Jesus: The Word of God
Scripture: John 1:1-9
Introduction: (Illus: reading manuals – Bible as manual)
In the Gospel of John we find one of the simplest writings in all of the Bible. There is no complex structure or language present. And yet, John presents possibly the best snapshot of who Jesus Christ was in his earthly ministry. Christ immediately is presented as the WORD or LOGOS. This term logos has OT roots and suggests the concepts of wisdom, power, and a special relation to God.
I. Logos in the Beginning (vv. 1-2)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.
EXPLAIN
Note that the beginning of the Gospel is tied in with the beginning of the creation (in Genesis 1:1) and reaches beyond it to a larger glimpse of God before the world existed. In John 17:5 Jesus says, “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” The Word did not become; he was. With God suggests equality and association. The Word was God (deity) without confusion of the persons.
APPLY
I can trust in Jesus Christ as God, because Scripture tells that Jesus Christ existed in the beginning. Jesus as Creator means that he has always existed.
II. The Logos was in Creation (vv. 3-5)
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.
EXPLAIN
All things were made through Him. Life is IN him not just through Him. And it was as this life that the Word communicated light – the knowledge of God to men. Then note it talks of darkness – a concept most often describing moral corruptness. You see, though Christ shines the knowledge of God to all men, to some it does no good. Christ says is John 3:19: “19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” Despite this, the darkness has not overcome the light.
ILLUS.
Edward Gibbon, author of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, has attributed the fall of the Empire to:
1. The rapid increase of divorce; the undermining of the dignity and sanctity of the home, which is the basis of human society.
2. Higher and higher taxes and the spending of public monies for free bread and circuses for the populace.
3. The mad craze for pleasure; sports becoming every year more exciting and more brutal.
4. The building of gigantic armaments when the real enemy was within, the decadence of the people.
5. The decay of religion -- faith fading into mere form, losing touch with life and becoming impotent to warn and guide the people.
APPLY
It is evident that our own nation is following similar patterns, and sadly, it may ultimately lead to our demise. Regardless, moral decay in our personal lives will lead us to failure. We must put our trust in Jesus Christ as Savior, We must put our faith on the Word of God, and we must seal our actions with an attitude of servant to the Father.
III. The Logos of Light (vv. 6-9)
6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
EXPLAIN
6. Came. This is John’s entrance in history, as sent from God. 7. John came for witness or testimony, which is a leading emphasis of this Gospel. His commission was to witness of the Light, which had been shining ever since the Creation and was about to enlighten men with his presence. The witness was designed to cause men to believe. 9. The true Light does not make John a false light. The true light would shine brightly to every man.
APPLY
Jesus is the light. We are much like John – to be reflectors of this light to all men. What is your commitment like as a witness of Jesus Christ? Do you know Christ as the light? Where do you stand in the darkness with a life of sin and deception? Or in the truth with the light of Christ? Choose today where you will be. Choose Christ!
