Welcome to the Paul Tripp podcast, where pastor and best-selling author Dr. Paul David Tripp connects the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life.

In today's episode, Paul continues through his Bible study, the gospel one chapter at a time, by taking a look at John's letters.

In this first segment, Paul summarizes the book of First John, which he

entitles genuine fellowship with God. Here's Paul.

Well, I would title First John, genuine fellowship with God. The theme of this wonderful letter is fellowship with God.

And John is very intent on rooting his readers in the truth that there's no such thing as fellowship with God that doesn't have a foundation in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our fellowship with God is through the Lord Jesus Christ.

That sin broke that fellowship and Jesus had to come, again, to live the life

that we could not live, die to death that we should have died, rise again, conquering sin

and death.

He is our advocate.

He is our righteousness.

He is our propitiation. And then John wants us, this is two sides of his fellowship coin,

he wants us to understand that the expression,

the fruit of fellowship with God, is transformed living.

So two things he has on the two sides of his gospel coin, his fellowship with God

coin is foundation is Jesus Christ. The result of that fellowship is gospel living. And this little letter is organized by three signs of gospel living.

Three signs of true faith, true fellowship with God.

First is the moral sign.

Do you keep God's commands?

It's impossible for John to think of people who have fellowship with God

who willingly, consistently break God's command.

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