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Introduction
The Gospel of John opens in a different way then what we see in Matthew, Mark and Luke.
In Matthew the book starts with the genealogy of Christ tracing him back to David. In Mark the book starts with the telling of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist. Luke begins by leading into the birth story of Christ.
However, John begins in a different manner. Like Luke and Matthew, John makes a statement about Genealogy, but John’s statement was not concerned with human flesh but with Christ’s true identity.
In John 1 we see some pretty solid remarks pertaining to the person of Christ. We learn that Christ is set apart from any other person.
This needs to be understood by every Christian. Some cults believe Christ was a man and that was all. Some believe He obtained a form of godhood. However, these cults are wrong. Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God.
Before starting we need to put a few facts into the open.
1. The author of this Gospel is the Apostle John. (John 21) (Papias, Iraneus and Polycarp) Along with internal evidence such as eliminating the inner circle and being known as the disciple Jesus Loved.
2. It was written in the first century. (Before 70 A.D)
a. -It is reliable
b. -It is of great theological importance
3. He wrote it so that others may believe upon Christ (John 20:31)
4. The original audience was gentileI. The Living Word(John 1:1-18) is an extremely blunt testimony of Who Jesus is. This passage talks about the 1st and 2nd persons of the Trinity (the Father and the Son). In this we can learn a rich supply of information about our Savior.
Text
Why was Jesus called the Word?
A. In the original Greek text the word for “Word” is logos. This had meaning for gentiles and Jews.
1. To a Jew the logos was the word by which God spoke the universe into existence, by which God accomplished His will, by which He guided His people. The Word was active, alive and potent.
2. To the gentile reader the logos was the eternal, personal Reason by which the universe exists. These gentiles also would have caught a glimpse of the Jewish meaning.
B. In the text John calls the Word or the logos many things:
1. The Word is called many things:
a. -God the Creator,
b. -The Giver of life,
c. -The giver of grace and truth,
d. -Flesh (the Word became flesh)
2. The logos was also called the light
A. Light is the direct opposite of darkness
1. -From Scripture we learn that light is used often to represent many things. Light is revealing, goodness, puts things into a clearer perspective, and gives direction, redemption and life.
B. Darkness is the direct opposite
II. What does the Word do?1. - Worldliness, sinfulness, ignorance, evilThe Word is life and is the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot comprehend it.
The darkness could not comprehend it because the Light overcomes the darkness. While the darkness hides sin (John 3:19-21) the light exposes it. The Light causes change and makes the truth clear.
The darkness hates Light because the Light is truth, powerful and alive. Jesus Christ, the Light of men revealed God to His creation. Satan does not want the truth to be revealed, trusted or understand on any level. Once the truth is out people are set free.
A. Brings light to everyone
1. Once the light has shined upon someone they are given true life. Without the Living Word, Jesus Christ, we are kept in darkness. John 1:9
2. The darkness flees because it fears the light. Through this light we are shown direction and are able to do God’s will.
B. Gives the right to become Children of God (vs. 12,13)
III. The Application of this text1. Even before the famous verse in Chapter 3 it is proclaimed that all who will believe in Him are given the right to become children of God. Through faith.
2. Verse 13 is backs it up by stating that it is a birth that is not of man, or the will of the flesh. The flesh has nothing to do with this birth because it is of God. This is a Holy, pure birth through faith in Christ alone.Jesus Makes God Known (John 1:18) see also verse 14
Some things were mysteries then and some still are. The powerful all-knowing God is made known by the Son.
V14 – The Word was made flesh Who is from the beginning. Jesus Christ came and dwelt among humans.
The incarnation: ginomai means to become or to put on, to make to be.
V18 – Only Christ understood the true nature of the Father because He was with the Father. Clearly, if you want to know God you must go through Christ. Only He reveals God’s nature, majesty and wisdom. Jesus Christ “declared Him” and gave us an understanding of the things we were meant to know.
It was Christ’s purpose to be the sacrifice for our sins. He also had the purpose to make God’s will and nature known. Christ is the exact nature of God, not just in the image but the exact nature. He is above us yet He is for us.
A. He is your Light
1. When in despair and lost He can provide the way out because He is on your side
2. He can take the most spiritually blind person and guide them in truth
B. He Paid your Ransom
1. You no longer have to worry about trying to get right with God, since Christ took it upon His flesh to pay your ransom you are free
2. All of God’s children will live with Him for an eternity, since he paid your ransom that’s you!
C. He became flesh so….
1. He understands your pain, temptation and trials
2. He understands your needs
D. He is eternal so….
VI. Thoughts to remember of the text:1. He is patient with you
2. He is waiting for you
1. Deity of our Lord and Savior
2. Preexistence of Jesus
3. Our Divine Savior was given that we may be the children of God
4. Remember the light and the darkness (they are used over and over in the Bible)
5. Jesus enables us to have a relationship with God, the Son made the Father known
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