From Creation to Conversion

Primary Texts: John 1:1–5; John 20:30–31

Big Idea

Jesus is the eternal Word and true Light, and John writes so that we would believe in Him and have life in His name.

Introduction

John son of Zebedee brother of James

Ephesus = between 80-90 AD

87 yrs old - - - 50yrs since Jesus

Simple Greek - 7yr old vocabulary

Every book has a purpose. Some inform. Some entertain. Some persuade.

Matthew = Behold the King - - - - - genealogy

Mark = Behold the Servant

Luke = Behold the Man - - - - - genealogy

John = Behold our God !! - - - - - Genesis !

John tells us exactly why he wrote his Gospel:

“These are written so that you may believe…”

John 1 shows us who Jesus is from eternity past. John 20 tells us why that matters for us right now.

The Gospel of John moves from:

Eternity → Incarnation → Revelation → Decision

And it calls us to one response: …  Believe!

I. The Person

John 1:1–2 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.

A. Jesus Is Eternal

“In the beginning” echoes Genesis 1:1.

Before creation, He already was.

Not created — eternally existent.

Cross References:

Genesis 1:1 “1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

Colossians 1:16–17 “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.”

Revelation 22:13 “13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.””

B. Jesus Is Equal … With God

Distinct in person (“with God”)

Face-to-face fellowship

2nd in Trinity

C. Jesus Is God

Not merely divine-like

Fully, eternally God

Doctrinal Depth: This is foundational for the Trinity. John leaves no room for a diminished Christ.

He is not JUST a good teacher / prophet / visionary

Quote: A.W. Tozer — “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

II. The Power

John 1:3–4 ESV

3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

A. Creator of All Things

Nothing exists apart from Him

He is not part of creation — He is its source

B. The Source of Life

Physical life

Spiritual life

C. The Light of Men

Light = revelation, truth, purity, hope

Cross References:

Psalm 36:9 “9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.”

Hebrews 1:2–3 “2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 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,”

2 Corinthians 4:6 “6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Illustration: You don’t appreciate light until you sit in total darkness. John writes into a dark world and declares: The Light has come.

III. The Promise

John 1:5 ESV

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

A. Darkness Is Real

Sin

Death

Rebellion

Suffering

B. But Darkness Cannot Win

“Overcome” can also mean grasp or extinguish

The cross looked like darkness winning

The resurrection proved otherwise

Cross References:

Isaiah 9:2 “2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”

John 16:33 “33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””

1 John 1:5 “5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

Application: No darkness in your life is stronger than Christ’s light.

IV. The Purpose

John 20:30–31 ESV

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

After 20 chapters of signs, miracles, teaching, death, and resurrection — John tells us why.

A. The Signs Point to Identity

Water to wine

Healing the blind

Raising Lazarus

Resurrection

Each sign declares: Jesus is the Christ (Messiah). Jesus is the Son of God.

B. The Goal Is Belief

Belief to John is not mere acknowledgment. It is trust. Reliance. Commitment !!

C. The Result Is Life

Not merely existence — but eternal, abundant life.

Cross References:

John 3:16 “16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

John 5:24 “24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”

John 17:3 “3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”

Important: John doesn’t say, “These are written so you’ll be informed.” He says, “These are written so you will believe.”

V. The Practice

John 1 shows us who Jesus is. John 20 shows us what you must do about it.

You cannot remain neutral about:

The eternal Creator

The Light of the world

The risen Son of God

The Gospel demands a response!!

Applications

Believe in Him rightly

Not inherited faith.

Not borrowed belief.

Who He is !

Trust Him personally

as Your Creator… He knows you and loves you

as Your Light Bringer… Bring your darkness to Him.

as Your victor / savior

Worship Him as Eternal God Your JESUS is not small !!

Proclaim Him Boldly If John wrote so others would believe, so must we speak.

Closing Illustration

Imagine being in a pitch-black cave. Someone strikes a match. That tiny flame changes everything.

John says: The Light didn’t flicker. It didn’t get extinguished or go out. It blazed into the world — and the darkness could not overcome it.

And John wrote so that you would step into that Light… Will you !?

Conclusion

From eternity past to your present moment, the message is clear:

The Word was God. The Word is Life. The Light still shines.

Group Questions

In John 1:1–2, what does John clearly teach about who Jesus is? Why is each phrase (“was,” “with God,” “was God”) important?

Why do you think John begins his Gospel with “In the beginning”? What connection is he making to Genesis 1?

According to John 1:3–4, what is Jesus’ relationship to creation and life?

John 1:5 says the darkness has not overcome the light. What kinds of “darkness” do you think John has in mind?

In John 20:30–31, what does John explicitly say is his purpose for writing? What stands out to you about that purpose?

Why is it essential that Jesus is fully God and not merely a great teacher or prophet? How would your faith change if He were less than God?

What does it mean to “believe” in John’s Gospel? How is biblical belief different from simply agreeing with facts?

Where do you currently see “darkness” in your life (fear, doubt, sin, discouragement)? How does the truth that the Light cannot be overcome speak into that?

If eternal life comes through believing in Jesus (John 20:31), how confident are you in your own trust in Him? What strengthens or challenges that confidence?

Who in your life needs to hear this message of the Light and Life found in Christ? How can you intentionally point them to Him this week?