First John chapter one, started a new study Wednesday night. And we’re going to be going through the book of First John. I’ve got about eight lessons that we’re going to be doing out of First John. Yes, I know it’s just five chapters, but there are three different titles that God has given. Three different names God has called here in this book. God is light, God is love, and God is life. And we’re going to get into every one of those. We began to lay that foundation on Wednesday night about the actuality of the light and God being light. And we paralleled it with John chapter number one. And we talked about how the Book of John, the Gospel of John, dealt with the deity of Christ. Well, First John now deals with the humanity of Christ. And so we’re breaking all this down into the aspects of Christ being that light and the light that he is. And how we are to manifest that light which is inside of us now. But here tonight, as we re going to read, we re going to get into the association of the light. So we talked about the actuality of light. Now we are going to see the association of that light. Look at verse number five. 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. If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another. And the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and. And the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and his word is not in us. My little children, these things write I unto you that ye sin not if any man sin. We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. And he is the propitiation for our sins. Not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Scripture Reference
Primary Scripture:
1 John 1:5-2:2
Introduction
Sermon Title: “Who Is God? – Part 2” — Preacher: Dr. Terry LeQuieu.
We continue our study in 1 John, focusing now on the association of the light. The Lord has revealed three emphases in this epistle—God is light, God is love, and God is life. Tonight Dr. LeQuieu unpacks what it means that “God is light,” and how that truth should shape our fellowship with God, our walk with one another, and our personal victory over sin. This message is practical and pastoral: John does not promise sinless perfection on earth, but he does promise cleansing, advocacy, and power to live as God’s children when we walk with Him.
Quote from Preacher
Stand with me. Start a new study. Right. We can sit down. Wasn’t it? Praise God. First John, chapter one, started a new study Wednesday night. And we’re going to be going through the book of First John. I’ve got about eight lessons that we’re going to be doing out of First John. Yes, I know it’s just five chapters, but there are three different titles that God has given. Three different names God has called here in this book. God is light, God is love, and God is life. And we’re going to get into every one of those. We began to lay that foundation on Wednesday night about the actuality of the light and God being light. And we paralleled it with John chapter number one. And we talked about how the Book of John, the Gospel of John, dealt with the deity of Christ. Well, First John now deals with the humanity of Christ.
Outline
- Conform to the Standard
- The Standard Clarified: The standard for Christian living is not our opinion or our best effort; it is Jesus Christ and the written Word. 1 John presents the truth plainly: “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Our aim must be conformity to Him (Romans 8:29).
- The Witness of Fellowship: John emphasizes that his message is eyewitness truth—what was seen and heard from Christ is now declared to the church. A genuine walk with God is rooted in fellowship with Him and flows from Scripture we have received and obeyed.
- The Walk of Fellowship: If we claim fellowship with Christ yet “walk in darkness,” we lie (1 John 1:6). The root of a righteous walk is ongoing fellowship with God—daily Bible reading, prayer, and obedience. When we walk with God, His light will reveal where we need change.
- The Result of the Walk: Walking in the light produces three results: fellowship with God (root), fellowship with God’s people (relationship), and a freeing from sin (sanctification). The Christian life is communal as well as personal; God’s light leads to genuine, Spirit-led relationships.
- Contemplate Our Sin
- Cleansing of Our Sin: The blood of Jesus “cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient for past, present, and future sins—He covers what we have done and what we would have done apart from His grace.
- Claiming Versus Confessing: When we claim to be without sin we deceive ourselves (1 John 1:8). True Christian humility admits ongoing struggle with sin; claiming sinlessness is self-deception and evidence that the truth is not in us.
- Confession Brings Forgiveness: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Confession is agreeing with God—an admission that opens the door to His promised forgiveness and cleansing.
- Cleansing Means a Fresh Start: Forgiveness is not only pardon but purification. When God forgives, He washes us and gives clean garments—not to parade in our past filth but to walk anew in purity (cf. Psalm 40:2).
- Conquer Sin by Christ
- Purpose of John’s Writing: John writes “that ye sin not” (1 John 2:1). This is not a promise of earthly sinless perfection but a call to not be mastered by sin—victory is the goal.
- Recognition of Failure and Advocacy: When we do sin, we have an Advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1). That is, He pleads our case and represents us on the basis of His righteousness, not ours.
- Propitiation—Christ’s Performance: Jesus is “the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 2:2). He is the mercy seat—His blood satisfied divine justice so God can be both just and the justifier of sinners (Romans 3:25-26).
- Power for the Whole World: Christ’s atoning work is sufficient for the sins of the whole world—meaning the offer of salvation is universal in scope while saving faith is personal in application.
- Practical Exhortations
- Walk with God Daily: The heart of victory is a daily life of fellowship. Make Bible reading, prayer, and worship non-negotiable.
- Fellowship with God’s People: Seek and maintain godly relationships—spiritual growth is fostered by close, accountable fellowship (Amos 3:3).
- Confess Quickly and Frequently: When sin is discovered, confess it. God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse; delay only allows bondage to deepen.
- Rely on the Advocate: When you fail, run to Christ—not away from Him. He defends and restores those who come in repentance.
Summary
1 John 1:5-2:2 teaches the church to live in the reality of God’s light. To conform to the standard of Christ is to walk in fellowship with Him and thus walk in truth rather than darkness. Contemplation of our sin is not a doom-and-gloom fatalism but an honest acknowledgment that leads to confession, forgiveness, and cleansing. When we do fail, we are not left defenseless—Jesus serves as our Advocate and propitiation. The result is not instant sinless perfection, but freedom from sin’s dominion and the power to live a growing, godly life. The simple but profound application: walk with God.
Quote to Ponder
To have victory. We’ve got to walk with God. That’s as simple as it gets. It’s not difficult. It’s not hard. It just boils down to, do we want to do it? Do I want to walk with God or not? Do I want to walk with God, or do I want to hold on to the sin in my life? Because many times in life, we do what we want to do. That’s the reality. If I want to walk with God, Brother Anthony, I will. If I want to live in sin, I can do that too. It just boils down to, what do I want to do? I want to walk with God.
Application for the Week
Practical, actionable steps you can take this week to live in the light and grow in Christlikeness:
- Daily Fellowship Time: Set aside 15–30 minutes each morning (or a consistent time each day) to read Scripture and pray. Start with 1 John and read a chapter slowly, asking God to show how you should change. Write one thing He convicts you of and one promise you can claim.
- Confess and Be Cleansed: When conviction comes, confess promptly. Use 1 John 1:9 as your verbal prayer: admit the sin, ask for forgiveness, and thank God that He cleanses you. Keep a short list (private) of recurring struggles and pray over them each day.
- Fellowship Intentionally: Spend time this week with a godly brother or sister—invite someone for coffee, Bible study, or a walk. Purposefully share one spiritual struggle and one spiritual victory. Accountability and fellowship help the light rub off.
- Identify and Replace: Identify one habit or regular practice that tends to draw you into darkness (a media habit, friendship influence, place, or activity). Replace that time with something that feeds your faith—worship music, Scripture memory, serving someone in need.
- Bring Someone the Message: Tell at least one person the simple gospel truth this week: Jesus is the Light, He died for sins, He cleanses all who confess. Share your testimony or invite a friend to a Sunday service or small group.
- Rely on Your Advocate: Memorize 1 John 2:1–2 this week and meditate on the reality that when you fail, Christ stands before the Father on your behalf. Let this truth fuel courage to confess and the desire to walk in the light.
May God give us grace to walk in His light, confess our sins, and live in the freedom purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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