Maximum Joy: 1 John—Relationship or Fellowship?

by David R. Anderson

Publisher:

Grace Theology Press

, 2013

Overview

In Maximum Joy, David R. Anderson offers a warm, thoughtful, and thorough exposition of John’s first epistle. Working section by section, Anderson unfolds the riches of this New Testament book, guiding readers to see how 1 John is really “a book about intimacy and love between the believer and God and between believer and believer.” Offering a pastoral treatment of 1 John, Anderson notes that this work did not “germinate in the classroom, but in the church . . . . [it is a book] for any who need rest for their souls. It is for those who labor and are heavy laden. It is for those who are burdened by guilt. This book is for believers in Jesus Christ, who, after releasing their burden of guilt at Calvary’s cross, continue to struggle with sin and guilt.” Anderson centers his study around distinguishing and developing our ideas of two central concepts: relationship and fellowship—with God and with each other. As Anderson explains, the apostle John wrote one book about how to have an eternal relationship with God—the Gospel of John (John 20:31). And he wrote another book about how to enjoy that relationship, or how to have fellowship with God—1 John (1 John 1:3-4). In Maximum Joy, Anderson demonstrates how 1 John is not about whether one has an eternal relationship with God, but more about how to enjoy that relationship by having fellowship with God, and enjoying that fellowship, which leads to “maximum joy”. Ideal for personal or group study, this text is accessible, insightful, and packed with truths to challenge and encourage you.

The Logos edition of Maximum Joy is designed to enhance your study of 1 John. Scripture passages link directly to English translations and original language texts, and important concepts link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Keep connected and take the discussion with you through Faithlife, with tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

Key Features

• Offers an exposition of 1 John
• Provides material ideal for group or personal study
• Examines the concepts of relationship and fellowship

Contents

Top Highlights

“Now, when it comes to dealing with darkness in John, there are three areas of sin which we must deal with in order to be close to God: 1) Our Sin(ful) Nature; 2) The sins we know about; and 3) The sins we don’t know about. First John deals with all three.” (Page 50)

“We cannot love God and the world at the same time—the love of one displaces the love of the other in our hearts. Love is capable of only one primary focus.” (Page 108)

“The principle of love says we cannot love God and the world simultaneously. The principle of lust tells us that the war against the lusts of this world will be won by God’s Word. And the principle of life is to orient our time on earth around things that will last forever, as doing God’s will. If we are doing His will, we are keeping His commandments; if we are keeping His commandments, the love of God is perfected in us.” (Page 116)

“A third approach is simply to deny our sinfulness; not to admit that we are sinful in our condition on earth after we have established a relationship with Christ.” (Page 37)

“There is a big difference between saying ‘not of God’ and ‘not born of God’ or ‘not a child of God.’” (Page 165)

Product Details

• Title: Maximum Joy: 1 John—Relationship or Fellowship?
• Author: David R. Anderson
• Publisher: Grace Theology Press
• Print Publication Date: 2013
• Logos Release Date: 2014
• Pages: 272
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. N.T. 1 John › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9780988411258, 0988411253
• Resource ID: LLS:MAXIMUMJOY
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T01:29:00Z

About David R. Anderson

David R. Anderson has pastored in the Houston area for 30 years, helping to plant eight churches. Anderson served as the senior pastor at Faith Bible Church in The Woodlands, Texas, for 18 years. During that time he also served as an adjunct professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, teaching in three different departments: Greek New Testament, Bible Exposition, and Theology. He has been an adjunct professor for Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary and taught graduate courses in several other foreign countries. Anderson was the founder and president of the Greater Houston Bible Church Association—a cooperative effort of churches in the association to reach greater Houston with the gospel. Anderson is also one of the founders of the Free Grace Alliance, and founder and president of Grace School of Theology—a Houston-based seminary with teaching locations throughout the state of Texas and online. In addition to his presidential responsibilities, Anderson teaches at Grace in the areas of theology and biblical languages. He is also the author of Free Grace Soteriology.