Series: Renew – The Gospel of Renewal!
Sermon 1: The Gospel of Renewal (John 1:1-18)
Thesis: The Gospel is all the about the Good News of renewal offered by Jesus! Jesus has the power and ability to create new – to bring life out of anything – He just has to speak it into existence! John the closest to Jesus knew Jesus the best and he says He was God in the Flesh and was a part of Creation. He in essence says, “Why would you not want to be as close to Him as you can be?”
Scripture John 1:1-18
The Word Became Flesh
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2He was with God in the beginning.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
4In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John.
7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.
8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”
16From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.
17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.
Introduction:
John’s purpose in writing his eyewitness account of Jesus Christ. He states it clearly in John 20:31, “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”
Gospel mean “Good News” – the good news of renewal! The good news of the Word! The good news of The Light! All of this is introduced by the author of the Gospel of John – this book is written by a person who knew Jesus intimately and personally – a friend – a confidant – a person who was with Jesus in the thick and thin of His life.
John knew Jesus and He writes the Gospel so we too can know Jesus and get closer to Him.
Jesus had an inner circle. The Bible offers plenty of examples of this truth. As a matter of fact, he had several circles or rings of relationships around him.
We cannot settle for a dry shallow view of Christianity in our life and just know of God we must be willing to go deeper into a relationship with God to actually know God intimately. Jesus always called His followers to a closer more intimate relationship with Him. Yes, grace is an unconditional gift which opens the door to a relationship with the Lord but intimacy with Jesus is a closer relationship that comes from a relentless pursuit of Him and a passion to know Him better
This is the essence of the type of Christianity Jesus emphasized in His teachings, modeled in His ministry and this is what the Bible promotes as the ultimate goal of all who follow Jesus. It’s also the sign of a disciple of Jesus Christ. It’s promoted by Jesus as there being nothing better in life than to draw near and be closer with Him.
I. In the Gospels we discover 6 levels of relationship (or connection) with Jesus according to Robert Crosby from His book “The One Jesus Loves.” He defines these rings of relationship in the following way:
a. The crowds – Jesus drew a crowd – impressive crowds 10,000 or more people would come hear Him and see Him. This represents the outermost ring of association with Jesus and the least commitment to Him. Crosby states, “The crowds represent those who follow Jesus to the places of watching and listening” (The One Jesus Loves, Page 13).
i. John 12:19: So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
ii. How would you rate your passion and relationship with Jesus – would it be in this ring?
1. You watch and listen to Jesus but that is as deep as it goes?
b. The 5,000 – the next level of relationship is found in the crowd that Jesus touched and helped. See John 6:1-15. Crosby notes, “The 5,000 represent those who follow Jesus to the places of feeding and healing.”
i. John 6:1-15: Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
1. 1Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. 3Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4The Jewish Passover Feast was near. 5When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. 7Philip answered him, “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” 8Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” 10Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 11Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. 14After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
2. How would you rate your passion and relationship with Jesus – would it be this ring?
a. Have you been touched by Jesus, fed by Jesus but there has been little interaction personally with Jesus?
c. The 70 or 72 – this level of relationship with Jesus gets closer to the heart of God. A select group rose up out of the crowd to share and participate in the ministry and mission of Jesus. They leave the level of observation and enter in serving and participating with Jesus in ministry. Crosby states, “The 70 represent those who follow Jesus to the places of working and serving.”
i. Luke 10:1-20:
1. 1After this the Lord appointed seventy–two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.
4Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. 5“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. 7Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. 8“When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. 9Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’ 10But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11‘Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’ 12I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. 13“Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 15And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths.
16“He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” 17The seventy–two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
2. How would you rate your passion and relationship with Jesus- would it be this ring?
d. The 12 – then out of the crowd arises a band of brothers a close knit group that hangs with Jesus, see Luke 6:12-13. The 12 represent those who walk with Jesus, to the places He leads them, they leave all to follow Him.
i. Luke 6:12-16: The Twelve Apostles
1. 12One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: 14Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
2. How would you relate your passion and relationship with Jesus – would it be this ring?
e. The 3 – we discover out of this group of 12 emerges 3 who are even closer to Jesus. These 3 saw, heard, and experienced the most with Jesus. The 3 represent all those who choose to be closer to Jesus and follow Him to places of glory and places of suffering for the mission.
i. Peter, James, and John were among the earliest of Jesus’ disciples who had been with Him the longest (Luke 5:4–11). But the Bible does not say why Jesus chose Peter, James, and John as His inner circle. These three men were present with Jesus during special events, being eyewitnesses of Jesus’ transfiguration (Mark 9:2–3), witnessing Jesus raise Jairus’s daughter from the dead (Luke 8:49–56), and accompanying Him while He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36–38). Thus, these three witnessed Jesus’ greatest moments of glory and His darkest trials. They were His closest friends.
1. From https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-inner-circle.html
ii. How would you relate your passion and relationship with Jesus – would it be this ring?
f. The 1 – in Scripture one person rises up to be the closest to Jesus during His earthly ministry. He sat next to Him at the Last Supper, he hung on every word of Jesus, He was at the cross when all others fled, he was given the task by Jesus at the cross to care for His mother Mary, he was given a Revelation that would inspire the world. His name you may be thinking is John.
i. Church history tells us that the apostle John lived into the A.D. 90s and was the last surviving apostle. Early church tradition was unanimous in identifying John as the disciple whom Jesus loved. It seems that John had a closer relationship with Jesus than any of the other disciples. Jesus and John were essentially “best friends.” Jesus entrusted John with the care of His mother, gave John the vision of the transfiguration, allowed John to witness His most amazing miracles, and later gave John the Book of Revelation.
1. From https://www.gotquestions.org/disciple-whom-Jesus-loved.html
ii. How would you rate your passion and relationship with Jesus – would it be this ring?
g. Each one of these levels of relationship are very important to Jesus but in each level of closeness is an invitation to come closer to Him! Jesus says, “Come on take another step closer, it will be amazing – I will change your life!”
i. The great invitation from Jesus – God The Father and The Holy Spirit is to draw near to Him – to come closer to Him – Yes, the one who sits on the throne in Heaven wants you to come closer to Him, Yes, the one who created the universe with the stars and the milky way – and spoke them into existence – wants you to worship Him not from afar with words and rituals but face to face in an intimate way! The followers of Jesus should want to be in only one place and that is closer to Jesus each day.
ii. Robert Crosby states from his book The One Jesus Loves, this: The Bible shows Jesus to be more than a messenger of doctrine. Instead, the Gospels give us a broad tapestry of people’s experiences with Him and their encounters of Him. Resounding within each of the four accounts of His life and ministry, from Matthew to John, is an appeal reverberating with this message: Get to know Him! Come closer” (page 21).
1. Jesus’ passionate cry was “Come” – It is still His cry to each of you today!
a. “Come, follow me …and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19)
b. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
c. “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31).
d. “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink” (John 7:37).
2. Please hear Jesus heart’s cry today, “There is one place and one place alone Jesus wants you know and to be when it comes to your relationship with Him — it’s closer!”
3. Here is the reality check we all need today: It’s our choice to be in Jesus’ inner circle: Pastor and author J. Oswald Sanders said, “We are as close to God as we choose to be.” Crosby, Robert (2014-03-24T23:58:59). The One Jesus Loves . Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. It’s true!
Introduction to Gospel of John:
The author of the Gospel of John is the Apostle John (According to Crosby the closest disciple to Jesus) - Five times, the author of the Gospel calls himself "the disciple, whom Jesus loved" (compare John 21:24 with ch. 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7+20) and several times "the other disciple" (John 18:15; John 20:2-3; John 20:8). John was considered by most to be the closest to Jesus – he was passionate determined to be closely connected with Jesus – He pursued it – He was passionate about it – nothing would stop Him from it.
We know more of John than we know of any other author of the Gospels. He was one of the two sons of Zebedee. Zebedee His father was probably a prosperous fishermen on the shore of lake Galilee and he employed hired servants (Mark 1:19-20). John and James' mother was Salome (Math. 27:55-56; Mark 15:40). She bade the Lord Jesus to have her two sons sit on His right and His left hand in his kingdom (Math. 20:20). A bold ask to say the least!
John's calling to be a disciple of the Lord is described in the synoptic Gospels (Math. 4:21-22; Mark 1:19-20; Luke 5:10-11). John and his brother James were full of zeal for the Lord Jesus. This is probably why he named them Boanerges (the sons of thunder, Mark 3:17). Luke reports two occurrences where John shows great zeal for Jesus and The Kingdom (Luke 9:49; Luke 9:54).
John, his brother James and Peter belonged to the inner circle of the apostles. These three only were allowed to be with the Lord Jesus at the resurrection of Jairus' daughter, at the transfiguration on the mount and in the garden at Gethsemane (Luke 8:51; Luke 9:28; Math. 26:37; Mark 13:3).
T.S. - Let’s learn from John How the Word made flesh brings renewal – brings grace – truth and the Light!
I. The Word and His power to bring renewal (John 1:1-10)!
a. Jesus was there at Creation - John notes this truth, so we need to understand that Jesus was a part of Creation – He was with God when things were spoke into existence - so it makes sense He can bring renewal to any life – he can help us be Born Again – he can do this in any and every circumstance.
i. Jesus was with God at Creation (John declares this reality – He takes it a step further and says Jesus was a part of Creation). Jesus the Word is connected with God in the Beginning. He is God in the flesh! He was before all – He is able to do the miraculous – He can renew anything.
1. The power of the Trinity to bring renewal rests in their ability to Create new – John brings this truth to light in The Gospel of John!
a. The nature of the Trinity (or Holy Trinity) has caused centuries of argument and division within the Christian faith. The word doesn't actually appear in the Bible itself, but the New Testament does speak of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together; the Father is understood as the protector of the Jews, the Son as the savior of mankind, and the Holy Spirit as the preserver of the church. Almost all the major Christian sects may be called trinitarian. The island of Trinidad is one of many places named with the Spanish translation of Trinity. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Trinity
b. A Trinity doctrine is commonly expressed as the statement that the one God exists as or in three equally divine “Persons”, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Every term in this statement (God, exists, as or in, equally divine, Person) has been variously understood. The guiding principle has been the creedal declaration that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of the New Testament are consubstantial (i.e. the same in substance or essence, Greek: homoousios). Because this shared substance or essence is a divine one, this is understood to imply that all three named individuals are divine, and equally so. Yet the three in some sense “are” the one God of the Bible. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/trinity/
c. I know this messes with our minds – so don’t think on it to long it will blow your limited mind - but remember we live in in a world with boundaries but the Spirit world is so different.
2. Genesis 1:26-28:
a. 26Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
b. We are made in the image of them Father – Son – Holy Spirit many believe we are composed of flesh, spirit and soul. So in essence we are three in one.
ii. Genesis at Creation!
1. Whenever God says something – declares it (He speaks things into creation) , When God speaks - “Things are birthed – things are created – Things are brought to life – Things are restored or even renewed and Jesus has the power to create New Life! Jesus the Word has the power to speak new life – speak renewal into everything and anything in this world or even universe!
a. This is why we need to listen to His Words and learn to speak His Words!
i. They have power and authority to change or create things new.
b. Example Notice in Genesis 1 “And God said, “Let there be light”, Let there be expanse between the waters…” “Let the water under the sky be gathered…” “Let the…”
i. Jesus has this authority and John makes a point in his Gospel to say “I know – I saw it with my own eyes!”
b. Jesus (The Word) was sent by God as The Light to His World – John preaches this to us – His Light reveals His glory – His grace and truth reveal His mission. Jesus is the creator of life – of light and John says “Through Him all things were made (created) without Him nothing was made – in other words there would be no Creation story with Jesus – pause and think on that thought for a moment.
i. John wants to make it clear to all that Jesus was God in the flesh – He was part of creation and it’s because of Jesus that we have a creation story – it’s because of Jesus that we have Grace and Truth. It’s because of Jesus that we have the Blessings of God. It’s because of Jesus that we have our real identity and purpose. It’s because of Jesus we get to be sons and daughters of God.
T.S. – The Word of God – which is Jesus in the flesh – was connected with God the Father and with the Holy Spirit. They are one and The One has the absolute authority and power to transform people’s lives and destinies. Why? Because Jesus was part of Creation – He has Creative powers – He can and will speak things into being – John says “I saw Him do it!”. John says, “Jesus the Word brought the Light to this world of darkness and we should look at Him and behold His glory! His light and glory reveal that His message of Grace and Truth are the answer to this worlds darkness.
II. Then John points again to the Word and to the benefit of understanding who we are as we embrace and believe in The Light. Jesus is the Word and He has given us our identity and mission if we believe (John 1:11-13).
a. But Jesus also warns us that someone wants to steal this away in John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
i. Jesus in this passage reminds all of us that there is an Identity Thief seeking to steal away your life – identity and purpose!
1. Robby Dawkins states this about identity thieves, “Today, it seems we are living in the age of identity theft. Millions of us have had our bank, credit card accounts or social media accounts hacked. If you send and receive emails, then you have almost certainly received a number of “phishing” emails that try to trick you into giving your social security number or other personal information. Identity thieves call us on the telephone, saying that we owe back taxes and that the IRS wants us to pay them right now via credit card. I do not have to tell you, because you already know: Identity thieves are everywhere! In 2012, (identity thieves) stole 21 Billion from their unsuspecting victims, and the number is growing fast. Identity theft is the fastest -growing crime in the world” (Page 16)
a. Note Equifax breach! It impacted me!
2. Robby adds, “But there is an identity Thief who steals much more than material things like social security numbers, credit cards and cash. It is one thing when someone takes over your various accounts and operates as you, but this Thief does one worse: He convinces you that you are someone other than who you really are” (Page 16-17, Identity Thief).
a. John says Jesus warned us about this identity thief.
b. I am convinced today that many people have no clue who they are in Christ today as believers – Why? Because the enemy of their soul, spirit and body has stolen their identity -blinded them with a web of deception and lies – Satan has convinced many today they are not who God says they are:
i. John tells us who we are in Christ John 1: 12-14:
1. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
a. We need to know we have a God given identity and purpose:
i. But it only comes to us By Jesus – we have to receive Him – Believe in Him.
ii. We become children of God Because of our faith – Jesus dis what was necessary to make us children of God!
1. We are the children of the Creator of this universe. Ponder that thought for a moment!
2. Story from Deadline of Finney’s guardian angel telling him who He is – He was always reminding Him who He is in Christ and How this is such a honor and privilege.
iii. It’s imperative we understand when we are born again it’s not a natural process – it’s a spiritual process done by the Hand of Almighty God – through Jesus death!
1. We are who we are not because of what our parents did but because of what Jesus did!
2. We are created in the image of God male or female as Genesis states by the hand of God.
3. We are designed in the womb by God according to Isaiah – stressing God’s hand in our Creation.:
a. Isa 44:2: 2a “This is what the LORD says— he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you…”
iv. When we receive Jesus’ we are born of God – don’t miss this miraculous revelation! We are God’s personal treasure – share from reading the book Deadline written by Randy Alcorn about Finney’s realization of Jesus meeting His people face to face as they entered Heaven.
ii. John points out in our passage very clearly that Jesus has always been and when he came to this earth – he came to give back what the Devil had stolen from His people – mainly their identity in Christ. The Devil loves convincing people that they are not worthy to receive what Jesus offers through the Gospel. He convinces them that they are unworthy – Satan loves to condemn and lie and say, “God will never use you for His kingdom – you’re an embarrassment to Him! But this is a lie from the pit of Hell.
1. Robby Dawkins explains it this way from His book Identity Thief page 49:
a. “The truth is that we all feel unqualified- but the fact that God uses us when we are not qualified is good news. Jesus gives us His Qualifications.”
2. He adds:
a. “The Bible is full of examples of people who did not think they were worthy, but God used them to do great things anyway.”
i. Moses - Exodus 4:10 Did not want to talk to Pharoah because he was slow of speech and tongue but we all know how Moses became a hero of the faith – also remember he did commit murder too and God still used Him.
ii. Gideon - Judges 6:15 - When God asked Gideon to deliver Israel from the Midianites he replied but I am the most insignificant person in my clan. Yet God used him and he became a mighty general who overthrew the oppressors of Israel with only 300 soldiers.
iii. Isaiah – Isa 6:5 – When God called him and appeared to him he said, “Woe to me . I am ruined! For I am man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty”
1. He is like I cannot speak for you God – I am unholy and unclean!
iv. Paul – 1 Timothy 1:15 – Paul referred to himself as the chief of sinners and the most unworthy person to do what Jesus had him doing!
b. Robby concludes “You are in very good company if you think you are unworthy of being used by the Lord in mighty way!”
i. Romans is clear “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God!” Notice the word “All!”
T.S. – Jesus and His light revealed to us who He was and what He has done for us. Jesus has given us our identity and purpose - don’t miss this truth. But Jesus also warns us in John that the Devil will come to try to steal away our identity and mission. We cannot let him to do this and one of the best ways to prevent this from happening is to behold Jesus glory and receive His grace and truth.
III. John continues unveiling the truth about Jesus - The Word “Jesus” left the Spirit world and became flesh to bring renewal to God’s creation! Why? To give it another chance! During this process of Jesus coming ministering, doing miracles, raising from the dead, we can see His glory (John 1:14-18).
a. This is Good News! We get to see the glory of God and participate in the mission of Jesus if we open up our hearts of Faith.
i. The reality is you cannot talk about God and not bring in the word Glory! God can only be described by the word Glory – He is glory – Glory is the awesomeness of His being and everything about Him is glorious.
1. Taken from Tony Evans sermon “Seeing God’s Glory”
ii. Glory means a “weight” or “heavy” – the term heavy was a term used in my day as, “Wow they are heavy!” Today the word “awesome” is used instead to describe someone who was heavy or glorious:
iii. We mostly attribute glory today to sports superstars – the ones most people want to imitate or be like: People like:
1. Michael Jordan, Kobi Bryant, Lebron James – Basketball
2. Terry Bradshaw, Walter Payton, Brett Favre – Football
3. Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron – Baseball
a. Very few people attribute awesomeness today to spiritual things – I was bit taken back when I discovered that Pastors on a survey of the most respected professions was ranked one step higher than a car salesman – that was discouraging!
b. There is no glory in being paired with a car salesman!
b. The truth that John is promoting in John 1 is Jesus is glorious – He is awesome, and He is because it’s His nature. He is glorious also because of His accomplishments and He reminds us that goes back to the beginning – Jesus was part of Creation He spoke this world in existence and therefore we should honor Him and believe in Him.
i. Tony Evans states: “What wet is to water and Fire is to heat and blue is to sky – Jesus is to glory! The Bible says He is glorious in all things!”
ii. John says Jesus and glorious go hand in hand, and you know what you can experience and be a part of it – if you believe and receive!
c. Question: Have you seen and or experienced the glory of God?
i. Got Questions answers the question this way: “The glory of God is the beauty of His spirit…Isaiah 43:7 says that God created us for His glory. In context with the other verses, it can be said that man “glorifies” God because through man, God’s glory can be seen in things such as love, music, heroism and so forth—things belonging to God that we are carrying “in jars of clay” (2 Corinthians 4:7). We are the vessels which “contain” His glory. All the things we are able to do and to be - find their source in Him. God interacts with nature in the same way. Nature exhibits His glory. His glory is revealed to man’s mind through the material world in many ways, and often in different ways to different people. One person may be thrilled by the sight of the mountains, and another person may love the beauty of the sea. But that which is behind them both (God’s glory) speaks to both people and connects them to God. In this way, God is able to reveal Himself to all men, no matter their race, heritage or location.
1. As Psalm 19:1-4 says, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands; day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their utterances to the end of the world.”
a. https://www.gotquestions.org/glory-of-God.html
2. In the book of Psalm 73:24 calls heaven itself “glory.” It used to be common to hear Christians talk of death as being “received unto glory,” which is a phrase borrowed from this Psalm. When the Christian dies, he will be taken into God’s presence, and in His presence will be naturally surrounded by God’s glory.
d. The disciples James, John and Peter did experience the glory of Jesus at the Mount of Transfiguration:
i. Matthew 17:1-13
1. The Transfiguration: 1After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. 9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” 10The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” 11Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.
e. But we can also behold His glory in the here and now!
i. Church history and revival is filled with accounts of God’s glory showing up on meetings, services, tent revivals and communities:
1. Share some from Welsh Revival
2. Share from the first Great Awakening
3. Share from Azusa Street
f. Would you like to behold the glory of the Lord today – in this life-time?
i. There is an interesting conversation Moses has with God in Exodus 33. Moses asks God to show him His glory. What an amazing request by Moses to see God in his majestic splendor and glory. As fascinating as the request was, I find it even more amazing that God honored his request and showed him a glimpse of His glory.
1. When you believe on Jesus – you will experience His glory – you experience His presence of forgiveness, mercy, truth and grace.
2. When you find yourself in the Light of the Lord you will experience his glory.
3. When you feel His presence in prayer or worship you behold His glory.
4. It’s in His glory that we discover who we are and what we are called to do!
5. It’s part of His glory when we serve each other and then feel His presence of affirmation and pleasure- we understand our purpose and plan to also reveal His glory to others.
Conclusion:
What do we need to know from John 1:1-18?
Answer: John the closest to Jesus wanted us to know Jesus better - that’s why He says, “Jesus is God in the flesh and He was a part of Creation” He highlights how Jesus speaks things into existence so renewal is not hard for Jesus – it’s who He is and what He does.
Why do we need to know this truth from John 1:1-18?
Answer: If we discover the truth and see the deity of Jesus and believe and receive Jesus - we too become created as sons and daughters of God. John also highlights how Jesus has the authority and power to renew all who come to Him because He has always been.
What do we need to do in light of the revelation of John 1:1-18 about Jesus?
Answer: Believe – receive grace and truth – and do not let the devil deceive us into believing the lies or allow him to steal our God given identity away. Embrace The Word – The Light and get the blessings.
Why do we need to do this?
Answer: If we behold the glory of God – see it and understand His Word, His Truth, His Light and wholly embrace His grace we will know who we are in Jesus – Satan will not be able to cripple our part or role within the Kingdom of Heaven. He will not steal our identity away. Why because we choose to be in a close relationship with Jesus – we desire to know him better – we determine come closer to him – we commit to spend more time with Him.
