Grace and Truth

Intro

Who here opens gifts on Christmas Eve? (show of hands)

You’re doing it wrong! And surely you want me to speak quickly

I’m looking foward to a family dinner...

We will wrap up our lessons from John 1 tonight

Read John 1:15 - 17 and pray

Grace Upon Grace

Jesus is “full” of grace and truth

Remind of the “fullness” of deity (incarnation)

Also “full of grace and truth” (v. 14)

“Full” means to “fill completely” (like a jar of water)

*Share story of Silas filling cups to overflowing*

Jesus is full to overflowing with truth and grace (who He is)

Jesus continually showers us with gifts of grace (grace upon grace)

“Grace upon grace” is roughly translated as “grace against or replacing grace”

Meaning that we receive on gift of grace only to receive another, then another, then another, etc.

*Use analogy of my Mom feeding groomsmen -> how we often approach food at Christmas*

Just as we are about to receive gifts at Christmas time (as soon as the pastor quits preaching!), Jesus gives us continual gifts of grace

*Imagine receiving one gift after another, without end*

This is what Jesus does for us! But His gifts aren’t the same… they are better

Instead of a new car, or video games, or kitchen appliances or… underwear

We receive the gifts of forgiveness, love, mercy, peace, contentment, patience, relationship… and eternal life

Grace refers to God’s favour and lovingkindness

And we receive these gifts over, and over and over again, even though we don’t deserve them

The Law and Grace

John compares Moses and Jesus

These two have much in common:

Both escaped attempted murder shortly after birth; both grew up in Egypt for a time, both used miracles to prove God’s favour, both mediated a covenant between God and His people, both revealed God’s glory

We can rightly say that Moses foreshadowed Jesus

Despite the commonalities, Moses and Jesus are NOT equal… Jesus is better

Cf. Hebrews 3:1 - 6.

Moses helped build the house of God; Jesus IS the house of God

Moses is God’s servant; Jesus is God’s one and only Son

Jesus is better; Jesus is greater

In the same way, John compares the law to grace and truth (v. 17)

Just as Jesus is greater than Moses, the new covenant He mediates between God and His people is greater than the Old Covenant mediated by Moses

Cf. Hebrews 8:5 - 13.

The old covenant was but “a shadow of the heavenly things”

*Use analogy of temporarily covering up sins on t-shirt*

But the new covenant in Jesus (grace and truth) is final

*Clothe myself in the righteousness of Christ to cover sins*

“…and I will remember their sins no more” (v. 12)

Cf. Matthew 1:21. THIS is the Christmas story, and it is worth celebrating!

Truth

Jesus is the truth

Cf. John 14:6.

Truth does not mean without error; it means what reality actually is

Jesus is the way to the Heavenly Father

He really was born to save us from our sins

We can actually receive grace upon grace upon grace from Him, including eternal life

The story of salvation started in the beginning, it hinged on the baby in the manger, it required death on a cross, and it found victory in the resurrection

Benediction

May you receive gift of grace after gift of grace this Christmas, and all throughout the New Year

Merry Christmas!