Passage: 1 John 1:1-4
The Big Idea
We’re built for relationship, because we’re made in the image of a God who has always lived in relationship: Father, Son and Spirit. John, who saw, heard and touched Jesus, writes to invite us into that same fellowship, koinonia, with God and with His people. Why? So that our joy may be full. Joy doesn’t come from what we do for God, but from a humble, dependent relationship with Jesus, who has already done everything.
Made for Relationship
John writes about that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, seen with our eyes, looked at and touched with our hands: the Word of life. That life was revealed, and we saw it and testify to it, and announce to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. We declare what we’ve seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us, and our fellowship is with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. And we write these things so that your joy may be full (1 John 1:1-4).
We’re built by God for relationships, every one of us. Some of us are better at relationships than others. But that doesn’t change the fact that we’re incomplete without them.
Social media, letters, phone calls and texts: so much of life revolves around connecting with people. Why do we feel this need to talk and connect?
Because we’re made in the image of God. We’re like Him.
And He has always lived in relationship! He didn’t need to create anyone to know love and fellowship. He already had it within Himself: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- When God created us, He invited us into that circle of relationship.
- It feels good to be invited into something special, like being welcomed into a club.
- God has invited us into a relationship with Himself.
- That’s exciting and challenging. Even a little scary.
- But that’s not why He does it.
- He wants you to have full joy, to be complete. If you aren’t full of joy, you aren’t yet complete. We all sense this. That’s why everyone is trying so hard to be happy!
- And this relationship is the only way it can happen. There’s one true source of joy.
From the Beginning
That which was from the beginning…
- This recalls Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word.”
- God is the source!
…which we have heard, seen with our eyes, looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life.
- John instantly connects the eternal God with Jesus.
- He doesn’t see two separate beings when he looks at God and Jesus. He sees one.
- That’s a huge lesson for us. God the Father and God the Son are one, and yet distinct. That’s an amazing picture of koinonia fellowship: true unity.
- They share life and love in relationship.
Do you share life and love like that with the person next to you?
The life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.
- Notice the “us” and the “you.”
- The relationship the Father has with Jesus was shared first with us, the people who knew Jesus and were His friends. Jesus showed them this amazing relationship of love and life.
- And now you’re being invited into it too!
- John is writing this letter to bring you into this relationship.
Notice the connection with John’s Gospel: in the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The Word became flesh and lived among us, and we saw His glory, full of grace and truth (John 1:1-4, 14).
- John isn’t giving us new information here. He’s getting personal.
- It’s not just a story or a hero from long ago.
- It’s the greatest, most intimate, most personal invitation ever extended.
Fellowship. Relationship. Intimacy. Openness. Unity. With God.
Koinonia
…so that you also may have fellowship with us, and our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
The Greek word for fellowship is koinonia: sharing life in common, partnership, communion.
That you may share fellowship with us, and with the Father, and with Jesus!
Do you have koinonia with God and with God’s people? Are you one with God and His people?
God calls us His friends (John 15:15). Are we living like His friends? What would it be like if He were standing right here?
He is here. Where? In His people.
Jesus has sent His life and His Spirit to live in believers. So are you loving other believers as you would love Jesus?
- Many struggle to love other believers because of their faults.
- But God invites us to love other believers because of His holy, sanctifying presence in them.
Hebrews says that He who sanctifies and those being sanctified all come from one source, which is why He isn’t ashamed to call them brothers (Hebrews 2:11).
Jesus isn’t ashamed of us. He sees too much of Himself in you to be ashamed of you!
That makes us glad. Koinonia makes us happy!
That Your Joy May Be Full
We write these things so that your joy may be full.
- Not “growing,” not “enough,” not “some.” Full!
- Following the Lord isn’t mainly about what we do for Him, but about what He does for us.
- That has to be our focus!
- When we focus on what we do for God, it’s never enough. We run out of strength. That isn’t the way God established to please Him or to find joy.
- No! God established a New Covenant where Jesus does everything and receives all the glory. It’s established on His blood. How could we add to that?
- We can’t! His work is finished. He said, “It is finished!” How freeing!
- Our works can’t fill us with joy. But a truly dependent relationship with Jesus does.
- And from that wellspring of joy we can always be filled, because it’s a gift.
John says the Word became flesh, full of grace and truth, and from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace (John 1:14, 16).
It’s a gift, found in humble, dependent relationship with Jesus.
And Hebrews says that the Father anointed the Son with the oil of gladness above all His companions (Hebrews 1:9). Jesus is the most joyful Person in the universe, and He invites us to share His joy.
Grace Takeaway
The Father, Son and Spirit have always enjoyed perfect fellowship, and through Jesus you’ve been invited in. Not to earn a place, but to receive one. That fellowship spills over into how we love each other, because Jesus lives in His people and isn’t ashamed to call us family. If your joy feels thin, it’s not because you haven’t done enough. Come back to the relationship. From His fullness, receive grace upon grace, until your joy is full.