i See You – Part 1

Unpacking the Phrase

Fall Fashion

Genesis 3:7–8 (ESV) – ⁷ Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. ⁸ And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

A Call to the Light

First John Background

Can I Get a Witness?

1 John 1:1–2 (ESV) – 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— ² the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—

1 John 1:3 (ESV) ³ that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us;

The Meaning of Fellowship

κοινωνία (koinōnia). n. fem. fellowship, communion, sharing, participation. A term that conveys a sense of commonality, solidarity, and shared responsibility among households or individuals.

• Shared Experience 
  • Shared Circumstances 
    • Philippians 3:7 (ESV): 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
    • Philippians 3:10–11 (ESV): 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
    • 2 Corinthians 1:5–7 (ESV): 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.
  • Shared Responsibility
    • Philippians 1:3–7 (ESV): 3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

• • Shared Resources
    • Romans 15:25–27 (ESV) – ²⁵ At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. ²⁶ For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. ²⁷ For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.
    • 2 Corinthians 8:1–5 (ESV) – ¹We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, ² for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. ³ For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, ⁴ begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— ⁵ and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
    • Acts 2:42 (ESV): 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
    • Acts 2:44–45 (ESV): 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
    • Acts 4:32 (ESV): 32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
    • Acts 4:34–35 (ESV): 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

I See You

• James 2:15–16 (ESV): 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
• Galatians 6:10 (ESV): 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Unhealthy Fellowship

1 John 1:3 (ESV) – ³. . .and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

• 2 Corinthians 6:14–15 (ESV): 14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?

The Fullness of Joy

1 John 1:3 (ESV) – ⁴ And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

The Prayers and Priorities of Jesus

• John 17:11 (ESV): And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
• John 17:13 (ESV): 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
• John 17:20–23 (ESV): 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

How to Answer Jesus’ Prayers

• 1. Commit to fellowship with God and other believers.
  2. Look past the faults of your brothers and sisters and see their needs.
  3. Give your time, talent and treasure.
  4. Give cheerfully, abundantly, consistently and unconditionally.

© Joshua D. Smith, Ph.D., 2022