FBCC - Second Serving

1 John 2:1–2 So That You May Not Sin Introduction Have you ever walked into a dark room and flipped on the light switch too quickly? The darkness disappears instantly, but your eyes need a few seconds to adjust. You might even shield your face or squint because the brightness feels almost painful. In time, though, you adjust, and what was once hidden becomes clear. The longer you stay in the light, the more natural it feels, and you begin to see things as they really are. That is how the Apostle John describes life in Christ. When the light of God’s truth shines into our hearts, the shadows of sin are exposed. The darkness does not stand a chance against the brightness of His holiness. But learning to live in that light takes time. At first, it can be uncomfortable. It reveals things we did not want to see about ourselves, about others, and about the world. Yet John writes this letter so that believers will not return to the darkness once the light has come. Now, I un...

Glossary 2: The Church, Grace, and Suffering 1. Law and Grace ▶ 1. Obedience It is a submission and following of God's created order (natural law) or expressed will through His law or command. The act of submission and following God's commands or precepts is a presumed basic function (Isaiah 1:3; Jeremiah 8:7). ▶ 2. Works of the Law It is the completion or acts in accordance with the law of Moses that are offered up as an attempt at self-justification before God (Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16). ▶ 3. Covenant It is an agreement that has a more relational basis than a formal contract. It includes how both parties would interact with each other and clearly outline punishment and benefits for compliance (Genesis 17:7; Hebrews 8:6–13). ▶ 4. Legalism It is the forced focus of performing certain acts, either directly of the law or fringe elements connected to the law, that have to be completed to obtain righteousness before God (Galatians 2:16; ...

The Gospel and the Work of Christ ▶ Term 1: Gospel The gospel is the good news about Jesus of Nazareth—the message that God sent His Son into the world to rescue sinners and establish His kingdom (Mark 1:14–15; John 3:16–17). Jesus is the promised King who fulfilled everything God said about the one who would come to rule and redeem (Isaiah 9:6–7; Luke 24:25–27). He lived in full obedience to God’s law (Matthew 5:17; Hebrews 4:15), died as a substitute to take the judgment we deserved (Isaiah 53:5–6; 1 Peter 2:24), and was raised from the dead—vindicated by God as the true and faithful Savior (Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4). His resurrection confirmed that His offering for sin was accepted (Acts 2:24; Romans 4:25), and through Him, we can be counted as righteous before God—not because of anything we’ve done, but because of everything Christ has done for us (2 Corinthians 5:21; Titus 3:5–7). ▶ Term 2: Atonement Atonement is the payment made to satisfy a debt. In th...

1 John 1:5–10 God Is Light Introduction The seriousness of the gospel is often overlooked. That may sound strong, but many of us pick the parts of Jesus we like and skip the parts that confront us. We also tell ourselves that the world would be fine if everyone would just believe in Jesus. Jesus did not promise a nicer version of the kingdoms we know. He announced the Kingdom of God. He announced the Kingdom of Light. That kingdom will last. The kingdoms of this world will not. When John says, “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5), he is speaking about something absolute. In God there is no shadow, no corruption, no deceit, and no contradiction. Everything finds meaning and purpose in relation to Him. He is the standard of what is good. He is the source of what is real. Every other measure of truth or goodness fails without Him. The Light of All Men John learned this message from Jesus Himself. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:1...

Obadiah: The Day of the Lord Is Coming and the Lamb Has Drunk the C The book of Obadiah is about justice. It gives a prophetic vision of the Day of the Lord, where God Himself will make right what sin has broken. It stands as a warning that no nation, no power, and no proud heart can stand against the Lord forever. Every act of violence and arrogance will be answered by the righteous Judge who sees all. Obadiah is the smallest book in the Old Testament, and it has one main point found in the prophetic warning given to Edom: the Day of the Lord is coming, and there is a cup of wrath that the nations will be forced to drink. It is a hard message, but that does not minimize its truth. What we now know through the gospel of the kingdom of God is that there is Someone, the person of Christ, who has drunk the cup of the wrath of God on behalf of those who believe, giving them escape from what is coming. The book ends with a picture of glory, for God, who is faithful to His word, will ful...

1 John 1:1–4 The Life Was Made Manifest Introduction The harsh realities presented in the books of Judges, Jude, and Obadiah emphasize the beauty of Jesus as revealed in the letter of 1 John. Each of those earlier books exposed the depths of human sin and the devastating consequences of rejecting God's authority. They were bitter truths, yet necessary ones. They showed what happens when people define good and evil for themselves and live without God's rule. Now, in 1 John, we encounter the sweetness of the Savior who restores what sin destroyed. When we consider the truth of Christ alongside those previous studies, His glory becomes more vivid. The warnings of judgment in Judges, Jude, and Obadiah give depth and color to the grace of 1 John. If we isolate the message of Jesus from the truths that reveal why we need Him, we turn a living image into a flat caricature. The beauty of the gospel only shines in full when seen against the backdrop ...