"The Incomparable Christ"
John 1:1-5
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Introduction: This morning God has led me to preach a message that I trust will bless you. Now it's not 10 ways to please your husband or 5 steps to greater happiness or 7 reasons to discipline you kids, it's not a how to sermon but it is a message about the Master, about Jesus and Jesus alone. The Apostle John writes his treatise to show that Jesus is the son of God and therefore God Himself. Let's look at what he says:
I. Unique in His Person (1-2)
Let's first deal with the "Word" Who is the Word? The Word is from the Greek "logos" R. C. Sproul writes:
In Greek philosophy, the logos remains an impersonal force, a lifeless and abstract philosophical concept that is a necessary postulate for the cause of order and purpose in the universe. In Hebrew thought, the Logos is personal. He indeed has the power of unity, coherence, and purpose, but the distinctive point is that the biblical Logos is a He, not an it.
All attempts to translate the word Logos have suffered from some degree of inadequacy. No English word is able to capture the fullness of John's Logos when he declared that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Attempts have been made by philosophers to translate Logos as logic, act, or deed--all of which are inadequate definitions.
God's Logos does include action. The Logos is the eternal Word in action. But it is no irrational action or sheer expression of feeling. It is the divine Actor, acting in creation and redemption in a coherent way, who is announced in John's Gospel.
That the Word became flesh and dwelt among us is the startling conclusion of John's prologue. The cosmic Christ enters our humanity. It is the supreme moment of visitation of the eternal with the temporal, the infinite with the finite, the unconditioned with the conditioned.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
a. His existence
John declares that before there was time or matter or space there was the Word. The Logos (Jesus) existed prior to creation so that explains why He was there at the beginning.
b. His co-existence
But the Word was not alone for He was "...with God." This suggests His co-existence with God. Matthew Henry in his commentary on this passage writes:
1:1-5 The plainest reason why the Son of God is called the Word, seems to be, that as our words explain our minds to others, so was the Son of God sent in order to reveal his Father's mind to the world. What the evangelist says of Christ proves that he is God. He asserts, His existence in the beginning; His coexistence with the Father. The Word was with God. All things were made by him, and not as an instrument. Without him was not anything made that was made, from the highest angel to the meanest worm. This shows how well qualified he was for the work of our redemption and salvation. The light of reason, as well as the life of sense, is derived from him, and depends upon him. This eternal Word, this true Light shines, but the darkness comprehends it not. Let us pray without ceasing, that our eyes may be opened to behold this Light, that we may walk in it; and thus be made wise unto salvation, by faith in Jesus Christ.
c. His essence or equality
Finally, John declares that the Word is God, God in His essence, in His nature, that in every way that God can be defined, Jesus is God. The Word is God! The Logos is God.
II. Universal in His Power (3)
a. Creator
Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
b. Cause
1 Scientists believe that our universe began with one enormous explosion of energy and light, which we now call the Big Bang. This was the singular start to everything that exists. The beginning of the universe, the start of space, and even the initial start of time itself.
Nothing we observe today existed prior to that exact moment.
Further, it was something outside of time, outside of space, and outside of matter that caused all of this to come into existence.
The realization that our universe started, and did not always exist, brings enormous challenges to nontheistic scientists.
Are scientists certain of this Big Bang Theory? Yes. In the late 1920's, astronomer Edwin Hubble saw through his telescope that galaxies (some millions of light years away) were hurtling away from each other at fantastic speeds. This was not caused by some force thrusting them away from each other. Rather, they were still moving as a result of a primeval explosion, all from one point of origin.
In this point of origin, all the mass in the universe was compressed into a single point of infinite density...smaller than a single atom.
2 Then in a cosmic explosion--the Big Bang--the universe came into being. Steven Weinberg, a Nobel laureate in Physics, gives further description, "At about one-hundredth of a second, the earliest time about which we can speak with any confidence, the temperature of the universe was about a hundred thousand million (1011) degrees Centigrade. This is much hotter than in the center of even the hottest star, so hot, in fact, that none of the components of ordinary matter, molecules, or atoms, or even the nuclei of atoms, could have held together."
3 He goes on, "The universe was filled with light." Beginning of the Universe; This eerily parallels the record, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth...and God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."
4 It came about not from matter, but from pronouncement. A spoken word; "Let there be light."
Looking at the sacred texts of all the major religions, only the Bible describes what scientists have since discovered: there was an explosion of light and a beginning to our universe...from outside of the universe itself. With it came the very start of space, matter and time. It was a singular starting point for everything. Over and over in the Book of Genesis is the description, "And God said...." followed by "...and it was so."
Instead, could our universe have come about through the laws of physics: such as gravity, electromagnetism, speed of light, etc.? No, because those things did not yet exist. The initial start of the universe itself produced the laws of physics and everything began without them.
The Beginning of the Universe - a Singular Start
Astrophysicist Robert Jastrow, a self-described agnostic, stated, "The seed of everything that has happened in the Universe was planted in that first instant; every star, every planet and every living creature in the Universe came into being as a result of events that were set in motion in the moment of the cosmic explosion. It was literally the moment of Creation. ...The Universe flashed into being, and we cannot find out what caused that to happen."
5 As stated, this conclusion is distressing to atheistic scientists. To observe a reaction and not be able to document the cause is unsettling. Jastrow concludes,
"For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries."
III. Unparalleled in His Provision (4-5)
a. He brings life into the tomb
b. He brings light into the gloom
He brings light into darkened minds.
Conclusion: Dr. S. M. Lockridge
"The Bible says my King is a seven-way king. He's the King of the Jews; that's a racial king.. He's the King of Israel; that's a national King.. He's the King of Righteousness. He's the King of the Ages. He's the King of Heaven. He's the King of Glory. He's the King of Kings, and He's the Lord of Lords.
That's my King. Well, I wonder, do you know Him?
David said, "The Heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is a sovereign King. No means of measure can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply. No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings. He's enduringly strong. He's entirely sincere. He's eternally steadfast. He's immortally graceful. He's imperially powerful. He's impartially merciful.
Do you know Him?
He's the greatest phenomenon that ever crossed the horizon of this world. He's God's Son. He's a sinner's Savior. He's the centerpiece of civilization. He stands in the solitude of Himself. He's awesome. He's unique. He's unparalleled. He's unprecedented. He's the loftiest idea in literature. He's the highest personality in philosophy. He's the supreme problem in higher criticism. He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology. He's the cardinal necessity of spiritual religion. He's the miracle of the age. He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He's the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Savior.
I wonder if you know Him today.
He supplies strength for the weak. He's available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He strengthens and sustains. He guards and He guides. He heals the sick. He cleanses lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharges debtors. He delivers captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent. And He beautifies the meek.
I wonder if you know Him.
Well, my King is the Kings. He's the key to knowledge. He's the wellspring to wisdom. He's the doorway of deliverance. He's the pathway of peace. He's the roadway of righteousness. He's the highway of holiness. He's the gateway of glory.
Do you know Him?
Well, His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. And His yoke is easy, and his burden is light.
I wish I could describe Him to you, but He's indescribable. He's incomprehensible. He's invincible. He's irresistible.
Well, you can't get Him out of your mind. You can't get Him off of your hands. You can't out live Him, and you can't live without Him. The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him. Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree. Herod couldn't kill Him. Death couldn't handle Him, and the grave couldn't hold Him.
Yea! that's my King, that's my King. Father, "Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory Forever" and ever, and ever, and ever, and ever. How long is that? And when you get through with all the forever's then, AMEN and AMEN!
Over the years I have had the priviledge of hearing some of the best preachers that our denomination has ever produced. One of those men was Dr. Calvin Evans whose son Calvin Ray is carrying on the work begun by his father. Dr. Evans preached a message entitled "Jesus Is His Name" based on Matthew 1:21
"...Thou shalt call His name Jesus" and the following is a reading from that message:
"These were the words of an angel telling the world that, through the miracle of a virgin birth, One would soon be born whose life and work would change the history of the world. JESUS was to be his name. The life and work of no other person who ever lived on this earth has so influenced mankind.
In the ninth chapter of John we have the record of Jesus restoring the sight of a blind man. When this man was cast out of the synagogue because of his faith and testimony for Jesus, he was asked this question, "Do you believe on the Son of God?" He answered by asking another question, "Who is he, that I might believe on Him?" Our text answers the question.
"JESUS IS HIS NAME"
Jesus was born in a manger, lived for some thirty years in obscurity, probably engaged in hard labor at a carpenter's bench. At the age of about thirty-three years, He was condemned to death as blasphemer of God and a traitor to Rome, and was accordingly crucified. By three years of public life in a little corner of this world, He made such an impression that after nineteen hundred years, the leading nations of the world count time from His birth.
His birth was contrary to the laws of life. His death was contrary to the laws of death. He had no cornfields or fisheries, but He could spread a table for five thousand and have bread and fish to spare. He walked on no beautiful carpets of velvet rugs, but He walked on the waters of the Sea of Galilee and they supported Him.
Dr. R. G. Lee once said this about Him:
His name blossoms on the pages of history like the flowers of a thousand springtime's in one bouquet.
His name sounds down the corridors of the centuries like the music of all choirs, visible and invisible, poured forth in one anthem...He is Literature's loftiest ideal, philosophy's highest personality, criticism's supreme problem, theology's fundamental doctrine, spiritual religion's cardinal necessity.
Wherever the name of JESUS is known, and nowhere else, there are hospitals for the sick, homes for the orphans, and schools for the young of all classes. Through faith in His name we've seen thousands of lives transformed. Drunkards are made sober; liars are made truthful; thieves are made honest; hypocrites made sincere; hard hearts are made tender; hatred is changed to love and cruelty changed to sympathy. His nail-pierced hand have cut new channels in human history, changed the almanac of the world, and swung the gates of empires off their hinges.
"Who is He that I might believe on Him?" JESUS IS HIS NAME.
Dr. B. R. Lakin once wrote this about Jesus:
He never wrote a book, but hundreds of thousands of volumes have been written about Him. His words have been translated into more than one thousand languages and dialects. He composed no music, and yet thousands of songs have been written acclaiming Him Lord...He built no sanctuary, and yet millions of churches, chapels, and cathedrals have been built in which to worship Him. He built no hospital, but His followers, through the agency of the Christian church, have erected institutions of healing mercy the world over to care for the sick and the needy. He had no formal schooling, and yet most of our great institutions of learning the world over were founded by His constituents. He raised no army, but those who would fight for His truth and principles the world over, can be numbered in the millions.
I. JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
I've been asked many times if I believed in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. Always my answer is, "Yes, because I can find JESUS in every book of the Old Testament." From the books of others and from my own Bible study, I compiled a list years ago where Christ can be found in "type" or "symbol" at least once in every book of the Old Testament:
In GENESIS, He is the Seed of Woman (3:15).
In EXODUS, He is the Passover Lamb (Chapter 12).
In LEVITICUS, He is our High Priest (entire book).
In NUMBERS, He is Water from the rock (20:8 and 11).
In DEUTERONOMY, He is the Prophet like unto Moses (18:15).
In JOSHUA, He is Captain of the Lord's hosts (5:13-15).
In JUDGES, He is our Judge and Lawgiver (entire book).
In RUTH, He is our Kinsman Redeemer (Chapter 3).
In SAMUEL, He is the despised and rejected King (I Samuel 16-19).
In KINGS and CHRONICLES, He is King of Kings (I Chronicles 12:38-40).
In EZRA, He is the Rebuilder of the temple (entire book).
In NEHEMIAH, He is the Rebuilder of the walls (entire book).
In ESTHER, He is our Mordecai (chapter10).
In JOB, He is our Ever-Living Redeemer (19:25).
In PSALMS, He is our Shepherd (chapter 23).
In PROVERBS, He is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother (18:24).
In ECCLESIASTES, He is our Wisdom (entire book).
In the SONG OF SOLOMAN, He is the "Chiefest among ten thousand"(6:10).
In ISAIAH, He is the One who surely hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (53:4).
In JEREMIAH, He is our Righteous Branch (23:5).
In LAMENTATIONS, He is our Weeping Prophet (1:12-18).
In EZEKIAL, He is our Wheel in the middle of a wheel (1:13-16).
In DANIEL, He is the Smiting Stone (2:34).
In HOSEA, He is the Faithful Husband married to an adulterous wife (entire book).
In JOEL, He is the Lord of bounty (2:18,19).
In AMOS, He is the Lord of Judgment (entire book).
In OBADIAH, He is the Deliverer upon Mount Zion (verse 17).
In JONAH, He is our great Foreign Missionary (entire book).
In MICAH, He is the Everlasting Ruler (5:2).
In NAHUM, He is our Stronghold in the day of trouble (1:7).
In HABAKKUK, He is God's Evangelist, crying "Revive thy work in the midst of the years"(3:2).
In ZEPHANIAH, He is the Mighty Saviour (chapter 3).
In HAGGAI, He is the Ever Present One (1:13).
In ZECHARIAH, He is the Fountain opened to the house of David for sin and uncleanness (13:1).
In MALACHI, He is the Sun of Righteousness arising with healing in His wings (4:2).
"Who is He that I might believe on Him?" JESUS IS HIS NAME.
II. JESUS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Jesus can be found in every book of the New Testament as well.
In MATTHEW, He is the Messiah (chapters 1 & 2).
In MARK, He is the Miracle-Worker (chapter 5).
In LUKE, He is the Son of Man (19:10).
In JOHN, He is the Son of God (3:16).
In ACTS, He is the Ascended Lord (1:8,9).
In ROMANS, He is our Justifier (4:25).
In CORINTHIANS, He is the One who shall reign till He hath put all enemies under His feet (I Corinthians 15:25).
In GALATIANS, He is the Redeemer from the curse of the law (3:13).
In EPHESIANS, He is the One in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (1:7).
In PHILIPPIANS, He is the Supplier of all our needs (4:19).
In COLOSSIANS, He is the Pre-eminent Christ (1:18).
In THESSALONIANS, He is our Soon Coming King (entire book).
In I TIMOTHY, He is the only Mediator between God and men (2:5).
In II TIMOTHY, He is the Crowning Lord and Righteous Judge (4:8).
In TITUS, He is our Blessed Hope (2:13).
In PHILEMON, He is our Partner (verse 17).
In HEBREWS, He is our High Priest forever after in the order of Melchizedek (7:13-14).
In JAMES, He is our Great Physician (5:15).
In I PETER, He is the Chief Shepherd from whom the Christian shall receive a crown of unfading glory (5:4).
In II PETER, He is the Lord coming unexpectedly as a thief in the night (3:10).
In the EPISTLES OF JOHN, He is Love (entire book).
In JUDE, He is the Lord of Vengeance (verse 7).
In REVELATION, He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end (21:6).
"Who is He that I might believe on Him?" JESUS IS HIS NAME.
