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Who is Jesus? - 1 John 1:1-4 — 8/28/2026 10:00 AM
Today's speaker is Dr. Trent Rogers, Dean of the School of Biblical and Theological Studies at Cedarville University. Dr. Rogers implores us to delight in Jesus Christ and His Church. His text is 1 john 1:1-4.
Notes
Who is Jesus? This morning in chapel, Dr. Trent Rogers, Dean of the School of Biblical and Theological Studies at Cedarville University, reminded us that our answer to this question has eternal implications. This is the question John seeks to answer in the first four verses of 1 John. He wants us to embrace Jesus, enjoy Him, have faith in Him, and be committed to His Church.
The Person of Christ (vv. 1–2)
As we look at the beginning of 1 John, it’s helpful to go back to the Gospel of John for context. When John referenced the “Word of Life,” he was referring back to John 1, where he talked about the Word who is God and who has life in Him. Jesus hasn’t been given life; He has always had it, and He is able to give it to those who trust Him. When John talked about the life being “made manifest,” he was referring again to the first chapter of John. He declared that Jesus is the eternal God who assumed human nature for the purpose of our redemption.
John spent so much time talking about this because false teachers had arisen who denied the central claim that Jesus is God’s Son. John wrote to correct that teaching but also to remind the church again and again who Jesus is. Let’s make sure our hearts never grow dull to hearing the message of who our Lord is!
The Fellowship of Christ (v. 3)
When the Gospel goes forth, people believe and assemble into churches. Church is a community centered around hearing who God is and what He has done. It is so important to remember that fellowship is not about believers identifying just with God but also with one another. We must not neglect meeting with the church regularly. God has designed you for the community of the church.
The Joy of Christ (v. 4)
If you aren’t in fellowship with other believers, you are robbing yourself of the opportunity to minister and be ministered to. You are also robbing yourself of joy. There is deep joy in sharing in the fellowship of believers. A shared joy is a multiplied joy; your joy is heightened when you get to share it with someone else.
It’s not just about knowing the right answer to the question, “Who is Jesus?” It’s also about believing the right answer. Jesus is the Son of God, and if you believe in Him, He will give you the right to become His child.