In The Beginning

We all want to soar to great heights.

I know very few of us who do not want to do something valuable and meaningful. I am not talking about greatness as our world defines it, but we want to do more than just exist most of the time.

The early Church saw the Gospel of John like an eagle.

On the next slide will be a picture of what that may have looked like of old. We may even be reminded of the verses from Isaiah about God renewing the strength of individuals so they may soar like eagles.

John is simple yet profound.

In some ways it is the easiest to understand and so we recommend it to those seeking Jesus. Yet, if we are not careful we will miss the depth of what is given in this Gospel.

The purpose: to instill and cultivate faith and life in Jesus.

This is a gospel about Jesus—who He is and the grace He gives.

John 20:30–31 NIV

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Jesus has always existed because He is God.

Jesus is not like us—a created being. He has always existed but took on our form because of His goodness and grace. This is what sets Christianity apart from all other religions and systems of thoughts.

Verse 1 could be read: the Word was with God, and God was the Word.

True life is found in Christ.

Not just because he is the author of all life but when we follow His ways we will find life. This theme will be picked up later in the Gospel.

Jesus sees all and reveals all.

If you want to know yourself—seek out Jesus. We cannot reveal ourselves and our world by looking within. This does not mean we should not be self-aware or reflect. We MUST do those things but darkness does not reveal light. Light reveals darkness.

Our natural reaction is to oppose Christ our creator.

Though this was the issue of the Jewish establishment it is also true of you and me. On our own we will not want to be accountable, tell the truth, or be “good”. Our nature is oppose to God and His ways this is why we need transformation.

Jesus comes in and with grace.

The grace of Jesus should move us to respond to Him in faith. Jesus on His own accord came to this world He created to redeem people to Himself. 2 Corinthians makes this point just as clear.

Be a witness.

Who do you know that needs to hear the message of Jesus. John the Baptist was a witness. The disciples were a witness. You and I can be a witness. In this Gospel we will find that all are to be a witness but we all do it a little differently. Peter and the Disciple Jesus loves are not in competition with one another but do have different roles.

Jesus is our hope! Jesus will transform us!

This is true because He is God our creator and came as a human and dwelled physically with us.