The Word Became Flesh Series

Bethlehem and Beyond - # 2

The Word Became Flesh

John 1:1-18

December 9, 2001

Introduction

The Creator became a Child.

This is the mystery of Christmas. The fact that the tiny baby of Bethlehem was born of a virgin was astounding enough.

But to realize that this baby wasn’t just any baby, but the almighty Creator is beyond human capability.

God says in Isaiah that His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts than our thoughts.

He can comprehend this, but we can’t. We can only look at the Scriptures and go, “Wow.”

Our inability to fully catch this wonderful truth does not negate the fact that it happened, though, and we need to deal with it as completely as we can.

So in an effort to help that just a bit, I want to examine a passage that helps us to grasp a bit of the theological issues of the Christmas event.

My purpose this morning is to point out a number of facts to help stimulate your thinking about what happened to make Christmas happen.

This will not be an exhaustive treatment of this passage, but I hope it will get the juices flowing in your mind as you pray and seek to know Christ better.

Our passage this morning is John 1:1-18. I would appreciate it if you turned there with me. If you are using one of the Bibles in the seats, our passage is found on page 750.

This passage tells us a bit of what went on from a theological perspective, and I hope that after we get done today you will have a greater appreciation of what Christ did for you and me by coming to earth.

Please follow along as I read.

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.

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 understood it.

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.

10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

14 The 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.

15 John 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.’ " 16 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.

From this passage I want to point out three major ideas, each scattered with 3 or 4 related ideas.

The first major idea is that…

I. He brought forth the world.

Look again at verses 1-3:

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.

3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Then skip down to verse 10:

10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.

These verses point out the WHO of Christmas – that is, Christ. And from these verses I want to point out just three quick facts, that have enormous implications. The first is that…

 Christ is the Eternal God.

I was working on my homework for the philosophy class I am taking for ordination the other day, and in one of the articles on virtuous living, Jesus is mentioned, but as just another “important ancient teacher.”