Jesus, The Word
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
We are 2-weeks from Christmas, and are in full swing of the Christmas season
Trees and decorations have been put up
Christmas concerts and plays are being prepared for or performed
Sermon-series based on the birth of Jesus Christ have been prepared for and are being preached
The true reason for the season is fighting for attention, while the warm fuzzies of the season are engulfing our society
Radio stations play music 24/7 about a fat man in a red suit with 8 (or 9) tiny reindeer carrying him from house to house
He is either watching you while you’re sleeping, bringing toys down the chimney, or kissing Mommy underneath the mistletoe
As fun and exciting as Christmastime and Santa can be, they can also be a distraction from the important event that is the birth of Jesus the Christ
This month, we are going to look at the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ coming, and learn specifically about the “reason for the season.”
Last week, we looked at Matthew 1, and specifically that Jesus is the Messiah (“anointed one”).
The Son of Abraham – promised blessing to all nations
The Son of David – promised king to establish the throne forever
This week, we are going to look at John 1, and specifically that Jesus is the Word
The Divine Nature of the Word (v. 1-5)
The Divine Nature of the Word (v. 1-5)
Presence in the beginning
The Word is said to be with God in the beginning, as well as equated as being God Himself
The complication of the Trinity!
Genesis 1:1 clearly tells us that there was only God
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Power in the creation
Clearly, the Word is God because of His creative activity in the beginning
Colossians 1:16
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
Colossians 1 ascribes creation to Jesus; therefore, you can easily conclude that Jesus is the Word
Revelation 19:13 – the return of Jesus
He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.
Provider of life
In Him was life
This is not referring to created life, which was discussed in v. 1-3; rather, it is referring to spiritual life
John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
1 John 5:11
And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
the life was the light of men
Illustration:
When you are walking through the house at night, it can be hard to see what is in front of you. To remedy this, we usually turn on the overhead light. In doing this, the light reveals to us what is in front us and what to expect as we continue walking.
Just as light used in the darkness shows the path to go down; Jesus shows us the way to life.
The Determined Messenger of the Word (v. 6-8)
The Determined Messenger of the Word (v. 6-8)
John was sent by God
His birth was a miracle in itself
Luke 1 shows that it was revealed to his father, Zacharias, while he was performing his priestly duty of the incense offering (representing the prayers of the people)
His coming was foretold
Isaiah 40:3
A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”
John points to this verse to define his ministry (cf. John 1:23)
John was to testify about the Light
Later in His ministry, Jesus confesses to being the Light
John 8:12
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Thus, John’s ministry was to testify about Jesus…who is not only the Word, but also the Light
The Divine Message of the Word (v. 9-18)
The Divine Message of the Word (v. 9-18)
v. 9 - The message of the Word enlightens every man
Verse 7 shows that John testified “so that all might believe through him.”
John’s ministry was to point people to Jesus so that they would believe that He is the true Light
Turn to John 3:18-21
v. 10-13 - How the message is received…
Ignorance - The world did not know Him
Rejection - His own did not receive Him
Acceptance - right to become children of God
v. 14-18 - How the message is presented
The Word dwelt among the people
He took on human flesh and rubbed shoulders with His creation
He lived to make a difference…He exemplified the glory of God the Father to the people
John testified to the people
Even after Jesus arrived on the scene, John continued his ministry of pointing people to Him
The Word explained the Father
Jesus’ ministry was to live out righteousness, and to show the Father to those He was in contact with
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.
CONCLUSION
Jesus is the “reason for the season”, and the reason for celebrating Jesus is that:
He is the Messiah, the Son of Abraham and the Son of David
He is the Word, God who has taken on flesh to reveal Himself to mankind
It is amazing what we learn about Jesus through examining the incarnation accounts…the accounts that tell us about God becoming a man… found in the Gospels, even beyond the usual passages in Matthew 2 and Luke 2.
