1. Lesson 4: What We Can Know About Jesus

2. The nature of Jesus = DivineThe nature of Jesus = Divine –Jesus’ eternal nature (1:1-3) “which we have looked upon [beheld]” (1:1) “We beheld His glory” (1:14) “The life was manifested” (1:2) “The light shines” (1:5) “The Word of life” (1:1) “In Him was life” (1:4) “The Life…which was with the Father” (1:2) “and the Word was with God” (1:1) “That which was from the beginning” (1 John 1:1) “In the beginning was the Word” (John 1:1)

3. What We Can Know About Jesus The nature of Jesus = DivineThe nature of Jesus = Divine –Jesus’ eternal nature (1:1-3) “That which was from the beginning” (imperfect tense verb—continuous action in the past, i.e., always has been)“That which was from the beginning” (imperfect tense verb—continuous action in the past, i.e., always has been) “that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us” (1:2)“that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us” (1:2) Both of these phrases denote Jesus’ pre-existence in eternity as “the Word” prior to creationBoth of these phrases denote Jesus’ pre-existence in eternity as “the Word” prior to creation

4. What We Can Know About Jesus The nature of Jesus = DivineThe nature of Jesus = Divine –Jesus’ eternal nature (1:1-3) –Jesus’ holy nature (2:1; 3:5) Holy = set apart, separate from sinHoly = set apart, separate from sin “In Him there is no sin” (3:5; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 7:26; 1 Pet. 2:22)“In Him there is no sin” (3:5; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 7:26; 1 Pet. 2:22)

5. What We Can Know About Jesus The nature of Jesus = DivineThe nature of Jesus = Divine –Jesus’ eternal nature (1:1-3) –Jesus’ holy nature (2:1; 3:5) –Jesus’ omnipotence (3:8) Omnipotence = unlimited, absolute powerOmnipotence = unlimited, absolute power “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (3:8; Ge. 3:15 ).“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (3:8; Ge. 3:15 ). Jesus’ omnipotence (thus God’s omnipotence) was proven through His resurrection, thereby destroying the power the devil had over mankind in death.Jesus’ omnipotence (thus God’s omnipotence) was proven through His resurrection, thereby destroying the power the devil had over mankind in death. –“…that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Heb. 2:14-15; cf. 1 Cor. 15:1-20, 42-57).

6. What We Can Know About Jesus The nature of Jesus = DivineThe nature of Jesus = Divine –Jesus’ eternal nature (1:1-3) –Jesus’ holy nature (2:1; 3:5) –Jesus’ omnipotence (3:8) –Jesus’ omni-benevolence (3:16) “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us” (1 John 3:16; cf. John 15:13-14).“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us” (1 John 3:16; cf. John 15:13-14). He redeemed us from slavery to the devil (1 Pet. 1:18-19; Rom. 6:16-18).He redeemed us from slavery to the devil (1 Pet. 1:18-19; Rom. 6:16-18).

7. What We Can Know About Jesus The nature of Jesus = humanThe nature of Jesus = human –“And we know that the Son of God has come” (5:20). We’ve heard HimWe’ve heard Him We’ve seen HimWe’ve seen Him We’ve beheld HimWe’ve beheld Him We’ve touched HimWe’ve touched Him –Paul: “…taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death” (Phil. 2:5-8).

8. What We Can Know About Jesus The nature of Jesus = humanThe nature of Jesus = human –The Bible speaks of Jesus’ humanity: His hunger (Matt. 4:2)His hunger (Matt. 4:2) His weariness (John 4:6)His weariness (John 4:6) His thirst (John 19:28)His thirst (John 19:28) His sorrow (Matt. 26:38)His sorrow (Matt. 26:38) His tears (John 11:35)His tears (John 11:35) His compassion (Matt. 9:36)His compassion (Matt. 9:36) His love for friends (John 11:3)His love for friends (John 11:3) His death (Luke 23:44-46)His death (Luke 23:44-46) He increased “in wisdom” [intellectually], “stature” [physically], “in favor with God” [spiritually], “in favor with…men” [socially] – Lk. 2:52He increased “in wisdom” [intellectually], “stature” [physically], “in favor with God” [spiritually], “in favor with…men” [socially] – Lk. 2:52

9. What We Can Know About Jesus The nature of Jesus = humanThe nature of Jesus = human –His incarnation provides mankind with: The joy of eternal life (4:9-10; 5:12-13)The joy of eternal life (4:9-10; 5:12-13) An understanding of God (5:20)An understanding of God (5:20) The gift of eternal salvation (4:9-10, 14; 2:1-2)The gift of eternal salvation (4:9-10, 14; 2:1-2)

10. What We Can Know About Jesus The purpose of Jesus’ comingThe purpose of Jesus’ coming –To serve as our advocate (2:1-2) Interceding on our behalfInterceding on our behalf Saving us from our sinsSaving us from our sins As a result, we can face judgment with confidence.As a result, we can face judgment with confidence. –To propitiate (appease) the justice of God (2:1- 2; 4:9-10) By leaving the glory of heaven (4:9-10)By leaving the glory of heaven (4:9-10) By forfeiting His life for mankind (3:16)By forfeiting His life for mankind (3:16) –To give us life (4:9-10) “That we might live through Him” (4:9)“That we might live through Him” (4:9)

11. What We Can Know About Jesus The blessings found only in JesusThe blessings found only in Jesus –The forgiveness of sins (2:12; 1:6-9) –The presence of the Holy Spirit (2:27; 3:24; 4:13) –The assurance of answered prayer (3:22; 5:14-16) By asking according to His will (5:14)By asking according to His will (5:14) By keeping His commandments (3:22)By keeping His commandments (3:22) By doing those things that please God (3:22)By doing those things that please God (3:22) –The joy of eternal life (2:25-28; 5:11-13) The promise and gift of eternal life from God is:The promise and gift of eternal life from God is: Contingent on our obedient faith (5:13; 2:17)Contingent on our obedient faith (5:13; 2:17) Contingent on our love for the brethren (3:15)Contingent on our love for the brethren (3:15)

12. What We Can Know About Jesus The proper response of Christians to JesusThe proper response of Christians to Jesus –Believe in Him (3:23; 5:1, 5, 10, 13-15) Involves trust, conviction, obedienceInvolves trust, conviction, obedience –Confess or acknowledge Him (4:2-3, 15; 2:22-23; 2 John 7) That He is the Son of God (Matt. 3:13-16; 16:13-16; 10:32-33; John 12:42-43)That He is the Son of God (Matt. 3:13-16; 16:13-16; 10:32-33; John 12:42-43) –Abide in Him (2:4-6, 27-28) Keep/Obey His word (2:4-6, 24)Keep/Obey His word (2:4-6, 24) Imitate His life (2:6)Imitate His life (2:6) Bear fruit in our daily lives (John 15:1-8)Bear fruit in our daily lives (John 15:1-8)

13. What We Can Know About Jesus Jesus will come againJesus will come again –We can be certain (2:28; 3:1-3). –When He comes again: Our present mortal existence will change and “we shall be like Him” (3:2-3)Our present mortal existence will change and “we shall be like Him” (3:2-3) The eye of faith will give way to sight and “we shall see Him as He is” (3:2-3)The eye of faith will give way to sight and “we shall see Him as He is” (3:2-3) The final judgment of all humanity will take place (4:17)The final judgment of all humanity will take place (4:17) –No need for Christians to live in fear of that day. Rather, we can live and anticipate the wonderful day of His return with joy & confidence (2:28).