Grace Upon Grace: John 1:14-16 (Skeleton Sermon)

Introduction

If you're familiar with the New Testament, you know that it begins with the Gospel of Matthew, followed by it we have Mark and Luke. The first three gospels are what we call the synoptic gospels because they're very similar to each other but then the fourth one, the gospel of John is very different, not in content but in the way in which it is presented. It's interesting that the Gospel of of John mimics Genesis to show that God is recreating humanity in Jesus. And so just to say that from the outset should signal to us that Jesus is not an ordinary man. Nobody has the kind of creative power that God does. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, then came the fall, and from that point all have sinned and are in need of a Savior (Romans 2:23). And in John chapter 1 and in verse one, it reads, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Here the “Word” is Jesus. And so we see then that Jesus becomes in verse 14, and “the word became flesh.” Jesus during his earthly ministry was fully and truly human, but then according to John, and of course the other gospels, Jesus Christ is fully and truly God. And so this creative power that Jesus has is what we need to experience, what John calls being born again, a rebirth. And the most notable word that is used in the New Testament to describe being born again is grace. Grace is mentioned more in the New Testament than the law of Christ. Although I believe we do have law under Christ, but grace is the most significant term because it is the most used out of those two when we look in the NT. And it is for that reason I want to speak to you about grace.

John 1:14–16 NASB95

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ ” For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.

In the hymn “His Grace Reach Me,” the first verse reads, “Deeper than the ocean and wider than the sea, Is the grace of the Savior for sinners like me; Sent from the Father, and it thrills my soul, Just to feel and to know that His blood makes me whole.”

Let us use this hymns imagery to remember that while the seas and oceans have limits just like grace, grace is still a deep and powerful force in the world today. The problem is not the power of grace, but man’s lack of faith. But if we jump into the depths of God’s grace, we will experience the power of the gospel unto salvation. God’s grace supplies every provision we need for our journey into eternity. In this sermon, we will explore five of them.

Grace guides our steps

Titus 2:11–12 NASB95

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,

Grace redeems daily

Ephesians 1:7 NASB95

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

Grace grows us

2 Peter 3:1 NASB95

This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,

Grace strengthens us

Hebrews 13:9 NASB95

Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.

Grace comforts eternally

2 Thessalonians 2:16 NASB95

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,

Conclusion

“Grace is sufficient” for our journey into eternity.

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 NASB95

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Christ , the Son of God, is calling you our of your sin and into salvation. He's calling you by the gospel to come put your trust in him, to believe in who He is, God in the flesh, his life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. Why not come repent of your sin, confess your faith, and be baptized into Christ for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38). Be born again!