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The First Epistle of John Series
Sermon 2
God is Light
I John 1:4-10
Love One Another Gospel Church
Thor F. Carden
June 20, 2004

Second in series on I John. (It eventually took 15 sermons to complete the book.)

Last week we saw how John established his credibility as a witness for Jesus Christ and his reliability as a messenger from God because he had seen, heard and touched Our Lord. In verse 4 he begins to tell us why he is writing to us. This was mentioned briefly last week.

I John 1:4 "And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full."

things write we unto you – The purpose of the letter is…

When you woke up this morning, what were the first thoughts that filled your head? Did you climb out of bed with a heart filled with praise and thanksgiving for God and His great eternal grace that He has given to you? When I look at the people in the world around me, and very often when I look at myself too, I find that we humans are so focused on ourselves, so worried about the things of tomorrow, and so forgetful if not completely hardened to the great miracles that God is doing for us through His Son Jesus Christ, that we miss out on the daily joy we could be having.

The purpose of the letter is… that your joy may be full – Full joy, cara - joy, delight, full = complete, mature

Happiness is a variable, related to our circumstances. Joy in the Lord is a constant, based on the relationship we have as His children. Joy is not just a momentary thrill.

John 15:11 Jesus Speaking "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."

John 16:24 Jesus Speaking "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."

John 3:29 John the Baptist speaking about Jesus "He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled."

Hebrews 13:5, "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, no forsake thee."

When the King in residence at the castle they fly a his flag from the walls so everyone will know he is there.

At fancy international hotels when there are important dignitaries from foreign countries staying in that hotel the flag of their country is flown in front so everyone will know they are there.

Joy is the flag that flies over the castle of our hearts announcing that the King of Kings is in residence.

I John 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

The final six verses of this chapter form a poem. It is not a poem like we have in English today that rhymes and has meter. It is not even a poem such as one would have written in Greek when this book was written that had meter. Instead it is in the structure of the ideas a Hebrew poem.

Hebrew poetry is based on pairs of statements that mean a similar thing said two different ways or opposite meanings said in a similar way. This called parallelism. The other thing about Hebrew poetry is true of all poetry in any language, it is full of figures of speech that makes the ideas more vivid. Hebrew poetry has huge advantage over poetry in most languages and that is that it translates more easily into other languages. The poetry in most languages loses much of its punch when translated because it is too dependent on the sounds of the words.

Most of Psalms and many other parts of the Bible are this kind of poetry. One of the main reasons I prefer the King James Version is because it does the best job of any version in translating the beauty of the poetic parts of God's Word.

Consider the familiar Psalm 23. Each verse is two clauses or sentences that demonstrate parallelism.

Psalm 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (An introduction to the poem. How could you want for anything with God Himself looking out for you?)

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (He takes good care of me, he takes good care of me.)

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (He takes care of my Spirit, He takes care of my Spirit)

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (I have nothing to fear, I have nothing to fear.)

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (He cares for me beyond what can be expected, He cares for me beyond what can be expected.)

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. (I can count on Him forever, I can count on Him forever.)

Do you see it? Are you looking at it?

1 John 1:5-10 is a Hebrew poem in the Greek language. Its structure is a little bit more intricate than Psalm 23.

Poem Introduction:

Verse 5a This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you. (the message is heard, the message is declared)

5b That God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (God is light, God is light)

Then things become more intricate. Verses 6 through 10 all have the same structure. "If we do this, that happens."

Verses 7 and 9, and to some extent 5, parallel each other in meaning. Verses 6, 8 and 10 parallel each other in meaning. Verses 7 and 9 are in contrast to verses 6, 8 and 10.

Parallelism in 5, 7, and 9.

Structure in 6 through 10

Notice the parallelisms within parallelisms in the first part of verses 5, 6 and 7 and the last part of all six verses.

There is another structure going on that I'll explain a little more next week. I'll let you ponder that on your own until then.

Today we are going to focus on verses 5, 7 and 9. Next week we will look at the contrasting ideas in 6, 8, and 10.

This poem is packed full of figures of speech with strong imagery.

God is light – Light represents holiness, purity, and glory. Yes, but more.

Light was created first. It is the fundamental building block of the universe. When ever an atom falls apart it releases light photons.

The Greek word here is fwV - light as in phosphorescence – Glow in the dark like a radioactive watch, never stops.

Three things light does: (From a sermon by Coy Wylie given January 9, 2000 at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Amarillo, TX. http://sermons.cornerstonebc.com/sermons.htm)

First, light reveals and illuminates. To "shed light" on a subject is to share precise knowledge. To "bring something to light" is to learn more about it, to have clear knowledge.

Jn.3:19 says, "…men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."

Second, light measures. Light is straight and it shows anything that is crooked. Surveying equipment uses captured sunlight to measure distances and angles. Builders use laser light devices to quickly measure room dimensions. Light measures.

Third, light energizes. photosynthesis? It is the natural process by which the radiant energy of the sun activates the chemical compounds within plants causing growth and fruit. Light energizes! Without light every living thing would soon starve to death.

John 3:19-21

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Job 34:21-22 "For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves."

The words of Gregory of Nazianzus echoing down to us from sixteen hundred years ago still ring as true today.

O Light that knew no dawn,
That shines to endless day,
All things in earth and heav'n
Are lustered by Thy ray;

(Translated from Greek to English by John Brownlie. http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/l/olitknew.htm)

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

The more recent words of Helen Thoburn and Margaret Wilson put it this way:

"Father of lights, in Whom there is no shadow,
Giver of every good and perfect gift!
With one accord we seek Thy holy presence,
Gladly our hearts to Thee in praise we lift."

(http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/f/f091.html)

Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Walk in the light -

Timothy Peck tells "about a woman who was driving from Alberta, Canada to the Yukon. She didn’t know that you never travel that way alone, especially in a rundown Honda, Civic. So she set off on a road usually reserved for four wheel drive trucks. Eventually she found herself in a truck stop. Two truckers invited her to join them, and since the place was so small she felt obligated to oblige. "Where are you headed?" one of the truckers asked, to which she replied, "Whitehorse." "In that little Civic? No way! The pass is dangerous in weather like this." "Well, I’m determined to try" was her naïve response. "Then I guess we’re going to have to hug you," the trucker suggested, to which she replied, "There’s no way I’m going to let you touch me." The trucker laughed, "Not like that. We’ll put one truck in front of you and one in the rear. That way we’ll get you through the mountains." That entire day she followed two red dots in the fog in front of her, as the two trucks hugged her through the dangerous pass as she made her journey." (Timothy Peck, Joy for the Journey, September 1999, http://www.sermoncentral.com/)

Walking in the Light (From a sermon preached by Robert AuBuchon at Trinity Baptist Church in 2000. http://www.rftpsermons.com/1john02.html)

+ means to live by, be shaped by the standard of God's Light. That means actions, decisions, thoughts and beliefs are to be conformed to God's standard, Jesus Christ.

+ means to live guided by the Word.

+ means to be committed to God and His purpose.

+ means to recognize what is false and impure in us and in the world.

A little boy saw the famous cathedrals of Europe with his family. His SS teacher asked him, "What is a saint?" Remembering the stained windows, he said, "A saint is someone God shines light through" (From a sermon by Coy Wylie given January 9, 2000 at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Amarillo, TX. http://sermons.cornerstonebc.com/sermons.htm)

Confess our sins – omologwmen - from "same or alike" and "word" - confess, profess

Confess has same root – Con – Latin with, Fess – to say. We agree with God about sin.

2 Samuel 12:13 - And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD.

Group therapy example – too much confession to the wrong folks led them to meet and indulge themselves in adulterous behavior.

If you develop this lifestyle of confession and repentance, you will be amazed how it clears up your prayer life. Confession is unpleasant. Let the pain teach you. Why God invented pain, to protect us. If we did not feel pain we might leave our hand on a hot stove until it burned off. Confessing is not as destructive as not confessing. Psalm 32:3-4 "When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer."

The WAY of confession (Outline from http://www.bethhaven.truepath.com/Sermons/confession.htm words mostly from Honest Dealing with God, C. H. Spurgeon, June 20, 1875, http://www.biblebb.com/files/spurgeon/1241.htm)

No darkness at all – strong negation,

Emphasize God's purity and perfection

Darkness represents evil, ignorance and wickedness.

With God there are no gray areas or shadows.

Fellowship one with another – with each other and then with God

Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

Blood of Jesus Christ … cleanseth us from all sin –

kaqarizei - cleanse, purify – water purification example

Hebrews 9:13-14 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Already done!

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Faithful to forgive our sins – Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Just to forgive our sins -

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Rom 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

This continual cleansing is ours by the blood of Jesus (verse 7); His literal death in our place, and the literal wrath of the Father He endured on our behalf - His blood paid for all our sins - past, present, and future. (Commentary by David Guzik http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/david_guzik/sg/1Jo_1.html)

Hosea 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Cleanse us from all unrighteousness –

John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

All sin – commission & omission, known and unknown, great and small

Bad things you did. Good things you neglected to do. Lack of faith and trust in God.

In the words of Edwin Orr

"Search me, O God, And know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior, Know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be, Some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin, And set me free."

(http://www.cgmusic.com/cghymnal/others/cleanseme.htm)

A stained shirt is not useful except for repugnant tasks. Do your really want to be God's old stained shirt?

We must recognize our continual dependence upon a God not only for cleansing, but for everything.

The Final Barrier is to Accept Forgiveness – some folks want to continue to punish themselves.
(http://www.brandonweb.com/gbt/sermonpages/123john24.htm)

Berean List
(Acts 17:11)

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