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Introduction:

John was one of the 12 Apostles that followed Jesus. He wrote about the life of Jesus through the perspective of an eyewitness to Jesus’ life and ministry on earth. John was probably the last Apostle to be alive at the end of the 1st century, a time in history marked by the rule of the Roman Empire and the circulation of many false stories about Jesus and His resurrection. These false teachings became a major concern for John. John wrote the book of 1 John as a pathway of light to help Christians understand not just the revelation of Jesus, but His illumination. John is testifying that what was revealed should never be concealed.

“I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” —1 John 5:13

This collection will encourage you on your journey with Jesus by providing hope while challenging you to stretch your faith through walking in the light. This collection of talks will include:

February 16th/19th - Walking in Joy

February 23rd/26th - Walking in Trust and Obedience

March 2nd/5th - Walking in Faith

March 9th/12th - Walking in the World

March 16th/19th - Walking in Christ

March 23rd/26th - Walking in Love

March 30th/April 2nd - Palm Sunday

April 6th/9th - Easter Weekend

Text: I John 1:1-2:2 (CSB, New Testament)

Today’s Takeaway: Walking with Jesus brings joy.

Week 1 - Walking in Joy

I. THERE IS JOY IN KNOWING JESUS

Reveal Answer

(1:1-4)

A. Jesus has existed “from the

.” (1:1)

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” —Genesis 1:1

“He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For everything was created by him, …” —Colossians 1:15-16

B. Jesus is

. (1:2)

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” —John 1:14

C. Jesus lived on earth as a

. (1:2)

“See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.” —Matthew 1:23

D. Jesus lived among

. (1:1-4)

“God raised up this man on the third day and caused him to be seen, 41not by all the people, but by us whom God appointed as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead.” —Acts 10:40-42

In the body of his epistle, John gives a series of tests to determine whether a person is truly a Christian. All the tests center around three main tests:

1. The Theological Test - Confessing that Jesus is the Christ who came in the flesh
2. The Moral Test - Doing righteousness
3. The Social Test - Loving One’s Brethren

John provides these tests so the reader can use them:

1. To test their religious instructors
2. To test their professing brethren
3. To test themselves

II. THERE IS JOY IN WALKING IN THE

Reveal Answer

(1:5–7)

A. The

for the test (1:5)

“Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. 2In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him. 3The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” —Hebrews 1:1-3

B. The

for walking in the light (1:6, 7)

1. People who fail the test (1:6)
2. People who pass the test (1:7)

III. THERE IS JOY IN CONFESSING

Reveal Answer

(1:8, 9)

A. People who fail the test (1:8)

B. People who pass the test (1:9)

IV. THERE IS JOY IN KNOWING WE ARE

Reveal Answer

(1:10–2:2)

A. People who fail the test (1:10)

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;” —Romans 3:23

B. People who pass the test (2:1, 2)

CONCLUSION: WHAT NEXT STEPS DO YOU NEED TO TAKE TO WALK IN JOY?

DEEP DIVE QUESTIONS:

1. How often in an average day do you think about Jesus?
   

2. Do you pass the three tests John laid out for us?
   

3. What sins do you need to confess this week?
   

4. Do you live your life in the joy of being forgiven?
   

Upcoming Events at City United

1. NEXT 2023 Annual Offering: We are a contagiously generous church! November 1, 2022 - February 28, 2023
Be praying about how you can make an impact locally and globally through our NEXT Annual Offering. As we enter our second year of our church’s 5-year vision, we will be laser-focused on what is NEXT for us, staying outreach-focused and intentional on reaching people for a more significant Gospel impact in our community, New England, and around the world. For more information on our 5-year vision, visit www.cityunited.church/future. Over this next year, we will be focused on enlarging, equipping, encouraging, and executing a flexible plan to make a significant Kingdom impact. For more information on the ministry initiatives that this year’s annual offering will fund, visit www.cityunited.church/next.

2. Night of Prayer & Worship - Let’s prayer over our 2023 vision! TONIGHT - February 19, 6:00 - 7:30pm
Join us on the City United Campus in the Chapel of building 1 for a special night of prayer and worship as we get ready to kick off a new year and pray over our God-given vision for 2023. Let’s kick off the new year worshiping our great God together!

3. Membership Sunday - I’m All In! - February 26, 2023
Membership Sunday is a time when we honor those who have taken their Next Steps and are ready to make City United Church their church home. We will be recognizing them at the end of our online and campus gatherings, and we will have a special time of prayer with them. If you would like more information on taking this next step, please email the church office.

4. Baptism Sunday - Let’s celebrate life change! - February 26, 10:30 - 11:30am
We will have baptisms during the 10:30 a.m. on-campus gathering. If you would like to sign up to be biblically baptized or if you have questions about what it means to be biblically baptized, visit www.cityunited.church/baptism.

5. Next Steps Open House March 5, 2023, 11:45am - 1:00pm
Are you new to City United Church? Are you ready to start serving?Do you want to learn more about how you can get connected to the mission and vision of our church? If so, plan on joining us at our Next Steps Open House. During this 1 hour on-
campus meet-up you will have the opportunity to meet some of the staff
and leadership of our church, hear about how we got started and why we
do what we do, and hear about ways you can get connected and be a part
of what’s happening here. Lunch is provided. To RSVP, visit
www.cityunited.church/nextsteps, click Register Now and complete the
form.

6. Time Change Time! Spring Forward with us!
Don’t forget, on Saturday night, March 12, 2023, to set your clocks
ahead before you go to sleep. That way you won't be at church an hour
early!

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