He is the Life

Take a few minutes to catch up, tell stories, and laugh together. Trust and friendship take time to build. If you’re launching a new DNA, one person should tell their story — what do we need to know about you? Next week, have another person in your DNA share their story.

This Sunday, we closed our series “Light + Life.” We looked at three things the author of 1 John is passionate about, and learned that we, as believers, should be just as passionate about them as John was.

1. A PASSION TO KNOW JESUS
   At the time this was written there were false teachers that held a lowly view of Jesus - they denied his need to appear in the flesh (4:2-3), they claimed sin wouldn’t separate a person from God (1:6, 8, 10), and thus, it wasn’t necessary for Jesus to provide forgiveness through his death (5:6). They were missing the importance of knowing the REAL Jesus. But John had seen him.
   
   The implications of this are massive! What John is desperately trying to communicate is that Jesus isn’t just some interesting historical figure we’ve held on to for far too long, but he really IS the resurrected Son of God and has extended a hand of relationship to us.
   
   Do you know Jesus? Is your life marked by the pursuit of him above anything else?
   
   
2. A PASSION TO SHARE JESUS
   John writes in verse three, “what we have seen and heard we also declare to you.” That word “declare” can also be translated: “announce.” John is saying he can’t remain silent about Jesus. What he heard, saw, looked upon, and touched, had to be shared with others.
   
   We get excited to share all kinds of things with people. One of the more fascinating ways we can share information today is online. Think about when we have an experience at a restaurant or business. We can go on our phones, open the Yelp app, and post a review right there. Sadly, many of us are more excited to share a review on Yelp with strangers than to share the Gospel with a friend.
   
   Do you have a passion to share Jesus' life with others?
   
   
3. A PASSION TO ENJOY JESUS
   John writes in his letter “so that our joy may be complete.” He’s echoing Jesus in the Gospel of John 15, when Jesus says “I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete” (John 15:11). The connection here has everything to do with what we’ve already talked about. REAL joy is found in a pure, meaningful connection with God and one another - one that’s rooted in who Jesus is, and one that selflessly shares his goodness with others.
   
   The beauty of the Gospel is that God did the heavy lifting. It’s done. We can’t earn our forgiveness, even if we live the “best life ever” based on human standards. Joy arrives when we realize that having a relationship with Jesus isn’t just ONE good way to live, it’s literally THE greatest gift that we could have ever be given.
   
   “If any of you have lost the joy of the Lord. I pray you do not think it a small loss.”
   — Charles Spurgeon
   
   Do you enjoy your relationship with Jesus? Do you fight for your joy when the enemy tries to steal it?

God, as we approach a season of hurry and activity, we pray that we would be able to slow ourselves enough to realize what matters most. That we would seek to know you - the REAL you - that we wouldn’t miss the point of your arrival in the coming weeks, Lord. That we would be a people who live winsomely and boldly as we proclaim your goodness, and that we would find a great sense of joy in walking with you. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.