1 John 3: Expository Bible Preaching and Study Guide

Overview

1 John 3 is a deeply pastoral and doctrinal chapter that emphasizes the identity and conduct of God’s children. The Apostle John draws a sharp contrast between those who belong to God and those who belong to the devil, calling believers to a life of righteousness and love rooted in their new identity in Christ. The chapter underscores the nature of God’s love, the transforming power of the new birth, and the practical outworking of genuine faith in love and obedience.

Key theological emphases include:

The love of the Father in making believers His children.
The moral transformation that marks true believers.
The incompatibility of sin with the new life in Christ.
The necessity of love as the evidence of being born of God.
Assurance of salvation through righteousness and the indwelling Spirit.

The chapter calls the church to live distinctly as God’s people, reflecting His holiness and love in a fallen and hostile world.

Historical and Literary Context

Historical Context

1 John was written by the Apostle John, likely in the late first century (circa A.D. 85–95), to believers in Asia Minor who were facing theological confusion due to early Gnostic influences. Gnostics denied the incarnation of Christ and promoted antinomian (lawless) living under a guise of spiritual superiority. John confronts these false teachings by affirming:

The reality of Jesus’ incarnation.
The moral imperative of righteousness.
The need for love and truth in Christian community.

This chapter responds to heretical distortions by reminding believers of their true identity and calling in Christ.

Literary Context

1 John follows an epistolary form but flows more like a homily than a structured letter. The style is cyclical and repetitive, reinforcing core truths through emphasis. Chapter 3 continues the themes of chapter 2 (righteousness, love, and the antichrist spirit) and anticipates the final chapters’ continued call for love and doctrinal integrity.

The structure of 1 John 3 can be broken into three movements:

Our Identity as God’s Children (vv. 1–3)
The Incompatibility of Sin with the New Birth (vv. 4–10)
The Command to Love One Another (vv. 11–24)

Key Themes and Doctrinal Points

1. The Love of the Father (v. 1)

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”

Doctrine: Divine Adoption. God sovereignly chooses to make believers His children through Christ (cf. John 1:12-13).
Application: This identity brings both privilege and responsibility—believers must live in a way that reflects their Father’s character.

2. Eschatological Hope and Sanctification (vv. 2–3)

“…when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”

Doctrine: Glorification. The hope of Christ’s return motivates holiness.
Evangelical Perspective: Future glorification is certain because of Christ’s resurrection. This hope purifies the believer’s conduct in the present.

3. Sin and the New Birth (vv. 4–10)

Doctrine: Regeneration leads to sanctification. A true believer does not practice sin as a way of life (v. 6, 9).
John contrasts the one “born of God” with “the devil’s child.” This stark dichotomy is rooted in moral fruit: sin reveals spiritual allegiance.
Clarification: This does not teach sinless perfection but habitual righteousness as a result of the new birth.

4. Love as the Mark of the Believer (vv. 11–18)

“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other.” (v. 14)

Doctrine: Love is the test of life. Christian love is not sentimentality but sacrificial action modeled after Christ (v. 16).
Contrast with Cain: Cain’s hatred was rooted in rebellion. The believer must walk in self-giving love, not envy or indifference.

5. Assurance and the Holy Spirit (vv. 19–24)

Doctrine: The Spirit provides internal assurance when our hearts condemn us (v. 20).
Obedience and love give believers confidence before God.
Commandments emphasized: Believe in Jesus and love one another (v. 23).
The indwelling Holy Spirit is the seal of our relationship with God (v. 24; cf. Ephesians 1:13-14).

Sermon Outline and Homiletical Flow

Title: “Children of God: Living the Life of Love and Righteousness”

I. Loved into a New Identity (1–3)

Illustration: Adoption—chosen and cherished.
Application: We reflect God’s nature because we are His children.

II. Born Again, Set Apart (4–10)

Transition: New birth demands new behavior.
Example: The transformation of Saul to Paul.
Application: Examine your life—do you habitually walk in sin or righteousness?

III. Real Love Looks Like Jesus (11–18)

Illustration: The Cross—ultimate example of love (v. 16).
Application: Do not love in word only, but in deeds. Serve someone today.

IV. Confident Hearts, Abiding Spirit (19–24)

Transition: God knows our hearts. He gives peace through His Spirit.
Example: Personal testimony or story of assurance despite past sin.
Application: Keep His commands. Depend on the Spirit’s witness.

Conclusion

1 John 3 calls believers to a radical and visible transformation that flows from their identity as God’s children. It affirms that genuine salvation will manifest in righteousness and love. While we do not reach perfection in this life, the new birth fundamentally alters the believer’s trajectory—away from sin and toward holiness and sacrificial love.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis (NIV)

1 John 3:1 – “See what great love the Father has lavished on us…”

Explanation: The Greek word potapēn (“what great”) emphasizes amazement. God’s initiating love is not earned; it is lavished.
Cross-Reference: John 1:12 – “To all who received Him… He gave the right to become children of God.”
Doctrinal Insight: Adoption—our identity as God’s children is secured through Christ.
Application: Let this truth ground your identity and drive your sanctification.

1 John 3:2 – “We shall be like him…”

Explanation: Refers to our future glorification when Christ returns. Believers will be morally and spiritually transformed.
Cross-Reference: Philippians 3:20-21; Romans 8:29.
Doctrinal Insight: The believer’s destiny is full conformity to Christ.
Application: Live in hopeful anticipation, not fear.

1 John 3:3 – “Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself…”

Explanation: The hope of Christ’s return leads to present purification.
Cross-Reference: 2 Corinthians 7:1; 2 Peter 3:11-14.
Application: True eschatology leads to holy living.

1 John 3:4 – “Everyone who sins breaks the law…”

Explanation: Sin is lawlessness—a rebellion against God’s order.
Doctrinal Insight: Sin is not merely a mistake; it is defiance of divine authority.
Application: Acknowledge sin truthfully; don’t excuse or minimize it.

1 John 3:5 – “He appeared so that he might take away our sins…”

Christ-Centered: Jesus’ purpose in coming was substitutionary atonement.
Cross-Reference: John 1:29; Isaiah 53:4-6.
Application: Trust in Christ’s finished work; turn from sin.

1 John 3:6 – “No one who lives in him keeps on sinning…”

Explanation: This speaks of habitual sin. The Greek present tense implies ongoing action.
Cross-Reference: Romans 6:1-4.
Application: Examine lifestyle patterns. Salvation transforms desires.

1 John 3:8 – “The one who does what is sinful is of the devil…”

Doctrinal Insight: Spiritual parentage is revealed by practice.
Application: Avoid theological compromise—sin is not compatible with being born again.

1 John 3:9 – “No one who is born of God will continue to sin…”

Explanation: God’s seed (possibly referring to His Word or Spirit) remains in believers.
Cross-Reference: 1 Peter 1:23; James 1:18.
Application: The new nature cannot live comfortably in habitual sin.

1 John 3:11-12 – “We should love one another… Do not be like Cain…”

Historical Insight: Cain‘s hatred stemmed from spiritual darkness and jealousy.
Application: Jealousy and hate are incompatible with the gospel. Love others with humility.

1 John 3:14 – “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other.”

Assurance: Love is the evidence of regeneration.
Cross-Reference: John 13:35; Romans 13:10.
Application: Evaluate your relationships in light of the cross.

1 John 3:16 – “Jesus Christ laid down his life for us…”

Christ-Centered: The cross is the highest example of love.
Application: Love costs something. Sacrifice your comfort for others’ good.

1 John 3:18 – “Let us not love with words… but with actions…”

Application: Love proves itself in visible obedience, not verbal affirmation alone.

1 John 3:20 – “If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts…”

Pastoral Insight: Believers may struggle with assurance. God’s objective truth outweighs subjective feelings.
Application: Find rest in God’s promises, not your fluctuating emotions.

1 John 3:23-24 – “And this is his command: to believe in the name… and to love one another.”

Summary Command: Faith and love are inseparable.
Cross-Reference: Matthew 22:37-39.
Spirit Connection: The Spirit assures us of this abiding relationship.

Theological Implications and Connection to Jesus Christ

1 John 3 is profoundly Christ-centered. Its theological trajectory moves from the Father’s initiating love to the Son’s redemptive work and the Spirit’s ongoing assurance.

Jesus and Redemption

Jesus is explicitly said to appear to “take away sins” (v. 5) and “destroy the devil’s work” (v. 8).
His incarnation (real human life), atoning death (substitution), and future return (glorification) form the chapter’s backbone.

Union with Christ

Living “in Him” (v. 6) and being “born of God” (v. 9) reflect the new identity of believers in Christ.
The believer’s moral transformation is not self-wrought—it’s the result of union with Jesus through the Spirit.

The Cross as Love’s Measure

Verse 16 roots love not in sentiment but in sacrifice—Jesus‘ self-giving on the cross.
This connects to the broader biblical theme of covenantal love seen in the crucifixion (cf. Romans 5:8).

Connection to God the Father

John begins and frames the entire chapter around the Father’s love (v. 1):

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us…”

Fatherhood and Adoption

God does not merely save us—He adopts us as His children. This is a legal, relational, and spiritual transformation (cf. Romans 8:15).
The Father’s identity becomes the believer’s identity: “That is what we are!” (v. 1b)

God the Father’s Holiness

The demand for purity and righteousness in His children reflects His own character.
His plan for our glorification (“we shall be like Him”) reveals His eternal intent for us to be conformed to His holiness.

Discipline and Assurance

Like a loving Father, He disciplines by calling believers away from sin.
He also comforts: “God is greater than our hearts” (v. 20), reminding us of His mercy and omniscience.

Connection to the Holy Spirit

Although the Holy Spirit is not frequently mentioned by name in 1 John 3, His presence and work are unmistakably central, especially in verses 24 and 19–20.

1. The Spirit as the Witness of Assurance (v. 24)

“And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”

The Holy Spirit is the internal witness who confirms to the believer that they are truly saved (cf. Romans 8:16).
His presence assures us that we abide in Christ and that Christ abides in us.
This abiding is not mystical but experiential—seen in obedience, love, and truth.

2. The Spirit Empowers Holiness

The chapter repeatedly emphasizes righteous living and love—not through human willpower but through the transformative power of the Spirit.
Verse 9 refers to God’s “seed” remaining in the believer—interpreted as His Word and/or His Spirit (cf. 1 Peter 1:23).
The Holy Spirit causes believers to hate sin and long for holiness.

3. The Spirit and the Conscience (vv. 19–20)

The heart that condemns or assures is often moved by the Spirit.
When believers fall into doubt, the Spirit points them back to Christ, convicting of sin but also restoring with truth and love (cf. John 16:8, 13).

Sermon Outline and Flow

Title: “Living as Children of the Father”

Text: 1 John 3:1-24
Theme: Our identity in Christ as God’s children transforms our lives, seen in purity, love, and assurance.

Introduction

Hook: Everyone is looking for identity—who we are shapes how we live.
Bridge: The world offers many false identities, but Scripture tells us the greatest identity: children of God.
Preview: Today we’ll see how God’s love shapes our identity, changes our behavior, and gives us assurance.

Main Point 1: Our Identity as God’s Children (vv. 1–3)

Transition: John begins not with commands but with wonder—“See what great love…”

God’s love makes us His children—not because we earned it, but by grace.
Application: When you know you are loved and secure, you live differently.
Illustration: Like a child adopted into a loving home, we now belong, have a future, and reflect our Father’s name.

Main Point 2: The Incompatibility of Sin with Our New Life (vv. 4–10)

Transition: If we are children of God, we can’t keep living like children of the devil.

Sin is lawlessness—rebellion against God’s authority.
Jesus came to take away sin (v. 5) and to destroy the devil’s work (v. 8).
Application: Examine your life: is your pattern marked by sin or righteousness?
Example: A man who claims to be in the military but never wears the uniform or follows orders—you’d question his claim. So with Christians who do not live righteously.

Main Point 3: Love is the Family Trait of God’s Children (vv. 11–18)

Transition: Righteousness is one mark of God’s children; love is the other.

Love is not just emotion—it is action, sacrifice, and care.
Example: Jesus laid down His life for us—so we lay down our lives for others (v. 16).
Illustration: A woman who brings meals to her neighbor every week—not for applause, but because she loves Jesus.

Main Point 4: Assurance Through the Spirit and Obedience (vv. 19–24)

Transition: Even when our hearts doubt, God is greater than our hearts.

Assurance comes through:
- Living in love
- Keeping His commands
- The indwelling Holy Spirit
Application: God wants you to be sure you belong to Him. The Spirit’s witness brings peace.

Conclusion & Call to Action

Summary: If you are a child of God, it will show—in your purity, your love, and your confidence.
Call to Action:

If you’re unsure of your salvation, cry out to God.
If you know you’re His child—live like it!
Ask: Who needs your love this week? Who needs to see Jesus through you?

Illustrations and Examples

1. Adoption Story (vv. 1–3)

Illustration: Imagine a child in an orphanage, longing for a home. One day, a loving father chooses her—not based on merit, but on love. She is brought into a family, takes on their name, and is taught their values.
Connection: That’s what God did for us through Christ.

2. Clean House Analogy (vv. 4–10)

Illustration: A man receives a new home. But instead of cleaning it and caring for it, he trashes it, inviting rats and mold. The gift is wasted.
Application: If Christ lives in us, we must not invite sin to dwell comfortably.

3. Sacrificial Love Example (vv. 11–18)

Illustration: A believer hears that a struggling church member can’t afford groceries. Quietly, without fanfare, he buys groceries and leaves them anonymously.
Point: Love isn’t loud; it’s sacrificial.

4. Heart Condemnation and the Holy Spirit (vv. 19–24)

Story: A woman doubts her salvation. She’s sinned again. But as she prays and reads the Word, she feels the Holy Spirit reminding her: You are mine. Her sorrow leads to repentance, and peace returns.
Application: The Spirit doesn’t only convict—He comforts and assures.

Application for Today’s Christian

1 John 3 provides a powerful and practical framework for living out our identity as children of God. The following applications focus on discipleship, stewardship, and faithfulness in daily life.

1. Discipleship: Pursue Holiness and Love

Practical Step: Establish habits of repentance and renewal—daily confess sin and ask the Holy Spirit to conform you to Christ.
Mentorship: Disciple others by modeling a life that is serious about righteousness and love.
Example: Begin a weekly accountability group with fellow believers to encourage each other in righteous living.

2. Stewardship: Use Your Life to Love Others

Practical Step: Steward your time, talents, and resources not for self-promotion, but to meet the needs of others (vv. 17–18).
Financial Application: Create a portion of your budget specifically for helping others—supporting missions, buying groceries for a family in need, or giving anonymously.
Time Application: Set aside time each week for acts of service, especially to fellow believers.

3. Living Out Faith: Assurance through Action

Practical Step: When you doubt your salvation or feel distant from God, return to the fundamentals—faith in Jesus, obedience, and love.
Practice Assurance: Keep a “gratitude and obedience” journal, tracking not only answered prayers but areas where the Spirit is producing fruit in you.
Example: When your heart condemns you, read 1 John 3:20 aloud and thank God that He is greater than your feelings.

Connection to God’s Love

1 John 3 opens with a thunderous declaration of God’s love:

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (v. 1)

This love is not abstract—it is:

1. Identity-Shaping

God’s love transforms sinners into sons and daughters.
Adoption is not second-tier salvation—it is the heart of our relationship with Him.

2. Sacrificial

Jesus laid down His life for us (v. 16). Love is measured at the cross.
God’s love is never passive—it is active, redemptive, and restoring.

3. Sustaining

Even when our hearts are unsure, God’s love is greater (v. 20).
Assurance of salvation rests not on emotion but on the unchanging love of God.

4. Motivating

We love others not to earn salvation, but because we’ve received love.
This creates a new family identity centered on compassion, purity, and truth.

Broader Biblical Themes

1 John 3 does not stand in isolation—it echoes and contributes to major biblical themes that span the entirety of Scripture:

1. Creation and Image-Bearing

Theme: God created humanity in His image to reflect His righteousness and love.
Connection: 1 John 3 shows what it means to be restored image-bearers: we practice righteousness and love like our Creator.
Reference: Genesis 1:26-27; Ephesians 4:24

2. Redemption and New Birth

Theme: The fall introduced sin and separation, but God’s plan of redemption restores relationship.
Connection: 1 John 3 emphasizes new birth (vv. 9–10) and Christ’s mission to take away sin (v. 5).
Reference: John 3:3-6; 2 Corinthians 5:17

3. Covenant and Obedience

Theme: God’s covenant people are marked by faithful obedience and love.
Connection: John ties love and obedience together as the essential covenant response (v. 23).
Reference: Deuteronomy 6:5; Jeremiah 31:33; Matthew 22:37-40

4. Christ’s Return and Glorification

Theme: The story doesn’t end with justification—it leads to glorification.
Connection: 1 John 3:2 promises that “we shall be like him,” pointing to the future hope of resurrection.
Reference: Romans 8:29-30; Philippians 3:20-21

Reflection Questions: 1 John 3

What does it mean to you personally that God has “lavished” His love on you by calling you His child (v. 1)?
- How does this identity shape your sense of worth and purpose?
In what ways are you actively “purifying yourself” as you wait for Christ’s return (v. 3)?
- Are there sins or habits that need to be surrendered to the Lord?
What is the difference between struggling with sin and “practicing” sin (vv. 4–9)?
- How can we honestly assess which category we fall into?
How can you discern if someone is truly living as a child of God, based on this chapter (vv. 10–11)?
- Are there markers of righteousness and love in your life?
How does the example of Cain (v. 12) warn us against envy and hatred in the church today?
- What practical steps can you take to guard your heart against these attitudes?
According to verses 16–18, what does real, Christ-like love look like in action?
- Who in your life needs this kind of love from you right now?
When your heart condemns you, how do you find assurance in God’s greater truth (v. 20)?
- What role does the Holy Spirit play in that assurance?
How can you obey God’s command to “believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another” more fully this week (v. 23)?
- Is there someone you need to forgive or serve sacrificially?
What evidence do you see that the Holy Spirit lives in you (v. 24)?
- How can you grow in being more sensitive and responsive to His leading?
How would your life, home, and relationships look different if you truly lived each day as a child of God?
- What changes will you commit to making today?