Sermon Tone Analysis

*Positive Identification*

*John 1:14 - 18*

FBLG October 30, 2005

FPBC November 27, 2005

 

Do you know who Colin Pitchfork is?

What about Richard Buckland?

Surely you know the name Orenthal Simpson.

These three men have something in common:  DNA testing was used to determine their participation (or lack of it) in criminal cases.

Richard Buckland was the first person in history to be exonerated by DNA evidence.

Colin Pitchfork, however, was indicted for the two murders allegedly perpetrated by Buckland.

Psalm 139 tells us we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Part of our make-up involves DNA – chemical ‘road signs’ that distinguish us from every other person on the planet, except our identical twin (sorry, Ron & the McGehee girls).

DNA testing was unavailable in the 1st century, but positive identification was still possible.

Witnesses could be called to establish a person’s identity.

These witnesses could be actual persons, a record of a person’s word, or even an attested account of a person’s actions.

John concludes the introduction to his gospel by giving a positive identification of his subject:  the Word who was “in the beginning.”

!

Incarnation:  “Word became flesh”        1:14

!! Divine Provision

·         Word became flesh

o        The Logo~~

§         Co-existent with God (a permanent condition)                *1:1*

§         Identified with life and the source of light                          *1:8*

§         In the world, yet unknown                                                   *1:10*

§         Participates in realm of creation (a change of state)   *1:14*

o        “Was made flesh”                                                                    *cp.

1:3*

§         Demonstrates pre-existence

§         Incarnation:  one of a higher order assuming the appearance of or becoming man.

§         God made Himself known in a real historical man:  when the “Word became flesh”, God became man!

·         *Heb 2:14* (shared in [flesh and blood]); *10:5* (a body … prepared for me); *1 John 4:2* (Jesus Christ has come in the flesh); *1 Tim 3:16* (God was manifested in the flesh); *Phil 2:6* (in the form of God); *Lk** 1:35 *(Holy One…called the Son of God)

§         Human nature, not “heavenly humanity” (a ‘glorified body’)

·         Not ‘changed into’ but ‘identified with’

·         Divine nature unchanged, yet united to human flesh and was a man.

o        Word became flesh, but did not cease being Word!

·         United to human flesh, yet no sinful nature

o        Christ’s deity can no more be taken from His humanity than His humanity can be taken from His deity.

o        Jesus’ flesh does not conceal God’s glory, but reveals it to all!

·         Dwelt among us

o        “Tabernacle”                                                               *Ex.

25:8; 33:7*

§         To live as with family

§         Not transient, taking up residence & staying

o        Physical presence in the midst of mankind

§         God now dwells with us in a more personal way

·         *Zech 2:10* (I will dwell in your midst); *Ezek 37:27 – 28* (tabernacle shall be with them … in their midst forevermore); *Lev 26:11* (I will set my tabernacle among you).

!! Definitive Proof

·         We beheld

o        Not a vision or dream

o        Actual physical sight

o        Saw his humanity as well as his deity!

·         His glory

o        The outshining of His nature, power, character & activity

o        Majesty, dignity and splendor that belong to none other

§         Transfiguration                       *Mat 17:1 – 9; 2 Pet 1:16 – 18*

§         Miracles

§         Teaching

§         Resurrection

§         Ascension

o        Glory reflective of relationship to Father

§         An especially beloved son                                                         

·         *Gen 22:2 *(your son…only son); *Jer**.

6:26* (mourning as for an only son); *Zech 12:10* (mourns for his only son… grieves for a firstborn)

§         Unique “only begotten”         *1:14, 18*; *3:16, 18*; *1 John 4:9*

·         Isaac was not only, but was unique*              Heb 11:17*

·         The uniqueness of the Son makes it impossible for Christianity to be syncretistic!

It is Jesus only!

§         Not comparison to Father, but an explanation

·         “in keeping with His nature as”

·         *Ex.

33:22* (My glory passes by); *Isa**.

60:1* (glory of the LORD is risen upon you); *Psalm 29:9* (in His temple, everyone says “Glory!”)

o        Characteristics of His glory

§         Grace

·         Goodwill, kindness, joy-producer

§         Truth – something unknown apart from God

·         Faithfulness, steadfastness, consistency

§         The Word is the revelation of truth and grace!

!

Presentation:  “This was He”          1:15 – 16

!! Statement of Fact

·         Reality of Christ’s life stated by John Baptist

o        After me – date of birth, ministry

o        Before me – dignity, place, pre-eminence

o        Before me – eternal pre-existence                         *1:1, 2, 4, 9, 10*

·         Reality of Christ’s life stated by Disciples ~/ followers

o        We received from His abundant fullness                        *Col** 1:19*

o        Grace enough to meet every need          *2 Cor.

12:9; Eph 3:19*

o        Unlimited boundless inexhaustible grace!

!! Steadfast Focus

·         John continues to focus on Christ; Christ is the point of it all!

o        Once he identifies Jesus as Christ, his focus narrows

o        The true mark of a minister is one who prefers Christ to himself!

!

Revelation:  “He has declared.”

1:17 – 18

!! Appropriate Fulfillment

·         The Law *given*

o        As a servant, Moses administered the Law                    *Heb.

3:5*

o        The “problem” was not Moses or the Law, but disobedient Jews who misused Moses and the Law           *6:31 – 32; 9:28 – 29*

o        The Law was useful, but was not the final stage of grace.

·         Grace and Truth *came*

o        As the Son, Jesus acts with ultimate authority                *Heb. 3:6*

o        The full characteristic of God could only be revealed through Jesus Christ!

o        Jesus not only proclaimed grace and truth but is the Source of grace and truth!