Aspects Of Grace Series

John 1:14-18

“Aspects of Grace”

I. Grace and Truth (14)

• Vs. 14 Again John leaves no room for the belief that Christ had not become a physical man.

o This one verse is the entire birth account of Jesus that is found in John.

• The Greek word for “dwelt” is similar to the word that is used for the tabernacle of God, which was filled with the glory of God.

• Exodus 40:34-35

• Now Jesus, being the radiance of God’s glory, was seen by man for the first time, notice John uses the personal pronoun “we”, validating this was written by an eyewitness of Christ’s ministry.

• Transfiguration of Christ (Matthew 17:2)

• Beside the radiance glory what they saw in Christ was surpassing grace, love, tenderness, wisdom, purity, majesty, meekness, richness and poverty  Glory that was unique to Christ.

• Full of grace and truth, these two terms brought together is what separates Jesus from all the prophets who came before Him. They all brought God’s truth, but only Jesus could offer grace.

• “truth” literally means eternal or absolute truth, truth that doesn’t change over time.

• Jesus also brought a new “truth” that expanded on what the prophets of the O.T. had revealed.

• Matthew 5:21-22; 27-28

• Vs. 15 This is again talking about John the Baptist

• John the Baptist was 6 months older than Jesus, Luke 1:24-27, 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” 26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary, however Jesus existed before him.

II. Endless Grace (16)

• Vs. 16 “fullness” also can be translated completeness.

• What did Christ complete? (God’s plan for salvation)

o Galatians 4:4-5

• “fullness we have all received”

o Ephesians 3:17-19

• “grace for grace” or literally “grace upon grace”, that is the endless supply of God’s grace that is available and poured out upon us.

o Acts 4:33

o 2 Corinthians 12:9

o Ephesians 2:7

III. The Law and Grace (17)

• What is the purpose of the Law?

i. The Law is not salvation. (Acts 13:38-39)

ii. The Law exposed sin. (Romans 3:20)

iii. The Law leads to Christ. (Galatians 3:24)

• Jesus fulfilled the Law, He didn’t replace it (Matthew 5:17-18)

• Vs. 18 Others have seen a theophany or a manifestation of God, or have even seen a glimpse of God’s glory, but have never “seen” God.

• Jesus has taught us more about God, His character and what He expects from His followers, than any other revelation of God.