MAY 22, 2023
READ: 1 John 1:1–4
MEMORY VERSE
“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us.” 1 John 1:3
BACKGROUND
Robert Todd Lincoln, son of US president Abraham Lincoln, was present for three major events—the death of his own father as well as the assassinations of presidents James Garfield and William McKinley.
But consider that the apostle John was present at four of history’s most crucial events: the last supper of Jesus, Christ’s agony in Gethsemane, His crucifixion, and His resurrection.
John knew that bearing witness to these events was the ultimate why behind his presence in these moments. In John 21:24, he wrote, “This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.”
John reaffirmed this in his letter of 1 John. He wrote, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim” (1:1).
John felt a compelling duty to share his eyewitness account of Jesus. Why? “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard,” he said, “so that you also may have fellowship with us” (v. 3).
The events of our lives may be surprising or mundane, but in either case God is orchestrating them so we can bear witness to Him. As we rest in the grace and wisdom of Christ, may we speak for Him in even life’s surprising moments.
By: Bill Crowder
INSIGHT
The word fellowship, used four times in 1 John (1:3 [twice], 6, 7) is the translation of the Greek word koinōnia, which means “participation, sharing, having something in common with others.”
Elsewhere in the New Testament, this word or related words are used to show that those who embraced the truths about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection also shared their lives in practical ways.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).
In Philippians, Paul used several related words to acknowledge the believers’ participation in his ministry: “I thank my God every time I remember you . . . because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (1:3–5).
Their partnership included some form of material support: “Not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only” (4:15).
By: Arthur Jackson
APPLICATION
What are some of the more surprising aspects of your faith story? How will you share your story with someone who needs to hear of God’s love?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.” 1Peter 3:15
“Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary. Anonymous
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“The events of our lives may be surprising or mundane, but in either case, God is orchestrating them so we can bear witness to Him. As we rest in the grace and wisdom of Christ, may we speak for Him in even life’s surprising moments.”
PRAYER
“Jesus, please help me be sensitive to those times when I can share with others how much You love us.”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“TELL SOMEBODY” The William Brothers
You need to tell somebody
Tell somebody about Jesus
How He set you free, come on
Gave you the victory
Tell somebody
Tell somebody about Jesus
Tell somebody about the goodness of the Lord
Tell
You need to
Tell somebody
Tell Somebody…
Tell somebody…
About goodness of the Lord
Listen, go and tell somebody
How you were sick and He made you well
Healed your feeble body
Not a word you can tell
Tell them how you didn’t believe
And He made a believer out of you
Now you can tell the whole wide-world
How he brought you through
Yes
Tell somebody
Church Folks Come on
Tell somebody about Jesus…
You need to tell
Tell somebody…
Listen to this:
Like The Woman in the bible days
Who met Jesus at the Well
She thought she was meeting a stranger
But He told her all about her life he did tell
She ran back to tell
Talked about the joy she found
So if the Lord does something for you
You ought to tell
How He brought you through.
Tell somebody
Tell somebody about Jesus…
Tell somebody about goodness of the Lord
Tell Somebody
Go tell somebody now
Tell them how He made a way for you
Tell somebody
Tell them how he brought you through
Tell them how he opened doors
Spread the word
Go spread the word
Tell them how good
Good God is…
How He brought you through
How He lifted your burdens
Tell
Go tell
Spread the news
God is a good God
READING THROUGH THE ENTIRE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
I Chronicles 16-18
John 7:28-53
