JESUS WANTS YOU TO KNOW HIM John 1:6-13

John 20:31 Purpose of John

John 20:31 NASB95

but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

Introduction: John 1:6-13

John 1:6–13 NASB95

There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

In a small village nestled between towering mountains, darkness fell quickly each evening. The villagers relied on lanterns to light their way, and a single, ancient lighthouse on the cliff that guided fishermen safely back to shore. One stormy night, the lighthouse's beacon faltered and went out. The village plunged into darkness. Without the guiding light, the fishermen would be lost at sea. Panic spread among the villagers. In the midst of the chaos, a young girl named Elara remembered the stories her grandmother used to tell her about the ancient crystals that once lit the village. According to legend, these crystals, hidden deep within the mountains, held an eternal light, bright enough to illuminate the entire village and guide anyone in need. Determined to save her friends and family, Elara embarked on a journey to find these legendary crystals. She climbed the steep, treacherous paths of the mountains, guided only by the faint light of her lantern. The wind howled and rain lashed at her, but she pressed on, fueled by the hope of finding the light. After hours of searching, Elara found a hidden cave, just as her grandmother had described. Inside, she discovered the glowing crystals, pulsing with a soft, radiant light. She carefully gathered a few crystals and hurried back to the village. Upon her return, Elara placed the crystals in the lighthouse. As she did, the crystals' light intensified, casting a brilliant glow that pierced through the storm. The lighthouse beacon shone brighter than ever, guiding the fishermen safely back to shore. The villagers rejoiced, celebrating Elara's bravery and the return of the ancient light. From that night on, the crystals continued to illuminate the village, serving as a reminder of the power of hope and the light that resides within each of us. Elara's courage and the eternal crystals became a symbol of resilience and unity, ensuring that even in the darkest of times, the village would always find its way.

I. Jesus wants you to know who He is. VS 6-8

A. we have a witness sent from God.

The witness came preaching the good news.

Matthew 3:1–2 NASB95

Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

2. The witness was sent to bear witness to the light. (You can know Jesus)

3. The witness was so that we might believe.

II. Jesus shows you who He is VS 9 (Jesus Enlightens every single person)

One summer evening, Mike decided to host a backyard barbecue for his friends. He'd been bragging all week about his new outdoor lights that were supposed to turn his backyard into a magical wonderland. The night finally came, and as his friends arrived, the backyard indeed looked spectacular, with twinkling lights hanging from the trees and around the patio. As the evening progressed, the group decided to play a game of hide-and-seek. It seemed like a great idea at the time—what better way to enjoy the night and Mike's beautifully lit backyard? Everyone found their hiding spots, and Mike was "it." He counted to twenty and then set off to find his friends. He quickly discovered that the lights, while pretty, didn’t do much for visibility beyond the immediate area. The further he went into the yard, the darker it became. After a few minutes, Mike heard a rustling sound and, convinced he was about to catch someone, darted in that direction. He walked straight into his meticulously trimmed hedge, getting stuck in the branches. The hedge was denser than he thought, and in his struggle to free himself, he managed to get even more tangled. Meanwhile, his friends, hearing the commotion, tried to suppress their laughter. They eventually came to Mike’s rescue, only to find him flailing comically in the hedge, looking like he was trying to perform some bizarre dance. With a lot of laughter and some effort, they finally extricated him. As they all made their way back to the patio, someone accidentally stepped on the cord powering the lights, plunging the entire backyard into darkness. There they were, a group of adults, stumbling and tripping over lawn chairs, laughing uncontrollably, and using their phones' flashlights to find their way back to the house. From that night on, Mike's barbecue became legendary, not for the food or the lights, but for the great backyard adventure where everyone learned the importance of a good flashlight and just how easy it is to get lost in the dark.

A. Jesus enlighten’s every person through Revelation: Revelation of Creation, Revelation of Nature, Revelation of His word.

Romans 1:20 NASB95

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

B. Jesus enlighten’s every person through the Holy Spirit.

John 16:7–8 NASB95

“But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. “And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;

III. Jesus does not want you to deny who He is. VS 10-11

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor and theologian known for his opposition to National Socialism. His ties to the July 20, 1944, conspiracy to overthrow the Nazi regime led to his execution in 1945. His theological writings are regarded as classics throughout the Christian world.

Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.

John 3:19–20 NASB95

“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

John 12:48 NASB95

“He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.

IV. Jesus offers salvation to anyone who will receive Him. VS 12-13

Receiving, Believing and being born again are all part of the same concept.

A. Believing in Jesus is more than an agreement of intellectual facts, it involves a trust filled commitment.

John 3:16 NASB95

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

B. Believing is a surrender of one’s life.

Luke 9:23 NASB95

And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

C. Believing means trusting him fully.

Proverbs 3:5–6 NASB95

Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

D. Believing means committing to follow Jesus and His teachings.

Colossians 2:6 NASB95

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

E. True Belief results in a transformed life.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB95

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

CONCLUSION: WILL YOU KNOW HIM TODAY

Imagine a grand banquet being held in a magnificent palace. The king, known for his generosity and love for his people, decides to throw this banquet and invites everyone in the kingdom. The invitations are sent out far and wide, to every corner of the land, from the richest noble to the poorest beggar. As the day of the banquet approaches, many of the noble and wealthy guests make excuses. They are too busy with their own affairs, too preoccupied with their wealth, or too indifferent to the king’s kindness. They think they don't need the king’s banquet because they have everything they want. Meanwhile, the invitation reaches the humble and the downtrodden. Those who never thought they would be invited to such a royal feast are overjoyed. They accept the invitation with gratitude and excitement. They come from the fields, the streets, and the outskirts of the kingdom, eager to partake in the king's generosity. When the banquet hall is filled, the king looks around and sees a diverse group of people from all walks of life. The once empty seats reserved for the nobles are now filled with those who were once ignored or overlooked. The king is delighted to see his hall filled with guests who genuinely appreciate and rejoice in his invitation. This story mirrors the message of salvation. God’s invitation to eternal life is extended to everyone, regardless of status, background, or past mistakes. It is not reserved for a select few but is open to all who are willing to accept it. Just as the king welcomed everyone to his banquet, God welcomes all who come to Him with a humble and sincere heart.