The Fellowship of Faith
Sermon Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Faith, Hope & Love
1 John 1:1-10 (ESV)
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Sermon Outline
Real fellowship is what our souls most crave and we (and our joy) will be incomplete until we enter the fellowship God invites us into.
1. Fellowship with God
If we say we have no sin: v8 “we deceive ourselves”, v10 “we make him a liar”
v2 “the life was made manifest”
v3 “our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ”
2. Fellowship with God’s people
v3 “…we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us”
a) community in fellowship with God (v3) b) a community that walks in the light (vv6-7) has “fellowship with one another”
v9 “if we confess… he is faithful and just to forgive… and to cleanse”
Questions for Reflection
Do you feel meaningfully connected to anyone or anything? If so, who or what?
Where do you feel disconnection? How are you experiencing that?
What does it mean to know God?
What are some differences between a self-centered life with religious and moral practices, and walking in fellowship with God?
Do you believe you are a sinner? Why do you believe it? If not, why not?
How does Jesus coming and dying for sin show that God is faithful? How does it show that God is just? What do we learn about forgiveness from this? Why is this necessary for our joy being made complete?
What does it mean to walk in the light? How is this connected to fellowship? Using the imagery of light and darkness, what causes relationships to deepen and grow? What hinders depth and growth?
Why be involved with a church? What can you hope to gain in regards to knowing and deepening with God from church life?
What is Emmanuel doing that is most helpful in helping people have fellowship with God and with one another? Where do we most need to change and grow in this area?
Given the transience of our city (and modern life), and the busyness of most people, what are the most important habits and practices for making and deepening connections with people? What steps can you take this week towards deeper fellowship?
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, we confess our sins because you warn us of the dangers of darkness. We confess our sins because it is the truth. We confess our sins because you are faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from unrighteousness. We have seen our sin and have tried to excuse it. We have seen our sin and have tried to hide it. We have seen our sin and have tried to blame it on others. We have seen our sin, yet we have continued in it. We have walked in darkness, and as such have failed to see the depth and extent of our sin. Forgive us for wanting life from you but not life with you. Forgive us for neglecting your invitation to fellowship with you. We believe that the life you give us was manifested in your Son Jesus, and we trust that his blood cleanses us from our sins. Amen.