Walk in the Light

Sermon Title: Walk in the Light

Main Idea: True believers walk in the light by confessing sin and trusting in Jesus.

Introduction

• Can you come to know God through Jesus and not experience a changed life?

• Can you encounter the light of the world and still walk in darkness?

Key Text: 1 John 1:5-10

"God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."

John addresses these critical questions in his epistle. The argument of 1 John is that a true encounter with Jesus results in a transformed life. This theme is summarized in 1 John 5:13:

"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life."

I. Confess Our Sins

A. Confession Acknowledges the Reality of Light and Darkness

• 1 John 1:5-6 – There is a definitive standard: "God is light."

• God defines morality. There is such a thing as truth—objective and absolute.

• Gnostic heresies denied sin and minimized the importance of the physical body.

"You can never walk in the light if you don’t admit the reality of darkness."

B. Confession is Abandoning the Old Way

• Walking in darkness includes:

  • Denying sin (1 John 1:8-10)

  • Hating others (2:9)

  • Loving the world (2:15)

  • Denying the Son (2:23, 4:14)

  • Persisting in sin without repentance (3:6)

• We must pursue Jesus way' and abandon the way of darkness. 

C. Confession is Walking in the Light

• Fellowship = Koinonia: partnership, association, shared life.

• One of the best evidences of salvation is our grief over sin.

"Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from this body of death?"

• Confession = agreement with God.

• Confession restores relationship, not re-justification.

II. Trust in Jesus

1 John 2:1-2 – Jesus is our Advocate and the Propitiation for our sins.

A. Jesus is Our Advocate

• He speaks to the Father on our behalf.

• We are not given license to sin, but when we do, Jesus intercedes.

B. Jesus is Our Propitiation

• His sacrifice satisfies the wrath of God.

• Salvation is accomplished at the cross. 

"You cannot out-sin God’s grace. Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more."

C. Our Culture vs. God's Standard

• The Roman Empire was morally depraved.

• John’s readers in Asia Minor were surrounded by pagan practices.

• Today’s culture mirrors the past—yet the gospel remains the same.

Closing Invitation

Hebrews 4:15-16 – Draw near to Jesus to receive mercy and find grace.

"Let us draw near to Jesus, confess our sin and trust in Him for forgiveness. Then let us share this good news with the world!"