John 1:1-18

10 July 2013, CMA

(Disclaimer/Warning: The following has been prepared in informal english/style. Also they are not entirely original. You may see word-by-word cut-and-paste from other sources, without even proper credit/reference. Also some of the presented thoughts could be wrong - so use your own judgement)

Title:- “Jesus Christ: the Word of God”

The Word Became Flesh

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.

(So, as we read the passages, we will see each and every verse is loaded … like treasure …)

Note, this is how Genesis 1 began … “in the beginning God created ...” (so He is above all creation ...) … Here John is introducing Jesus to the world and trying to get to the heart of who really Jesus is (where did He come from, where was He all this time … ).

So what do we learn about Jesus, here? :-

- Jesus is the eternal Word of God, God Himself ...

- Jesus was "In the beginning" (even before the creation in Genesis) ... an eternal being

- Word was with God:- in an intimate relationship with God. So He knows God

- Word was God:- Equal to God. #Authority.

{What does the author mean by “Word” here. (... something to do with ultimate form of God’s expression) Jesus Christ is the WORD of God. (title of today: John 1 Jesus Christ the Word of God). JC, the W of G is the ultimate authority. We often struggle with what is right and wrong. Like with just anything … These verses imply whenever we have a question, about anything, we can come to Jesus who is the ultimate Word - the Word of God!}

3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

http://mitulsaha.blogspot.com/2009/09/laminin-vs-jesus-d.html

4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

- You will need this light as you search for grades, life, relationships ... tough questions of life, such as how to spend your time/money/talents/everything/anything … Use Jesus as “THE” torch for your everyday life …

Application (the real important part): Jesus is light of ALL mankind. The only light that can remove all kinds of darkness around us (the kind of light: Jesus: Luke 14:18-20: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”). How will you apply this in your life? (There is darkness in our lives and all around. Anyone, around you, who does not know Jesus ...)

Also you try to seek light in other things than God: idolatory: which disappoints us (John 4:13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”).

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

Now, first, I want you to remember the backdrop of this juncture. This is John the Baptist, of whom Jesus said was the greatest man born of woman (Matthew 11:11). Why did Jesus say that about John? Is it because the way he witnessed to people about God? How would you be a witness? (Jesus: "Thou shall be my witnesses in ...")

Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

2 Corinthians 5:20: “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

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

- We talked earlier, the significance of this Jesus Light.

- Even same today, many do not see Him. Many are also blinded and lost by sin. It is not good ... all must know God and discover true life. We must pray and intercede for the lost!

2 Corinthians 5:20: “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

What does it mean to live as if we are Children of God (how is that different from children born of natural decent?)? What does that life look like? Do we live like that?

- Jesus is a great example: perfect role model.

Inheritance (that we receive as child of God) does not necessarily imply material things such as money, grades .. but definitely refers to: Holy Spirit we have now, intimacy with God, treasures in heaven. Being a child with such rich inheritance does not also mean that we now watch tv all day and be on vacation all the time. In-fact we follow Jesus’s example and live like God-send missionaries: Jesus: Luke 4:18-20: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Latter it says “FULL of grace and truth”; as children we NOW qualify to inherit .. not earlier: so a big deal: 1 Corinthians 2:9: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" -- the things God has prepared for those who love him”)

EVEN Relationships are being redefined. Jesus: my mother, brother, sister are those who do the will of God.

Matthew 12:48: “48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.”.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

-- Why was this important? He could have stayed in heaven; instead he left His comforts to make His dwelling among us and suffer … not comfortable: ALL TO SHOW WHAT REAL LOVE IS! -- have you ever tried to search for true love .. i am sure you have ...

This also sets tone for mission work . Being a missional Christian is simply following the way of Jesus, who was the greatest missionary. The Bible tells us that he came from heaven to earth to die for a lost and dying world ... so that we may know God

Latter in verse 18 it says no one has seen God (why?? is it because we die if we see God?? Exodus 33:20).

Jesus by coming and dwelling with us reminded how we should live our lives …

He came to save the world too …: to be bridge between us and God ...

15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”)

- reminder Jesus was there before creation in 1Genesis 1 … So He is above all creation … Remember Jesus said Matthew 11:11: “of all born of woman, John is greatest”. John testifies, now Jesus is even greater ...

16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.

Pretty powerful: In-fact so much grace that it helps us to live stress/worry-free life, full of rejoicing in Lord. Jesus said do not worry ….

Response: give back: 2 corinthians 9:7-8: “God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. “

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

- reminder: of how we need to be dependent on God.

Zechariah 4:6: “'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.”

John 15:4: Jesus:“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

Matthew 11:28-29: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened (LAW ... ), and I will give you rest (GRACE AND TRUTH). Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

- So that we can now be in close relationship with Father God.

- Exodus 33:20: "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live."

- John 1:1: Word was with God: So He was in closest intimate relationship to God the Father as Jesus knows Him pretty well. Word HAD TO BECOME FLESH and came down from heaven to dwell with us (John 1:14; God pursuing us) for this to happen!

Yea, see for anything in life, we go to Jesus (mediator/bridge-to-Father) first. He makes us known God and everything else we need. “In Him fullness of ...”. God is offering ALL inheritance to us through Jesus! He has the keys … All authority under heaven and earth has been given to Him. ALL. So for every question of life in-fact for everything in life, go to Jesus first! Hope that’s how you will live ...

It was our sin that separated us from Holy God (Isiah 59:2). But He was still gracious enough … We are so un-deserving … yet God blessed us over and beyond … and that is how the world should see us as people who forgive and bless : people full of grace, love, and truth!: TAKE HOME MESSAGE (talking of application)

http://www.gotquestions.org/seenGod.html “you shall not see (in full glory and holiness) and live”.