1 John 1:1-4

The Joy That Lasts Forever -

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 1 John 1:1-4

A stroll along a palm-studded beach, a relaxing snooze beside a blazing fireplace on a rainy afternoon, a fine meal with friends-- such are the things that bring us cheer. Falling in love, the birth of a long-awaited child, the return of a loved one from a war—these things bring us joy, even great joy.

When an angel suddenly appeared before the shepherds on that famous winter night in Bethlehem two thousand years ago, he said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people (Luke 2:10).” This is the same enduring joy that John describes in First John, a letter that he wrote eighty years later: “And these things we write to you that your joy may be full (1 John 1:4).” What is the reason for this incredible joy? The angel declared it to the awestruck shepherds: “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11).”

Just as the shepherds beheld the newborn Christ as He lay in a manger among the lowly animals, so did John behold Him in his adult life. Yet John experienced much more of Christ than the shepherds. When Christ revealed himself to be the God and Savior of all mankind, John was there. When Christ walked along the dusty roads of Palestine, spreading the Good News of His coming to thousands of lost and weary souls, John was there. When Christ walked upon the storm-tossed waves of the Sea of Galilee, John was there. When Christ died upon the cross and rose from the dead after three days in the grave, John was there. His friendship with Christ was so deep that he referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 21:20).” It was a friendship so wonderful, so enduring, so filled with joy that it gave John an irresistible passion to introduce his friend, Savior and God to everyone he knew.

So let us begin the introduction. The angel announced that Christ is our Savior, the only person in heaven and on earth who can deliver us from our sins. John declares that this same Savior has existed for all eternity, that by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth. He is the Word of Life, expressing the perfect mind and will of God in everything He says and does. He is the express image of the invisible God. He IS eternal life, the conqueror of death. He is the one and only source of the joy that lasts forever.

Through John’s letter Christ speaks to us directly. He calls us to His side with a still, soft voice that will one day thunder from the heavens. He reaches out to us with a powerful hand that can free us from the prison of sin and death, the same hand that will one day strike the world in judgment for its rebellion against Him. This same Christ who raised Lazarus from the grave and turned water into wine, this awesome God who spoke the entire universe into existence, this God of Israel and of the Gentiles, wants each of us to be able to say, just as John did, “I am the disciple whom Jesus loved.”

Three important truthes from 1st John 1:1-4
• Joy Comes From Understanding the Word Of Life.
• Joy Comes From Declaring The Word Of Life.
• Joy Comes From Knowing The Word Of Life.