Introducing Jesus: Do you know him?
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Introduction to John
Introduction to John
John the son of Zebedee
The Gospel of John is the only Gospel which mentions “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” tells us, "One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to Him."
Probably the youngest disciple that Jesus called
The last of the four Gospels written probably by 25 years
John is the elder statesmen, the last remaining eyewitness authority of Jesus ministry
“John had more influence on Christianity in his day than Billy Graham and the Pope have had to our generation.” Mark Driscoll
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
“that you may believe” = “That you may begin believing” & “That you may continue to believe”
“John’s Gospel is deep enough for an elephant to swim and shallow enough for a child to swim” Augustine
“Should a tyrant succeed in destroying the Holy Scriptures and only a single copy of the Epistle to the Romans and the Gospel According to John were to escape him, Christianity would be saved” Martin Luther
Seven key words in
1. Word
1. Word
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Holman New Testament Commentary: John A. Revelation of the Lamb (1:1–5)
Some interpreters have translated the opening phrase of this Gospel, “Before there was a beginning, the Word had been.”
“Logos” - Word; a rational or reason (Logic)
Jews - Logos meant the revelation of God (Old Testament)
Holman New Testament Commentary: John A. Revelation of the Lamb (1:1–5)
The term Word (logos) would have been familiar to the Greeks as well. Their understanding centered on ultimate reason or the rationale of the universe rather than the personal God revealed to Abraham and his descendents.
Greek - Logos had to do with the meaning of life but they couldn’t understand
Heraclitus (Ephesus)- Above the Greek god’s was the logos which was an impersonal being. It was above their understanding. (Heraclitus influence the writings of Plato & Aristotle)
(Heraclitus influence the writings of Plato & Aristotle)
Augustineans - We can’t know the purpose and since we can’t understand the purpose, let’s just party
Epicureans - We don’t know or understand the purpose, so let’s just act like we do
Jesus is the logic of the universe and He still wants to speak to you!
1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
2. God
2. God
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.
Before the beginning “The Word” had been coequal with God throughout all eternity.
“With God?” - The Greek word pros which literally means “toward”, implies a face to face relationship. Here in verse 2 he introduces the plurality of God. Later in his Gospel he teaches us about the Trinity.
So Jesus, the Word, is eternal and personal. He is God!
Holman New Testament Commentary: John A. Revelation of the Lamb (1:1–5)
Unlike the Gospel writers before him, John tells us that Jesus participated in creation and again states his case twice for emphasis.
16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
Creation is a foundational doctrine of the Christian faith. Everything that we believe rests upon our understanding of God as the origin of all life and of the role of Jesus Christ, “The Word”, in creation. Creation is the foundation stone of the Gospel!
3. Life
3. Life
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all 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 everyone 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.
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
Zoe - 36 x’s in original Greek (John) = Eternal life (not the Greek work for physical life)
Holman New Testament Commentary: John A. Revelation of the Lamb (1:1–5)
Jesus Christ the Creator provides physical life; Jesus Christ the Redeemer provides spiritual life; and Jesus Christ the Savior provides eternal life.
Only the God who created all things can redeem them!
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.
John
10 A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.
John 1:
“Overcome” = To lay hold of; to take as one’s own possession
Holman New Testament Commentary: John A. Revelation of the Lamb (1:1–5)
All the forces of Satan tried to prevent life and extinguish the light—but they could not.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
4. Believe
4. Believe
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
98 x’s in the original Greek (John’s emphasis)
13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
The Jews believed that their blood lineage provided them salvation
Nicodemus () - You can know about Jesus and still not know Him.
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
5. Glory
5. Glory
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ”)
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John
It’s through Jesus that we can see the Glory of God
Intrinsic Glory - His attributes (Who he is and what he does)
18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”
When you experience the Glory of God, you’ll want more!
19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”
Moses - “Show me your Glory” = I’m going to show you my attributes, I’m going to speak my name! That’s how you’ll see my Glory!
Exodus 34:5-7
5 Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
“The LORD, The LORD” = Jehovah, Yahweh, The covenant keeping God. This is a God you can count on!
Shekinah Glory - () God led the Israelites with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
10 When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord. 11 And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled his temple.
Peter, James and John on the mount of transfiguration
6. Grace
6. Grace
16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.
Grace after grace; grace, grace and more grace (John remembers)
The longer you walk with Jesus the more you’ll understand his grace
7. Truth
7. Truth
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
What the “Law” did = points us to Jesus
Point out the history of the church when it comes to “Grace and Truth”
We need a healthy balance of “Truth” and “Grace”
32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Closing
Closing
18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
Challenge:
If you’re not a believer = John wants to introduce you to him
If you’re a believer, are you still growing in knowledge of Jesus?