Our Purpose

1 John 1:1-4

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

This is Koinonia’s purpose verse… but what is a purpose verse?  What is a purpose, exactly?  Merriam-Webster defines purpose as the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists, what you have as your intention or goal.  So Koinonia has declared 1 John 1:1-4 to be our purpose verse… but what does John want us to get here?

Let’s look at what all he writes in verse one.  John is listing ways in which we know Christ and Christ’s teachings to be true, five to be exact.  Note how he says “which we looked upon” right after saying “which we have seen with our eyes”... that second phrase isn’t a repeat!  The Greek for that phrase meant “careful and deliberate vision which interprets its object”....  Does that remind you of another verse?  “And the word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory….”  John uses this in his gospel in 1:14!  “..Touched with our hands” reminds me of how Thomas laid his hands upon the wounds of Christ, and how the disciples ate and drank with Him daily.  They didn’t just read about Jesus in a book, or attend one of His sermons… they did life with Jesus.

Now the second and third verses: “and testify to it and proclaim it to you the eternal life…. That you too may have fellowship with us..”  So we are called to share God’s teachings with others, and direct them to how the four Gospels bear witness to Jesus Christ.  Finally verse 4: “....we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.”  Do you see that italicized word?  It’s joy!  That’s a word some people wouldn’t equate with Christianity; its a religion, so we have to be stuffy and look down our noses at people… right?  WRONG!  We have been given the Good News, have been saved by the Savior; the Bible speaks of singing for joy or finding joy in His presence in many places.  Psalm 16:11 says that in His presence there is “fullness of joy”.  John 15:11 says, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”  At Koinonia, we want everything we do to be rooted in the joy that comes from a relationship with Jesus.

True Christianity isn’t really about thees, thous, or a dusty collection of stories…. Its Jesus Christ revealed.  Here at Koinonia, we want to represent Jesus in every aspect of what we do.  We want to reveal the Gospel, experience it with you, and proclaim it with joy!

We hope you’ll come along for part of our journey and experience the joy of Jesus too.