Basic Heresy

• Jesus is not the Christ
• Christ is in Jesus but is not Jesus

Historical Reality

1 John 1:1

• The Son of God has always existed
• The Son of God has come to earth
• Implication: God has been telling His story for a long time (and it's best to understand our stories in light of this)

Experienced Reality

• Heard - the very words of Jesus
• Seen - the works of Jesus
• Contemplated - the good in Jesus
• Touched - interacted with Jesus
• Implication: he has authority to write but is also inviting us to experience life with Jesus

Gracious Reality

1 John 1:2-3

• Unearned and undiscovered - it is revealed
• Our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ
• Implication: we have a relationship where we are doing things in common and doing them together

Shared Reality

1 John 1:3-4

• It is ours to speak of what we have seen (just like they did)
• It is an invitation to joy and fellowship
• Implication: we experience it together and we express it together