Unveiling the Glory: Grace and Truth in the Flesh

Bible Passage: John 1:14–18

Summary: In this passage, John declares the significance of Jesus' incarnation, presenting Him as the unique revelation of God. John emphasizes how Jesus’ life reflected divine glory and He embodied both grace and truth, transforming our understanding of God’s nature and our relationship with Him through the lens of His love.

Application: This sermon speaks to the struggles of believers who may feel distant from God or overwhelmed by the demands of life. It offers reassurance that through Jesus, individuals can experience God's grace and truth personally, encouraging them to reflect these qualities in their own lives and relationships.

Teaching: The teaching focuses on the dual aspects of God as grace and truth revealed in Jesus. It shows how understanding both attributes is essential for a healthy, balanced Christian life and fellowship with others, urging listeners to embody these traits in their interactions.

How this passage could point to Christ: John 1:14-18 positions Jesus as the fulfillment of the entire biblical narrative, showcasing His divine nature while also stressing the personal nature of His revelation. Throughout Scripture, Christ is the mediator who brings believers into a deeper relationship with God, affirming that He is the perfect representation of God’s will and character.

Big Idea: The incarnation of Christ as grace and truth invites us to live authentically in His light, transforming how we engage with God and others by extending grace and embodying truth in all aspects of our lives.

Recommended Study: As you prepare for this sermon, consider studying the Greek terms related to 'grace' (charis) and 'truth' (aletheia) in John 1:14 and how these concepts interrelate with Old Testament promises. You might also explore the implications of the phrase 'the only Son,' connecting this to the broader theme of sonship in Scripture, looking for insightful commentaries in your Logos library that tackle these themes within cultural contexts.

John 1:14–18 ESV

14 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. 15 (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.’ ”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

1. God's Grace Embodied

John 1:14 ESV

14 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 picks up in this next verse

the Word became flesh

What a powerful statement

God is unveiling a true picture of grace here

God has stooped to our level if you will

He has come incarnate to earth

This shows the love of God

John’s summary here really picks up the pace

The very heart of grace is the fact that God came down to our level

Grace can be defined as unmerited favor of God towards man

In Jesus coming in the flesh

we see this unmerited favor

or not deserved favor

We did not deserve to live

let alone have the opportunity for eternal life

Yet God shows grace

he allows us to interact with Him

He came to dwell amongst us

He came to encounter man at his worst

But God did not come just to dwell with man

He came to

relate

redeem

and restore

You see by coming to earth God shows the grace He has towards man in the sense that He could relate

He then gave redemption and restoration

2. Grace in Abundance

John 1:15–16 ESV

15 (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.’ ”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

Next John the Baptist enters the scene again

John’s testimony continues about the grace of Jesus

John puts Jesus in His rightful place before everything

He puts Him in front of everything

he puts Him as in charge

He is supreme

This is huge because remember back in v. 8

John had to differentiate John the Baptist from Jesus

stating He was not the light

In this next passage John is stating He is before me

because He was before me

This promise shows the supremacy of Jesus

especially to the world before the ministry of Jesus

in this we see that we are ultimately talking about God in the flesh

John really wanted the point across in this Gospel

Jesus was God in the Flesh

and He was and is God

In the next verse John goest o Grace upon Grace

As if God’s grace wasn't already enough

John wants to describe it even better

it is grace upon grace

something we truly and ultimately do not deserve

but in our weakness

in our transgression

in our shortcomings

GOD HAS GRACE

This reminder coming through the Word became flesh

this reminder of Grace can be so powerful

recognizing that God gave us what we don’t deserve in salvation

and he offers restoration

In our lowest of lows God still has grace for us

3. Grace Meets Truth

John 1:17–18 ESV

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

Next John defines Grace and truth

John starts with the law was given through Moses

This is important

The law told man about his shortcomings

the law explained to man what a sinner was

The showed how short of God’s glory we are

God gave the law through Moses

identifying the rules to follow according to God

granting entry to the Kingdom of God

We know in Galatians Paul speaks that these laws could not be perfectly followed which meant the law was condemning

But faith was not

Here we have John saying the law came through moses

Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ

Jesus brought the greatest thing for humanity into the world

He brought reality

he brought hope

You see the law was about adherence to rule and regulations

Jesus was about reception of a divine relationship

The epitome of Jesus fulfilling of the law comes in two parts

Grace

Grace without truth is hollow

Grace without truth does not show the need for Grace

it shows no shortcoming

In fact grace without truth has little to no meaning

if there is not truth as to the reason for the grace we have nothing

on the other hand

Truth

truth without grace is harsh

Truth offered without grace is condemning

similar to the law

it shows shortcoming but doesn’t show a way out

it doesn’t offer redemption

But that is what makes this description of Jesus so great

He is truth and Grace

He is the best of both

He shows us grace in offering redemption

he also shows us truth in conviction and light of God’s glory

You see Jesus reflection of this perfect union between Grace and truth

sets an example for us as believers

We are to illustrate a balance of grace and truth

We are not to be harsh or hollow

instead we are to be genuine and truthful

truth can come across fairly direct

1Corinthians 13 Paul says to rejoice in truth as He defines love

but don’t share truth without offering grace

don’t share grace without offering truth

if we do so we leave out part of the great balance and identity we find in our Savior!

Maybe here, you can illustrate the balance and interplay between grace and truth as manifested through Jesus Christ. The law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus, signifying a shift from mere adherence to reception of divine relationship. Suggest that truth without grace can be harsh, while grace without truth can be hollow. Jesus embodies both perfectly, inviting us to strive for authenticity in reflecting Him. Urge your congregation to integrate these values into their relationships, reflecting the complete revelation of God in Christ.