Thee Logos
The Endless Journey - John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Reading:
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Introduction:
I am willing to bet that many of you could tell me a majority business names just from the logo you see here.
You may even be able to tell me about the company.
What their product is, maybe even prices on certain items, or other details about it.
You may even share personal stories from your interaction with that specific company.
Maybe one like this:
Illustration:
One night when Katie and I were leaving the Miami area heading back to Fort Myers we were hungry.
We say a McDonalds right off the highway.
We hit the drive-thru, ordered our items at the speaker, drive around the curve to the window.
I had to hand my money through the bars to the person at the window.
That was a first! If you ever experience this, I would suggest not eating there and drive away quickly after you get your food.
I will think of that experience periodically; but more when I’m in south Florida and see a McDonalds.
The logo reminds me of that experience.
Connection:
Each one of those Logos is a representation of a business.
That logo isn’t the business it is just a way for us to visually connect with their products.
When we see the certain logo it may bring back a memory of an experience with that company, whether good or bad.
Modern marketing has done a great job connecting our psyche to images, almost like psychological programming.
Throw a little jingle in there and you not only have a visual there is an audible reminder.
Marketing has figured out how to impact all senses to target people for sales of products.
So here is the question that connects it to us here in the Gospel of John.
The Greek word of the day is “Logos”.
We receive, in the English language, the word Logo from the Greek word Logos.
We get to elaborate a little bit in the gospel of John how Logos is used.
Hopefully it brings a lasting impact on what we understand about Jesus.
We find in the first five verses the English translation of Logos, and it is translated as:
The Word (1-5)
The Word (1-5)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
This verse is the thesis statement for the entire gospel of John.
All of John will build into the importance of the “Word”, or the Greek word “Logos”.
To know God and to know of God we are given Logos!
To explain this concept: Logos is the expressed image of God.
Hebrews 1 connects and makes the claim about Jesus.
3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Jesus is, according to Hebrews and John, God in the flesh and the physical representation of Him in the world.
(?) How does this differ from us being a reflection of the image of God?
We are considered to be image bearers.
We are created in the image of God.
This may be a difficult concept, in regards to our fallen sinful status.
Illustration:
If you look into a mirror what do you see? (You in a reflection)
It’s you; but it’s not you, it’s merely the reflected image of you!
Let’s put a crack in the mirror, what do you see now? (Yourself through the cracks)
It’s still you; but there are imperfections to see you through!
Connection:
We are a reflection of the Lord; but we aren’t a perfect reflection.
The mirror has cracks.
The expressed image of God is a term that explains Jesus as the exact character of God!
As the exact representation of the substance of God, Jesus Christ expresses the very character and essence of God.
He is the flawless imprint of God.
Just as a coin bears the exact image of the die from which it is cast, so Jesus bears and reveals the nature and substance of God.
Paul explained it this way in Colossians 2:9
9 For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,
Also in 2 Corinthians 4:4
4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Paul knew what he was telling people about Jesus!
He knew Jesus is God, and that happened the moment when He was confronted by the truth of Jesus on the road to Damascus.
John is proclaiming:
Jesus is the Logos of the Creator God and is God in the flesh.
Jesus is the full representation of God to the world.
He brought the fulfillment of the name Emmanuel = God with us!
Point:
“The Logos is portrayed in scripture as the High Priest through whom men come to God, and Advocate (Paraclete) for the forgiveness of sins.” -Word Biblical Commentary
The first verse declares the Word’s authority and position; but verses 2-5 reveal the power of the Word.
The Jews understood what John was claiming.
The Word wasn’t an expression of thought, He was a powerful action! (The Greeks also understood this)
In the beginning the Lord spoke and created the world.
The word “Uni-Verse” literally means: Single spoken!
John claims that Jesus is the power that spoke the world into existence and possesses that power!
What a claim to be made by John to the world!
A man in the flesh, possesses the power of creation and is God!
Transition:
The first five verses make a claim about Jesus.
Jesus’ life proves and lives up to the claim, and John spends the rest of his gospel proving that claim!
After the claim, we find:
The Witness of the Word (6-8)
The Witness of the Word (6-8)
His name was John, not to be confused with the apostle John who authored this gospel; but John the Baptist!
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.
8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
We find the person, purpose, and message of Jesus’ forerunner preparing the hearts for His arrival.
John’s purpose in ministry was to set the table for any guest that would come and sit because they believed in Jesus.
We find in Matthew 3 John’s message was: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
He was calling to the masses to evaluate their sin before the Lord!
To admit their sins, and grieve over their sins, be broken and accepting of His grace.
His confrontational message was bringing hope through truth!
“The kingdom of heaven is at hand”
The one who would take away the sins of the world, the redeemer of all mankind has arrived and will be public soon!
Illustration:
We can find this politicking’ in our day and age through the realm of politics.
There are a lot of people who make a campaign for a candidate possible.
People spend a lot of time and finances on marketing, publicity, and the portrayal of the person as the best candidate for everyone.
We could think poorly of those people; but we forget some factors of motivation.
If their candidate gets elected they will probably benefit from the higher position.
? Is this what John is doing?
The political rally cry for a candidate that will dethrone the sinful political powers to gain a position of authority?
What were John’s motives?
He made it clear: He wanted nothing from the campaign except the turning of people to Jesus!
He wore camels hair a leather belt and ate locusts and wild honey, while living in the wilderness.
Clearly he wasn’t about the high life.
His only desire was for Jesus.
11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
He bore witness about the light that came into the world that would shine out the darkness!
Transition:
John’s proclamation was heard by many and his testimony was rumored throughout the land.
People wanted to see the spectacle of the crazy man in camel hair and see if it was true!
Each one of us, when receive information are given a challenge:
What do we do with the information?
If it is true, do we accept the truth personally?
If it is false, do we stand and proclaim the truth against the lie for all to hear?
We find in verses 9-13:
The Reaction to the Word (9-13)
The Reaction to the Word (9-13)
The light wasn’t received and the truth was dismissed by many.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him.
11 He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.
The light came into the world: Fact!
The light that overcomes the darkness!
There are some categories impacted by the light represented in these two passages.
All of creation.
All those of Israel.
All of creation included those who weren’t Israel.
They ignored His claims, authority, and love.
Illustration:
Let’s say that you worked at Ford motor company on the line and a man in a suit comes in with a lot of executives behind him walking through the factory.
As they make their way through the factory all of the workers ignore Henry Ford and are busy about their business.
He speaks up to everyone about the companies future; but no one shifts their attention to him and keep adding the parts to the car in front of them.
Those dependent upon Henry for their lively hoods ignored him and the message he brought to them.
This paints a good picture for understanding what was refused by people not receiving Jesus.
He brought the greatest message: Forgiveness of sins, and a relationship with Him.
The world and the Jews not only rejected His message, they wanted to irradicate Him from life itself.
What in their right minds would’ve directed them to do this?
Pride and for some fear!
Connection:
How easy is it for someone to receive direction from someone younger and assumingly less educated?
If a PHD professor has been teaching for 20 years, would it be acceptable for him to allow a butcher to teach his class or even take it over entirely?
You can almost hear his feathers puffing up...
This uneducated, lack of experience in teaching kid cannot take my position.
The Pharisees and Sadducees positions were in jeopardy.
A Carpenter’s son is teaching and is wiser then all of them combined, people are following His teaching instead of theirs.
Can you see the motivation for people to reject Him and what He offers?
Imagine how much it angered them when they thought of great ways to trap Jesus in conversation or situations which He wisely handled.
OOhhh.
Do you remember Elmer Fudd and how red his face would get when Bugs pulled a fast one on him?
Their anger boiled because their voice was no longer the most important.
Point:
The reaction to the Word by creation and the people was to refuse Him!
There is hope even in the dismissal of the majority.
Our free will provides opportunity to not think the same way everyone else does.
A remnant acknowledged and accepted the Word as is taught in Matthew.
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
The way to Jesus is narrow, or we would say exclusive as contrasted to inclusive.
Only some, not all, even though many will say they believed in Jesus.
22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’
23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
The bible teaches that believers in Christ will be a minority, not a majority.
This means that when culture and society try and re-define God or His teachings many will follow; but few will let the truth of the Word be their guide.
The moment we believe in Jesus and accept His gift of grace we are instantaneously added into His family.
Our life will be a pursuit of living up to the grace we received.
That goal we have is to live worthily of the price He paid for us.
A life of obedience to His word, belief in His calling for our life as a believer and also the position He calls us into.
Transition:
A life dedicated to Him shows up in the next part of John 1 following the reaction to the Word coming to the World.
We read about:
The Confession of the Word (14-18)
The Confession of the Word (14-18)
The confession is really a re-cap of verses one through thirteen with some added doctrinal truth!
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.
This sounds similar to what we read in Exodus from Moses.
Yahweh pitched His tent of meeting by Israel’s Camp.
Yahweh desired fellowship with His people.
Yahweh revealed His glory (Shekinah Glory).
Yahweh’s radiance was witnessed by Moses, His power, Might, and perfection!
Connection:
Just like Yahweh had revealed Himself to Israel, the Logos revealed Himself to the whole world, fulfilling the hope as the Messiah!
Point:
He came, not as a judge but in the expressed image of love, offering grace that is kept by truth!
Jesus reveals His “Priority Status” over John and anyone else!
John refuses any glory, credit, or hierarchy the Word possesses.
Connection:
John is pointing people to the light!
Leaving for us an example of how to point people to Jesus!
John said it best:
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Our lives need to be all about Him.
Whether it is what He is teaching us.
How He desires us to fulfill our purpose for Him.
Praising Him and telling people about all He is to us!
Conclusion:
We started by talking about logos.
Images that represent something far greater than themselves.
Jesus is not merely a logo of God.
He is thee Logos.
He is not a symbol, not a reflection, not a cracked mirror.
He is the exact imprint of God’s nature.
The Word who spoke creation into existence stepped into His own creation, took on flesh, and dwelt among us.
The world decide to.
Ignore Him.
Reject Him.
Some feared losing their power, their comfort, their position.
Yet some believed.
John tells us:
“to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
That is the dividing line.
Not religious activity.
Not familiarity with Scripture.
Not saying the right words.
But receiving the Word made flesh.
So the question for us today is simple—with eternal impact:
What will you do with the Logos?
Will He be someone you recognize but never truly receive?
Will He be someone you admire from a distance but refuse to submit to?
Or will He be the Light you follow, the Lord you trust, and the Savior you proclaim?
Because if Jesus truly is the Logos—
If He truly is God with us—
Then He does not simply ask for our attention.
He demands our allegiance.
And like John the Baptist, our lives are meant to point people away from ourselves and towards Him.
Not drawing attention to our own wisdom, goodness, or status—but declaring with our words and our lives His!
“He must increase, and I must decrease.”
Hopefully we aren’t people who just know about the Word,
Hopefully we are those whom received Him,
Walk in His light,
And boldly bear witness to the grace and truth found only in Jesus Christ.
-Pray!
