God With Us Series

“God with Us”

I. Initial presentation of the Word and His witness 1:1-34

A. Introduction of the Eternal Word, Jesus 1:1-5

B. Introduction to the witness John the Baptist 1:6-8

Many lessons can be drawn from the life of John the Baptist.

• Never assume God intends to say, “No” to your request unless God says, “NO!”

• Provide a godly heritage for your children to become powerful witnesses for Christ.

• Dedicate your children to the service of God.

• Focus on their faithfulness to God not their standing before men.

• Take time to prepare for ministry in the desert with God.

• Be a signpost pointing others the way to dynamic relationship with God.

• Don’t serve for the admiration of men but the affirmation of God.

The Word who was with a God and was God now takes on humanity to be with us.

NEVER take that act of absolute love lightly. What did he come to do? What did he give up to do it?

C. Relationship of the Word to men 1:9-18

1. He enlightens men as the true light 9

There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. John 1:9

John continues with the earlier light and life theme. John firmly denied he was the light but THERE (emphatic position), Jesus is the luminary force in this dark world. John utilizes a present tense verb here to indicate the continuous nature of the Word’s activity. “Jesus continually enlightens every man.” This light came into the world to enlighten men in their darkness. Man either receives the light or resists the light. John 3 talks about those who resist the light because of their evil deeds. Later in this chapter John talks about those who receive and believe and those who resist the light. Immediately some questions come to mind regarding this connection to men. What does it mean to enlighten? Greek word “phos” To illumine or turn on a light, provide insight, “shed light on the subject” Jesus came to illumine reality. He came to reveal truth that leads to life.

“In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians

What is the true light as opposed to the false light? Man can only reflect light from the true source. Jesus alone is true light. Others claim to illumine but plunge us farther into darkness. We become like the blind leading the other blind over the precipice. John wants us to recognize Jesus as the source of ultimate reality. Jesus alone can bring us into realization of what life is all about. Jesus entered this world to enlighten man concerning life. If you want answers to the meaning of life you must focus on Jesus.

Not philosophy, technology, computers, Jesus is the source of true light.

2. He entered the world he created 10a

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him,. John 1:10

In the previous verse John talks about Jesus coming into the world. In this verse he focus on his presence in the world. “He was in the world”. This seems to draw our attention to a different relationship to the world than he had before. Did Jesus experience a different perspective of the world as the God\man? John reminds us that even though Jesus walked in the world of men he was the same one who created the world in which he now walked. Why was it necessary for Him to enter the world of men?

Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. Hebrews 2:14-18

This passage spills over with the Divine rationale for Jesus entering the world he created.

Jesus entered the earth as a man:

• That he would render the devil powerless.

• That he would deliver us from fear of death.

• That he might become a merciful and faithful high priest.

• That he might make propitiation for the sins of the people.

• That he might come to the aid of those who are tempted.

In later passages Jesus acknowledges his physical presence IN the world though he denies being OF the world.