Sometime soon I hope to edit these notes to make them a bit easier use.  They are a work in progress! 
The words directly from the verse are in purple.
Thoughts to ponder are in red.
The "Speaking Notes" are a very general overview of the verse and are in blue.

BACKGROUND ON 1 JOHN:

*written by the apostle John=mender of nets from Ephesus around 90 A.D.
*many false teachers including Gnostics and Docettism (belief that Christ did not have a real body)—other false teaching as Cerinthianism said He was just a mere man who Christ “visited” from the time of His baptism to before His death.

OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK:
*difficult to outline
*written more as sermon than a letter
Some Purposes…
*To communicate God is Light—God is Love, therefore His children have a
   responsibility to live up to the highest moral standards—note not harshly spoken but
   use of words such as little children and beloved
*Christ is real and it’s all about Him-(no hazy lines!-oil and water don’t mix--RC)—over
   time it’s easy for a message to get diluted—John goes back to truth
*to awaked life giving faith
*some of the purposes given for it’s writing…
    *1:3=fellowship with apostles, God and Christ
    *1:4=so that joy may be complete
    *2:1=that you may not sin
    *2:12-24=victory
    *2:26=warning against false teaching
    *5:13=to know they have eternal life
      *note-all these verses support  the purpose given in1:3-4
*some main concepts=fellowship/seperation/light/darkness/love/hate/truth/lies/death/life


CHAPTER 1
VS. 1
What=refers to the message about the Person of Christ—The Eternal Life/the Word
Beginning=Look at John 1:1 & 14==Jesus is God---many wrong teachings introduce something “new” Our faith is founded in that which is from the beginning
Looked at/watched=contemplate/look at an important person with admiration/observe
Was heard/seen/looked at/touched=Christ who is God made Himself accessible to man
(Note: Was probably written in defense to the Gnostics belief about Christ not having a body)
Q: What are some the personal implications of this for you (us)?
    *The Eternal One can be known *Proof of His grace/love for us *Proof that He
    existed in the form of man *more…
Word-for the Jews=title of God because He perfectly revealed Himself in His Word
          For the Greeks it represented the Ultimate Reason/Intelligence in the Universe
***Christ is Gods message/expression to the world
Life-absolute fullness/real/genuine/active/vigorous


VS.2
Life=same as above---Manifest=to make visible, known or exposed
He already existed He was just made known to us!!
He is Life!!—John 5:26, 6:48, 11:25, 14:6, 17:3
Note the progression of the verbs---seen/testify/proclaim
Testify-to affirm what one has seen or experienced or know because of divine revelation
            or inspiration
Proclaim-declare make known openly
Q: What has God done for you that you have seen, can testify to, and will proclaim?
Eternal life which was with was with the Father==John 17:24
Read all of John 17 as introduction to vs.3-4



I'll add notes for vs.3-4 later...SORRY!!!




VS. 5
SPEAKING NOTES
--LOOK AT HIS HOLINESS=REV. 21:23-27=PERFECT!!
--DARKNESS OF SIN=IT SPREAD TO ALL MANKIND
--WE ARE IN HIM BECAUSE HE MADE US HOLY
(Rom.6:3-7 / II COR. 5:17 / I JN. 3:9)
--HIS HOLINESS REVEALS OUR SIN—LORD’S PRAYER
--EX: BUM to GOLD LEVEL EMPLOYEE

**This is the message we heard from Him and announce to you-

Message=this is Christ truth not just “a message”—it’s His message!!


**that God is Light-

Q: What do we know about light?
God is light=refers to His perfect character—to have light means that there is an absence
                     of darkness—we also see He (by being Light) reveals His holiness and
                     exposes mans sin—John 1:8-9/3:19-21 / 8:12 / 12:35-36 / Rev 21:23 / 22:5
Two theories of light =Gods holiness-to walk with God we must be holy
                                   =God exposure-to walk with Him we must allow ourselves to be
                                     exposed----THE 1st SEEMS MOST CORRECT (but both are true)
exposed - this is part of Him purifying us—like mentioned in vs.7 if we are in the light we will be aware of our sin and be able to be cleaned as mentioned in vs. 9

**and in Him is no darkness at all-

Darkness-
Talk about the circles of light and darkness—we are the ones who drift from light to darkness—notice vs.7 when we walk in light we have fellowship with those others who are in the light
THOUGHT-If we consider His holiness and perfection then look at ourselves-It makes it obvious what we need to confess-First focus on Him!!  Look at the Lords prayer as an example! 
READ THIS ARTICLE!! http://www.faithalone.org/journal/2001ii/bryant.htm


VS.6
SPEAKING NOTES
--SAY…
--GOING BACK UNDER BRIDGE BREAKS FELLOWSHIP
--LIE / DON’T DO TRUTH=WE A GOLD LEVEL!

**If we say we have fellowship with Him-

If we say—We can say we have fellowship, but it not be true
**We also know from the church of Laodicea- that it is possible for us to deceive ourselves about our spiritual state!!

Fellowship-having all things shared or in common as a commune or as in Acts 2.


**and yet walk in darkness-

Walk=live/ many would say that this means a pattern and that it is not possible for us to be 100% in the light it produces a schizophrenic Christian to be in and out of the light.
This is absurd—Gal 5:16-25---Rom 8:5-13


**we lie-

We lie=we don’t have fellowship mentioned at beginning of verse 6


**and do not practice the truth

Practice=do
Truth=”the unveiled reality lying at the basis of and agreeing with an appearance”
Truth evidenced in relation to the FACTS clearly lying before our eyes as opposed
To a mere appearance
Ex: a reflection in a mirror—not a fun house mirror or a shadow which is distorted
I cor.13:12—James 1:23-24 (it’s easy to forget!)
We are to be doing and living what is true about us!!  I am a child of God / made righteous / given all I need to walk with Him—That’s true so live like it!!




Walking with Him vs. being in Him-
The word “in” is the key here! It means…to be inside of the whole—there is no darkness in Him.  We have been made new and righteous people.  Therefore, when we (new and righteous) people decide to sin we are still Him (because we don’t become un-new and unrighteous), we just don’t have fellowship with Him
•    Being in Him=His child/in His family
•    Walking with Him= relationship with Him
GOLD LEVEL  executive example---Let’s say that gold level  is the highest level in the Cantrelli corp.  If a bum is lifted out of “bumhood” and turned into a gold Level  executive in this business and given all he needs to perform his duties to the fullest, and the standard that is expected is perfection.  The owner walks in and says.  This is a gold Level corporation.  I will not allow anyone lower than gold level to be a part of this corporation (none/no one!!).   Johnny walks in and claims to be enjoying a good relationship with the boss.  And the boss says “Your not having a good relationship with me because you are not living like the gold level employee that you are, you are living like a stainless steel level employee, which we don’t allow in this company”—Johnny can check himself against the standard of the business (which is gold level) to see if he is in good relationship with the other gold level employees and realize that he is a gold level employee, but he is not living like it, therefore he is not practicing what is true.



VS.7
SPEAKING NOTES
--WHERE AS OPPOSED TO HOW
--LIGHT
--FELLOWSHIP
--BLOOD
--ALL

**but if we walk in the Light-

•    Walk in light=it is possible!!!
•    We need to be conscience of WHERE we walk even more than HOW we walk.  It’s about being with Him, not just “doing” everything right
•    We do not walk in grey.  There are issues that may be grey, but whether or not we are walking in Light is black and white and a moment by moment issue.


**as He Himself is in the Light-

I Tim. 6:16
•    When we walk in the Light we are with Him!!  We are fellowshipping with Him.
•    Refer back to vs. 5-He is Light
Since God is Light and is in the Light then to be in the Light is to be in His presence---It goes back to being in fellowship with Him.  EX.: If I walk in a room that is light then I am walking in the light and I am also in the presence of light.



**we have fellowship with one another-

This phrase is taken two different ways…
•    Means fellowship with other believers
•    Means fellowship with God
•    Either way…both are true if we are walking in the Light and both will reveal sin/darkness in our life
•    I think it refers to both as in vs.3


**and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin-


•    This process starts by walking in the Light-this is how our sin is exposed so that we know we need to be cleansed—
      Look at the Lords prayer (Matt. 9-13 / Luke 11:2-4 it starts by focusing on God
      holiness and end with us realizing our need to be forgiven
•    It also happens through fellowship with other believers (our sin also exposed this way)
•    This is the cleansing we get in order to have fellowship with Him.  It is not redemption—

JOHN 13
--Read John 13:1-15
--The interaction between Christ and Peter take place between vs. 6 and 10.  He
   again address the group as a whole in vs. 12—He started this as an example of
   servant hood, but used the opportunity to teach Peter about fellowship forgiveness.
--vs.8—to not allow Him to cleanse us daily results in us not being a part of Him
             (fellowship)
--vs.9-10—We have been cleansed completely, but do get dirt (sin) on us as we walk
      through life.  We don’t need to be saved again we need to have our feet washed.
--vs.10-11—Christ shows the difference between those who are completely clean and
      those who need only their feet washed  JUSTIFIED and SANCTIFIED

•    Even though walking in the Light and fellowship with other believers leads us to the realization that we need to be cleaned, it is only His blood that cleanses us.  It is not our walk or our fellowship!!
•    Cleanses-is present tense-it speaks of our continual cleansing not just the “bath” we have already been given
•    All sin-known or unknown--example of suit at dry cleaners from Bryant—also remember John 13
•    Read Hebrews 10:1-14 (vs.14=we see both justification and sanctification)


VS.8
SPEAKING NOTES
--SOME SAY=DISEASE / PERSONALITY DISORDER
--POSSIBLY PROUD AFTER EXPERIENCE OF FELLOWSHIP
--NOT SINNERS
--MORE TRUTH A PART OF US ----MORE SIN WE SEE

**If we say-

Here is another self claim about our spiritual condition as in vs. 6—We need to remember that it doesn’t matter what we SAY, if it is not true.

**we have no sin-

•    It is not talking about saying we have no sin nature—because it is true we do not have a sin nature any longer
•    This could be our attitude if we live in a “religious” world/mentality and just think in terms of “walking in Light” and “fellowship”.—We must remember we are not yet perfected.
•    He does not call us sinners!!  He says we have sin!  There is a difference!
•    When we fellowship and are enjoying God we may begin to think we don’t have any sin.

**we are deceiving ourselves-

We need to look at things in real terms and be open to others because we can deceive ourselves.

**and the truth is not in us

•    Truth=Sincerity/Integrity
•    The truth fullness of Gods Word has not become completely part of us, as a thread in a piece of cloth—rather than a coin in our pocket.  (Is His truth in me, as thread is in cloth, or is His truth in me as coins are in a pocket?)
•    What truth??...The truth about ourselves




VS.9
SPEAKING NOTES
--OPPOSITE OF VS. 8
--EXPLAIN CONFESS--GRASP THE INTENSITY OF OUR SIN
--FAITHFULL=TRUSTWORTHY
--RIGHTEOUS=JUST / FAIR—IT’S BY HIS BLOOD!
--FORGIVE=LET GO / SEND AWAY---DIVORCE
--CLEANSE=AS IN JOHN 13  (ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS)


**If we confess our sins-

Confessing is basically agreeing with God about our sin—look at article by bob Bryant for more notes

It is NOT—“If what I just did was wrong, will you please forgive me”

**He is faithful and righteous-

Note- righteous or just==He does not excuse our sin or overlook it, but it is taken care of by Christ blood as mentioned in vs.7

**to forgive us our sins-

•    forgive=send away/let go=as a husband divorcing a wife

**and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness-

•    All-we don’t have to be aware of every sin—we can have fellowship with Him if we confess what we know He will cleanse us of even those sins we are unaware of.



VS.10
SPEAKING NOTES
--THIS OCCURS WHEN WE MINIMIZE OUR SIN
--REFER VS. 9=LIAR==WE SAY HE IS WRONG ABOUT
   WHAT IS SIN
--GOD REVEALS OUR SIN THROUGH HIS WORD
--TO DISREGARD GODS WORD == NO FELLOWSHIP
**If we say

Another self claim of our spiritual state.

**that we have not sinned-

•    We do this without being so blunt, but we make excuses for our sin, as to why it’s “not really wrong”—therefore we are saying we have not sinned.

**we make Him a liar-

refer back to vs. 9—We need to agree with what God calls sin otherwise we call Him a liar

**and His word is not in us-

Basically we need to agree with what God says about us sin and choose to walk in moral purity (light) or we deceive ourselves and call God a liar and stay out of fellowship with Him and remain in our self-deception.—paraphrased from the Disciplemaker


CHAPTER 2


2:1
SPEAKING NOTES
--Beware of resolving to be sinful (based on 1:7-10)
--Realize He is on our side—we don’t have to be defeated by sin!!
--He is worthy to intercede for us / His work not ours!!

**My little children-

•    children- term of kindness from teachers to their disciples

**I am writing these things to you

•    here is another purpose of his writing that would fall in line with 1:4

**that you may not sin-

•    sin -miss the mark/ wander from the path of righteousness/violate Gods law
•    clears up the false idea some may have gotten in 1:8-10 (that we should just resolve ourselves to being sinful or that it’s o.k. to sin because we can confess it and have it forgiven)
•    Heb 12:1-6

**And if anyone sins-

•    He doesn’t want us to sin, but makes a way for us once we do

**we have an Advocate

•    advocate-one called to one side---to plead another’s cause before a judge
•    2 views
•    helper/aid-(same word usually refers to the Holy Spirit)                                   Luke 22:31-32/  (Rom. 8: 26-27=Holy spirit) / Heb. 4:14-16
•    legal defense-(Rev 12:10) Rom. 8:31-34  / Heb. 7:23-27 /  Heb.9:24-25
**with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous-

•    righteous-upright /innocent/guiltless (also approved/accepted by God) also=just
•    I john 3:5 / Heb. 7:26


VS. 2
SPEAKING NOTES
--Gods anger against us has been satisfied
--We can have fellowship with Him and even know Him (vs.3)


**and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins-

•    propitiation-appeasement / satisfaction---used of sacrifice given to false gods to quench their anger  HAS THE IDEA OF TURNING AWAY WRATH
•    Heb. 2:17-18 / Rom. 3:21-26 / I John 4:10
•    The intensity of what truly happened= Matthew 27:45-54


**and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world-

•    world-cosmos---Heb.2:9


VS. 3
SPEAKING NOTES
--Do you know God?  How do you know?
--What does it mean to know God?
--Our obedience is the indicator


**And by this we know that we have come to know Him-

•    Here the section of knowing God starts (knowing God and having fellowship must go hand in hand the two are inseparable)—In Greek thought the idea of light suggested perception and knowledge—notice again the “if one says” comments from verse 4 to verse 11
•    know- to get to know / perceive / understand / to become acquainted with—it is also a Jewish idiom for sexual intercourse
•    It’s obvious John is speaking of experiential knowledge.  It’s possible to know Him to salvation but not know Him in experience. 
      (I John 4:7-8-borne and know in vs. 7----but only “doesn’t know” in vs. 8) 
•    {even Paul wanted to increase his knowledge of Christ--Phil. 3:10 / Eph.4:11-13}


**if we keep His commandments-

•    keep-attend to carefully / guard / observe----Used of guarding a prisoner or as a sentry on look out  (RC=diligently intently tend to/care after)
•    commandments-orders that are prescribed to one by reason of his office also has the idea of conforming---stresses the authority of the one commanding
•    Also includes sins of omission!!
•    NEW COMMANDS==I John  3:23-24  /  Matt. 22:35-40 / John 13:34-35
NOTE**I believe this verse is a push to continuing to get to know Him—It’s obvious I have not come to know Him if I’m not keeping His commandments—While on earth I’ll never be able to completely keep His commandments, but I should press on in my knowledge of Him—Also, notice knowledge of Him is not indicated by memory verses or number of ministries—It is evidenced by keeping His ways of love—(not vise-versa –We don’t come to know Him by keeping His commandments-this leads to legalism and self righteousness).  Phil. 3:10/Eph 4:13
EXAMPLE—“You will know that you really know your wife, when you know her heart and desires and you are vigilant about honoring them.”


VS.4
SPEAKING NOTES
--SAY…
--there is no middle ground here—
--beware of being a hypocrite

**The one who says-

**I have come to know Him-

•    To have full/complete knowledge

**and does not keep His commandments-

**is a liar-

•    there is no middle ground here

**and the truth is not in him-

•    truth=agreeing with an appearance
•    words and conduct do not match
•    In has the idea of string in cloth—not coins in a pocket



VS. 5
SPEAKING NOTES
--in contrast to being a liar, keeping His commands demonstrates a valid
relationship w/ Him and shows that Gods love is expressed fully in the Christian


**but whoever keeps His word

•    But…is in contrast to being a liar
•    Whoever--this promise is open to all
•    Keeps=same as in vs.3 and 4
•    Word=logos=that which is spoken (the idea is that which is revealed/expressed)
Also a synonym for commands—He reveals Himself through His declarations!!
•    John 14:21-23

**in him the love of God has truly been perfected

•    What does Gods love look like?  Look at I John 4:7-12 / Phil 2:5-11
•    Perfected= mature / brought to completion / made into what it should be
2 views=1.Believers love for God grows and becomes complete (us toward God)
               2.Gods love becomes full in a believers life (His love experienced by us)
 **I believe that both views will be the result. The second view seems to make the most sense here as starting the process (I Jn. 4:7-12).  When we are obedient we are more fully able to accept and experience His love for us, then able to love others. 
---Remember Johns goal in writing is so that our joy will be made full.


**By this we know that we are in Him

•    By being obedient we can know by experience that we are abiding in Him
•    This statement is links vs. 5 to vs. 6
•    “in Him”—refers to abiding in Him—JOHN 14:20-21

VS. 6
SPEAKING NOTES
-The proof of abiding in Christ is that you will live as He did!
-If you say it you have an obligation to live it!
-Remember He is dealing with a group who claims to have special
 knowledge of God, but live “fleshly” lives.


**the one who says he abides in Him

•    abide=to remain / dwell / to stay-ex: Matt. 26:38/ John 2:12/ John 15:4-6
-(used 24X’s in I John)
-syn=to spend or pass time/to continue right through  Heb.7:3(idea of perpetually)
-with John= stand or remain with someone to be in communion-not “come & go”
-to clear up confusion…Paul uses the word “in” in  a different sense (IICor.5:17)
  to identify position—Rom 12:5-Eph 1:7-etc…
**Like the phrase  “I’m really into…”----(RC-connected to)
**What are you connected to?
**Do you just visit with Christ?
•    I John 3:6  (who is connected—who is a part of)—living by the Spirit
•    John 15:2-6—He is talking to disciples about growing fruit
-note (purpose of fruit=food and reproduction)
-note all this is happening as they prepared to be separated from Him physically
-vs 2 ‘in Me” is different than” vs 4 “abide in Me”
          COMPARE TO I JOHN 1:5
-vs 3-He uses his Word to purge us of those things that will keep us from bearing
         fruit (sanctification)—As He cleans us we will be ready to bear fruit
         COMPARE TO I JOHN 1:9-2:2 (His purifying work)
-vs 4-5=fruitfulness depends on maintaining proper relationship with Him.=Our
         responsibility!!—Connection to Him results in fruit
         COMPARE TO I JOHN 2:3-6
-vs 6—note “if anyone”
          - if separate then we will be dry –the result is being burnt up as useless
          - ‘they”=the world to judge them as useless


**ought himself walk
•    to owe / to be in debt for / that which is due
the idea is of being obligated by that which is proper
•    Luke 17:8-10-We have an obligation to live right
•    John 13:13-how can we “take or leave” following His example-If Christ who is God would do it, how do we justify ourselves doing our own thing?


**in the same manner that He walked.
•    being connected to Him would obviously result in us producing fruit that flows from the source—does an orange tree produce apples? James 3:7-18
•    What are you producing?—this will tell where you are abiding!
•    3 john 1:11**--Eph. 5:1**--I Pet. 1:14-19**  (I Cor. 11:1)


VS.7
SPEAKING NOTES


Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment, which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard.

•    Beloved…
•    Not new…from the beginning  (I Jn. 1:1 / 2:24 / 3:11)not for speaking just for me
•    IT WAS LAW!!—Lev. 19:48 (notice vs.49-51 etc…)—Matt. 22:34-40


VS.8
SPEAKING NOTES

On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you

•    What is the new commandment? I Jn. 3:23 / I Jn 4:21=Love one another
•    BUT HOW SHOULD WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER?
•    IT IS LIFE!!—John 13:24-It is a love based on experience-AS HE LOVED US
John 15:9-12 / Rom. 5:5 / Eph 5:1-2 / Phil. 2:1-8 /  I Jn. 4:7-13 / I Jn. 3:16-18

which is true in Him and in you

•    True=real / reality / conformed to the nature and reality of things / sincere       
--word and deed matching up
•    I Jn. 4:16-17, 19  and all other verses from above
•    I Jn. 5:19-20 / II Cor. 8:9 / John 17:21-26

because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining

•    With the appearance of Christ/Light we have the ability for this commandment to become reality for us- Rom 13:12 / II Cor. 4:4-6 / Eph. 5:8 / I Jn. 5:19-20



VS.9
SPEAKING NOTES


The one who says he is in the Light
•    Here again we have a religious claim

and yet hates his brother
•    Hate-what does hate look like?  Ignoring—wishing bad on them
•    Hate=absence of love-to detest
•    Hate is in comparison to the love of Christ—“Love one another as I have loved you.—A picture of hate Luke 14:26—We don’t beat our parents up or hit ourselves with a hammer—We don’t have to be seething with anger towards somebody for us to be hating them.
•    brother is the word used—therefore he is speaking to believers about believers
•    brother-How do we treat our blood family?  We are truly family with other believers

is in the darkness until now
•    what does it mean to be in darkness (physically speaking)?
•    “until now”---despite the fact that the true light has already begun to shine (vs.8) and the fact that he is boasting about being in it—he even now is in darkness


VS.10
SPEAKING NOTES

The one who loves his brother
•    what does love look like?  How are we supposed to love (re: vs.8)
•    John 15:9-13, 17
Vs.13-Are we willing to lay down our life for each other-what about give up our personal freedoms?---SELF SACRIFICE!
Vs.17-“These things”=all that has been mentioned since chapter 13—is how to live in love for one another
•    I John 3:16-18
•    Phil. 2:1-10---John 13:1-17---II Cor.13


abides in the Light
•    Abide =use Bing example “stick” vs. “tomato plant” in the ground—pg.83-84
Denotes a close relationship-dependence/the stick is “in” the earth, but not abiding—John 14:1-7

and there is no cause for stumbling in him
•    II Pet. 1:5-10

VS.11
SPEAKING NOTES

But the one who 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

VS.12-17  SPEAKING NOTES

VS.12-14

A couple of the main views…
•    Physical Age
•    Spiritual Maturity
•    All Applies to each of us based on point of view
•    How we are to view one another based on vs. 5-11

 The strengths of each group…
--Notice he speaks of only the positive in these verses
•    Children – realize their dependence on God (for His names sake)
     - simplicity of relationship
•    Fathers-ability to have a deeper knowledge eve to the point of knowing Him who is from the beginning.
•    Young Men – strength and willingness to fight
--He uses I am writing and I have written…Why?...for emphasis??

VS. 15

Agape
•    More concerned with the well being or best interest of others
•    Love of choice (Love of commitment)
•    Willing to sacrifice for the object of love
--Does this exemplify our love for the world?  Or our love for God?
--I can have agape for the world?  Do I? 

World
•    Not humanity (compare to John 3:16)
•    Not creation
•    The world system that is being dominated by Satan—Eph. 2:1-2
Can’t love the world and God
•    James 4:4
**Don’t give up we have a choice! Do not love the world!
**I can’t love God and the world at the same time. (choose hourly if needed)

VS.16

Things of the world have nothing to do with the Father
•    Connected to vs15. (is of = out of / from)
--Do I agape the things of the world?
--It’s o.k. to appreciate the things of the world (but not to love them!)—I could appreciate a nice car, but if it becomes my main concern and I make sacrifices to get it I have replaced my love for God with love for a car.
•    Idea of oil and water through the whole book

All that is in the world
•    Lust of the flesh--desires of body (meat)
--animal desires / pleasure / fight vs. flight / gluttony / laziness / etc…
•    Lust of the eyes-- envy / greed / material desires
•    Pride of life—false reputation / pretending
--does control (god-ship) fit into this category? If so, worry would be a part of this.
**It is said that all sin including the sin in the garden falls into these three categories
**God does not influence us through any of these means

VS.17

Don’t be foolish
•    Why invest in something that will not last?
Only things done in/by the Spirit will remain forever
•    One who does will of God=Spirit—Only our new Spirit will remain forever
•    Word of God / People of God / Righteous acts done in Spirit
•    John 3:7, 6:63 / Rom. 8:10-11/ (Gal. 6:8 --investing $$) / Titus 3:5

Steps for Application:
1. vs.12-14 =How do you see others in the body?  Are you seeing the positive / truth?
2. Ask God to reveal to you / examine yourself to identify the things of the world that you
    love.
3. Confess adulterous ways.
4. Look at the truth and end of our worldly loves. Ex: what is the end of laziness?
5. Choose not to love the world, but to do the will of God!

VS. 18-23 SPEAKING NOTES

It’s the last hour
•    Not literal / original does not use “the” / If was last hour it’s now last minutes
•    Remember He will return as a thief in the night—II Pet.3:10 / Rev. 3:3
•    Application: How would you respond if you knew it was inevitable that a thief would be coming to your house some evening this year?

The antichrist
•    Is literally translated as against or instead of   ---He will be a false god
•    What am I deceived by that takes the place of Christ in my life? Is against Him?
•    The (final) antichrist as compared to many “pre”antichrist

Many antichrist
•    Were a part of the church or a group from among the apostles
•    Think of all the false religions that hold to a form of Christianity-“come from” it
•    Application-We think we will see clearly THE antichrist and we would never have anything to do with him, yet we allow all kinds of “little” antichrist into our life.  What “little antichrist” do I allow?

Anointing
•    From the name of the specially designed oil used to anoint priest (chrisma hagion) This is where we get the word charismatic
•    Refers to being given the Holy Spirit (oil is a symbol of the Spirit)
•    Believers all have it, need to chose to walk in it (not as some charismatics who say they are waiting for a special anointing)
You all know (you know all)
•    As believers we all have the same ability to know God and the things of God—there is no such thing as a “special knowledge”
•    Went against Gnostic teaching of there being a few who had “special knowledge”

Truth vs. Lies
•    They already have the truth (the truth of Jesus is the Christ and United with the Father)
•    We must use this truth to ferret out the lies (deceptions) in my own life
•    We don’t need to understand all the complexities of the lies—We need to vigilantly hold to the truth, then lies become obvious (integrity)—as counterfeit $.

Jesus is the Christ  (truth #1)
•    The Messiah / Anointed One / The Savior (for all time for all people)
•    Gnostics held to a “form” of Jesus—said He experienced Christhood from His baptism until just before His crucifixion
•    We need to beware that we don’t simply hold on to our own little form of Jesus, and therefore deny who He truly is

Father and Son are unified  (truth #2)
•    Christ is 100% God and 100% man
•    Many religions will not acknowledge that Jesus is/was God.
•    Do I try to make Jesus less than He is?  Just like the stories of him, but don’t acknowledge Him as God?  Do I want the Father (a daddy), but am too self reliant to accept being rescued (saved) daily?

Conclusion
Beware the time is short.  Don’t allow yourself to be deceived into false religion, or just a form of Jesus.  Remember to rely on the Spirit and truth that we have been given so that our relationship with Him is not severed through deceit!


I'll add notes for 2:24-28 Later...SORRY!


2:29-3:3

THE REALITY OF MY NEW BIRTH CAN BE SEEN IN RIGHTEOUSNESS TODAY—BUT WILL ONE DAY BE A PHYSICAL REALITY

VS. 29 = How we see the new birth in others
-If you know He is righteous--1 John 1:5(could have been a valid question for this group)
Practices-produce / bring about / production of something tangible
Righteousness- God’s rightness or standard that is embodied in me through my conforming to Him---God’s character (in me)

New Birth Facts
-The new birth is a work done by the power of God—John 1:12-13
-The reality of the new birth is somewhat of a mystery—John 3:3-13
-But it can be evidenced through righteousness
-The converse is not necessarily true (1:6, 1:8, 2:1)

3:1 = The world does not perceive our paternity
Behold-Look (in a way that it is something that can actually be seen)
Great- Literally-from where it came (as a person from a country)
Called- to give a name
*Have you contemplated this love lately? Love that reconciles enemies and makes us new.   (2 Cor. 5:17-18)

We are called and are His children it's more than a concept or idea-
We have been made new by His work!
Eph 2:5-7, 4:24 /  II Cor.5:17 / I Pet. 1:3 / John 1:12-13 / Titus 3:5

World does not know us because it does not know our Father—John 17:13-18
**Do you try to blend into the world or retreat from the world? Neither is correct!
**We are to be in the world, but not of it (Matt. 10:16-20)

3:2 = We are now children, but the work is not completed
-We are children right now
-There is a bit of uncertainty to what our final state will be
-When we see Him we will become like Him
*Rom. 8:29-we can start the process of being conformed to His image even today    
                    by practicing righteousness (also Phil.3:20-21)

3:3 = Hope fixed on Him results in purity
Which hope?—I’m not sure which one John had in mind, but they all seem to be great motivations to be pure!
--2:29-our righteousness reveals the fact that we are that we are His offspring?
--3:1-the fact that we are His children?
--3:2-the fact that we will be completely like Him one day?
--3:5-10- Our true spiritual nature?
Note: the hope of this is fixed on Him.   We need to realize that the hope for any of these truths is in Him found in Him
Purifies himself…
•    This is His work!  As we wash our hands, the water and soap is what really does the cleansing!

3:4-6 
Do you have a soft view of sin?

Vs. 3 review
The anticipation of seeing and being like Christ has a purifying effect on us.
Need to have our hope in Him (Christ)—this is important to keep in mind for vs.4-6


VS.4
**Sin=to miss the mark / take the wrong path
**Lawlessness=wickedness/ refusal to live according to God’s will
**All sin is against Gods will even if not written (James 2:9-11 / Rom. 2:14-15)
-Which sins do you struggle with?
-Do you see your sin as evil/wicked?
-What does God say about those sins?

VS.5
**Sin goes against the work of Christ (to take away sin).
    -Heb. 9:24-28 / I Pet. 2:21-25
    -Saved us from penalty / saves us from power / will save us from presence
**Sin goes against the nature of Christ.
    -2 Cor. 5:21 / 1 Pet. 2:22
-Do you treat sin as an enemy of Christ?
-What possible rationalization can there be on our part for knowledgeable sin?

VS.6
Any thoughts? Is there a way to soften this verse? Do we try to soften vs. 5 by saying “Surely Christ wasn’t completely free of sin”—NO!!
**When we abide we are not sinning.
    -ex: we are like a lamp not a strobe light—(still a lamp when unplugged)
**When we sin we are not seeing Christ.
    -seeing=to see face to face / converse with / personal acquaintance / to stare at 
             (RC=experience)  John 14:7, 9, 19 / 2 Pet.1:8-9
**When we sin we are not knowing/understanding Christ.
    -Know-the idea of getting to know by inquiring / a deeper knowledge
-This goes against the Gnostic teaching
--The times we are connected to Christ, have our eyes on Christ, and knowing Him we
   will not be sinning—The key is Him!! 3:3 (hope in Him) / Heb. 12:1-4 (eyes on Him)

VS.7-8
**An example of how it's possible to abide and then not...Matt.16:14-23

3:7-9

VS.7
Make sure no one deceives you-
•    Deceive-to seduce a people into rebellion / to wander / to lead away
•    This can happen to us!  It happened to Israel! Balaam & Balak-Num.22-25  (many believe John is writing to same churches in Revelation)
•    What is wrong with being deceived? It leads to sin!—Num.25:1/Ja.2:1-10/4:4-5
The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous
•    Righteousness-one as he ought to be / a condition acceptable to God
•    This is how we know if we are deceived! Where we sin we are either deceived or rebelling
•    The regenerate part of us can only express itself through righteousness-
•    It’s not our deeds that make us righteous it is our paternity!         

VS.8
The one who practices sin is of the devil (slanderer / accuser)
•    John 8:39-44=deeds of their father 
      Matt. 16:13-23=a believer deceived=working as satan himself
•    The part of us that sins=flesh (2:16-17)   Do not minimize this…well it wasn’t really me that did it (ex: thief cannot blame his arm or a certified teacher who is not behaving as a teacher causes damage/destruction
Devil has sinned from the beginning
•    Since the time of Adam satan has worked to deceive and destroy righteousness (Cain vs12)
The Son of God has appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil
•    Remember sin goes directly against the nature and work of Jesus Christ (vs.5)
•    Destroy=untie / loosen / break apart / demolish
•    Works=business / employment

VS.9
No one who is born of God Practices sin, because His seed abides in Him
•    Begotten of God…John 1:13 / 1 Peter 1:23

NEW CREATURES SHOULD DEMONSTRATE NEW CONDUCT!

Eph 4:17-32- The old and new do not mix!
Eph. 4:24
*Put on=put yourself into / sink into (we don’t provide the clothes just wear them)
*New=freshly made / unprecedented / unheard of
*Created=made (also of a colony)
*Righteous=one as he ought to be / acceptable to God
----better read… “true holiness”
*True=in reality / fact
*Holiness=pure moral character

3:10-13

VS.10
1st ½ of this verse is closing the thought of our new birth started in 2:29

•    By this…are obvious (manifest) =the only way to demonstrate my paternity is by doing righteousness (opposite is not necessarily true / 1:8 is to believers)
•    Anyone…is not of God =unrighteousness can not have God as the source
•    Nor…love his brother =the one who does not love his brother also is not having God as his source  (note: brother=same father)
--Righteousness and love are inseparable!  To evaluate if you are producing righteousness or not can sometimes be tricky…Well, is it out of love?  Does it have another persons best interest in mind?
Q: Look at my actions…am I living according to my new Father or my old one?

--When I sin (don’t produce righteousness / don’t love) I am concealing my true identity!

VS.11

•    Message from the beginning… = Since Christ teaching (John 13:34 / 15:12)  
***The command Christ gave was even more than “love your brother as yourself” 
       it was love each other the way I loved you. (He fulfilled the law!)   
***This was not a new message for them, and it is not new for us—But we need 
       to hear it again!

VS.12

•    What love is not = behaving like Cain –READ…Gen. 4:1-8 / Heb. 11:4…
**Brotherhood does not guarantee love
**Love does not hate righteousness
**Beware of “going through the motions” in our sacrifices/offerings
**Cain was angry (unappreciated??)-typical of ½ hearted offerings
**He got depressed
**He got a warning and instructions (we need to hear this-Don’t let sin be our
    master / don’t let it fester (crouch))
**Told his brother—Catharsis is not the complete solution
**He killed (brutally murdered) his brother / there is a difference between
    intentional harm and “negligent”
--Note: don’t proclaim to be an Abel, make sure you’re not behaving like Cain

VS.13

•    Cain’s type of action (unrighteous people angry with those that are behaving righteously)  is to be expected from the world, but not within the body.

NOTE: Revisionist promoted any kind of behavior was o.k.—Which divided the church-those who were walking righteously were probably being despised by those who were not.

3:14-18
ARE YOU LIVING THE LIFE OF CAIN OR THE LIFE OF CHRIST?

VS.14
•    We=apostles
•    Know=by experience
•    Have passed out of death into life
      (John 5:24-becomes our experience as we love our brothers)
•    Because we love (action) the brethren—What does it men to love?=vs.16-18
•    He who does not love abides in death =2:11
•    PARAPHRASE…”The new life becomes our reality when we love the body, we are living the old lifeless way when we do not love”

VS.15
•    Mat.5:21-28
•    What is at the heart of hate / murder?  What are the underlying attitudes?
•    When we hate we are abiding in death, and death is abiding (living) in us.
•    When death is living in us life is not!

VS.16
•    True love is the complete opposite of murder (in fact it is giving your life)
•    Life=psyche (breath and soul)
•    Phil. 2:5-10

VS.17
•    Goods=bios (life)—what keeps me alive
•    Shutting of heart(bowels)=deep emotional concern
•    How is God’s love present in him?  IT IS NOT!

VS.18
•    Deed=action
•    Truth= true selflessness (not with a hidden motive Acts 5:1-4)

Is there something you are supposed to give up (sacrifice) for the good of others?

3:19-23
Confidence before God in prayer is a result of loving your brothers

VS.19
•    By this=our acts of love (vs.18)
•    Are of the truth=aligned with truth (our actions have their source in truth)
•    Assure our hearts=we are able to persuade our hearts (by performing acts of love)
•    Before Him= in Prayer (This is where we could commonly see our short-comings)   note------some believe this refers to Bema-Seat

VS.20
•    Whatever our heart condemns (finds fault with) us=When we lack confidence before God we need to remember… (Rom. 2:14-15)
1) He is greater than our heart –Rom. 8:31-39 / Heb.10:22
2) He knows all things –the love we have done- Heb. 6:10 / 4:13
     **John 21:17

VS.21
•    Now that we dealt with the issue of condemnation, we can have confidence before God.
•    Possible reasons for being in the category:
*Happen to have this type of personality / Just happen to be confident before Him
*We have “assured our hearts before Him”…based on vs.20
*Because we are keeping His commands (which pleases Him)—MY VIEW

VS. 22
•    Having confidence towards God we know that He will give us what we ask…John 15:7
•    Because…
-We keep His commandments
-Which is pleasing in His sight

•    We are to pray in His will! (1 John 5:14-15 /Luke 11:2 /Matt. 26:38-39)
**Note: Praying in His will as Christ did does not always end the way we think it  
   should!  Although it is His will it could look “bad” to us. (Christ dying)-But it’s  
   result is God ‘s glorification (salvation/power over sin, death)

VS. 23
One command with two parts…faith and love (trust and obedience)
**John 14:12-15 /15:16 / 16:23-24

3:24-4:3
Identifying the Spirit (True Spirituality is Based on Truth Obedience and Relationship)

“Flashback”---Beginning of book until here =us abiding in God
“Flashforward”---3:24-4:16 =God abiding in us (an inclusio vs.24 & vs. 16)

VS.24
•    Keeping His commandments results in reciprocal abiding (the ultimate fellowship 1:3)
*Keeping commands and abiding --John 14:23 / 15:4-5,
     --(John 15:7, His words in us condition and control us to be in line with Him)
•    We know He abides in us by the Spirit He has given us
*We know based on what the Spirit produces, LOVE vs.7
  (vs.1-6 is a parenthetical thought warning about spiritual counterfeits)

CHAPTER 4

4:1-3
The Test

VS.1
(vs.1-3 marked off by dear friends/ loved ones)

•    Don’t be naive to think we can just “roll with every whim” because we have the Spirit
•    There are many spirits at work in the world…(vs.3-5)
*spirit=air/ influence/ power/ essence (could be flesh/ principalities/ worldly, etc)
*Names of satan that denote power=John 12:31/ II Cor.4:4/ Eph. 2:2
    NOTE: BUT, the One in us is more powerful!!—1 John 4:4
•    Test the spirits
*test=examine/ scutinize
    *how to test=vs.2

VS.2
•    How to identify the Spirit of God…Says what is true about Christ
*What the spirit confesses/ proclaims
-Confesses Jesus was a Man and is from God --vs.2
-Identifies Jesus as the Christ (Messiah) -- 2:22
-1 Cor. 12:3

VS.3
•    Does not confess=includes more than denying…all spirits that ignore of fail to mention that Jesus is the Christ
•    Not saying anti-christ is present, but the spirit of the anti-christ
*power of the world to hide the reality that everything is about Christ (Eph. 2:1-3)
*see notes for 2:18-20

True Spirituality is Based on Truth(4:2) Obedience(3:24) and Relationship(3:24)

4:4
GREATER IS HE!

Start from the end of verse…
He who is in the world
•    I Jn. 5:19 / Jn.12:31 / II Cor. 4:4 / Eph. 2:2 (individuals look up)
•    1 Jn 2:16 = what the world looks like in our everyday lives

We are from God
•    Literally= have come out of / exited
•    I Jn. 5:19 / 3:9 / 2:29 / Eph.2:10 & 4:24 / II Pet.1:4 (individuals look up)

Have overcome them
•    Overcome= conquered     
•    Them= antichrist II Thes. 3:8-10 (application= any false savior)
•    Possibly because of former victories (but still are a danger)
•    Notes on 2:12-14 & 21
**Victory as a result of…
    -As children they received forgiveness
           (humble/accepting grace Rom5:17)
    -As fathers they knew God (relationship)
    -Results of these 2 things=having strength of a young man
    -vs.14 same...even deeper…Word abiding in them (truth) / 2:21
•    By Faith
*I Jn. 5:4-5  How does this defeat them? It stops their work…
*The goal of satan, as well as, the antichrists is to lead people astray and blind them…II Cor.4:3-6 / II Thes. 3:8-10…faith in Jesus stumps their plan

Because greater is He
•    Don’t forget it is all about God!!
•    Greater= larger / older / stronger
•    He = Holy Spirit (everyone look up)
*Gen1:2- He is the Creator / God
*Matt. 1:20- He is responsible for the generation of Christ
*I Cor. 2:10-11- He is Omnipotent
*John 3:3-8 / Titus 3:5- He is responsible for our spiritual birth (regeneration)
*I Cor. 12:4 & 11- He gives spiritual gifts and has a will

Who is in you
•    Rom. 8:9-11=God Himself indwells us!