John 1:3-5

Review

What does it say?

What does it mean?

How do we apply it to our life?

What Does it Say?

Last week we talked about , today we’re talking about . But, we need to learn to understand it in context, so we’ll read .

Last week we talked about , today we’re talking about . But, we need to learn to understand it in context, so we’ll read .

Read

English Standard Version Chapter 1

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

What does verse 3 say?

All things were made through Jesus.

There is nothing that exists that He didn’t make.

What does verse 4 say?

There is life in Jesus

The life that comes from Jesus is a light to all men (people).

What does verse 5 say?

Jesus’ light shines in darkness (sin, evil).

The darkness has not (and cannot) overcome the light.

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What Does the Text Mean?

Who/What/Where/When/Why?

Who: The Apostle John (not John the Baptist)

To Whom: To his home church in Ephesus (same as Ephesians).

When: Around the year 90 AD. Roman persecution made it a hard time to be a Christian. In fact, it was illegal to be a Christian.

Why: To encourage people to believe in Jesus, whether they’re already believers or not.

What does Verse 3 Mean?

Jesus is the Creator of all things. (Just like last week).

There was nothing made that wasn’t made through Jesus

If Jesus created all things, He can overcome anything. His promises are true, and He can deliver on them.

What does Verse 4 Mean?

Life is in Jesus. Nothing can exist without getting its life from Jesus. Including you!

Not only is your earthly life found in Jesus, but eternal life is found in Jesus only. Only God can make you live forever and the only way into that eternal life is through accepting Jesus as your Lord.

Jesus life is a “light” to men. Light can mean lots of things: knowledge, salvation, goodness

What does Verse 5 mean?

Light shines in darkness: Jesus knows about the darkness that exists in the world, and His light shines in that darkness.

3. Jesus brings Light (v. 4-5)

4. He is the invader of all darkness (v. 5a)

5. He is the conqueror of all darkness (v. 5b)

Darkness could be talking about mental or spiritual ignorance (people who say there’s no God, no eternal life, and no rules about what’s right and wrong)

Darkness could be evil. Someone mistreating you or your family. Natural disasters (the hurricane was bad).

Harris, Murray J.. John (Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament) (Kindle Locations 1477-1481). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Darkness could be sin. Sin is rebellion against God, and whether humans think it’s a big sin or a little sin, it will still bring darkness into your life.

That darkness has not, and cannot, overcome the light of Jesus.

How do we apply this text to our life?

Creator

If Jesus is Creator, we can trust His power and we should obey His commands (just like last week.)

Life

If Jesus is the source of life, we should not seek life in anyone else.

Humans have a tendency to look for life in all the wrong places. We put something in God’s place. This is called idolatry.

Light

When we find ourselves in darkness, whether it’s ignorance, evil, or sin, we can trust Jesus to shine a light into the darkness.

We also know that the darkness cannot overcome Jesus’ light.

Question:

Because Jesus is good, and because darkness cannot over come Him, we know that ultimately, Jesus will conquer evil.

So why hasn’t he done it already? A lot of people have a problem with this.

God could have forced everyone to believe in Him, He could have forced us to love Him, but it’s better that we do it willingly. We’re called to follow Him by faith.

Because God didn’t force us to obey Him, it means that people can choose to disobey Him (this is sin). That’s where evil comes from.

When Jesus returns to set everything right, it’s too late to accept Him willingly, it isn’t faith anymore.

So if Jesus forced everyone to follow Him now, or if He showed up tomorrow, there would no longer be a possibility for people to follow Him by faith.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.