12-16-2018 A Celebration of An Extraordinary Person John 1:1-5

In our postmodern, post-Christian culture not everybody is celebrating Jesus. In fact, nothing makes Jesus and his followers more offensive, more hated to our secular pluralistic society then Christ's claims the exclusivity: “I am the way, the truth and the life, nobody comes to the Father but by me” Jesus says - John 14:6. “There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved” Acts 4:12. “For there is one God, and one mediator (or bridge) between God and men. It is the man Christ, Jesus.” Nothing makes Jesus and His followers more odious, and contemptible, in our secular, pluralistic society then Christ claims the exclusivity-- Jesus is massively unpopular in this part of the 21 century-- and so are his followers. In this world as it is, we all know that Christians will find themselves demonized as intolerant.

In a book entitled: The Trouble with Jesus the author addresses this issue of exclusivity and the unpopularity of Jesus. I want to quote from that a section the author does. In that book, the chapter entitled the day that everything changed addresses society’s response to 9/11 when the twin towers fell in New York: “With 9/11 proved nothing else (he said), but proved we're desperately in need of something bigger than ourselves-- something above and beyond ourselves. On 9/11 he says “We realized that in and of ourselves we couldn't cope. In spite of what we had said for many years we really did need God. Peter Berger notes that catalytic experiences like (9/11) catalytic experiences are signals of transcendence-- reminders that God is there and we need Him. Catalytic experiences are signals of transcendence and is an experience in our everyday world that appears to point to a higher reality beyond us. It punctures the adequacy of what we once believed while also arousing in us a longing for something deeper, and surer, and richer. Despite the grip of postmodern secularism on our nation, America was now gasping for breath (he said) after 9/11 with the sudden need for God. We need a transcendent reality to help us in a secular society. It was unable to comfort or heal--secularism comforts nor heals anybody. We were free following 9/11 to speak God's name again. He was now welcome in the hearts of Americans and in the halls of power. We heard a lot of “God talk” in those early days following 9/11 the author says, “I was thrilled that our president called the nation to prayer on the Friday after the terrorist attack-- it was a remarkable moment. He says the previously cynical press embraced the event like eager alter boys. Dignitaries and beltway politicians line the front rows like approving deacons and elders. The world watched as America paused to join the president for prayer. ‘A Mighty Fortress is Our God’ was sung with power’”

He says, “I can hardly contain my ecstasy at the thought that just like that we've gotten it all back--God was back in the picture again. At least he says that is what I thought... Under the silver lining in the demise of secularism, the signs of a new and troubling cloud began to emerge.

He says, “As I basked in the glow of the momentous cathedral service on that Friday following 9/11, a friend said to me, ‘Did you notice that when a mighty fortress was sung, they omitted the second stanza?’ I hadn’t noticed” He said. And he quickly recall the words. This is the stanza they omitted: VERSE 2

Did we in our own strength confide

Our striving would be losing

Were not the right Man on our side

The Man of God’s own choosing

Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is He

Lord Sabaoth (Sovereign Lord), His name

From age to age the same

And He must win the battle

The right man, Christ Jesus, He must win the battle.

The author says, “My bubble of enthusiasm began to deflate with the thought that they omitted the reference to the supremacy of Christ in the battle against evil. Jesus and his victorious role in history against the adversary apparently been deliberately excluded. The thought of Jesus as “the Man of God’s own choosing” as the supreme and exclusive Victor over evil is too disruptive and too divisive in a pluralistic postmodern post-Christian society.

“It was becoming clear,” he says, “in post 9/11 America, God was back, but Jesus was not...” There was no room for Him in the first century, and little more room for Him in the 21 century... God was back, but Jesus was not-- which means that when we say that God is back, it's important to ask, he says, “which god? the god of Islam? that's not the God of the Bible. Gods of Hinduism? the gods of the new age? the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? Or the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, AND their SEED?” that is the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the promised Messiah called Jesus--who came to us to befriend and redeem a fallen race. Saying that God is back in the mainstream of our national life really means that it is now respectable to celebrate many gods in America. But the generic god, a “brand X god,” or multiple gods will not do-- they are no god at all! What is needed is the God made incarnate in Jesus, the Christ. He is “the Man of God own choosing. Christ Jesus, it is HE” and He alone will win the battle.

And this is where we find ourselves 17 years after that moment that changed America, a society okay with a one size fits all god that does not offend anyone no matter their beliefs

Transition:

I want you to turn to John chapter 1. The ground of His victory and our redemption is what John is introducing in John 1:1-18.

A Celebration of Jesus, the Christ - An Extraordinary Person

My subject this morning, is a celebration of Jesus, the Christ. Because there is nobody I'd rather talk about than my Lord, Jesus—especially at a time such as now: the Christmas season. John 1- A small portion of John’s glorious prologue to that gospel-- the introductory words introducing our Lord, Jesus, the Anointed One. I want to celebrate for this Sunday and next Sunday our Lord Jesus, the Messiah. As I had said from the start, in our post-Christian culture, even this year not every American is celebrating Jesus. We live in the kind of world that is shaped by the elimination of God and of truth. And the worship of man and the justification of sin. And even the obsession of death. You'll find all of those topics in Romans 1:18-32 - which perhaps we will look at further on another occasion. Christians, however, are not into the elimination of God, they're into the exaltation of God. They're not into the abolition of truth, they're into the exposition of what is true. They're not into the justification of sin, they're into the justification, and sanctification, and transformation of sinners. Certainly not into the worship of man, we’re into the submission of every man and woman. And, of course, we are not into the proliferation of death; rather, we are in the business of the proclamation of life. This then, leads us to a celebration of Jesus, the Christ— and if we don't celebrate Jesus, the Messiah, nobody else will. The Christ, the Messiah is an extraordinary being--you see it in vv. 1 to 5

What do I see in verses 1 to 5? I think we see...

I. The Uniqueness of His Person (vv.1-2)

In the first verse, this “disciple whom Jesus loved,” who authored the Book of Revelation, chose a peculiar way to refer to Christ.

John uses the term “Word” as a title for Jesus throughout this prologue.

John 1:1 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He doesn’t specify that “Word” refers to Jesus until John 1:17. Theologians and philosophers, both Jews and Greeks, used the term “word” in several ways.

As a philosophical term, logos conveyed the rational principle that governed the universe, even the creative energy that generated the universe—a pantheistic god from the ancient world.

In this understanding, John is taking this term “Word” much like Paul on Mars Hill with the “statue to the unknown god” and adapting the pop culture philosophical understandings to the true God

But we see this term also used in the O.T.

The “word of Yahweh” has associations with creation, divine revelation, personified wisdom, and even the law of Moses.

By choosing this language, John makes Jesus the very essence of a very unique God.

John 1:1 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John’s description shows clearly that he spoke of Jesus as a human being he knew and loved (especially in 1:14), who was at the same time the Creator of the universe, the ultimate revelation of God, and also the living picture of God’s holiness. Jesus as the logos reveals God to us.

Three great evidences of the Word’s uniqueness:

• His Remarkable Eternality – “In the beginning was the Word.” He is the Eternal One!

• His Incomparable Company – “and the Word was with God.” He is the Other One!

• His Categorical Deity – “and the Word was God.” He is the Divine One!

I like what Andrew Paterson says about Jesus’ uniqueness beyond any human being:

Forget your ideas about Jesus the philosopher, or Jesus the example, or Jesus the moralist. If you want to know who Jesus really is, then you have to grasp that he is nothing less than God.

--Andrew Paterson, Opening Up John’s Gospel.

John 1:2 ESV

He was in the beginning with God.

By using the expression, Jesus was with YHWH even before His first Advent. John was explaining that the Word (the Son) and God (the Father) already enjoyed an intimate, personal relationship from the beginning of time.

Transition:

So as we celebrate Christmas, we can celebrate how unique He is —especially in contrast to the other false gods the world offers. We ought to also celebrate

II. The Vastness of His Power (v. 3)

The New Testament portrays the Son of God, The Logos, as the agent of creation of both the visible and the invisible

John 1:3

John 1:3 ESV

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Everything came into being through Christ; and therefore, ultimately depends upon Him to continue.

This mention of “the Word” creating should not be too surprising. In the Hebrew language of the Old Testament, “The Word” is described as an agent of creation (Psalm 33:6),

Psalm 33:6 ESV

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

By choosing this language, John makes Jesus the very power of the all powerful God.

Think for a moment about the ramifications of an all powerful Jesus! Perhaps it is easier to see the opposite: What if Jesus was not powerful and Satan was successful at stopping Jesus? Perhaps during the Christmas season as a baby, Jesus was one of the many babies murdered under Herod the Great?

Today we would have a Christmas without Christ

No Rejoicing, but a good measure of depression. No good news, just news of bills mounting up. No reason for celebration Perhaps an over-commercialized season with things that has little to nothing to do with a God or “organized religion” would emerge.

Selfishness would reign supreme. “What can I get for me?” “What am I going to get out of it?”

Of course, we wouldn’t have the ongoing debate about Religion vs secular ideals & freedom or from religion. “Merry Christmas” would never have been or be said. Instead: Happy Holiday or “Happy Winter Solstice” or “Enjoy your winter break from school” would be our sentiments.

There wouldn’t be a “Thanksgiving Day,’ Pilgrims wouldn’t have had anything to flee from No Redeemer, No Immanuel, No perfect, everlasting Gift, No one to give thanks to

Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin [is] death; Ga 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Re 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

We would all be sent to Hell without a powerful Christ!

But we do have an ALL powerful Christ!

…. but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 3:15 ESV

that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

John 3:17 ESV

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 3:17 ESV

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

1 John 5:11 ESV

And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Transition:

So as we celebrate Christmas, we can celebrate His Power. And finally, we might do well to celebrate what His power means to us:

III. The Greatness of His Provision (vv.4-5)

We, as His creation, need Him in us!

John 1:4 ESV

In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

Creation needs to receive life from the Word—for life itself was in him. Christ gives physical life to all. But he also gives eternal life to all those who believe in him. The Greek term used for “life” is zoe; it is always used to describe the divine, eternal life in the Gospel of John. Jesus used this specific term during the Last Supper when he told his disciples, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (14:6).

Two critical gifts we have here:

Rescue from the Curse of Death – “In Him was life.”

Release from the Chaos of Darkness – “and the life was the light of men.”

As life, He rescues us from the curse of death. We're all under the sentence of death--nobody gets out alive! Unless we get the life, the eternal life, of Jesus Christ as a gift. As life, He's rescuing us from the curse of death. As a light, He's releasing a from the chaos of darkness.

The divine life embodied in Christ gives light to everyone—revealing divine truth and exposing their sin. Everywhere Christ went, he brought light. Light means understanding and moral insight, spiritual vision. Everyone who comes into contact with Christ can be enlightened. When Christ’s light shines, we see our sin, and we see His glory.

John 1:5 ESV

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John used the past tense in the previous sentence, saying that Jesus was the light of all people by virtue of being their Creator; but John shifted to the present tense: the light shines through the darkness. The eternal light has invaded our time, and we can see it in our darkness. As the light shines, it drives away the darkness. The unsaved world is blinded by the prince of this world. Christ’s light shined to a hardened, darkened humanity—and he continues to shine. But the darkness can never extinguish it. This statement indicates the struggle between the darkness and the light. Unregenerate humanity under the influence of Satan, the prince of darkness, has not accepted the light and even resists the light. Thus, “darkness” indicates ignorance and sin, active rejection of God’s will. Those in darkness reject Christ, his light, and his followers. But no matter how deep the darkness, even a small light can drive it back. The power of Christ’s light overcomes any darkness in the world.

We can refuse to see the light and remain in darkness. But whoever responds to Him will be enlightened by Christ. He will guide our path, give us God’s perspective, and drive out the darkness of sin.

So What?

So we celebrate Jesus. We celebrate Christmas the way it should be celebrated with the gift of God. We celebrate how that changed us and still is changing us. We take joy in knowing Christ and how that breaths new life and meaning into us!

Conclusion:

In a moment, we will celebrate together in a very intimate way—through communion. So let us now pray together and celebrate together.

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