Thy Strong Word — I John 1:1-4. You may know that you have eternal life: In Christ, our joy is complete.

Rev. Kevin Parviz, pastor of Congregation Chai v’Shalom in St. Louis, MO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study I John 1:1-4.

John preaches to the saints who were struggling in faith. This epistle is for us as we struggle in faith. From the beginning, Christ was the word of life that would be the one to unite us with the Triune God. We can knit-pick many details, but it comes down to the Truth of Christ’s life giving blood for you. This fellowship with the LORD extends to the joy we have with one another as the body of Christ. He has brought us together in joy for our joy is complete in Christ. “Lord Jesus Christ, as You are the vine and we are the branches, keep us connected to You and fill us with the joy that only comes through Your joy of saving us. Send Your Holy Spirit that others may believe in Your forgiveness and that our joy may be complete. In Your name, Amen”

Thy Strong Word reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.

I John 1:1-4

The Word of Life

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— ²the 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— ³that 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. ⁴And we are writing these things so that our^[a] joy may be complete.

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Footnotes

1 John 1:4 Some manuscripts your

Rev. Brady Finnern

Rev. Brady Finnern, host of Thy Strong Word. is an expert in all things Minnesota, including hiking the great mountains of the 5th flattest state in the Union and making his own maple syrup. Although chow mein, fried ice cream, and Peanut Persian donuts with maple frosting are at the top of his foodie list, his prized possessions include his gas station refillable fountain soda cup (which, he says, the savings will pay for college for his 4 kids). Pastor Finnern's Divine Call is as President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and in addition he also enjoys traveling, coaching track, and movie nights with his wife and kids that may or may not include Shawshank Redemption or any of the Thriller movies. When he's not singing his favorite hymns or listening to his favorite metal music, you might find him working out or taking naps. (Probably naps.)