The Logos - The Word and Gospel

Text: John 1:1-5, 9-14, 16-18

Introduction

We live in a society which prides itself on its ability to process information in large quantities. We claim to rely on factual data as the basis of our decisions and policy above propaganda and misinformation. However, events of the past year have demonstrated that our society is less concerned with “truth” and more concerned with subjective reality. The narrative carefully woven by big tech, mainstream media, and the government have served to further pollute the minds of young men and women resulting in further division and civil unrest.

We often hear the phrase coined that “word’s however power,” but how often does the church turn to the very Word of God to establish its doctrine and precepts? No instead the American church has turned to Oprah, Dr. Phil, and other media icons to determine a basis for morality and action. As we turn to our idols and icons for comfort and peace; seeking direction and instruction on how we are to live our lives others turn to us. I am of the humble opinion that a society that cannot uphold the basic principle that all human life is sacred including that of an unborn child has no business teaching anyone the concept of morality.

Perhaps you have even heard the phrase thrown around, “I swear it is the gospel truth.” Many horrendous things have been done apart from grace of Jesus Christ under the guise of “gospel truth”. In a world so torn by division and immorality it is imperative that the church take a stand on what it truly meant by the Gospel Truth.

Almost as if led by the Spirit John foresees the dilemma, we find ourselves in as he pens his gospel account of Jesus Christ. Join with me in the Gospel of John chapter one verse one. Please stand as we read God’s Word.

Read John 1:1-5, 9-14, 16-18 (CSB)

John 1:1–5 CSB

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.

John 1:9–14 CSB

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:16–18 CSB

Indeed, we have all received grace upon grace from his fullness, for the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side—he has revealed him.

I. The Gospel of Jesus Christ’s Deity (Vs. 1-2)

John begins his letter by addressing heretical teachings that were taking place within the early church. Even in the early church heresies such as Docetism introduced by the Gnostics worked to unravel the very fabric of Christian theology. Like many today the Gnostics claimed that Jesus was not real though perhaps not to the degree to which many scoffers say today. The Gnostics believed that Jesus was a spiritual being and thus never really present here on this earth. By doing so they denied the reality of the cross and sanctification through Jesus’ sacrifice. Another doctrine introduced at the time was adoptionism which stated that Jesus was not a preexistent being but rather that Jesus was fully human and after being tested by God was given supernatural spirit and a mind to comprehend the divine.

Neither of these two theories found sufficient ground in the early church to gain a lot of traction; however, they were revisited in the fourth century by Arius of Alexandria who taught that Jesus was the first creature “born of God” and that God the Father was the only “non-begotten”. Proponents of this view believe that God created Jesus Christ because he was to perfect and pure to appear here on this earth, so He created the Son as His first creation. The Son then created the universe with the Father adopting the Son and his creation because according to this view the Father and Son do not share the same nature. Additionally, Jesus was only worshiped because he was the preeminent in creation.

Nearly three hundred years before the heresy of Arianism was a threat to the church the Apostle John inspired by the Holy Spirit writes, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning” clearly establishing Jesus’ deity and divine nature.

There are many false teachers today who would tell us that Jesus was just a good man and perhaps an excellent teacher; however, the Apostle John makes it quite clear that Jesus is no less than part of the Trinity. Just as much as the Father is God so too is the Son.

II. The Gospel of Jesus Christ’s Role in Creation (Vs. 3-4)

Even within the early church there was considerable debate on the role in which Christ played in the laying of the foundations of the world. The battle in which John is fighting is not only against the Israelite baggage brought into the early church but also the influences of Greco Roman mythology which individually as well as combined led to continuous battles of doctrine. Even in the first century church there were people who did not believe or accept that Jesus was in fact part of the triune God prior to his sacrifice on the cross. Adoption-ism arose in the early church as a heresy that denied the initial divinity of Jesus Christ implying that he only received acceptance into the God head for his sinless perfect life and sacrifice on the cross.

John references Jesus’ work in creation not only serves as a counter to this heresy but also places some clarification on the Biblical account of Genesis 1. Apart from John 1 and Hebrews 1 we often hold that it is God the Father speaking to the Son and Spirit in Genesis 1:26 about making man in the image of God; however, a proper hermeneutic of the entirety of Scripture leads us see a clearer picture of Jesus the Son of God directly involved in Creation. Thus, it would perhaps be better understood that Jesus is speaking to the Father and the Spirit in Genesis 1:26. This is not to lessen the understanding of the Father’s role in creation but that rather when we study Scripture, we must let Scripture interpret Scripture.

III. The Gospel of Jesus Christ’s Incarnation (Vs. 5, 9-14)

Remember that earlier I mentioned that one of the early heresies affecting the church was Docetism which denied the physical reality of Christ’s appearing in the world in bodily form. Docetists viewed matter as inherently evil, and therefore rejected the idea that God could appear in bodily form. We could say to their credit they had a remarkably high view of God’s holiness; however, their improper understanding of reality, the power of God, and the Scriptures led to a heresy that denied the Incarnation of Jesus Christ a core pillar of the Christian faith.

When we deny the Gospel of Jesus’ Incarnation, we, like the Docetists, deny He physically suffered on the cross as a propitiation for our sins and rose from the dead on the third day. If we deny the Incarnation, then we deny the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.

A. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 5:6-15,

Romans 5:6–15 CSB

For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation. Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned. In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression. He is a type of the Coming One. But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through the grace of the one man Jesus Christ overflowed to the many.

B. And in 1 Corinthians 15: 12-17

1 Corinthians 15:12–17 CSB

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, “There is no resurrection of the dead”? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is in vain, and so is your faith. Moreover, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified wrongly about God that he raised up Christ—whom he did not raise up, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.

IV. The Gospel of Unmerited Grace of Jesus Christ (Vs. 9-14, 16-18)

Now John gets to the heart of the matter. The following words demand our response. If Christ is in fact the very Divine Son of God? If Christ in fact is the agent through whom we were created? If Christ did in fact comes in physical form to offer himself as a sacrifice on our behalf, we are left with only two options. We must either accept or reject the grace offered in Him. This is the Gospel message in which today we stand church.

Jesus Christ the true light came into the world He created and was rejected by the world. He extends an offer of unmerited grace to enter the light and experience eternal life, grace, and forgiveness based upon his righteousness. According to verses nine through eleven this wondrous gift is open to all; however, tragically many people will decline this gracious gift. They will choose to live in their depravity and reap the consequences of their sin. However, the invitation is offered.

There will be of course those who accept the gracious gift of Jesus Christ offered upon Calvary. In so doing they will receive “the right to be called children of God.” This righteous standing is not based upon what we have done but rather what has done for us by Jesus Christ. Apart from Jesus Christ we cannot receive grace or truth; however, through Jesus Christ not only do we receive the truth, but we receive grace upon grace! Praise be to God that through Jesus we are set free! Through the fullness of Christ, we receive overflowing grace and mercy.

Conclusion

The Gospel message is before you this morning. Choose for yourself whom you will follow. Will you accept the call to Cross to follow Jesus? You o’ believer will you rise from the ashes of apathy and fear to defend the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We live in a society where words are losing or being reassigned their meanings. We must stand church for the Good News of Jesus Christ? Jesus is God the Son. Jesus is the Creator. Jesus came in the flesh, was crucified and rose on the Third Day. Praise be to God He is coming again. Jesus is Lord and Savior.

1 Corinthians 1:22–25 CSB

For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

Let us pray.