I'M ALWAYS AMAZED AT THE GREATNESS, YET SIMPLICITY IN JOHN'S WRITINGS - SOME MISS GREATNESS

1. John does not mention a single person, offer a single statement of personal, historical, or geographical specific-but Jesus- Yet epistle is deeply personal, & fits all of us!
2. The key work of John is to declare about the only personal name in the Book- Jesus Christ. 

He declares Jesus that we might have joy- and in declaring Him- John rejoices!

I.- WHY DID JOHN DECLARE JESUS ?

In the city of Ephesus, in an age of great historical significance John writes of the Saviour

A.- HE DECLARED JESUS THAT "YE ALSO MAY HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH US" I John 3:c

1. This letter mentions no other personal name but Jesus-but is extremely personal! You feel it
2. Springing out of life situations that were intimate and personal- they live 2,000 years later
3. John wanted fellowship with others- those who were friendless, lonely, not victorious- YOU

B.- JOHN WROTE THAT "YE MIGHT BELIEVE "John 20:31, & "THAT YE MIGHT KNOW" I John 5:13

1. He wanted people to have fellowship with him- and his was with God the Father- & Jesus Christ
2. You couldn't come into the presence of John without being in presence of God! like it or not
3. You couldn't have fellowship with John without having fellowship with God- & John sought others to bring to God

C.- JOHN WROTE THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE JOY THAT MIGHT BE FULL! "OUR JOY" -I John 1:4b

1. John was there when Jesus told why He came- John 10:10 "that ye might have life-abundantly"
2. John's life was truly filled-"one whom Jesus loved"- entrusted Mary to him- greatest heart
3. But he found fresh flowing joy- through sharing Jesus with others- a fountain of joy for all

Revival or riot- John shared Jesus, even if he faced death for it- for in it was joy!

II.- DID OTHERS DECLARE THE WORD ?

When we see a happy, contented man, we are amazed- were there any others in this happiness?

A.- THROUGHOUT THE OLD TESTAMENT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DECLARED WHAT GOD HAD DONE

1. Ps 66:16 "Come hear- I will declare what He has done for my soul" - Has God so done for you?
2. Isa 63:7 "I will mention his lovingkindness" -this week a handicapped girl- "camper of week"
3. Mal 3:16 "They that feared the Lord spake often one to another" & what of? The Lord, of course!

B. THE NEW TESTAMENT IS ALSO FULL OF COMMANDS THAT WE WITNESS OF WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE!

1. Acts 1:8 Apostolic Commission, "be witnesses" scares people, will witness all else but this
2. Rom 10:14 tells how people are saved through preaching! v.17 by hearing the Word-
3. Phil 2:16 "Holding forth the word of life - 15-, not Paul- but YE shine as lights in world

C.- THERE WERE GREAT, LIVING WITNESSES FOR THE LORD THEN - AND WE READ OF THEM OFTEN!

1. The Apostles- Acts 4:20 just had to tell others what they had seen and heard of Jesus
2. Mark 5:15- the people saw an insane man's life saved- changed! they spoke in fear-but spoke
3. John 4:39-42- best example- they came because of Samaritan woman's word- but stayed to see & believe

When things happened in people's lives others came to see why & what; and God touched them

III.- CAN WE FIND THIS JOY TODAY? ? ?

Many are - Explo 72; there is need- our Resolution at Plymouth- Evangelize in 73 - Jesus Is Coming

A.- WHY AREN'T WE MORE VIBRANT IN OUR WITNESS OF WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE FOR US? HE HAS DONE MUCH!

1. Some are hypochondriacs- doubt & sin makes news! health, blessing, & joy just not NEWS
2. We have taken God's great grace, & greatest miracles for granted-& missed the joy of them!
3. We "institutionalize" our Christianity, Worship some, but never share (declare) our faith!

B.- THE BEST DECLARATION OF THE GOSPEL IS NOT IN CHURCH - WE HAVE BEEN TRICKED BY SATAN

1. Church is a place where we gather to share with Christians what God has said & done!- great
2. But those who need fellowship the most don't come to Church- Like John we must go get 'em
3. The greatest sermons are not preached in Church- nor printed- but lived in your lives!

C.- IF YOU WANT REAL JOY, THERE ARE MANY WAYS, AND PLACES, YOU CAN DECLARE JESUS TODAY

1. We do have Sunday School Classes, Baptist Training Union groups, together a lot- come and tell what the Lord has done.
2. But the greatest need is out in the world- Where the needy are! Jesus sought the lost!
3. You will never have the greater joy- until you experience Jesus,- & tell what He has done!

John 21:25- the world could not contain all the books that could be written of what He has done

BUT WHAT ABOUT YOU, AND IN YOUR LIFE? HAS JESUS DONE ANYTHING FOR YOU TO DECLARE?

1. Are you saved?- then confess it publicly here and then go out and tell everyone!
2. Baptism is one of the best ways to declare your faith in Jesus- Have you been Baptized?
3. There is strength in a church family- & God has done much here for us to tell-

But do you have a church family? Consider joining with us!