May 15, 2005 Summit PM

Walk In The Light

Introduction

A. Text – 1 Jn.1:5-2:2

B. Lot of thoughts have gone through my mind this past week

            1. Up coming surgery – finally here = unexpected

                        a. Questions about possible effects = dislocate; limitations etc

                        b. Fears & possible repercussions – health issues

            2. Death & funeral service

                        a. Frustrations about timing

                        b. Full realization of how short & uncertain life is

                        c. Necessity of being prepared physically & spiritually

C. Lesson focus on some of John’s thoughts

            1. His time was short – approaching death

            2. Loved Christians & wanted to help them live for Jesus

D. Pray

 

I. Misconceptions People Make

            A. Can have fellowship with God & walk in darkness – 1 Jn.1:5,6

                        1. Live any way I want & God will accept me

                                    a. All I have to do is verbally accept Jesus

                                    b. God sees us as good enough the way we are

                                                1) Not as bad as some – better than most

                                                2) God ought to be honored to have me

                                    c. Are oblivious to or deny any sinfulness

                        2. Vs.5 – God’s message from beginning

                                    a. God is light – in Him is no darkness

                                    b. Picture – Light represents holiness, sinless ness

                                                       Darkness represents sin & evil

                                    c. Jn.3:17-19 – men love darkness = sin hidden

                        3. See message of God

                                    a. Jn.8:12 – follow Jesus = never walk in darkness

                                    b. 2 Cor.6:14 – light & darkness can never dwell together

            B. Believing we are without sin – 1 Jn.1:8

            1. We are above sin

                                    a. Smart enough; disciplined enough

                                    b. Would never do something like sin

                                    c. Just isn’t in our nature Sin is something others do

                        2. Fail to understand what sin really is

                                    a. See it as some terrible action – fornication; adultery; murder

                                    b. Not realize where originates – in heart, thoughts

                                                Mt.5 - look to lust

                                                Mt.12 – out of heart comes evil – not external

            C. Believing we have never sinned – 1 Jn.1:10

                        1. Rich young ruler – kept these from my youth

                        2. Fail realize if live perfect – no need for Jesus – Gal.3:21

II. John’s Admonitions

            A. Walk in the light as He is in the light

                        1. Keep in step with Jesus

                                    a. Make it your goal to always be like Him – Jn.8:12

                                    b. Seek always be close to God – in His presence

                                    c. Phil.3:12-16

                        2. Confess your sinfulness

                                    a. Be open & honest about shortcomings

                                    b. Look at Paul – Rom.7

                                    c. 1 Jn.2:1,2 – look for Jesus be your advocate

                                    d. Jn.3:17-19 – expose sin so can be free of it

                                    e. 1 Pet.4:1 – suffer for = done with it

            B. Look at all the benefits

                        1. Fellowship with one another

                                    a. With God & other Christians – heavenly beings

                                    b. God will want us in His presence – accept us – Heb.10:19-25

                        2. Blood of Jesus continually cleanses us

                                    a. Present perfect – now & continuously

                                    b. Never have to worry – am I saved

                        3. God is faithful to forgive us & cleanse of all unrighteousness

                                    a. God will keep His promise

                                    b. Cleansed even of the sins of which we are not aware

                                    c. We have an advocate with God = Jesus pleads our case

                                               

III. What Take To Fully Conquer Sin?

            A. Be in Jesus – Jn.15:5; Jn.14:6

            B. Hate evil – Rom.12:9

                        1. Minimize its benefits – pleasure only for a season – Heb.11:25

                        2. Maximize its consequences – Ex.34:7 (3rd & 4th generation)

                        3. Make no place for it in your life – Rom.13:14

            C. Completely repent

                        1. Accept full responsibility for your actions, thoughts & motives

                        2. Stop making excuses & casting blame

                        3. Find the root cause for your sin & deal with it

                        4. Realize that your sin put Jesus on the cross – you personally responsible

            D. Walk daily in the Spirit of God

                        1. Be continually filled – Eph.5:19

                        2. Stop grieving, resisting & quenching His influence

                        3. Fully cooperate - obey quickly – Gal.5:16

                        4. Resist Satan – James 4:7

            E. Seek to fully transform your thought life Rom.12:2

                        1 Don’t conform to world – resist their ways – refuse be like them

3. Be transformed - renewing of your mind – fill mind with God’s ways