Photokinesis

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“Photokinesis”

John 1:6 – 13

FBLG 10/23/05

FPBC 11/20/05

The online “Dictionary of Difficult Words” defines photokinesis as “activity caused by light.”  A Google or Yahoo search of the term yields an amazing array of scientific tests, results and theories based on the simple fact that light causes reactions.  Photokinesis is the reason sunflowers bend toward the sun, why cockroaches scurry from bright lights, and is the basic scientific principle at work in your vision.  Response to light is important!

As the apostle John calls his first witness to testify to Jesus’ fulfillment of the promises God made for His Messiah, he uses this basic scientific principle.  He has presented Jesus as the Word – one who was with God and who was God in the beginning; he presents Jesus not only as the Word, but as the Light.  He now explains the reactions to the Light.  As you know, response to light is important – a fact that will be highlighted and stressed by our passage this morning.  What is your response to the Light?

John:  Responsibility                                                1:6 – 8

Preach repentance                                        Matthew 3:1 – 12

·        Message of radical change

o       Flee from wrath

o       Bear fruit of repentance

·        Message of immediate importance

o       Kingdom of heaven is at hand = close to appearing

o       The way of the LORD was being prepared

o       Wrath was coming

o       Judgment was impending

Preach reflection                                                     John 5:35

·        John’s ministry = witness

o       Divine mission

§         Witness establishes truth; commits to a position. 

§         No witness is neutral!

·        John 1:7 (a witness, bear witness), 8 (bear witness), 15 (bore witness), 19 (the testimony), 32 (bore witness), 34 (seen and testified); 3:26 (have testified), 28 (witness that I said); 5:33 (borne witness)

o       Jesus was; John came

·        John’s ministry = that of a lamp

o       To prove Jesus was Messiah, John needed to prove he was NOT!         1:19 ff.

§         John’s limited greatness; he was NOT the Light!

§         Not Messiah

§         Not Elijah

§         Not ‘that prophet’ (Moses)        Deut. 18:15 – 19

§         John is merely a voice!

o       John was preparing all to hear, receive and believe

§         No personal acquaintance, no collusion with Jesus.  1:31

§         John had a ministry prior to naming Jesus as Messiah

§         John had status as God’s recognized prophet (i.e. spokesman)        Matthew 21:26

§         Not in John’s “best interest” to name Jesus as Christ; yet he did so anyway!  Mt. 3:5; Lk 3:15;
                                          Jn 1:19; Ac 19:1 - 3

§         John’s purpose: to prepare for Someone else!

o       John was preparing all to hear, receive and believe

§         His ministry seemed sure to keep man from rejecting Jesus.

§         Christian leaders are never the Light!

§         No minister can save – only Jesus!

World:  Rejection                                                      1:9 – 11

Distinction of the True Light

·        True

o       Real, genuine; not a facsimile or counterfeit

o       Not a debate of correct v. incorrect!

·        Light

o       Jesus Christ is the real light of humanity!

o       Jesus illumines all who accept Him              3:19 ff.        Rom 1:20

o       Jesus is The Light of the World                  8:12; 9:5

§         Removes darkness, error, ignorance

§         The Light is extended, offered, provided to all!

Decision of the world at large

·        Failure in recognition

o       World failed to recognize its Creator / Preserver

§         Presupposes Incarnation

§         Contrast v. 1 – Word functions in eternity & creation; Word is Creator, not created creature!

o       No approval or love       Ps 1:6; Mt. 7:23; 1 Cor. 2:8

o       Knew Him not (ginwvskw)                   Rom 1:20, 28

§         Knowing is relational, not intellectual

§         To not know is to not have an awareness of His real person  9:30 – 34

·        Failure in relationship

o       No welcome; conscious decision of rejection

o       “His own [place]” = world

§         He came home; was not an alien              19:27

§         The place He created

§         The place He should have been most easily recognized and embraced

o       “His own [people]” = Jews

§         Hostile reception                            Isa 53:3 – 4

§         Continual ignoring of God’s Word     Jer. 7:25 f.

§         The world is too blind / wicked to welcome Him.  Even coming to a prepared place, He was not welcomed!

Believers: Redemption                                         1:12 – 13

Receiving and rights

·        Not all rejected the Word / Light!

o       Gave = grace of acceptance

o       Right = not power, but bestowed privilege; change of status that gives status       5:24

o       Children = fully part of God’s family

§         Believers become children by faith

·        Adopted by Him                            1 Jn 3:1

·        Like Him, resemble Him

·        United to the Son                        Mat 25:40

§         Jesus never became Son of God; He always was Son of God!

·        The core of the gospel is not what you know; but to whom you are related!

o       Becoming a child a God comes by grace as a gift received through faith Rom 3:24 – 25; Eph 2:8

·        John avoids nouns [knowledge & faith]; uses verbs “knowing” and “believing”

o       Correct use of Christian vocabulary!

Believing and birth

·        Believing is not a matter of information, but of recognition and acceptance of character           Gen 2:20; 17:2 – 6

o       Proper recognition of God brings hope of life   1:12

o       Name = person                       2:23; 3:18; 1 Jn 5:13

o       Giving allegiance to His character & claims

·        Entering God’s family is based on receiving His Word and believing His name         

o       Not physical birth, since it’s not physical life!

o       Only possible because of divine regeneration!

§         Not physical life; natural birth; ceremonial ritual

§         Not natural impulse; achievement; environment

§         Not human determination; decision; resolve

o       God produces the change in heart / will      Ps. 90:3

§         Only God can save!

Those who have received Him bear the responsibility of representing Him to others.  Are you a faithful reflection of Him?

This portion of Scripture has focused our attention on an important choice.  The choice presented to the world almost 2000 years ago is presented to you personally today:  will you receive or reject Jesus?  The consequences of rejecting Him are staggering; and the consequences of receiving Him are humbling.  The choice must be made.  There can be no neutrality in this matter – you will decide now.  What is your response to the Light?

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