Christology, Part III; John 1:14-18

Creation - how it felt and perfect; what are some things with creation in Genesis 1 that we see and is described?

physically perfect

how?

socially/relationally perfect

Unhindered intimacy between Adam and Eve

no sin, no complexes, no social hang-ups

Walked with God

social relationship was paralleled by their upward spiritual relationship

walked innocent before God

we all long for what Adam and Eve had and represent

we long for what was because we live with the effects of the fall

Adam blamed Eve (& God), Eve blamed the snake

Adam’s relationship with Eve wasn’t looking to hot here; and his relationship with God went downhill

After this new relationship norm, Adam couldn’t quite get enough air as he went through life

death enters in as consequence of sin

this is a huge drama that we can’t minimize if we want to understand the significance of who Christ is and His purpose

v.14

“word became flesh”

preexistent, divine creator of the universe. How could God become man?

How might people suggest/explain this divine/human dynamic apart from what Scripture says?

Jesus came to dwell in a man, but he did not himself become a man

Jesus appeared like a man, but He didn’t actually take on human form and become a man. Maybe an apparition (bc it’s impossible for God who is spirit to take on bodily form)

God simply chose a man and made Him His Son (but this ignores what John wrote earlier).

“we observed his glory…”

John is talking about here the grace and truth revealed in the glory of Christ’s incarnation…let’s get into some of that

How we rightly understand Jesus as God and as man: 100% God 100% man

1 John 4:1-2 anyone who denies this is a false teacher

affirming the full humanity of Jesus in no way diminishes his deity

Colossians 2:9 “9 For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ,”

Why was it necessary for Jesus (who is God) to come as a baby and be human?

If Jesus did not become a man, He could not be tempted

Came so he could sympathize with our weakness and assure us that victory over sin and temptation is possible through His strength

If Jesus did not become a man, He could not be an example

WWJD

because Jesus became a man, we can know how He would respond

If Jesus did not become a man, He could not die

incorrect to look at His birth at Bethlehem and not also look at the same time the cross

Incarnation is amazing because of why God became man: so He could die for our sin.

And as John continues in v.14-18; this is so we can receive and be filled with His grace and truth

What about God’s character revealed in Jesus is most striking to you?

What do you think of when you hear the word grace? Why? What do you think it means?

salvation

beauty (beautiful word); word originally meant charm and beauty

“full of grace and truth”

Colossians 2:9 “9 For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ,”

when related to grace, it associate’s God’s presence with His love

Grace is God’s love coming to sinners; and this is communicated to us in Christ

Christ wants to overflow in the lives of those who do not know Him. Likewise, He wants believers continually to overflow with His love and grace

Jesus (the eternal Word who reveals God) became a man to dwell (literally “pitch his tent”) among His people so that He could reveal the love, grace, and truth of God the Father

John 1:16

When we received grace, we were given all we would need

Grace from God is abundantly adequate

there are no levels of grace, or levels of receiving Christ or Holy Spirit

there is not “too much” bad or wrong a person does/is that God’s grace does not cover and pursue

(John Newton story)

17th century, boy born in Christian home

1st 6 years of life, heard the truths of gospel and was dearly loved

Parents died, went to live with relatives and was maltreated, abused, and ridiculed for His interest in Christ

Fled and joined the Royal Navy, there his life went downhill

became known as a brawler, was whipped many times, and doing things he shouldn’t have done that harmed his shipmates

Still young, deserted the Royal Navy and fled to Africa and attached to a Portuguese slave trader

Here he reached lowest point

times he actually ate off the floor

He escaped, and joined another slave trader as first mate on his ship

Pattern of life just completely self-destructive

stole the ship’s whiskey and got so drunk he fell overboard

Close to drowning till a shipmate harpooned him and brought him back on board

left huge scar in his side for rest of life (couldn’t get any lower)

Finally, great storm off of Scotland; and after days of pumping water out of the boat, this young man began to reflect on verses he heard as a boy and surrendered his life to Jesus

New life he found is reflected in these famous words:

“amazing grace — how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!”

John Newton - became one of the great preachers of the 17th century — all because of the amazing grace of God

No one is beyond the power of God’s grace. Where do we see this in Scripture?

Romans 5:20 “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more”

What is the result of God’s grace in our lives?

How does experiencing God’s grace change our lives and how we live?

when grace enters our lives, we are again able to breathe as we were created to breathe (feeling of weight lifted off…weight of sin and shame)

Grace from Christ changes how we live our life

social relationships will show the difference

John Newton was known for his godly marriage

when grace entered his life and he matured in Christ; changes everything

when we experience grace, we begin to enjoy the restoration of what our life should have been like

Grace is not just for salvation; it is an overflowing fountain that brings richness to all life (v.16 gives picture of a everflowing, overflowing fountain

Grace is how we grow in our relationship with Christ

and when grace God enters our lives, our lives become rich and overflowing

v.16 “Grace upon grace:”

other translations “grace following grace” or “grace heaped up upon grace”

conveys that God’s grace is abundant and will not run out; and so as the grace we receive should flow out to others

when we do this, more grace will come, and then more and more and even more

Again, grace is how we grow in our relationship with Christ; and our life with Christ is to be life with continual growth

grace we give, the more grace received, and more!

this is what it’s like to grow in the grace of God given only thru Christ

v.14 & 17 “grace and truth”

when God’s grace comes, so does God’s revelation of spiritual truth (“The Word” brings and is revelation of God and His truth)

As we grow in God’s grace, we grow in understanding God’s truth…because grace is the application of God’s truth

Through God’s grace we begin to understand ourselves, life, God, and salvation

especially in comparison to life without God’s grace and separated from Him…and we stay separated apart from His grace

Through His grace and understanding truth; we start to recognize how all of Scripture (Moses, prophets, OT) all points to Jesus. And it is grace revealed in Jesus that He reveals the Father (v.18**)

v.16 - “fullness”

we have all received from His fullness

so it is simply us receiving grace upon grace and allowing God to put grace to work within us

Think about this: are you living/operating in as much grace as God intended? (bc He gives us His fullness of grace)

Are we outpouring God’s grace towards others and then allowing God to fill us fuller?

how do we do this? Live for Christ

we give out grace upon grace in response to the effects of sin, misery, and brokeness in this world. Grace is ours; and may God help us to appropriate His power!