In The Beginning

- In the beginning God ... - In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

This season, for some, is known as the season of Advent, which is the preparation for the birth of Jesus. It is a season of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the day which has been designated to observe the Lord’s birth, a day we call, Christmas. This is the time of year those who know of Jesus, whether they have a relationship with him or not, think of a little baby born in a manager.

In this season as people prepare for Christmas, scurrying here and there, shopping, spending more money than they make, putting up lights and trees and decorations, there was a beginning.

So often our preparation is not about the birth of Christ, often times it ends up being people scurrying here and there, shopping, spending more money than they make, putting up lights and trees and decorations. But in the midst of all of this we must take a little time to remember there was a beginning, Jesus had a beginning and it wasn’t in the womb of a virgin girl named Mary.

scurrying here and there, shopping, spending more money than they make, putting up lights and trees and decorations, we must take a little time to remember there was a beginning.

There are stories and movies and books, all extolling his birth; but

Before that He was.

Before Mary, He was.

Before Herod, He was.

Before David, He was.

Before Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham, He was.

Before Moses, He was.

Before Adam, Jesus was.

Oh yes, at Christmas, we like to think of the little baby Jesus, Mary’s baby, but before any of that. Jesus was already here.

In the first Scripture text I read, , the word Genesis means creation or generation and so we see, In the beginning God. I stopped right there because we’re going to talk about, “The Beginning”. Everything has a beginning, a middle and an end. Or does it?

Everything starts with creation, you, me, animals, plants, even inanimate objects like clothes and houses, cars and appliances. They all have a beginning a middle and an end; we sometimes call it a life-cycle. We can extend the life-cycle by taking good care of it, exercising our bodies, eating the right foods in the right portions. Doing the proper maintenance on our cars, oil changes, tire rotations, filters, fan belts. Treating your home so termites don’t destroy it, keeping it free of bug infestations, keeping it clean, putting on a fresh coat of paint every now and then, and keeping the grass cut. All of these things can extend the life-cycle, but in the end, this body will die, the car will end up crushed into scrap metal, tied up and stacked like broken down cardboard boxes and put on a truck to be recycled and the house will eventually be torn down or replaced bit by bit, a roof, floors, drywall and ceilings until it’s a whole new house.

But when we look at the first four words in the book, they say, “In the beginning God”. You see God was, is and always will be. He has no beginning and will have no end. There is no explaining a limitless, all-powerful, all-mighty, all-knowing, all-present God, the creator of the universe, the maker of everything you see, touch, smell, feel and hear, including you.

Now as we look at , John tells us, “In the beginning the Word already existed.” The “Word” John speaks of is Jesus. Jesus was here before the world was created, he was achronos—without beginning of time, He is timeless.

“The Word was with God, this could be read, Jesus was with God, not only that, the Word was God, and that could be read Jesus was God. John begins his epistle introducing us to the second in the God-head, the second person in the Trinity, God the Son.

John is letting us know that Jesus’ life did not begin just when he took on his earthly form, He was here all along. He existed in the beginning with God. He didn’t simply exist, verse three says, God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. All of creation was made through Jesus.

Now don’t get me wrong, we should get excited during this season we should celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world, but I just need you to know that, that earthly birth wasn’t His beginning. His life didn’t start there. In fact, John goes on to tell us, The Word gave life to everything that was created.

He was here when the earth was formed.

He was here when the light was separated from the dark; when we got day and night

He was here when the waters of the heaven and the waters of the earth were separated.

He was here when the land and the seas were created.

He was here when the plants and the trees began to produce.

He was here when the sun, moon and stars were put in their places

He was here the fish populated the waters and the birds first occupied the skies.

He was here when all the animals were created, wild animals, livestock and small animals

And then, then it got real good, God said let us make human beings in our image. We, you and me, were made in the image of God. Our spirit man looks just like God. If you’re looking for something, but don’t quite know what. If things just aren’t working out like you thought they should. If there seems to be a void in your life and you’ve tried all sorts of things, like men and women, and alcohol, and drugs, and cigarettes and children, and work, and school, and money, and stuff to fill that void but nothing seems to work, it’s because that void in your life, that hole you’re trying to fill, is your spirit man crying out for the God who created you to love Him. It’s a place that only God can occupy, no matter what or who we bring into our lives, there is still a place down deep in our soul that longs for the love of God our Maker.

Not only did the Word give life to everything that was created, “his life brought light to everyone. Light is significant, in the Bible, and in the natural. in the natural we need light to see. Light guides us, without it we would be lost, we would run into things and we would probably get hurt.

The Bible has many things to say about light

In we see: “God is light”.

symbolizes righteousness as the “morning sun.”

likens God’s children who are “blameless and pure” to shining stars in the sky.

Jesus used light as a picture of good works: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds” ().

says of God, “You are radiant with light.”

In contrast, darkness signifies evil and sin.

The fact that God is light sets up a natural contrast with darkness. If light is a metaphor for righteousness and goodness, then darkness signifies evil and sin. says that “if we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.” Verse 5 says, “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” Note that we are not told that God is a light but that He is light. Light is part of His essence, as is love ().The message is that God is completely, unreservedly, absolutely holy, with no admixture of sin, no taint of iniquity, and no hint of injustice.

says that “if we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.”

Verse 5 says, “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” Now notice that verse did not say that God is a light but it says that He is light. Light is part of His essence, just like love ().

The message is that God is completely, unreservedly, absolutely holy, with no added mixture of sin, no taint of iniquity, and no hint of injustice.

If we do not have the light, we do not know God. Those who know God, who walk with Him, are of the light and walk in the light. They are made partakers of God’s divine nature, “having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” ().

So what I’m saying is, If we don’t have the light, we don’t know God. Those who know God, who walk with Him, are of the light and walk in the light. They are made partakers of God’s divine nature, “having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” ().

God is light, and so is His Son. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (). To “walk” is to make progress. Therefore, we can infer from this verse that Christians are meant to grow in holiness and to mature in faith as they follow Jesus (see ).

God is light, and so is His Son. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (). When you “walk” this means you’re making progress. Therefore, we can determine from this verse that Christians are meant to grow in holiness and to mature in faith as they follow Jesus (see ).

God is light, and it’s His plan that believers shine forth His light, becoming more like Christ every day. “You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness” (). God is the Creator of physical light as well as the Giver of spiritual light, that light allows us to see the truth. Light exposes those things hidden in darkness; it shows things as they really are. To walk in the light means to know God, understand the truth, and live in righteousness.

When you’re a Believer in Christ, you must confess any darkness within yourself – your sins and transgressions – and allow God to shine His light through you.

Christians cannot sit idly by and watch others continue in the darkness of sin, knowing that those in darkness are destined for eternal separation from God. When you have the light of God, and the love of God on the inside of you, it will be your desire that everyone receives Christ as their Lord and Savior. That’s why we go out evangelizing on the first Saturday of the month, that’s why we tell people about Jesus, that’s why we invite people to church, because we want them to experience what we have.

Jesus, the sinless Son of God, is the “true light” (). And we as adopted sons and daughters of God, have to reflect His light into a world darkened by sin. Our goal in witnessing to the unsaved is “to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God” ().

Christians cannot sit idly by and watch others continue in the darkness of sin, knowing that those in darkness are destined for eternal separation from God. When you have the light of God, the love of God on the inside of you, it will be your desire that everyone receives Christ as their Lord and Savior. That’s why we go out evangelizing on the first Saturday of the month, that’s why we tell people about Jesus, that’s why we invite people to church, because we want them to experience what we have. Because we know that we serve a big God and that He has a enough for you and you and you and you and me and then some more. My Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills, the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell there in. He owns it all, so a half a million dollar building is nothing to Him. It’s like pennies in the jar. Lord send down some of your pennies.

We know that we serve a big God and that He has a enough for you and you and you and you and me and then some more. He owns it all, so a half a million dollar building is nothing to Him. It’s like pennies in a jar. Lord send down some of your pennies.

My Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills, not only that, the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell there in, and not only that my God shall supply all my need, all your need, all Love Christian Center’s need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. He does it through his Son, Jesus Christ.

The light also shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish light. I could tun off all the lights in here, close the door and there would still be light that would come through, under the door, my computer, my phone, even the light on the microphone; and the smallest bit of light can dispel the darkness. Church, Love Christian Center, we are the light of God, we are a city that sits on a hill that cannot be hid, it doesn’t take a lot of us to dispel the darkness, we need only walk in the room and the light of Christ should shine so bright in us we don’t have to open our mouths for people to know there’s something different about us.

As we are the Light of the World, our desire should be to banish the darkness and bestow His wisdom everywhere. But we have to be aware of something, as we take the light of the gospel to the world, things will be revealed about people they would rather leave hidden. Light is uncomfortable to those who are used to being in the dark, so not everyone is going to welcome you and not everyone is going to thank you, because there are some people who love sin, they love what their flesh is doing and they don’t want to stop. So don’t get offended if they don’t want to hear from you, because they are not rejecting you, they’re rejecting Jesus.

The Light of the World desires to banish the darkness and bestow His wisdom everywhere (; ; ). In taking the light of the gospel to the world, we must by necessity reveal things about people that they would rather leave hidden. Light is uncomfortable to those accustomed to the dark ().

Not only was Jesus there with God in the beginning , not only did God create everything through Jesus, not only did Jesus give life to everything that was created, not only did his life bring light to everyone, and not only does his light dispel darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it;

He is the only way to God the Father. He said I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by me. He is the door to eternal life in heaven. He is the conduit for the blessings of God, He is our Redeemer. He redeemed a lost world to the Father. When Adam fell, causing us all to be born in sin and shaped in iniquity; Jesus picked up the pieces, and built a bridge back to the Father. He made a way for us to see heaven.

And not only that He created an avenue for each of us to go the Father with our concerns, we no longer need an intermediary to speak on our behalf. We can go boldly to the throne of grace and pray to the Father anytime we want or need to. You don’t need the priest or the pastor to talk to God on your behalf. Can’t nobody tell your testimony like you, but also,

When you need God to work something out in your life

When you need help for your children

When your house is about to be foreclosed on

When your utilities just got turned off and you don’t have money to pay the bill

When your world is falling apart

There is no one that is going to be as earnest and as passionate as you about your petition. You have a problem, pray, God never sleeps nor slumbers. You call me and it’s late you may not get a good answer because I don’t bounce right up from a sleep and sometimes can be a little mean, if I’m being completely honest. I’m not trying to be, but my brain does not always engage immediately when I’m woken from sleep. You don’t have to worry about that with God. And he will perfect that which concerns you. What are you concerned about? Tell God, he’s waiting for you to talk to him, he wants to help you.

So as we prepare, let us remember, In the beginning was the Word, Jesus’ was in the beginning with God and it was his plan all along to come through the virgin Mary, put on humanity and show us how to live lives that are holy and acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service. After all God did for us, isn’t giving our life back to him the least we could do. And here’s the thing, when we give our lives to him, we get more, he blesses us more, we get more love, more peace, more forgiveness, more joy. God said I wish above all things that you would prosper and be in health. You want prosperity, you want good health, you want your soul to prosper, give your life to Jesus and watch him do exceeding, abundantly above all you could ask or think according to the power that works in you.

These are not some words I make up, these are the words of the Lord who never lies, who can’t break a promise, who loves you, in spite of you. So if you’ve never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, today is a good day to do so. If you’re watching online and have never accepted Jesus, pray this prayer with me.

Lord God, I know that I am a sinner, please forgive me for my sins, I believe that you are the Son of God, that you died and rose again and now sit at the right hand of the Father interceding on my behalf. Please come into my heart, I turn my life over to you. In Jesus name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, congratulations, now find a Bible believing, Bible teaching church near you where you can grow in faith. If you’re in the Douglasville area we’d love to see you at 3755 Kings Hwy, If not and you’d like help finding a local church, let us know that also.

If you prayed that prayer, congratulations, now find a Bible believing, Bible teaching church near you where you can grow in faith. If you’re in the Douglasville area we’d love to see you at 3755 Kings Hwy, If not and you’d like help finding a local church, let us know that also.

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