Introducing the Incarnate God - Self Revelation

Introduction

What have your learned, been reminded of, or meditated on in your study of John?

What challenges have your faced?

How is the inductive method coming along for you?

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Outline

Introducing the Incarnate God so that we might believe and have eternal life – John 1:1-18

Jesus as Pre-existent God

Jesus; the eternal God – John1:1-2

Jesus; the high creator – John1:3

Jesus; life itself – John1:4

Jesus; the truth light – John1:4-5

Self-revelation of a pre-existent God.

A man sent that we might believe – John 1:6-8

Failure to believe; failure to live – John 1:9-11

The right to life – John 1:12-13

Rivers of grace from a pre-existent God – John 1:14-18

A tabernacling God – John 1:14

Glory of the One and Only – John 1:14

Grace and Truth – John 1:14

The High-Ranking God – John 1:15

Fullness of Grace – John 1:16

Law and Christ – John 1:17

Invisible God Revealed – John 1:18

Sermon Body

Review:

Introducing the Incarnate God so that we might believe and have eternal life – John 1:1-18

Jesus as Pre-existent God

Jesus; the eternal God – John1:1-2

Jesus; the high creator – John1:3

Jesus; life itself – John1:4

Jesus; the truth light – John 1:4-5.

Self-revelation of a pre-existent God.

A man sent that we might believe – John 1:6-8

John 1:6–8 ESV

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

Consider the synoptics accounts.

Matthew 3:1-11.

Matthew 3:1–12 ESV

1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’ ” 4 Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Matthew 3:3 - Cited from Isaiah 40:3.

Mark 1:1-3.

Mark 1:1–3 ESV

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ”

Mark 1:2 - Cited from Malachi 3:1.

Note that some manuscripts read “the prophets.”

Luke 3:2-16.

Luke 3:2–16

2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ” 7 He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.” 15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Vs. 4 - Cited from Isaiah 40:3-5.

It has long been prophesied that one would come in the spirit and power of Elijah and that that one would prepare the way for the Messiah.

Jesus himself declares that John the Baptist is that person.

A man Sent from God - Consider Jesus own words. Matthew 11:10; Mark 1:2; Luke 7:27.

Matthew 11:7–15 ESV

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written, “ ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Luke 7:27 reads the same as Matthew.

Point is, BOTH Isaiah and Malachi (which is why some manuscripts read “prophets” spoke of this one that was to come prior to Christ and bear witness and prepare the way.

This messenger is clearly identified as John the Baptist

Matthew 3:3; 11:10,14; 17:22ff.

Mark 1:2.

Luke 1:17; 7:26-27.

John 1:23.

Luke 1:1-80. John the Baptist’s birth and ministry proclaimed.

Read this passage….speak to the moving of the Holy Spirit upon Zechariah and Elizabeth as well as to their prayers/songs and prophesies, particularly Zechariah’s.

A man was prophesied to come

That man came

That man was John

Before we move on…please note the significance of this.

GOD SENT

God prophesied and promised TO SEND

God took the initiative.

God came near

And God sent a man to prepare the way for that one.

He came to bear witness...

About the light - John 1:7.

He was not the light - John 1:8.

But came to bear witness about the light - John 1:8.

That all might believe through Him. John 1:7.

Failure to believe; failure to live – John 1:9-11

John 1:9–11 ESV

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

The right to life – John 1:12-13

John 1:12–13 ESV

12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

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Conclusion