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. For the life was manifested and we have seen it. And bear witness and show unto you that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us 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. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
Introduction
Title: “Who Is God?” Preacher: Dr. Terry LeQuieu
This sermon begins in the clear and compelling opening of First John chapter one. Dr. Terry LeQuieu leads us through the reality that God is light, and he builds an eight-part series exploring who God is: God is light (1–2), God is love (3–4), and God is life (5). The message grounds everything in personal experience—John the Beloved having walked with Jesus—and in the necessity of sharing that life and fellowship with others so that joy may be full.
“Night. And it’s actually going to go for the whole month of March, believe it or not. And so on Sunday nights and Wednesday nights, we are going to go through the book of First John. First John, chapter number one. We’re just going to read a few verses and then we’ll look at some other passages as well.”
Outline
- Stability of the Message
- That which was from the beginning — John anchors the message in Jesus Christ, the eternal Word (see John 1:1–3).
- Scriptural cross-reference — the Gospel of John opens the same truth: “In the beginning was the Word” and therefore the message is not novelty but testimony from an eyewitness.
- Practical point — our conviction rests on a message that is historic and unchanging; it is not opinion but revelation.
- Sensibility of the Evidence
- Heard — John had been raised in the faith; the Jewish Scriptures and sacrificial system pointed to Christ.
- Seen — John personally saw Jesus’ life, miracles, death and resurrection; personal sight gives weight to testimony.
- Looked upon — John writes with the conviction of one who gazed on Calvary and the empty tomb.
- Handled — “our hands have handled of the word of life” — the apostles touched the Lord; this proves the incarnational reality of Christ.
- Practical point — Christian faith is reasonable and sensible: it is anchored in eyewitness testimony, not mere speculation.
- Sharing of His Life
- Manifested — Christ’s life was visible; He lived among men as the Word made flesh (John 1:14).
- Seen — The apostles’ lives displayed Christ; the world observed His works.
- Declared — “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you” — the duty to tell others the gospel plainly and lovingly.
- Fellowship — The purpose of declaring is fellowship: others may join the family of God and share in communion with believers and with the Father and the Son.
- Practical point — Evangelism is not optional; personal testimony and proclamation enlarge the family of God so believers may fellowship together.
- Source of Fellowship
- Vertical fellowship — our communion with one another flows from our fellowship with the Father and the Son.
- Agreement required — spiritual unity rests on shared faith; you cannot walk together unless you agree (Amos 3:3).
- Doctrine of separation — fellowship is with those who share Christ; Scripture teaches the necessity of spiritual discernment in relationships.
- Practical point — build relationships around Christ, not merely shared hobbies or culture; spiritual growth produces true church unity.
- Supplier of Joy
- These things are written that your joy may be full — fellowship with God and with fellow believers results in deep, abiding joy.
- Light brings clarity — as God turns His light on the Word, truth is illuminated and our joy increases; revelation from God produces gladness.
- Practical point — faithful reading, fellowship, and witness are not burdensome obligations but the means by which God fills us with joy.
- Actuality of the Light
- God is light — literal and moral reality; light exposes sin, gives direction, and dispels darkness (First John 1:5).
- Contrast with darkness — darkness cannot “comprehend” the light; when the light comes, darkness flees (see John 1:5).
- Christ as Creator and Sustainer — “All things were made by him” (John 1:3); the One who spoke creation remains sovereign.
- Practical point — expect illumination when you read Scripture and when you fellowship with God; the Holy Spirit brings understanding.
- Responsibility to Bear Witness
- We are not the light — like John the Baptist we bear witness to the Light; we point others to Christ rather than to ourselves.
- Lifestyle and speech — live in such a way that people might see Jesus in you, but also be prepared to speak plainly about Christ.
- Evangelism is both demonstration and declaration — the Christian’s life and words together testify to the Savior.
- Practical point — cultivate both godly conduct and clear witness; both are necessary to reach the lost.
- Integrity of Apostolic Testimony
- John’s testimony is a model — stable, sensible, shared, sourced, and joy-producing.
- Eyewitness authority — the apostles’ witness carries unique weight; when they speak of Christ, they report reality.
- Practical point — value church history and apostolic testimony; study the Gospels and epistles to see how the early church knew and proclaimed Christ.
Summary
Dr. Terry LeQuieu uses First John 1:1–5 to pose a foundational question and answer: Who is God? He begins by establishing that God is light — an objective, eternal reality revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. John’s testimony is anchored in hearing, seeing, looking upon, and even handling the Word of life. From that stable testimony comes a responsibility: to share the manifested life, to foster fellowship rooted in Christ, and to experience the fullness of joy that only comes from union with the Father and the Son. The message calls believers to both live out and declare the gospel so others may enter into fellowship and experience the light themselves.
“This then is the message we have heard of him. And declare unto you that God is light and in him is no darkness at all.”
Application for the Week
Practical, actionable steps to apply this sermon in daily life. These are simple, specific, and meant to be done by young adults and all church members with the intent to grow in maturity and obedience.
- Daily Scripture Illumination
- Read 1 John 1:1–10 each morning this week. Ask the Lord to “turn on the light” in one specific verse each day and journal one sentence about what was illuminated.
- Personal Testimony Practice
- Write a two-minute testimony this week: who you were, how Christ reached you, and what your life looks like now. Practice saying it aloud to a friend or family member.
- Intentional Fellowship
- Invite one believer to meet for coffee or a walk and ask, “Where has God shown you light lately?” Share how God showed you truth, and pray together.
- Active Witness
- Identify one non-Christian in your life (classmate, coworker, neighbor). Pray for them daily this week and start one gospel conversation — not confrontational, but clear: explain what Christ means to you and invite them to church or a Bible study.
- Live the Light
- Choose one sinful habit or common complaint that dims your witness. Confess it to the Lord, seek accountability, and take one concrete step to change (delete an app, avoid a harmful relationship, set worship time, etc.).
- Bring Joy through Service
- Serve in a church ministry this week (usher, youth helper, parking, visitation) to practice fellowship and to receive joy by serving others in Christ’s name.
- Memorize and Meditate
- Memorize 1 John 1:5. Meditate on it at least twice daily: morning and before sleep. Let it shape your thoughts (God is light; in Him is no darkness at all).
Take these steps prayerfully. As you pursue them, expect God to illuminate His truth, strengthen your witness, enlarge the fellowship of the saints, and fill you with the joy that only He supplies.
For further personal study, consider reading the Gospel of John alongside 1 John this month. Compare John 1 and 1 John 1 and note the complementary truths about Christ’s deity and humanity. Let the Word of God become living truth in your life.
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