First John
By Dr. Darrell Richard Ferguson
Contents
Book Summary
Fellowship with God Part 1 I Touched the Word of Life 1:1
Introduction
From the Beginning
Seen, Touched, Heard
What is wonderful about the proof
Fellowship with God Part 2 The Word of Life 1:1b-2
Introduction
The meaning of life
Spiritual Life
The Origin of the Life
Fellowship with God Part 3 Fellowship through Revelation 1:3
Introduction: Revealed, not Discovered
Review
The Revelation of the Life v.2
Fellowship with the Apostles
Fellowship with God
If God has clearly communicated, we should eagerly listen!
Fellowship with God Part 4 Fellowship with God 1:3b
Introduction
The Importance of Fellowship with God
Refuting the pagan view (taking “koinonia” captive)
The biblical picture of fellowship with God
Summary: 1) Join, 2) Attend 3) Receive
Conclusion: A day in the life of a Christian
Fellowship with God Part 5 Joy through Ministry 1:4
Introduction
Motive for Ministry: Why should you serve?
How to Get Joy
Conclusion
Sin in the Christian Life Part 1 God is Light 1:5-7
Introduction: The problem of Christian sin
Premise 1: God is light
Premise 2: There is no darkness in Him
Conclusion: Fellowshipers with light cannot walk in darkness
Walking in the Light
Don’t walk in the darkness!
Sin in the Christian Life Part 2 What is Fellowship? 1:6-7
Fellowship with God
Fellowship with one another
Conclusion: walk in the light!
Sin in the Christian Life Part 3 Confession 1:8-9
Introduction: The Problem of conditional forgiveness
Who is supposed to confess?
The Alternative to Confession
The meaning of confession
Confess to Whom?
Conclusion: Give glory to God!
Sin in the Christian Life Part 4 Conditional Forgiveness? 1:9-10
Problem: Are Christians forgiven or not?
Solution: only justification is absolute in this life – not sanctification
David’s example
Conclusion
Sin in the Christian Life Part 5 Dealing with Guilt 2:1
Introduction: The Problem of Guilt
I. Repentance
II. Fear: Sin less through heeding warnings
III. Faith – trust in His love and Advocacy
Sin in the Christian Life Part 6 The Atonement 2:2
The problem: Wrath
The Solution: Propitiation/Atonement
The price
The extent: Universal
Today is the day of salvation!
Appendix: Argument for Unlimited Atonement
Knowing God & Loving People Part 1 Knowing and Obeying 2:3-4
Knowledge of God
The relationship between knowing and obeying
Knowing God & Loving People Part 2 The Life of a True Christian 2:3-6
Review
I. Keeping
II. Loving
III. Remaining
Conclusion
Keep the Word!
Knowing God & Loving People Part 3 Imitating Jesus 2:6b
The claim requires the walk
So WDJD?
Conclusion
Knowing God & Loving People Part 4 Imitating Jesus (contd) 2:6b
Introduction
Review
A life of warfare
His role in the war (calling)
His alertness in the war (Vigilance)
His weapon of war (Scripture)
His endurance in the war (withstanding opposition)
Defeat in the war (and recovery)
Knowing God & Loving People Part 5 Imitating Jesus (contd) 2:6b
Introduction
Satisfied with God alone, yet did not isolate self
Joined in God’s affections
Especially loved believers and the lowly
Was a small group leader
Performed miracles
Gave up rights for others
Humiliation
Pursued joy
Delighted in corporate worship and fellowship
Conclusion
Knowing God & Loving People Part 6 The New Commandment 2:7-8
Introduction
The orthodoxy of the New Command (“Read my lips: No new doctrines”)
The context of the New Command
Definition of the New Command
Keeping the New Command
Activation of the New Command: Overlapping ages
Conclusion
Knowing God & Loving People Part 7 Lovers & Haters 2:9-11
Introduction
True light (claims vs. reality)
Lovers and Haters: Which are you?
Haters and Darkness
Lovers and light
Conclusion: Light is good – seek it (though love)
Overcoming Evil Part 1 Take Heart – You’re Winning! 2:12-14
Introduction
Children & Forgiveness
Fathers & Knowledge of Christ
Children & Knowledge of the Father
Young Men & Victory
Conclusion
Overcoming Evil Part 2 The Love God Hates 2:15-17
Introduction
Definitions
Reason 1: Incompatible with love for God
Reason #2 The world is transient
Conclusion
Overcoming Evil Part 3 The Antichrists are Here! 2:18
Introduction (warning about deception)
The Antichrist: Satan’s master plan of deception
The last hour – Crunch time
Overcoming Evil Part 4 The Anointing 2:19-21
Introduction (Remain!)
Those who failed to remain (departed from the Apostles’ doctrine) v.19
Your ability to remain: The Anointing v.20
Conclusion
Overcoming Evil Part 5 The Ultimate Decision 2:22-23
Introduction
The ultimate lie
The ultimate truth
The ultimate conflict
The ultimate decision
Overcoming Evil Part 6 Let the Word Remain in You 2:24-28
Step 3: Unashamed at His Coming
Step 2: Remain in Him
Step 1: Let the Word Remain in You
Conclusion
Overcoming Evil Part 7 Purifying Hope 2:29-3:3
Introduction
Verse 1 Children of God
Verse 2 Future Hope
Verse 3: Present Purification
Conclusion
Overcoming Evil: Part 8 Cosmic Treason  3:4-8
Introduction: Why is overcoming sin so hard?
Sin is lawlessness!
Satan’s mission
Jesus’ Mission
No Middle ground
Our Deliverer!
Overcoming Evil: Part 9 Christians Can’t Sin 3:4-9
Introduction: The false teaching
Christians can’t sin?
What is sin? Doing what God doesn’t like
What is righteousness? The activity of life from God
The meaning of Righteousness – That which rises from the life of God
No position without conduct
Conclusion
Overcoming Evil: Part 10 Cain or Christ? 1 John 3:10-18
Introduction
The way of Cain
The way of Christ
Conclusion
Overcoming Evil: Part 11 Self-Condemnation 3:19-20
Introduction:
The Stakes (Why self-condemnation is bad)
The Problem (self-condemnation)
The Solution (Convincing your heart)
Overcoming Evil: Part 12 Confident Prayer 3:21-23
Introduction:
The Promises (confidence and answered prayer)
The Condition
Reason
Conclusion
God Living in You: Part 1 Listening to the Spirit 3:24-4:6
INTRODUCTION: Assurance by the Spirit V.24
THE NEED TO DISCERN: The existence of false prophets 4:1
THE WAY TO DISCERN: Test the spirits VV.2-4
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DISCERNING (determines whether you are saved) vv.5-6
Conclusion: Assurance comes when the Spirit opens your eyes to the truth of the Gospel
God Living in You: Part 2 Let us Love One Another 4:7-11
Introduction
Motivation: Why do it?
Definition: What is it?
Conclusion: Love like God
God Living in You: Part 3 Knowing the Unseen God 4:11-15
Introduction
The Possibility of Knowing God - Verse 12
The Proof of Knowing God
The Purpose of Knowing God
Conclusion: How did God love you? (The Gospel)
God Living in You: Part 4 God Sent His Son as Savior 4:14-17
Introduction: The Coming Judgment
The Sender (Father)
The Savior (Son)
The saved
Conclusion
God Living in You: Part 5 Why You Cannot Love God without Loving His People 4:18-5:1
Loving God’s People = Proof You Love God
Why are love for God and love for brother inseparable?
Victory by Faith: Part 1 Delightful Obedience by Faith 5:2-4
Introduction
Obedience is proof of brother love
Obedience is not burdensome
Obedience is by faith
Conclusion: How to obtain faith
Victory by Faith: Part 2 The Water and the Blood 5:5-6a
Review
Intro
The object of faith – verse 5
The meaning of water and blood
The First Witness: the Water
The Second Witness: The Blood
Conclusion
Victory by Faith: Part 3 The Testimony of God 5:6b-10
Introduction: The voice of God
Review
The Illumination of the Testimony
The Superiority of the Testimony
Conclusion: Listen to the voice of God
Victory by Faith: Part 4 God’s Verdict on Your Verdict on God 5:10-13
Introduction: You are the one on trial
The Wrong Verdict
The Right Verdict
Conclusion
Victory by Faith: Part 5 Praying for a Sinning Brother 5:14-17
Introduction
The relationship of Intercession (Special access to God)
The Recipients of Intercession (Sinning brothers)
The Reason for Intercession (to demonstrate God’s favor)
Victory by Faith: Part 6 Satan Can’t Touch You, but Watch Out! 5:18-19
Introduction
Don’t Pray for the Dead
PROMISED PROTECTION FROM THE ENEMY
The benefits of the promise
The Means of the Promise
The Limitation of the Promise
The Comfort of the Promise
Conclusion
Victory by Faith: Part 7 Keep Yourself from Idols 5:20-21
Introduction
Protection through knowing God
Keep yourself from idols
Conclusion

Book Summary
Book Outline

Chapter one: fellowship with God, and the relationship of sin in the Christian life to that fellowship. 
Chapter two:
first half - the relationship between knowing God and loving people. (2:3-11)
second half - the relationship between loving God and our warfare against this world. John exposes exactly who the enemy is (2:12-23), and that victory comes through knowing and believing the truth of the gospel (2:24-28).
Chapter three:
first half - more detail about how sin and failure to love is incompatible with knowing God (2:29-3:18)
second half - the importance of confidence in prayer as we approach God. (3:19-23)

Chapter four: what it means to have God remain in you
first half - the work of the Holy Spirit in you (3:24-4:6)
second half - the love God has for you, and the outpouring of love toward others that results when you truly know Him (4:7-5:1)

Chapter five: our victory over the world through faith examined from all angles – showing us what faith is, how to strengthen it, what it says about your heart, and how God uses it to protect you.

Major Themes

Knowing God and sin (1:5-2:2, 2:29-3:18)
Knowing God & loving His people (2:2-11, 2;29-3:18, 4;7-5:1
Knowing God and warfare with the world and the devil (2:12-28, 5:1-21)
Knowing God and prayer (3:19-23, 5:14-18)
Knowing God and having fellowship with Him (1:1-4, 3:24-4:6)
Knowing God and faith (3:23-4:3, 5:4-15)

John wrote to teach us the basis of knowing God, the means, the activity, the implications, and the result of knowing God.

Fellowship with God Part 1 I Touched the Word of Life 1:1 

Summary: 1 John is a whole book about Christmas (the incarnation). The incarnation is worth celebrating! Jesus was from the beginning (is the ground of all being), and the Apostles heard, saw, and touched Him(!) John is arguing against error. The incarnation provides proof that not only encourages our hearts, but also shows us God as a self-revealing God (which is the only reason we can know Him). Both His priority of His glory and His love compel Him to reveal Himself (it is the best thing that could happen and the best thing for us for the most glorious thing to be seen and delighted in. 

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have observed, and have touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life-- 2 that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us-- 3 what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may have fellowship along with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

Introduction
We Must Take Christmas Captive
Is the Incarnation Worthy of Celebration?
Introduction to 1 John: lofty goals
From the Beginning