1 John 1:3
The sermon emphasizes the importance of declaring Christ in the Gospel and the benefits of having fellowship with God through Christ.
John Gill emphasizes the importance of declaring the person and offices of Christ as central to the Gospel message, highlighting His dual nature as both God and man, and His role as the sole Mediator between God and humanity. He explains that this declaration aims to foster fellowship among believers, allowing them to share in the spiritual blessings and privileges of being part of God's family. Gill further elaborates on the intimate relationship believers have with the Father and the Son, underscoring the joy and assurance found in this fellowship through the Holy Spirit.
Text
Ver. 3. That which we have seen and heard,.... This is repeated, both to confirm and illustrate what had been before said, and to carry on the discourse to what follows:
declare we unto you; in the ministry of the word; the person and offices of Christ being the sum and substance of the Gospel ministration, that declares him to be the true God and eternal life, God over all, blessed for ever; and truly man, made of a woman, and made under the law; and to be the only Mediator between God and man, to be prophet, priest; and King, and to be the alone Saviour and Redeemer: this declares the greatness and excellency of his salvation, what an able, proper, and suitable Saviour he is; and what precious promises and spiritual blessings are in him, even all grace and eternal glory. And this declaration of him is made in the Gospel, for the following ends and purposes,
that ye also may have fellowship with us; in hearing, seeing, and handling of Christ in a spiritual sense; and by enjoying the same privileges in God's house and family, the same ordinances and spiritual provisions; joining and partaking with them in all the immunities and advantages of a Gospel church state here; and by being with them to all eternity hereafter.
And truly our fellowship [is] with the Father; the Father of Christ, the covenant God and Father of his people; and which they have with him, when under the influence and witnessings of the spirit of adoption, and can in the strength of faith call him their Father, draw nigh to him through Christ as such, and are indulged with his presence, and the discoveries of his love:
and with his Son Jesus Christ; being in union to him, they become partakers of him, and of his blessings; they receive out of his fulness, and grace for grace; they are admitted to an intimacy and familiarity with him; they are had into his chambers of secret retirement; they are brought into his banqueting house, where his banner over them is love, and where he sups with them, and they with him; and into this fellowship are they called by the grace of God, through the Gospel; as also they have fellowship with the blessed Spirit, though not here mentioned; see 2Co 13:14.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Declaration of Christ in the Gospel
- A. The person and offices of Christ
- B. Christ as the true God and eternal life
- C. Christ as the only Mediator between God and man
- II. The Purpose of This Declaration
- A. To have fellowship with the speaker and others
- B. To enjoy the same privileges in God's house and family
- III. The Nature of Fellowship with God
- A. Fellowship with the Father through Christ
- B. Fellowship with the Son Jesus Christ
- C. Fellowship with the Holy Spirit
Key Quotes
“That which we have seen and heard, declare we unto you; in the ministry of the word; the person and offices of Christ being the sum and substance of the Gospel ministration, that declares him to be the true God and eternal life, God over all, blessed for ever;” — John Gill
“And truly our fellowship [is] with the Father; the Father of Christ, the covenant God and Father of his people;” — John Gill
“they are had into his chambers of secret retirement; they are brought into his banqueting house, where his banner over them is love, and where he sups with them, and they with him;” — John Gill
Application Points
- We can have fellowship with God through Christ, and this involves intimacy, familiarity, and participation in his blessings.
- The Gospel is the means by which we obtain fellowship with God, and it is through the grace of God that we are called to this fellowship.
- Having fellowship with Christ brings many benefits, including receiving out of his fullness and being admitted to an intimacy and familiarity with him.