John 1:1-18

Vs 1-5 a profound statement regarding the Person of Christ. "The Word" (v 1): Jesus is one with the very being and mind of God and also the expression of the intelligence, will, and power of God. His person is identified with God. His office is to reveal God. Eternity, personality, and deity of Christ affirmed. "Darkness" (v 4): men unable by their own reason or strength to understand Christ. John called "a man" (v 6) to contrast him to Christ who is God. "Children" (v 12) is distinct from term "sons" more commonly used by Paul. Latter suggests position and legal rights secured by adoption; former indicates likeness, nature, life, resulting from birth. Believers "born" (v 13) by the supernatural exercise of divine power. Christian life imparted by Spirit of God. "Only begotten" (v 18) is absolutely distinct from those who are called the "children of God" by faith in Him.

The text stresses the reality of the incarnation. The goal of the sermon is that the hearers would grasp more fully the implications of God becoming a man. Introductory thought: Celebrating a unique birthday today. Without Jesus' birth, no birthday could give promise of future good. Text gives the reason for the joy to all men of which the angels sang.

THE WORD BECAME FLESH

What a profound mystery!

Jesus is God (vs 1-2).

Not merely in God or an emanation from God.

One who reveals God so that no one can know God except through Jesus (v 18).

Jesus is the Creator (v 3).

His wisdom and might displayed: in the depths of the seas, in the heights of outer space, in the way in which we hear and see and think.

He is Lord of the universe.

Yet Jesus is also a man (v 14).

A helpless infant who developed and grew u p in human fashion.

A friend of sinners who was numbered with the transgressors. Confronted with temptations, acquainted with sorrow. He suffered and died. He became like us, except that he was without sin. Partook of our humanity in the fullest sense. A mystery indeed: The Word became flesh. Through this Word become flesh God has something of eternal import to say to us. Here in the incarnation is God's own testimony.

What a unique testimony!

God uses men to bring His testimony to the world.

He used John the Baptist (vs 6-8).

John was a fine witness.

But many nevertheless rejected his testimony (VS 9-11).

Today God uses pastors as well as lay Christians.

Are our ears open to God's testimony?

The testimony is that Jesus Christ is full of grace and truth.

Full of grace toward you-you can leave with Him your sins and burdens.

Full of truth toward you-in a deceitful world you can still rely on Him.

God enables us to receive the testimony.

No man can receive it by his own powers (vs 5a,10).

The Spirit creates faith through the testimony concerning Jesus (vs 9,13).

To believe in Jesus is to be born of God.

Concluding thought: Nothing more unique than the Word becoming flesh, for in the assuming of our humanity by the Son of God we see a mighty wonder and receive a saving testimony. Our birthday was the prelude to our rebirth in baptism through which we have the joy of salvation. That joy is a reality because the Word became flesh.