August 20, 2019: SOAP #3547:  Jeremiah 48-49; Psalm 67; 1John 1

Scripture:  1John (NIV) 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
4 We write this to make our joy complete.

Observation:   John is writing from a personal perspective.  This is not hearsay.  He is telling us what he personally experienced.  And more than a personal experience, it is a shared personal experience.  This is not something he experienced on his own.  There are people who can verify his experiences.  There are people with whom he has discussed Jesus—His life and His ministry, His teachings, His death, His resurrection.  Instead of “I” and “my” we read “we” and “our.”

Application:   My experience with Jesus is also a personal experience.  Jesus has personally directed my decisions.  He has healed me and provided for me.  But it is more than a personal experience, it is a shared personal experience.   Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father…”  We share the glorious life of Jesus.  We share the scriptures.  We share the Holy Spirit.  We share the blessed hope.  We share the challenges and we share the rewards.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for those who share my blessings and burdens. Thank you for those who share my challenges and rewards.  Thank you for those who encourage me.  Use me to encourage somebody else today. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!