The primary theme of 1 John is fellowship with God and Jesus Christ. It encourages believers to love God and one another. Those who love God will walk in the light of his word. The apostles enjoyed fellowship with God and Jesus, and wrote about this fellowship so that others could experience it too. True joy comes from walking closely with God in the light of his word.

1. We are beginning a study of the three "Little Johns". The primary theme of 1 John is Fellowship with God the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. We are encouraged above all else to love God with all our hearts, and to love one another . We who love our Lord will walk in the Light of His Word. May 5, 2010

2. 1 John 1 1 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, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it , and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

3. John 1 1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the Life was the Light of men. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of Grace and Truth. This is the same John writing about the same Jesu s, The Son of God the Father .

4. The Son of God is eternal God . " In the beginning " He already was. Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us, that we might know God. He is the Light , in Whom we see and come to know God the Father . Jesus said, "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father." John 14:9

5. 2 (For the Life was manifested, and we have seen it , and bear witness, and shew unto you that Eternal Life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) Jesus is Eternal Life, And He brought eternal life unto mankind. He became flesh and dwelt among us, That we might see , know , and receive God. In Him we have Eternal Life .

6. 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. The apostles had a great blessing , Fellowship with the Father and with His Son. They wanted every Christian to enjoy that same blessing.

7. Fellowship = Koinonia = partnership, i.e. (literal) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction :- (to) communicate (-ation), communion, (contri-) distribution, fellowship. Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary. The apostles enjoyed this personal and intimate fellowship with the Lord. To have fellowship with the apostles was to have the same fellowship with the Lord.

8. 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 6 14 … what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? People want it both ways , but it will never be . Choose fellowship with the Lord. This fellowship is more personal and intimate than most people ever enjoy.

9. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This fellowship that believers can have with our Lord and with one another Brings joy that is full and lasting, and is not dependent on circumstances.

10. It is impossible for unbelievers to experience this fellowship and joy. Most believers will never know this level of Christian fellowship and joy . True joy comes as we walk closely with the Lord in the Light of His Word. No other way !

11. Original Trinity Hymnal , #700 (Trust and Obey) When we walk with the Lord in the Light of His Word What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good Will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there's no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, But His smile quickly drives it away; Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh nor a tear, Can abide while we trust and obey.

12. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, But our toil He doth richly repay; Not a grief nor a loss, not a frown or a cross, But is blest if we trust and obey. But we never can prove the delights of His Love Until all on the altar we lay; For the favor He shows, and the joy He bestows, Are for them who will trust and obey. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet, Or we will walk by His side in the way; What He says we will do, where He sends we will go, Never fear, only trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there's no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.