And the Word became Flesh

John 1:1–4 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

1. Who is this Jesus? (1:1-4)

With God

John 1:1–2 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

Is God

John 1:1 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He is Creator:

John 1:3 ESV

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

He is Life:

John 1:4 ESV

In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

He is Light:

John 1:4–5 ESV

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

2. How did He come? (1:14-15)

Fully Human

John 1:14 ESV

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

O Come, All Ye Faithful

Verse 5:

Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger, we would embrace thee with love and awe. Who would not love thee, loving us so dearly?

Fully Divine

John 1:14–15 ESV

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”)

O Come, All Ye Faithful

Verse 2:

True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal, lo, he shuns not the Virgin's womb; Son of the Father, begotten not created;

3. Why did He come? (1:16-18)

Salvation by Grace

John 1:16–17 ESV

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Reveal God

John 1:18 ESV

No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

“There were thus two things which the Savior did for us by becoming Man. He banished death from us and made us anew; and, invisible and imperceptible as in Himself He is, He became visible through His works and revealed Himself as the Word of the Father, the Ruler and King of the whole creation.” ~Athanasius, On the Incarnation (4th century)

Hebrews 1:1–3 ESV

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

4. What are We anticipating?

Illustration: A new job? A new house? A new car? New gaming system? A new year? New routine? A new diet? Happiness? Finding ourselves? A new self-identity?

“I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.” ~C.S. Lewis

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” ~ C.S. Lewis

O Come, All Ye Faithful

Verse 6:

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning, Jesus, to thee be all glory given. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing