Sovereign Grace Fellowship

1. From: John the Apostle1 John : Session Four Sovereign Grace Fellowship c\o Little ChildrenP. O. Box 3078235 High StreetBoscawen, N. H.03303-3078

2. 1 John : Session Four John's Purpose in Writing this Letter: “…we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” (1:4) "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life." (5:13) Taking 1 John Verse by Verse

3. 1 John : Session Four Theme – Knowing Christ the Saint’s Advocate 1 John 2:1-6 ESV [1] My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. [2] He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. [3] And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep hiscommandments. [4] Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep hiscommandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, [5] but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: [6] whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

4. 1 John : Session Four • SUMMARY OF I JOHN – Chapter 2 • The New Life • The Saint’s Advocate with the Father. • The Propitiation. • The Old and the New Commandment. • The Love of the World and the Love of the Father Inconsistent. • The Unction of the Holy Spirit. • Antichrist. • The Anointing Which Teacheth All Things.

5. 1 John : Session Four [2:1] My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. My little children. From so aged a teacher as John, now probably at least fifty years in the service of Christ, this fatherly style of address is very appropriate. So that you may not sin. He writes to exhort them to a pure and holy life, the only life permissible to those born again. But if anyone does sin. The word "man" is not found in the Greek. The meaning is, "If any brother, any of you, should be overtaken by sin", there is a way of forgiveness. They must not sin, but if sadly one does sin, let him go to Christ, the Advocate. We have an advocate with the Father. Who pleads with the Father not to withdraw his love because we may have been betrayed into sin.

6. 1 John : Session Four • [2] He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. • And he is the propitiation for our sins. The mercy seat of the Tabernacle where God met man was called the propitiation. Christ is our mercy seat, where God meets us in mercy and forgiveness. • Propitiation (Gk. hilasmos) here means “a sacrifice that bears God's wrath and turns it to favor,” and that is also the meaning of the English word “propitiation.” • Romans 3:25-26 Whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. [26] It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. • As the perfect sacrifice for sin, Jesus turns away God's wrath (see also 1 John 4:10).

7. 1 John : Session Four • [2] He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. • And not for ours only. Christ's offering is for all. He tasted "death for every man”. • See Hebrews 2:9 ESVBut we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. • But also for the sins of the whole world. The Cross of Christ is to be placarded before all people groups, tribes and tongues. The propitiation for the forgiveness of sin is for all who flee to Him for mercy. • “For the sins of the whole world” does not mean that every person will be saved, for John is clear that forgiveness of sins comes only to those who repent and believe the gospel (see 2:4, 23; 3:10; 5:12; cf. John 3:18; 5:24).

8. 1 John : Session Four [3] And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. [4] Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, I John 2:3: And by this we do know that we know him. The evidences that we have a saving knowledge of Christ is loyal obedience to his commandments (words). I John 2:4: Whoever says “I know him” etc. If one claims to have been born again, yet lives a life marked by disobedience, his life puts the lie to his words. The truth is not in him See Matthew 12:33-35 ESV[33] “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. [34] You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. [35] The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.

9. 1 John : Session Four [5] but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 1 John 2:5Love of God is perfected. This love is not only an emotion but it is also an ethical response (keeps his word). May know that we are in him. Validation of who we say we are (children of God) is the sole property of those in whom the Spirit of Christ abides.

10. 1 John : Session Four [6] whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. Abide. Walk in the same way. Believers can mirror Jesus’ faith, love, piety, obedience, and self-sacrifice provided the actually abide in Christ. John 6:56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. John 15:7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.