Before the Beginning
“Before the Beginning”
John 1:1 – 18
FBLG 10/16/05
FPBC 11/13/05 AM
In a classic Veggie Tales episode, Madam Blueberry learns a lesson on contentment. It seems no matter what she has, she wants more. Her problem is compounded when a “Stuff Mart” opens down the street. Seeing the construction, Madam Blueberry, Bob and Larry guess at what is being built. As the “Stuff Mart” marquee is lifted into place, Madam exclaims “Oh look, a sign!” to which Larry responds “But what does it mean?”
Signs are great; but are little help if their meaning is unclear. The Apostle John wrote his gospel to display signs – and to also interpret their meaning. John takes great care to explain his words and their meanings so that not one point is missed or misunderstood. Every sign points clearly to one fact, the purpose for which John began writing his gospel:
The Purpose Declared 20:30 – 31
The accurate portrayal of Jesus as Christ.
· The “gospel of the Word made flesh.”
o Manifestation of eternal Truth in time and place.
· John’s means of presenting Jesus as Messiah
o Greatly different from other 3 gospels
§ Did not use them as sources. His was a different book.
§ Not trying to correct other gospels; presented different material.
§ Primary sources = personal time with Lord and Holy Spirit (14:26; 16:13)
o Uses no parables, only 8 miracles.
§ Mir. = “signs” interpreting great truths.
o Chronological approach; the time span ~ 20 days. 1/3 deals with one day’s events!
o Emphasis on deity without diminishing humanity by use of titles (Way, Door, Life, Vine, Shepherd, etc.)
o Uses ‘Jesus’ > ‘Christ’ to emphasize the fact that God has become man! (16:28)
The authentic belief in Jesus Christ.
· Belief is more than knowledge!
o “Believing is not mere intellectual assent, but involves committing oneself to this Jesus”
– G.L. Borchert
· An emphasis on believing
o ‘believe’ and its cognates used ~ 100x (‘belief’ & ‘faith’ never occur)
o God as “Father” occurs 122x; ‘glory’ & related 33x; ‘love’ & related 57x
o Repeated themes emphasize Christ can be known in a personal relationship.
· Belief is necessary!
o “What Christ did and said becomes explicable only by knowing what Christ is.” – W.E. Vine
The Person Displayed 1:1 – 2
The recognition of the WORD
· In the beginning
o Before the start of time or the universe
§ “As far back as you can go, God and the Word step out of eternity to greet you.” – J.V. McGee
o A superseding of time & space
· Was
o Continual eternal existence
o At any time you choose, He already was.
· The Word
o Communication; expression of one’s mind
§ A man’s word reveals his thoughts
o “Word of God” = God in action
§ Creation (Ps. 33:6)
§ Revelation (Isa 38:4)
§ Deliverance (Ps. 107:20)
o Word = power of God (Gen. 1:3; Ps. 33:6; 147:18; 107:20; Isa. 55:11; Jer. 1:4 – 9)
o Word = Messiah
§ Dt. 26:17 – 18 in Targum as “Messiah”
The relationship of the WORD
· The Word was with God
o Linked to God relationally
§ The One by which God promulgates His will and issues His commands.
o Separate & distinct
§ Distinct from God Himself, yet existing in close personal relationship with Him.
The reality of the WORD
· The Word was God
o Word = God = Christ (Rom 9:5; Heb 1:8 – 12; 1 Jn 5:20)
§ “To believe in Jesus as Messiah is to believe in Him as the Son of God.” – FF Bruce.
o Word shares the very nature of God. The deeds and words of The Word = God’s words and works
· What does kai qevos en oJ logo~ mean?
o ‘The Word’ = the subject
o ‘God’ in position showing emphasis
o Is the Word A god?
§ ‘kai oJ qevos en oJ logo~’ would mean the Word was exactly identical to God.
§ Jesus is more than divine, He is deity – separate from the Father yet still God.
§ Verse 2 guards the doctrine of verse 1!
The Power Demonstrated 1:3 – 5
The power of life
· World owes its existence to the Word!
o Word and Wisdom (Proverbs 8:22 – 31) equated by creative activity.
o Proves equality with the Father (Jn 10:37).
o No higher proof of His omnipotence than His creating out of nothing!
· Christ not only creates but gives life!
o Christ the Author, Source & Cause of life.
o Life does not exist in its own right.
o The life Christ gives is a source of light that exists outside of humanity.
The power of light
· Light separates the darkness
o Light a picture of knowledge (Isa 9:2; 60:1)
o Darkness a picture of ignorance (Isa 9:1 – 2; Acts 26:18; Rom 13:12)
· Light continues to shine despite the response!
o Comprehend = overtake, seize, take in
o Sin darkens reality; truth illuminates
§ Any light man has is owed to the Word
o Light and darkness can exist side by side.
§ Although opposites, they are not equal in power – darkness has no effect on light, but light transforms darkness!
o The ‘tragedy of the gospel’ is that darkness rejects the light
§ Your response to the light is crucial!
John’s gospel illustrates clearly the responses people had to the light. Some were transformed at the entrance of light; others rejected the light and remained in darkness. But the most important question is: What have you done with the Light? What is your response to the Word?