The Four Men Of 1 John 1

INTRODUCTION: Who Would Be The One To Do Wrong?      Mark 14:19

1. Jesus had informed His disciples that one of them would betray Him. (vs. 18)
2. They were concerned enough to ask: "Is It Me"?
3. Thus, they did not know. They had to examine self, in the light of Christ's teaching, to make sure that each was not the one who would do wrong.
4. This is the proper Attitude the Child of God must have: Not Assume It Is Always Others At Fault.
5. We are Admonished by Scripture to Regularly Examine Self to be Sure We Know if it is "I".


John Mentions That There Were Those In His Time That Also Had Misunderstandings About Their Relationship With God, Through Jesus Christ.

Let Us Examine What John Teaches In His First Epistle, Chapter 1, Verses 1-10

John Is Speaking Of Four "Men" - Four Different Attitudes Towards God's Will.

A. The Man Who Thinks That Sin Does Not Matter.                                                 1 John 1:5,6
 
           1. There Are Some Who Think Sin Does Not Matter - Can Still Do It Without Consequences.
     2. All Sin has Consequences: Death (Spiritual) and Eventually Eternal.                         Romans 6:23
     3. Our Fellowship With God Is Not Determined By OUR Say So.                                  Matt. 7:21,22
           4. God changed our PLACE when We Became His.                                                        Colos. 1:13
           5. Thus, We Cannot Be In Two Places At The Same Time: Physical Impossibility For Man.
           6. Sin Matters, If My RelationshipWith God Matters. 


B. The Man Who Believes He Does Not Need To Repent.                                        1 John 1:8

     1. There is No Such Man Who Ever Lived!                                                                     Romans 3:23
     2. The Greatest Of God's Chosen Have All Been With Fault.

          a. Abraham Deceived.                  (Genesis 12:10-13, 18;  20:2-6)
          b. Moses Disobeyed.                    (Numbers 20:1-12)
          c. David Sinned With Bathsheba. (2 Samuel 11)

      3. Men May Look "Perfect" To Other Men, But They Still Need God's Way.               Acts 10:1-6

          a. Few men could fill the shoes of a Cornelius today: helped his neighbor, religiously "sound".
b. God still told him that he needed to know "what to do".

      4. Without Repentence There Can Be No Remission Of Sins.                                       Luke 24:47; Act 17:30
      5. Jesus Himself Warned: Without Repentence Men Will Perish.                                  Luke 13:3
 6. Those Who Wish To Argue With Jesus Now, Will Find Themselve MUTE In Judgment!






C. The Man Who Believes That Once Converted, He Can Live Sinlessly.               1 John 1:10

1. Please Do Not Misunderstand The Importance Of This Teaching.

         a. This is NOT to say it is IMPOSSIBLE to Live Without Committing Sin.
    b. Yet, Neither Is It Saying That One Will Never Sin.
    c. The Truth Is Somewhere In The Middle: If Man Could Live Without Possibly Committing Sin,
             Then There Would Be No Need For The Blood Of Christ!

     2. Neither Is This License Provided Saying One Can Sin: That Is Denied.                      1 John 2:1
     3. One Cannot Live By Their Own System Of Right And Wrong, Own System Of Redemption.
     4. Scriptures Teach Possible For A Child Of God To Sin And Need Repentence.           Acts 8:20-23
      5. It Is Teaching: One Can Live And Please God. When They Sin, They Can Receive Forgiveness.


D. The Man Who Believes He Can Please God By Following God's Will.               1 John 1:5,7,9

     1. This Is The Man Who Believes The Message: God Came In The Flesh.                      1 John 1:1
     2. This Is The Man Who Believes Fellowship With God Is Possible: Unity With Creator.         1:3
     3. This Man Believes Joy Can Be Known By God's Word: Not Life Experiences.          1 John 1:4,5
     4. This Man Knows His Limits: Boundaries Provided By God = In Light.                       1 John 1:7
     5. This Man Knows He Depends Upon God To Provided Redemption & Forgiveness.   1 John 1:9
     6. This Man Knows That He Can Please God By Obeying God's Word.                          1 John 2:3-6


CONCLUSION:  "Is It I"?  It Depends Upon What Question You Are Asking!

1. Are You One Who Depends Upon God To Lighten The Way To Salvation?
      2. Are You One Who Is Willing To Follow God's Word And Obey His Commands?
      3. Are You One Who Knows That Repentence Is Necessary To Receive God's Remission From Sins?
      4. Are You One Who