy Place

4.	The application: What will it mean to us if you join us in our fellowship with God?

a.	4 These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.

Fellowship is not an end in itself. The fellowship is intended to bring about completeness of joy–fullness of joy. That is the end. When the fellowship is complete, then the joy will be complete, and there's nothing to add to that.

God's character, the foundation of the message: What is this Eternal One like that to be in complete fellowship (no one missing) with Him brings about complete joy.

What is John's number one concern for this audience in their understanding of God's character? What characteristic of Jesus is He wanting to proclaim incarnationally to these hearers? God's honesty.

So far John's been giving the credentials of this message. "We got it from God Himself in the flesh." So that now when he begins to unfold the content of his message it is not just information, but it is God Himself that John is giving them.

What is it that was from the beginning? This message which is God Himself in the flesh. What is God like? God is light. That hasn't changed since the beginning.

5.	The Message: Characteristic 1 God's honesty

a.	(Summary: Where'd we get it? Him. What are we doing with it? Sharing with you.) 5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you,

i.	that God is Light,

ii.	and in Him there is no darkness at all.

What are the implications of this for us?

Therefore:

(1)	claim with Him: 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him

(2)	act dishonestly: and yet walk in the darkness,

(a)	we lie (claim one while doing another)

(b)	and do not practice the truth; (do evil)

Conversely:

(3)	act honestly: 7 but if we walk in the Light

(4)	we are with Him: as He Himself is in the Light,

(a)	we have fellowship with one another, (fruit of honesty)

(b)	and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (A process removing our evil deeds, by removing distrust)

How does the blood of Jesus cleanse us from all sin in this context?

To avoid walking in the light, some say, "I have no sin. I don't need cleansing."

(i)	8 If we say that we have no sin,

1)	we are deceiving ourselves

2)	and the truth is not in us.

And

a)	9 If we confess our sins,

i)	He is faithful

ii)	and righteous

iii)	A. to forgive us our sins

iv)	B. and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Again

(ii)	10 If we say that we have not sinned,

1)	we make Him a liar

2)	and His word is not in us.

b.	My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.

i.	And if anyone sins,

(a)	we have an Advocate with the Father,

(b)	Jesus Christ the righteous;

(i)	2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins;

(ii)	and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.