The Word
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In The Beginning
In The Beginning
Starts with when
we have a beginning (a date)
What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and our hands have touched, concerning the word of life—
beginning of Jesus ministry on Earth
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth—
Beginning of creation / time
WAS In the Greek it shows no beginning, Eternal
Continual existence
And now, Father, you glorify me at your side with the glory that I had at your side before the world existed.
Was the Word (Logos)
Was the Word (Logos)
To The Jew
To The Jew
language of the old testament -Hebrew
translated into Greek and Aramaic
targums - Aramaic/ gentile translation
onkelos - version authorized for the temple
“Word” Greek Logos/ Memra Aramaic
Memra used over 600 times to describe God, often to indicate God is in the physical form
Gen 3 8 and they heard the (Memra, Word) Voice of the Lord God walking in the Garden
people were used to hearing the WORD used as the physical presence of God
Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.
By my word (Memra) I have Laid the foundation...
but also Gods word was doing something
LOGOS Means Word and Wisdom
LOGOS Means Word and Wisdom
the Jew has always associated God as wisdom
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
this chapter is associated as God’s Word, God’s thoughts, God
the Jew would automatically see God in the Word Logos
John’s dilemma
the Greeks were not familiar with Jewish religion
70 years after the Crucifixion, in a Greek city,
don’t understand “Messiah”
how to describe Jesus / God
When there is a dilemma God has a a plan already worked out
To The Gentile (Greek)
To The Gentile (Greek)
in 560 BC, a Ephesian philosopher named Heraclitus
the world is in a constant state of flux, never step into the same river
the world is constantly changing, never the same
Why is there not complete chaos?
the world is controlled and ordered, following a continuous pattern all the time. this control is the Logos
the Word and reason of God
nothing moved with aimless feet. all of life and the events of life there was a purpose, a plan, and design. and what was it that controlled events? Logos -- Heraclitus
Heraclitus took the matter even nearer home. What was it that in us individually told us the difference between right and wrong? What made us able to think and to reason? What enabled us to choose aright and to recognize the truth when we saw it? Once again Heraclitus gave the same answer. What gave a man reason and knowledge of the truth and the ability to judge between right and wrong was the Logos of God dwelling within him. Heraclitus held that in the world of nature and events “all things happen according to the Logos,” and that in the individual man “the Logos is the judge of truth.” The Logos was nothing less than the mind of God controlling the world and every man in it. - William Barkley The gospel of John The Westminster Press
this was coming from an unbeliever
where did he get this knowledge?
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
the stoics of Johns time we fascinated with the order of the universe
what kept everything in its place — Logos
The Son is the Spokesperson of God
The Son is the Spokesperson of God
the president has a spokesperson
the spokesperson says the words, and reflects the character of the president
Although God spoke long ago in many parts and in many ways to the fathers by the prophets, in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the world,
I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, the one who is and the one who was and the one who is coming, the All-Powerful.
beginning and ending of the alphabet Word
No one has seen God at any time; the one and only, God, the one who is in the bosom of the Father—that one has made him known.
The Son has clothed the invisible thoughts of God, in words
words - communication / me, my words sometimes leave people scratching their heads what we have here is a failure to communicate
The Son perfectly communicates the Father
the Fathers Love, Grace, mercy, justice, hate for sin, every thing
Jesus is the Word of God (Logos)
We are the spokesperson of Jesus
We are the spokesperson of Jesus
like Jesus, representation of the Father
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
John found a way to represent Jesus to all / so do we
we cant just rely on old ways and methods to evangelize
God has a way we need to diligently seek it
we need to be flexible
we need to be in prayer