In the Beginning
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
This morning we are going to begin a new study in the Gospel of John. If you have your Bibles, I would encourage you to turn with me to John chapter 1,
I have to admit something to you. There was a time in my life when I didn’t like teaching or preaching the gospels. Now I know that may sound strange. In fact, it sounds strange to me too. After all, I’m a pastor, and I’m supposed to love teaching people about Jesus and there’s no better place to learn about Jesus than the gospels—but my problem with the gospels is that I couldn’t make them match up.
What I learned under the teachings of Dr. Mark Bailey was that I each of the four Gospels was written to a particular group of people (or audience). And this is seen in the four introductions.
For example, Matthew’s introduction connects Jesus to David and Abraham because he is writing to a Jewish audience.
Mark’s introduction connects Jesus with John the Baptist as he writes to a Greek audience.
Luke begins with the prediction of Jesus’ birth as he presents a historical record of the life of Jesus.
We are beginning our study of John, who is writing to a Roman audience. John begins with a theological prologue that stresses the eternal connection of Jesus with the eternal God.
In the Beginning!
In the Beginning!
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John begins by introducing two central characters.
The Word (Gk. logos--means: the word, something spoken, statement, Message, speech, gospel, treatise).
We know this is a reference to Jesus. John also wrote in Revelation 19:13 that at His second coming, Jesus is again referred to as the Word of God!
He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
God (Gk. theos--means God, father, deity, magistrate, used to translate the Hebrew Yahewh).
The “Word” was in the beginning. So it was there when time began.
The “Word” was with God at the beginning of time. So God was also there at the beginning of time.
Also we are told that this “Word” was not only with God but was actually God.
The phrasing indicates both unity (sameness) and separation (individualism). That is emphasized in verse 2.
He was with God in the beginning.
He (the individual) was with God (individual) in the beginning. Both were present at creation!
The Function of the Word
The Function of the Word
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
Through the Word all things were made (cf. Genesis 1:1-26; 1 Cor. 8:6; Col 1:16; Heb. 1:2; Rev. 3:14). This is a reference to general creation, i.e. the sky, sea, land, creatures, and vegetation (v. 3a).
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
This verse tells us that the Word was God’s agent. Thus, Jesus did not act alone but under the authority and direction of God (cf. Ps. 19:1-6; Rom. 1:19-20) (v. 3b).
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
Now we move to a specific and perhaps the most significant element of creation! “Life!” (v 4a).
The concept of “Life” and this particular word is used 37 times in the gospel of John. The two references here refer to life here on this earth. This word is used in conjunction with another Greek word which changes the meaning to Eternal life.
The Word (Jesus) is (and was) the source of life (v. 4b).
As the “life” he became the “light” to all mankind (v. 4c). In this comparison in life is light while death is darkness. Thus light and darkness cannot co-exist!
John will show that Jesus is the source of spiritual life (cf. 5:26; 6:57; 8:12; 9:5; 10:10; 11:25; 14:6; 17:3; 20:31). Spiritually, God’s presence dispels the ignorance of sin (spiritual darkness) by giving revelation and salvation (cf. Isa. 9:2).
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
The Light
The Light
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John says that the light shines in the darkness. In the Greek this is in the presence tense. So, no matter when the reader reads this Jesus is still the light shining in the darkness!
So as the light shining into the darkness, Jesus brings God’s revelation to mankind, and ultimately restores mankind’s relationship with God—salvation from our lost condition.
Even though the story seems to end in tragedy, it is really triumph because the darkness did not overcome the light of Jesus!
So What
So What
In Romans Paul tells us “But God demonstrates his own love for us” Romans 5:8.
The Gospel of John is going to show us or demonstrate exactly how much God loves us!
And the Gospel of John is going give us insight into exactly how God demonstrates His love for us. The verse in Romans continues “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.
Our passage today, John begins the process of linking Jesus with the eternal God.
And John also links Jesus with the role He played in creation.
Finally, John tells us in the first 5 verses that no matter what we read happens to Jesus—He is the light and the light will NOT be overcome.
