Walk in the Light - Week 2
Walking with the Family Name
1) God is light. (1 John 1:5)
“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.”
2) God is love. (1 John 3:11)
“For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.”
Today: Walking with the family name.
1) Don’t mess with sin. (v.1a)
“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin...”
“The reality of ever-present sin in our lives and of God's ever-ready forgiveness must never become an excuse to sin like there's no tomorrow! John pulls up that weed of misunderstanding before it gets a chance to sprout. He's not giving us an excuse to sin, but urging us to avoid it.” Swindoll
2) When you sin, remember you have help. (v.1b-2)
“But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”
"Christ is our Representative. He defends us at the Father's throne. Satan may stand there as the accuser of the brethren (Zech.3; Rev. 12:10), but Christ stands there as our Advocate —He pleads on our behalf! Continuing forgiveness, in response to His prayers, is God's answer to our sinfulness. " -Warren Wiersbe
3) Behave like a member of the family (v.3)
“3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.”
John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
4) Actions > Words (v.4)
“4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,”
5) Obey because you love. (v.5)
“5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:”
6) When you don't know what to do, do what Jesus did. (v.5-6)
“5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
“Turn your focus to Jesus. Put your feet in His footprints, take your cues from His life, study His ways, learn from His example, and emulate His actions.” Swindoll
7) Love your brothers and sisters. (v.7-11)
“7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. 8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him[fn] there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”
John 13:14-15
“14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.”
John 13:34-35
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Small Group Discussion Questions
- What does it mean to “walk in the light” in your daily life? Where do you struggle with this?
- How does understanding Jesus as our Advocate encourage you when you struggle with sin?
- What are some ways our actions can either confirm or contradict our faith?
- Why is obedience to God a response to love rather than a requirement for acceptance?
- How can you better love your brothers and sisters in Christ this week?