THERE IS A HUNGER IN THE HUMAN HEART THAT CANNOT BE FED; AN ITCH THAT YOU CAN'T FIND TO SCRATCH!!

1. Men desire companionship, fellowship, someone to personally love and care for them as a person
2. This book offers no personal, historical, geographical specific- but Jesus & is most personal
3. It is Jesus Christ, God's Son that is offered to meet your need for love, fellowship, and companionship to satisfy you with living bread, & give drink of living water!

I.- "WE DECLARE UNTO YOU" - 1:3

A.- THE GREAT TASK OF PREACHING THE GOSPEL IS THE DECLARATION OF THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF LOVE

1. Several words are used for Gospel- this is "Apangello" to announce, declare, or to publish
2. The most known is "Euangelizo" -to Evangelize to tell you the good news of the Gospel -
3. Do this for God it is called Preaching -In Politics it is Speechmaking; school it is teaching

B.- BUT OUR MESSAGE IS INFINITE - IT IS "FROM THE BEGINNING" v. 1 - so much like John 1:1

1. "That which was" is (Imperfect Tense) -never had a beginning The eternality of Gen 1:1
2. "Which we have heard" (Perfect)-this had a beginning and it is still ringing in our ears
3. "Which we have seen" (Perfect)-burned into retina of eye- latent image still with us -
4. "Which our hands have handled" (Aerost) once for all- meaning empirical evidence you cannot refute

C.- OUR MESSAGE IS INCARNATE -"OF THE WORD OF LIFE" AND IT IS MADE FLESH AND DWELT AMONGST US

1. "Manifest"-made, visible. God is invisible, life is hard to see -but In Christ we see them
2. "Bear Witness" (an imperative action) We must! -Witness-"Martus" used for martyr & they did
3. "To show you"- (continuous action) and John had been at it for over 60 years when wrote this
4. "That eternal life"- The only way you can see this is through Jesus Christ. Will you look?

II.- THAT YE MAY HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH US - 3b

The purpose of the declaration is to draw you into the most unique fellowship in all time

A.- THERE IS A GREAT MYSTERY OF THIS FELLOWSHIP; PAUL UNFOLDS IT THAT JEW & GENTILE SHARE IT

1. "Fellowship"- Koinonia - Gr.-for Partnership, to hold in common, companionship, brotherhood
2. Men won't do this- born evil & exploiters; but God has done this for us! He loved us
3. He has shared with us - offered to hold in common- "Partakers of His Divine Nature"-

B.- THAT YE "ALSO" - THERE IS A GREAT FELLOWSHIP REACHING FROM THEN UNTIL NOW - OF THE REDEEMED

1. The only way you can join this fellowship is to accept the message of Jesus Christ- life!
2. John has been writing about showing you the way into this fellowship- through a person- Jesus
3. God's way has been offered to all the same way- no favoritism- greatest & smallest - faith

C.- THE WAY TO GOD INVOLVES FELLOWSHIP RIGHT HERE ON EARTH; YOU CANNOT BE A LONER & FULFIL IT

1. If you say you love God and hate your Brother- 4:20- You are a liar -Bible says so
2. If you say you are in the light- and hate your Brother - 2:9 -  you are in darkness & lie
3. Fellowship with your Brother whom you can see- is the test of your fellowship with God-

III.- OUR FELLOWSHIP IS WITH THE FATHER 3b

When man fell- he chose to make himself the center of his affection- but God changes that

A. IS IT POSSIBLE FOR A MAN TO HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD? MEN HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS ABOUT THIS

1. The Atheist says NO - the Agnostic says "I don't Know" - Skeptic- "You can't know anything"
2. But many people today claim to have such fellowship- so Bible gives a test- 1:6 -Walk in Light
3. Light makes manifest His will- it shows the way that is right- and shows evil- John 3:19-20

B.- "OUR FELLOWSHIP IS WITH THE FATHER" V. 3b JOHN WAS VERY PLAIN, AND BLUNT ABOUT SOME THINGS

1. "Our"- is very exclusive- "Ours and only ours" - The world is not included, cannot force way
2. If you want to have fellowship with God- you join the Club the same way we all did - faith!
3. You are welcome to join our fellowship- but only if you join with Him. Maybe both at once.

C. THE WAY TO REAL FELLOWSHIP IS OPPENNESS WITH GOD AND MAN, THE WAY OF FAITH & FAITHFULNESS

1. Sin always makes us hide things, lie, and put up window-dressing to be hypocritical about life
2. Spurgeon spoke of this as "willingness to Know and to be Known".- are you willing to be known?
3. Drop your mask- and come to God-Be honest with your fellow Christians- walk in the light!

What a difference this would make in your home, in your Church, in your nation! Try it

GOD HAS OPENED HEAVEN'S WINDOWS, AND ALLOWED JESUS CHRIST COMING TO THIS EARTH TO SHOW YOU HIS GLORY

1. Will you see the Life manifested in Christ and by faith accept Him as your savior -have life?
2. Will you come to the Blood of Jesus- for forgiveness of your sins- so you can be not afraid of death?
3. Will you join with the Earthly Fellowship so that the Heavenly Fellowship be more real to you?