1. Start

2. The 4 Cs of Fellowship C onditions C autions C haracteristics C onsequences … an expository lesson from 1 st John

3. Background Author: John the Apostle; friend of Jesus Date: ~90 AD Location of writing: most likely Ephesus Purpose: – Strengthen his children: To avoid worldliness Refute false teachers (Gnostics) – Gnostics : matter is inherently evil; therfore no divine being could take on human flesh; resulted in Jesus (the man) and Christ (the spiritual being that came upon Jesus at His baptism) To share in the fellowship with us, the Father and Christ

4. 1 st John - Outline Prologue – 1: 1-4 Conditions of Fellowship – 1: 5 – 2:14 Cautions of Fellowship – 2:15 – 27 Characteristics of Fellowship – 2:28 – 5:3 Consequences of Fellowship – 5:4-21

5. What is Fellowship with God Definition: – the condition or relation of being a fellow – friendly relationship; companionship – community of interest, feeling, etc. – communion, as between members of the same church – friendliness In the Greek: – Κοινωνία (koinōnia) - koy-nohn-ee'-ah – partnership, that is, (literally) participation, communicate (-ation), communion, distribution, fellowship

6. Johns Prologue 1:1-4 Wants the readers to remember his experiences Not just his – but others (we) also Identifies Jesus – That which was from the beginning… – …the Word of life... – … that eternal life which was with the Father… – …and made manifest to us Heard; Seen (looked upon); Touched;

7. Conditions of Fellowship Walk in the Light – 1:5-7 Confession of Sin – 1:8-2:2 Obedience to His Commandments – 2:3-6 Love One Another – 2:7-14

8. Cautions of Fellowship Love of the World – 2:15-17 Spirit of the AntiChrist – 2:18-27

9. Characteristics of Fellowship Purity of Life – 2:28-3:3 Practice of Righteousness – 3:4-12 Love in Deed & Truth – 3:13-24 Testing the Spirits – 4:1-6 Love as Christ Loved – 4:7-5:3

10. Consequences of Fellowship Victory over the World – 5:4-5 Assurance of Salvation – 5:6-13 Guidance in Prayer- 5:14-17 Freedom from Habitual Sin – 5:18-21

11. Invitation Are you in proper fellowship with the Father and the Son? Obeyed the Gospel? Gone astray? Now is the time to respond to the Gospel