In the Beginning was the Word
John 1: 1 - 5
Intro:
John wants us to believe in Christ.
The belief must have content.
Body:
1A. Jesus Christ is God Himself. vv. 1, 2
1B. He is the Living Word of God.
NOTE: Tenney says that “logos” means the intelligence behind the idea, the idea, and the means of expressing the idea. It was a philosophical term of the Stoics used to indicate the ultimate Intelligence who gave control and meaning to all things, the all-pervasive Mind. Therefore Christ was the embodiment of the wisdom, power, and creative force. Jesus Christ is the full expression of all this is God.
2B. Jesus Christ has existed before time for all eternity. John 8:58 NKJV Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."
NOTE: Jesus Christ was already in existence when the universe was created. (MacArthur)
John 17:5 NKJV And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
3B. Jesus Christ, God the Son, is equal to God the Father.
NOTE: “Was with God” gives the picture of two personal beings facing each and engaging in intelligent discourse. (W. Robert Cook)
1C. He is a distinct person from God the Father.
2C. He has eternally enjoyed an intimate relationship with the Father.
4B. Jesus Christ is God.
NOTE: “The Word was God, God’s own Self.” (Edmund Clowney)
1C. He possesses the attributes of God. Colossians 2:9 NKJV For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
2C. He is God in every respect. John 10:30 NKJV I and My Father are one."
NOTE: Jesus Christ is the full expression of all this is God.
2A. Jesus Christ is the Creator. v. 3 cf. Gen. 1:1
NOTE: “Made” was a creative event, not a creative process.
1B. Everything was made by Him. Colossians 1:16-17 NKJV (16) For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. (17) And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Revelation 3:14 NKJV "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ’These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
2B. Everything was made for Him.
1C. It’s all about God’s plan through Christ.
2C. It is He who should the focus of our attention.
3A. Jesus Christ is the Light of God. vv. 4, 5
1B. Jesus Christ has life in Himself.
1C. He is self-existent. John 5:26 NKJV For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself.
2C. That’s why receiving Him is receiving eternal life. John 8:12 NKJV Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
2B. He is the light that exposes sin.
1C. It’s not saving faith to acknowledge who Jesus is. Luke 4:34 NKJV saying, "Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are-the Holy One of God!"
James 2:19 NKJV You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe-and tremble!
2C. Men love sin. John 3:19 NKJV And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
3C. Saving faith is believing and loving Who He is. John 8:24 NKJV Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."
NOTE: No one who denies Christ’s deity can be saved.
3B. Moral and spiritual darkness (Satan) cannot defeat the Light. 1 John 2:8 NKJV Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.
1C. Even though Satan and his fallen angels know their doom, they’re working to extinguish the Light.
2C. Their doom was sealed at the Cross. “It is finished!”
3C. It is certain. Revelation 20:10 NKJV The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Revelation 20:14-15 NKJV (14) Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (15) And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Concl.
