MEM

1John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Right from the outset the Apostle John declares "…that ye also may have fellowship" with the Father, His Son and with one another. Fellowship with God is a reason that God created mankind, to be like Him.

"The writer's authority as an eyewitness to the gospel facts having seen, heard, and handled Him who was from the beginning: His object in writing: His message. If we would have fellowship with Him, we must walk in light, as He is light."

1 John, Perhaps Around AD 80-90
John is writing to the body of Messiah (the church). In this short letter he carefully crafts his statements to assure we achieve this fellowship that leads to eternal life. Our effort is to draw attention to John’s deep insight. Dr. R. A. Torrey said of 1 John, "There is no book in the whole Bible that is more profitable for Christians to study …"

When you are in fellowship with other believers and the Lord, there is real happiness. You are at peace with God and have the peace of God. Real joy is to be found in the Savior.

The goal of the believer is to keep himself or herself from sin. We are called to live a holy and pure life (1 Peter 1:16). Holiness and happiness are inseparable; sin and misery are at the opposite end of the spectrum.

The Greek word koinenia translated Fellowship (as used above) includes a sharing, a joint participation - an intimacy that involves communication as a member. This fellowship is more than just a relationship, although it does include a bond and an association within this context. (See section titled "Fellowship Defined"). • companions • partakers • partners •communication • communion • contribution

Fellowship = communion; which is a companionship, making a contribution and sharing in common

1Cor 1:9 (NAS unless indicated) God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1Cor 1:9 (NJB) You can rely on God, who has called you to be partners with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

This MEM issue is focused on John’s purpose for writing his first epistle and the benefits of our fellowship with Yeshua, and Abiding in Him.

John, known as the beloved disciple, walked and talked with Yeshua (Jesus) as His disciple.

1John 1:1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and our hands handled, concerning the Word of Life -- 2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us --

John out lived all of the disciples and had a deep insight into a living relationship with Yeshua. Here John is writing for a purpose, writing to the church body as a whole and addressing them as little children, young men and fathers (those with them from the beginning). And all of them as children of God.

1John 2:12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.

Without a proper relationship, that involves participation as a member of the body of Messiah, we will not realize the tremendous benefits available to us.

1John 3:1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God…2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is.

1John 5:11 And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.

1John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life.

1John 2:27 And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.

1John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding, in order that we might know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

1John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments.

1John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever.

1John 4:4 … and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

1John 2:14 … and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

1John 4:6 We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

1John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life.

1John 2:26 These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you.

1John 2:12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.

1John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin…

1John 2:13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.

1John 3:11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

Abide[s] used 22 times in this epistle.

Understand the key to living a righteous, holy, sin free life

Is for Him to abide in us and us in Him.

John emphasizing abiding may be because of Yeshua’s "I AM the Vine…" statement in John’s Gospel

John 15:5 (NAS) "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.

Abide (See section "Abide Defined")

Total KJV Occurrences: 85

• abide, • abiding, • continue, • dwell. • enduring, • remain, • stand, • tarry

This Abiding bears fruit (Evidence of our fellowship in Messiah)

1John 2:6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

1John 2:10 The one who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

1John 2:14 I have written to you… and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

1John 2:17 … but the one who does the will of God abides forever.

1John 2:24 … If what you heard … abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.

1John 2:27 And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. 28 And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.

1John 3:24 And the one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And we know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

To abide in Him keeps us in a state of honor (enabling a guilt free fellowship)

1John 3:6 No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him.

1John 3:9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

1John 3:24 And the one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And we know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. (The Anointing)

1John 4:13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.

1John 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

1John 4:12 … if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.

1John 3:17 But whoever has the world's goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?

Therefore if we have been forgiven, restored, and filled with the love of God we will abide in Him, love Him, keep His commandments, walk in the light, have His anointing and will love our brother in deed and truth. Then we will have this fellowship confidence…

1John 5:14 … this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

Revelation 3:20 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me. (This is real fellowship!)

1John 2:15 Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Next MEM: What 1John says about SIN

Some Benefits of Knowing YHVH (the LORD)

Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 3:26 For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.

Proverbs 10:3 The LORD will not allow the righteous to hunger…

Proverbs 16:9 The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

Proverbs 20:22 Do not say, "I will repay evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.

Proverbs 28:5 Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the LORD understand all things.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Acknowledge YHVH and trust in His Word; enjoy the fruit of this association.

"For a small reward, a man will hurry away on a long journey;
While for eternal life, many will hardly take a single step."
Thomas à Kempis

1 John is about our goal of eternal life. This involves our abiding in Him and the fellowship we are called to; that we might benefit in all things now and forever -- Amen

Strong’s G2842

Fellowship - Transliteration: Koinonia - Phonetic: koy-nohn-ee'-ah

- Definition:

1. fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, social intercourse

- Origin: from G2844

Total KJV Occurrences: 20

• communicate, • communication, • communion, • contribution, • distribution, • fellowship

G2844 (Strong)

- Transliteration: Koinonos - Phonetic: koy-no-nos'

- Definition:

1. a partner, associate, comrade, companion

2. a partner, sharer, in anything

Total KJV Occurrences: 9

• companions, • fellowship, • partaker, • partakers, • partner, • partners

Webster 1828

FEL'LOWSHIP, n. (edited for length)

1. Companionship; society; consort; mutual association of persons on equal and friendly terms; familiar intercourse. Therefore - Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Eph 5.

3. Partnership; joint interest; as fellowship in pain.

4. Company; a state of being together.

5. Frequency of intercourse.

In a great town friends are scattered, so that there is not that fellowship which is in less neighborhoods.

6. Fitness and fondness for festive entertainments; with good prefixed.

7. Communion; intimate familiarity. 1 John 1.

[ A-1,Noun,G2842, koinonia ] (edited for length)

(a) communion, fellowship, sharing in common", is translated "communion" in 1Cor 10:16; Phlm 1:6, RV, "fellowship," for AV, "communication;" it is most frequently translated "fellowship;" (b) "that which is the outcome of fellowship, a contribution," e.g., Rom 15:26; 2Cor 8:4.

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Koinonia most often carries the sense of communion or fellowship, referring to an association involving close mutual relations. This idea of mutual involvement is seen in extrabiblical usage, where koinonia can refer to marriage (3Macc 4:6). Because of a common Spirit, Christians have fellowship with God and one another (1Jn 1:3, 6, 7). This kind of intimate fellowship was displayed among the sharing community of the early church (Ac 2:42). Koinonia may also refer to the way in which this fellowship is portrayed, namely, through sharing, generosity, or participatory-feeling. Paul speaks of the Corinthian church's generosity in sharing a financial gift (2Co 9:13). By extension, koinonia may refer to the financial contribution itself (Rm 15:26). It may also express participation or common fellowship in a task or cause. Thus, believers have a common participation in the faith (Phm 6) and in Christ's body and blood (1Co 10:16).

Strong’s G3306 (edited for length)

- Transliteration: meno - Phonetic: men'-o

- Definition:

1. to remain, abide

2. to wait for, await one

- Strong's: A primary verb; to stay (in a given place state relation or expectancy): - abide continue dwell endure be present remain stand tarry (for) X thine own.

Total KJV Occurrences: 85

• abide, 13 • abideth, 16 • abode, 11 • continue, 5 • continued, 2 • continuing, 1 • dwell, 2 • dwelleth, 7 • dwelt, 2 • enduring, 1 • remain, 5 • remained, 2 • remaineth, 4 • tarried, 3 • tarry, 4

Webster (1828) (edited for length)

ABI'DE, v. i. pert. and part. abode.

abada, to be, or exist, to continue; W. bod, to be; to dwell, rest, continue, stand firm, or be stationary for anytime indefinitely. Class Bd. No 7.]

1. To rest, or dwell. Gen 29:19.

2. To tarry or stay for a short time. Gen 24:55.

3. To continue permanently or in the same state; to be firm and immovable. Ps 119:90.

4. To remain, to continue. Acts 27:31. Eccl 8:15.

ABI'DE, v.t.

1. To wait for; to be prepared for; to await.

2. To endure or sustain.

To abide the indignation of the Lord. Joel 10.

3. To bear or endure; to bear patiently.

In general, abide by signifies to adhere to, maintain defend, or stand to, as to abide by a promise, or by a friend; or to suffer the consequences…

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a-bı̄d´: Old English word signifying progressively to “await,” “remain,” “lodge,” “sojourn,” “dwell,” “continue,” “endure”; represented richly in Old Testament (King James Version) by 12 Hebrew and in New Testament by as many Greek words. In the Revised Version (British and American) displaced often by words meaning "to sojourn," "dwell," "encamp." The Hebrew and Greek originals in most frequent use are yāshabh, "to dwell"; ménō, "to remain." "Abide (sit or tarry) ye here" (Gen_22:5); "The earth abide (continueth) forever" (Ecc_1:4); "Who can abide (bear or endure) the day?" (Mal_3:2); "Afflictions abide (await) me" (Act_20:23). The past tense abode, in frequent use, has the same meaning. "His bow abode (remained) in strength" (Gen_49:24); "There he abode" (dwelt) (Joh_10:40).

Abode, as a noun (Greek monḗ) twice in New Testament: "make our abode with him" (Joh_14:23); "mansions," the Revised Version, margin "abiding-places" Joh_14:2).

How does God feel about issues we face today?

Yeshua (Jesus) invited those who were weary and burdened to come to Him, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light. You also know that you are saved by grace rather than works, so your effort is not a part of the equation of your salvation. If you accept these things as true do you assume that you will just slide through your life as a believer? Nothing could be more wrong. If you answer His invitation to fulfill His high calling for your life it will be the most difficult thing you will ever do. It will take everything you have and even with your maximum effort it will still take a lifetime to complete. Yet the further you go down this path the more you will realize that it is His [Spirit] and not you, and so those statements about salvation by grace and an easy yoke are still true.  (Adopted from a blog post by Dale Cresap)

Some facts about Michigan

6-1-1637 Jaques Marquette is born at Laon, France. In 1668 he founded Michigan’s oldest settlement, Sault Ste. Marie

7-24-1701 Detroit is founded by Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac a French Commander

1-11-1805 Michigan is organized as a territory

1-26-1837 Michigan becomes the 26^th state

4-28-1897 The Apple blossom is adopted as Michigan’s official state flower

4-8-1931 The robin is designated Michigan’s official state bird

9-5-1881 Michigan’s Great Fire

7-30-1863 Henry Ford is born near Detroit

6-4-1896 The first Ford automobile is completed in a brick work shed in Detroit

10-1-1908 Henry Ford introduces the Model T

4-1-1913 Henry Ford installs the first moving assembly line in Detroit

1-5-1914 Henry Ford announced $5 per day pay for an eight hour work day

1-14-1914 Henry Ford implemented his "assembly line" technique

12-10-1915 The one-millionth Model T rolls off the assembly line at the Ford plant in Detroit

7-23-1829 William Burt of Mount Vernon receives a patent for the nation’s first typewriter

1-26-1875 George F. Green of Kalamazoo is awarded a patent for the first electric dental drill

5-24-1884 Dr. John H. Kellogg of Battle Creek applies for a patent for a process to manufacture Corn Flakes

1-30-1933 The Lone Ranger radio program makes its first public broadcast over Detroit station WXYZ

2-2-1936 Ty Cobb of the Detroit Tigers becomes the first player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame

1-6-1914 Danny Thomas is born in Deerfield

2-4-1902 Charles Lindbergh is born in Detroit

2-19-1914 William "Smokey" Robinson is born in Detroit

4-23-1940 Actor Lee Majors is born in Wyandotte

3-26-1944 Diana Ross is born in Detroit

5-6-1945 Musician/singer Bob Seger is born in Ann Arbor

7-1-1915 Blues legend Willie Dixon is born in Vicksburg

8-14-1959 Basketball Star Earvin (Magic) Johnson is born in Lansing

11-29-1880 The Detroit Baseball Co (later Detroit Tigers) is organized

11-10-1929 The Ambassador Bridge linking Detroit and Windsor Ontario is dedicated

11-3-1930 The Detroit-Winsor tunnel is opened

1-25-1945 Grand Rapids becomes the first city to fluoridate its drinking water

11-7-1957 The Mackinac bridge opens connecting Michigan’s two peninsulas

A Sunday school teacher asked her children,
as they were on the way to the church service,
"And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?"
One bright little girl replied,
"Because a lot of people are sleeping."

Six-year-old Angie and her four-year-old brother Joel
were sitting together in church.
Joel giggled, sang, and talked out loud.
Finally, his big sister had enough.
"You're not supposed to talk out loud in church."
"Why? Who's going to stop me?" Joel asked.
Angie pointed to the back of the church and said,
"See those two men standing by the door?
They're hushers."

A father was at the beach with his children
when the four-year-old son ran up to him, grabbed his hand,
and led him to the shore where a seagull lay dead in the sand.
"Daddy, what happened to him?" the son asked.
"He died and went to Heaven," the Dad replied.
The boy thought a moment and then said,
"Did God throw him back down?"

A wife invited some people to dinner.
At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said,
"Would you like to say the blessing?"
"I wouldn't know what to say," the girl replied.
"Just say what you hear Mommy say," the wife answered.
The daughter bowed her head and said,
"Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?"

Remember: If your mind goes blank, don’t forget to turn off the sound.

Blessed be YHVH (Genesis 14:20 And blessed be God Most High…)