The Word Of Life

JUNE 17, 2020 STUDY NOTES 1 JOHN 1:1 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES THE WORD OF LIFE INTRODUCTION We are not living in the most wonderful days of America we are facing trying times Day by day our way of life has been changed supposedly for our protection We are certainly not happy with all that has happened, but John has a message for us If you know Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you can have real joy every day of your life 1 John chapter one reveals how to experience the “fullness of joy” John is going to tell us how we can know and experience the fullness of life “in Jesus” He tells us to hear Jesus, to see Jesus, to give Jesus our full attention Now is a good time for you to commit yourself to a new, fresh, personal relationship with Christ Give your all to that new commitment to Christ, share with others your experience with Christ The Coronavirus pandemic is an opportunity to minister to others through our joy of Jesus In John’s day some denied the person of Jesus Christ, some denied the deity of Jesus Christ Some denied the humanity of Jesus Christ and many denied that Jesus even existed Others accepted that Jesus was a person, but he was not the Messiah, He was not the Savior We still live in a world that denies the “Person and Work” of Jesus Christ That is why it is so important that we hear the message of 1 John chapter one “THE WORD OF LIFE” is the “WORD FOR LIFE” THE WORD WAS FROM THE BEGINNING 1Jn 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; The verse begins with “That” instead of who You would expect it to begin with “Jesus which was” But the wording, “THAT WHICH,” is broad and includes the Person and Work of Jesus The “Person and Work” of Jesus refers to all things relating to the Lord Jesus Christ His coming to earth born of a virgin; His earthly life; His message and miracles; the Gospel The word translated “WHICH” is found 4 times in the first verse Each time it is concerned with the “Word of Life” which is Jesus Christ The first thing that is said is that He “was from the beginning” “Was” means that in times past, He already “was” in an abiding state, He already existed Since “the beginning,” Jesus already “was,” “The beginning” is an interesting term There could be at least three beginnings referred to in the scriptures: The beginning of creation; The beginning before creation; The beginning of Incarnation We find all three “beginnings” in the Gospel of John chapter 1 The “first beginning” is the beginning which was before the beginning of creation This is “the beginning” which is difficult for us to comprehend It is “The Beginning” of which there is no beginning that we can begin with It is “The Beginning” without a beginning, the beginning which always “was” Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. “The Word” that “was God” is Jesus Christ according to John 1 and 1 John 1 There is nothing or no one else before this beginning, it is in the realm of the uncreated It is in the time of the eternal past, it is before the beginning of time and the existence of all things This beginning presents an eternal existence of the “Word,” Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. Then we find the “second beginning” which is the beginning of creation, Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. The “second beginning” is when Jesus made all things The “Word” in the beginning of John 1:1 is the God who created in “the beginning” of Genesis Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. That is when time as we know it had its beginning When all things were created by him and for him, Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: Jesus, the “Word of Life” is before all things, Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Through the creation of Genesis 1:1, God revealed Himself, Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: But creation is not the full revelation of the Eternal God The “Third Beginning” is found in, Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. It is when the “Eternal Beginning” of John 1:1 entered-into that which He had created in Gen 1:1 The Eternal Word became like the flesh he had created in the beginning, Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, The Son who was sent forth made of a woman is Jesus Christ, Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: He is the “Word” who was with God in the First Beginning, Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: The creator became like the man he had created, Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: The Word was made in the likeness of flesh in-order to die in the likeness of flesh, Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. “THE WORD OF LIFE” is the “WORD FOR LIFE” The “Third Beginning” is the “Beginning” that we find in 1 John 1:1 1 John 1:1 is the beginning of Christ living upon the earth in the flesh of man, Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; The beginning of I John 1:1 is known as the “Incarnation” The word “incarnation” does not appear in scripture, but its truth is found throughout scripture “Incarnation” is the word used by theologians to teach that God came to be man The Eternal Son of God took upon Himself flesh, the Second Person of the Trinity became man Incarnation describes the voluntary act of the Son of God assuming “flesh and blood” 1 John 1:1 presents the evidence of the humanity and deity of Jesus Christ John says, “That which was from the beginning”--which we have heard, John now begins to give his personal witness to the truth of the “Incarnation” John was among the apostles who heard Jesus speak, he heard him on many occasions He heard the voice of Jesus many times, for approximately 3 years he listened to Jesus The emphasis is that John was among those whom Jesus spoke too The thought is that they heard Jesus with understanding and comprehension Their hearing was more than understanding, they were obedient to what they had heard The apostles also had a desire to tell others what they heard from Jesus The time-period between John hearing Jesus and writing of Jesus is about 60 years And that which Jesus said to John is still in the mind of John After 60 years he has not forgotten what he heard, it is more meaningful to him now than ever He still remembers it as if it were yesterday, it was ringing daily in his ears John agrees with the officers that were sent to arrest Jesus, that no man ever spoke like this man Joh 7:46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. John is telling us what Peter told the Sanhedrin, Act 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. The Apostles heard Jesus instruct religious scholars, rebuke Satan and command demons They heard him tell sinners that He loved them, that He would forgive them of their sins They heard him tell sinners to come to Him and He would give them a New Life They heard him promise to give them comfort for a troubled life, Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. They heard Jesus promise rest for the soul, Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. They often heard Jesus refer to God as His “Father,” Mat 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Jesus said to Philip, Joh 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. John heard Jesus speak the “Words of Life,” John heard Jesus reveal the “Truth of Life” John rejoiced over what he heard, John writes that we might hear the “Words of Life” It is time for us to go to God’s Word and hear the “Words of Life” When you hear Jesus the “WORD OF LIFE,” you have heard the “WORD FOR LIFE” It is time to do what John is doing, to share the “Words of Life” with others which we have seen with our eyes, That which John had “seen” was important to John In verse 2 he says, “For the life was manifested, and we have seen it” In verse 3 he says, “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you” John saw the physical life of Jesus, but he knew that he was seeing more than a physical life John saw with the understanding that what he saw was the “Word of Life” John realized what a privilege it was to personally hear and see Jesus, Mat 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. The O.T. prophets longed for the day that John and the apostles saw and heard, Mat 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. The disciples were blessed to hear and understand what those in the OT longed to know The disciples were living in the day that the OT prophets were waiting for John knew that he was living in the day of the Messiah, he knew that he saw Jesus in the flesh John saw the physical body that had been born of the virgin John saw the man who ate with sinners, performed miracles, healed the sick, and raised the dead John saw the man who walked on the water, stilled the storm, and cleansed the temple John agreed with Nicodemus, Joh 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: Nicodemus knew that he saw more than a man when he saw Jesus, Joh 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. which we have looked upon, John is not repeating what he has just said, he is not making a duplicate statement “Looked upon” is an amplification of “have seen” It means “To behold with interest;” to view with full attention; to contemplate Because of what he saw in the person of Jesus, he gave his undivided attention to Jesus John took the opportunity that he had to fully observe all that he could “Looked upon” describes a careful and deliberate inspection of that which is in view “Looked upon” is a steadfast searching gaze, a personal investigation It is the kind of examination that will leave no doubt concerning that which was observed John’s continued investigation was because of what he had seen and heard in Jesus John heard Jesus and wanted to hear more, John saw Jesus and wanted to see more The whole life of Jesus had that kind of effect upon his apostles, all that He said, all that He did John probably had a particular time in mind, when Jesus appeared to them after his resurrection A time when their attention really centered upon Jesus like never before and our hands have handled, “Our hands have handled” meant to touch or feel for the purpose of investigation The same thought is found in, Gen 27:21 And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not. Blind Isaac felt the hands of Jacob to determine who he was, Gen 27:22 And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau. It is the same word found in, Luk 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. Jesus said to His disciples, “handle me, and see,” investigate and see for yourself John had heard enough, John had seen enough, he needed no other evidence All but one of the apostles had seen and heard enough, Joh 20:24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. There was “Doubting Thomas,” Joh 20:25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. Then came Jesus, Joh 20:26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Jesus said to Thomas, “Be not faithless,” Joh 20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. The hands of Thomas did not handle Jesus, but his faith did, Joh 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. What Thomas said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God” means, “Jesus you are who you say you are” You are God manifest in the flesh, that is exactly what John is saying to us in 1 John “Blessed are those who believe,” Joh 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. Jesus promised a blessing upon all who would believe in Him without a physical manifestation What Jesus said to Thomas is why John wrote the Gospel of John, Joh 20:30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: Much more could have been written, but enough has been written, Joh 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. Peter speaks of being blessed by believing, 1Pe 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Faith hears, sees, looks upon what has been written about Jesus and receives life, 1Pe 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. The book of 1 John is written to those who believe, 1Jn 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. John reveals to us that the “Son of God” is the “Word of Life” of the Word of life Jesus is “The Word,” Jesus is “The Life,” Jesus is “The Word of Life” Jesus communicates life, describes life in detail, He is the full explanation of life Jesus is the life of God, Jesus is the expression of life, Jesus is God in living words The Bible is the letter of God, the Bible is God in written words, the Bible is the Word of Truth Jesus is the “Truth of God” in life, He is the Eternal Truth The world has something they call life, you can hear it, you can see it, you can look upon it You can handle it, you can make it a part of your life, but in the end, it is not life What John heard, what John saw, what John looked upon, what John handled was-“THE WORD OF LIFE” and Jesus is the “WORD FOR LIFE” REVIEW: Verse 1 1Jn 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; The “WORD OF LIFE” is Jesus Christ The Eternal Son of God who took upon himself flesh and came to dwell among us John calls it a “beginning,” when God came in the flesh in the person of Jesus That beginning is known as the “Incarnation” The word “Incarnation” describes the truth that the “Word became flesh and dwelt among us” John and the apostles heard and saw the life of Jesus on the earth with their own ears and eyes They watched Him throughout His earthly ministry, they saw Him die on the cross They also saw and heard Him after His resurrection, their “hands have handled” Him That is why they know that Jesus is the WORD OF LIFE who gives us ETERNAL LIFE John wants to tell us the story of Jesus Christ John wants us to come to the Bible and hear Jesus, see Jesus, and look upon Jesus And believe that Jesus is “THE WORD OF LIFE” And live in the experience that Jesus is “THE WORD FOR LIFE” John told us that he walked with Jesus Let’s close with a prayer in our heart and a song in our mind HYMN #448 “JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE”