Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. Isn't it a joy to gather together, to bask in the love of our Heavenly Father, and to feast upon His word? We are truly blessed to be able to come together like this, to share in the fellowship of the Spirit, to uplift one another, and to learn from the Word of God.

Today, we are turning our hearts and minds to the opening verses of the Gospel of John. This passage is a testament to the profound mystery, the awe-inspiring majesty, and the all-encompassing love embodied in the Word of God. In these verses, we encounter the Word as a promise, as a person, and as a presence in our world.

The revered theologian, Charles Spurgeon, once said these powerful words: "Infinite, and an infant. Eternal, and yet born of a woman. Almighty, and yet hanging on a woman’s breast. Supporting a universe, and yet needing to be carried in a mother’s arms. King of angels, and yet the reputed son of Joseph. Heir of all things, and yet the carpenter’s despised son." Today, let's consider the incarnation of Jesus Christ and ask for the Holy Spirit to guide us through this Scripture, leading us to a deeper understanding of His divine revelation.

Let's read together from John 1:1-14 and then we will pray [read text].

Isn't it awe-inspiring to ponder? The Word not only existed in the beginning but was with God and was God. This Word, through which all things were made, chose to become flesh and dwell among us. What does it mean for us? What does it say about God's love for us?

As we contemplate these profound truths, let us bow our heads in prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word, for the promise it holds, for the person it reveals, and for the presence it assures. Open our hearts and minds today as we seek to understand more deeply the truths You have revealed in Your Word. May the Holy Spirit guide us and illuminate our understanding. In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.

Proclaiming the Promise

As we turn our hearts and minds to the opening verses of John's Gospel, we encounter the Word as a profound promise. This promise is not a simple pledge or a casual commitment. It's a divine assurance, a heavenly guarantee that is as old as time itself. "In the beginning was the Word," the apostle John tells us. This Word, this promise, was there at the very start, before the creation of the world, before the dawn of time. It's a promise that is woven into the very fabric of the universe, a promise that is as eternal as God Himself.

The promise of the Word includes both the past, the present, and the future. The Word "was with God, and the Word was God," John continues. This tells us that the Word, the promise, is not separate from God. It's not an afterthought or a plan B. It's at the very heart of who God is. It's part of His very nature and character. This means that the promise of the Word is as reliable and trustworthy as God Himself. It's a promise we can stake our lives on, a promise we can build our hopes on, a promise we can cling to in the darkest of times.

But what exactly is this promise? What does it mean for us? To understand this, we need to look at the rest of the passage. "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made," John writes. This tells us that the Word, the promise, is the source of all life. It's the creative power that brought the universe into existence, that breathed life into humanity, that continues to sustain all things. This means that the promise of the Word is not just a promise of existence, but a promise of life. It's a promise that we are not just random accidents in a cold, uncaring universe, but beloved creations of a loving God. It's a promise that our lives have meaning and purpose, that we are part of a grand, divine story.

The promise of the Word is also a promise of light. "In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it," John declares. This tells us that the Word, the promise, is not just a source of life, but a source of illumination. It's a light that shines in the darkness of our world, a light that brings hope and clarity, a light that reveals the truth. The promise of the Word is not just a promise of life, but a promise of enlightenment. It's a promise that we are not left to stumble around in the darkness, but are guided by the light of God's truth.

Finally, the promise of the Word is a promise of presence. "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us," John proclaims. This tells us that the Word, the promise, is not distant or detached. It's a living, breathing reality. It's a promise that took on flesh and blood, that walked among us, that shared in our joys and sorrows, our hopes and fears. This is a promise that we are not alone, that God is with us, that He understands us, that He loves us.

Personification of the Word

Moving on we find ourselves face to face with the Word personified ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO