The Coming of the Word

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

Today we are beginning a journey through the Gospel of John. You may wonder why John? John tells us in John 20:30-31 he wrote with a purpose.

John 20:30–31 ESV

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

The central issue in our lives is whether we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Thus, it is fitting to begin with the book that was written for the purpose of showing the world who Jesus really is. Now you may say to yourself, I already believe so what good is this for me. Yet I think many of us have put Jesus in our little boxes, believing that Jesus was much like we are. Indeed our artwork depicts a false Jesus, one who is white with long curly light brown hair blue eyes and a small frame. Yet Jesus being a Jew was more than likely olive skinned with dark brown or black hair brown eyes and due to his profession as a carpenter was likely a rather strong man. If we are not careful we can do the same spiritually as well trying to make Jesus our Genie rather than our Lord. So as we journey through John together I want us to be asking ourselves who Jesus really is, and then looking at John’s description of Jesus. Look with me at John 1:1-18

John 1:1–18 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

The Eternal Word

John 1:1–4 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

The Word is pre-existent - not created always was

The Word is with God - This shows close relationship to God

The Word was God - Claim of diety

Thus John sets the stage here in verse 1 for the idea of the Trinity God - Three distinct persons yet 1

This Word then is unlike any other God hes not created or born He is not in a power struggle with other Gods nor was he ever not God and then received a promotion to Godhood.

Hes the creating word - Parallel to Genesis 1 God spoke all things into being

Hes the living word the source of life

The Revealing Word

John 1:5–13 ESV

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Hes the illuminating word - Light allows us to see and understand the world around us to interact and appreciate it

and the word came to reveal the truth to us especially about God, our sin, and God’s gift of salvation.

The world does not know the Word - John the Baptist is sent to witness about the word preparing the way for people to believe in Him

The Word offers a choice - reject him as did his people or you can believe and be granted the right to be a child of God

The Superior Word is Jesus

John 1:14–18 ESV

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

The glory of the Word - supreme glory -glory of God - remembering the transfiguration

full of grace and truth

Superior to John - Superior message and position John is simply a sign pointing to Christ

The Word is Jesus Christ vs 17

Superior to Moses and the Law - superior prophet and grace

Moses and the Law said follow the rules and all will be well except we cant follow the rules so the Law simply brings condemnation

Jesus brings salvation because he followed the rules and was perfect and yet died on our behalf so that we might live.

Therefore his message of grace and mercy is superior.

Even Moses has not seen God in all his Glory but Jesus has seen him he is at the father’s side he has made him known

Conclusion

Jesus Christ, the eternal Word is no mere man but is the creator God the giver and sustainer of life who is superior to all things. This Jesus left heaven and set aside all his rights as God to live as man as an example of How God desires us all to live, ultimately dying on a cross, the most terrible method of execution ever invented, designed to prolong the suffering as long as possible, so that he might pay the price for our sins. Was buried for three days before by his own power he rose from the dead conquering death and the grave so that we might have life eternal with him forever in heaven with Him. . After hearing John explain who Jesus really is it should cause us to pause and think about the great love he has that he in all his glory would become a man and die for sinful self-centered humanity, or as Isaac Watts so aptly put it would he devote that sacred head, for a worm such as I. What love grace and mercy was poured out for us upon the cross. Will you choose this day to put your faith your trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today? if your answer is yes then bow your head now and just tell God that you know you are a sinner that you have fallen short of his perfection and you need him it clean you of your sin that you might be made right with him and you are putting your trust in Jesus and his death on the cross to cleanse you of your sin and you claim him as your Lord and Master of your life today. If you prayed that prayer I just ask when we sing the song of invitation in a moment that you would come forward and let me know so we can celebrate with you and encourage you as you begin this journey with Jesus. But maybe you have already accepted Jesus as Lord of your life. For you I challenge you to throw away the false Jesus in the box and see the true Jesus in all his power and glory. Allow him to mold you in his image and Go out into your world and share him with those in your circles of influence.