Sermons and Outlines

1 John 1:1-10 GOD’S FORMULA FOR FELLOWSHIP

Intro: “Fellowship”, we like that word. It has a nice ring to it. It is Baptist for

food. In truth, the word fellowship means “things held in common.” It implies

standing together on common ground. Imagine the glory of this statement, “God

desires to have a close, personal relationship with you, where you and God stand

together on common ground.” Sounds good doesn’t it? However, to many it

sounds impossible! John doesn’t think so! In fact, he tells us exactly how this can

take place. He shows how close communion and intimate fellowship with the

Father can be the normal Christian experience, instead of some mystical thing we

only hear about, or see in the lives of others.

Last Sunday, we dealt with the matter of backsliding or sin in the life of the

saint. You see a true believer can slip and fall into sin, but there is always a desire

for a quick recovery. The Christian will not be happy or satisfied until the

situation is dealt with and the sin made right with God. Here’s what happens,

when a Christian sins, he breaks fellowship with God. But, praise God, there is a

formula for restoring and then maintaining that fellowship day by day.

Allow me to share with you how you can experience this “fullness of joy”

that John refers to in verse 4. I want to show you, from these verses, how you can

draw near to God, and remain there in sweet, wonderful fellowship. Here is God’s

Formula For Fellowship.

I. v. 8, 10 WE MUST RECOGNIZE OUR SINS

A. True fellowship with God hinges on our ability to admit our sin. (Ill.

Owning up!) God forgives sin, but it must be admitted before it can be

forgiven.

B. Ill. The world’s attitude concerning sin.

1. It does not exist. (Ill. God says - Rom. 3:23; Gal. 3:22; Eccl. 7:20)

2. It is an accident in the life of an evolving man. (Ill. This is totally

opposite from what God says! Man did not evolve, he devolved from the

image of God into sin! Gen. 1:26)

C. Before sin can be dealt with, it must be seen as an affront to God. Until sin

is recognized as a personal attack on God Himself, it can never be forgiven

and there can be no real fellowship with God! (Ill. Self-help movements and

guilt treatment techniques. These are attempts at dealing with sin’s guilt,

and at the same time ignore it’s reality!) As long as sin can be treated as a

mistake or a sickness, there is no need to turn to God, no need for Jesus, no

need for salvation, no need for the Bible, and no need for man to admit that

he is a sinner! (Ill. This was the Rich Young Ruler’s problem - Matt. 19:16-

22)

D. Here is the world’s viewpoint concerning dealing with sin:

1. Evolution - Man is on his way up! Sin isn’t an issue.

2. Education - Man can be taught to live without sin.

3. Science - Solve the problems and mysteries of nature and man can be set

free from sin.

4. Sociology - Sin is the by-product of an unhealthy environment.

5. Psychology - Talk about yourself long enough, focus on what you need,

and eventually you can eliminate your own guilt.

6. Religion - Learn the doctrines, practice the rituals and do good things and

you will feel better about yourself and God will accept you.

E. None of these work, because none of these deal with the problem of sin.

After all is said and done, man is still a sinner. There is only one plan that

works to remove the guilt of sin.

God’s Plan - Admit your sin, trust God totally through Jesus Christ His Son

and He will remove both your sin and your guilt. He will deliver you and it

won’t cost $75.00 per hour.

II. v.9 WE MUST REPENT OF OUR SIN

A. If we will recognize our sin and confess it to God, and truly repent of that

sin, He will absolutely forgive us and cleanse our lives - Heb. 8:12; Isa.

43:25; Isa. 1:18)

B. What is repentance? It is a total change of heart and mind resulting in a

change of direction and action. True repentance always results in a

radically changed relationship with God!(Ill. To the rear march!)

C. When we truly repent, (i.e. leave the sin behind and walk away!), our sin is

forever removed from us and the guilt is replaced with peace and joy.

III. v.7 WE MUST REVEAL OUR SINS

A. Ill. The difference between relationship and fellowship. Sin cannot undo a

believer’s relationship with God, but it can destroy his fellowship with God.

(Ill. Adam in the Garden - Gen. 3)

B. Ill. Many believers are attempting to hide sin in their lives. They have sin

and they act as if everything is all right. They are lying! They lie to

themselves, they lie to others and they lie to God! Eventually, they begin to

believe the lie themselves. At that point, they deny their sin and by doing

so, call God a liar - v. 10!

C. This is extremely dangerous! You will never prosper with hidden sin in your

life - Pro. 28:13. Sin must be brought out into the open, when it is, we can

have pure, honest fellowship with others, ourselves and most importantly

with God.

D. Ill. Light - Reveals error! This is why many people do not attend church

regularly. Because their sin is exposed to the light of the Word of God, the

Holy Ghost brings conviction upon your heart and you are forced to see your

sins for what they are - an abomination to God. People fear exposure, so

they stay away from the light, (Ill. Light and a dirty glass!) (Ill. 2 kinds of

conviction - General and specific. General is a feeling of guilt for no

particular reason. Usually satanic! Specific is always from God’s Spirit.

God desires to fellowship with you as with a Son or Daughter. Therefore,

He calls to you in a direct fashion revealing specific sin.

E. Before sin can be dealt with, it must be exposed to the light. (What you been

hiding? Whatever it is, be notified that God knows! He wants you to get

honest!)

IV. v.9 WE MUST RELATE OUR SINS

A. v. 9 Deals with the matter of confession. (Ill. As widely as it is known!)

B. What is confession? Simply naming your sin to God, specifically, and

agreeing with Him concerning the nature of that sin. (Ill. Present Tense!)

Sin ought to be confessed immediately. (Ill. You wouldn’t wait all day to

get an eyelash out of your eye. Would you?) (Ill. A good prayer!)

C. A true Spirit filled life is not one that is sinless. It is a life lived in close

fellowship with God. (Ill. The Spiritual Rollercoaster) If we would learn

the principle of instant confession, we would live more consistent lives. (Ill.

People with mountains of unconfessed sin, lying like heaps of dirty laundry

in the corners of our hearts.)

V. v.9 WE MUST REST IN THE LORD

A. The best news in the world, for the Christian, is that there is a place where

we can deal with our sins. A place where our guilt can be exchanged for

peace. All men are looking for such a place, (Ill. Where they seek), Jesus

offers it freely. It is in His Blood. Jesus is the answer.

B. Ill. Faithful - He always forgives and cleanses. No matter how often you

come, He will receive you and cleanse you. (Ill. He also forgets - Psa.

103:12)

C. Ill. Just - He blots out our sin and declares us “Not guilty!” He will never

hold it over us again! (Ill. We are seen as the Son Himself - Rom. 4:24!)

D. He will do it for whosoever will! (John 6:37; Matt. 11:28; Rev. 22:17)

Conc: The first and primary step toward fellowship with God is the admission of

sin. You see, you cannot save, nor cleanse yourself. Jesus has already done the

work, He simply asks for you to respond to Him by faith. When you do, you will

be received, forgiven, cleansed and in fellowship with him. Isn’t that what you

want? Come to Him now and get it! Some of God’s children need to come home

this morning. You have wandered far and you are carrying a load of guilt. There

is no need to do that any longer. Jesus waits to relieve you load. Some have never

trusted Jesus for salvation. Please don’t go to Hell when God has made a way that

you can be freely and eternally saved from your sins. Don’t you want to walk in

fellowship with the Lord? You can, but you must come His way.