John 1:1-5 Sermon
The Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted
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1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Outline
Outline
1. The Eternality and Deity of the Son (v.1-2)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.
2. The Consummate Role of the Son (v.3)
2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
3. The Life of the Son (v.4-5)
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Introduction
Introduction
About the writer
About the writer
John was one of the 12 apostles of Jesus.
He was a fisherman at the Sea of Galilee who was called by Jesus and became a disciple and an apostle, along with his brother James.
It has been tradition that John the Apostle was the writer of this account.
A quick fact about this account is that John and his brother James are never mentioned.
John wrote five New Testament books. He wrote the gospel of John, the three short epistles that also have his name and the book of Revelation.
John was 1 of three, out of the twelve, that were closest to Jesus.John witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus who was with Moses and Elijah on the mount. Found in .
James and John were called the sons of thunder.Some have pointed out that this was descriptive of their personality.An example of this can be found in
51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 And they went on to another village.
51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 And they went on to another village.
51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 And they went on to another village.
Another example can be found in .
38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us. 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.
38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us. 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.
Even though John struggled with his zeal, we see in the book of Acts that he became a “pillar” in the Jerusalem church (). He also ministered with Peter who had similar issues himself.
Some have noted that in the passages where it mentions “the disciple whom Jesus loved” that this was John.We do know that John was exiled to the island of Patmos by the Romans, where he received from God the visions that were recorded in the book of Revelation.
We do know directly from the author the reason for this book.
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
The purpose for our going through the gospel of John is so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God!
And that by believing you may have life in His name!
My heart for Christ Alone Fellowship is to see people come to saving faith and to have a fellowship that has life in His name!
Outline
Outline
1. The Eternality and Deity of the Son (v.1-2)
1. The Eternality and Deity of the Son (v.1-2)
2. The Role of the Son in Creation (v.3)
2. The Role of the Son in Creation (v.3)
3. The Life of the Son (v.4-5)
3. The Life of the Son (v.4-5)
1. The Eternality and Deity of the Son (v.1-2)
1. The Eternality and Deity of the Son (v.1-2)
Verse 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.
Verse 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.
A. The Eternality of the Son. (In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God)
A. The Eternality of the Son. (In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God)
- In the beginning was the Word
- In the beginning was the Word
START HERE
Question: What do I mean by eternality?
Answer: I am speaking of the Son as having no beginning or end. He always existed. There was never a time where the Son wasn’t. He always was.
When speaking of the Son we are speaking of the Word that John is writing of here in our text.
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
ESV1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Here Mark begins with the earthly ministry of Jesus. But John goes further back.
1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
ESV1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
I would argue that John goes further back than .
Mainly, because he begins with the existence of the Word and the Word being with God.
In Greek philosophy, the term “word” or as they would say “logos,” was used to describe a principle that would bring everything together which would give everyone the wisdom to live with meaning and in harmony with one another.
That’s what he says: “In the beginning was the Word.”John speaks of the Word being in the beginning.
They believed that by finding THE PRINCIPLE it would unify and make sense of everything. Thus giving man the means to be unified and not divided.
Speaking to the Greeks, John spoke of Jesus as the living principle who would bring everything together and that He is the One who holds all things together.
To the Jews who knew the Word as “the word of the Lord” spoken in the Old Testament, John was showing them that Jesus was not just a prophet. He was and is the Word of God Himself. Making Him far better than any prophet before Him.
Calling Jesus the Word was an admission that Jesus was there in the beginning. Before anything that was made there was God, and the Word was God and was with God from the beginning.
Jesus, without beginning or end, always existed. He is eternal. That is what John is stating here in verse 1.
Jesus was in the beginning with God. Which means that He existed before coming in the flesh, which we call the incarnation.
Definition.
This is what we call the incarnation. Definition.
Easton’s Bible Dictionary Incarnation
INCARNATION—that act of grace whereby Christ took our human nature into union with his Divine Person, became man. Christ is both God and man.
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Jesus who lives eternally, became a man.
He never ceased to be God as He took on human nature. He was born in the likeness of men.
The Jesus of the Holy Scriptures was and is God. And He was with God from the beginning!
Question: Why is this essential to our faith as Christians?
Question: Why is this essential to our faith as Christians?
Answer: It is essential because God by biblical definition would have no beginning.
Believe otherwise would undermine what the bible says about God!
- the Word was with God
- the Word was with God
Jesus was with God. Meaning that He was with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Question: Remember the prayer of Jesus in ?
5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
In the beginning Jesus had glory with the God the Father and with God the Holy Spirit before He came as a man.
Question: Why is this essential to our faith as Christians?
Answer: It is essential because a denial of it would mean to:
1. Deny what the Holy Scriptures clearly teach
2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
2. A denial of it would mean that Jesus is not God
2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Jesus from everlasting to everlasting was and always will be God.
A denial of this essential truth about Jesus Christ proves one’s condemnation.
A denial of this truth proves a belief to be false and without hope.
A denial of this truth denies that Jesus was the Creator of all things.
A denial of this truth proves that you
The eternality of the Son (speaking of the Son as having no beginning or end and always existing) is proven by the inspired word of God given to us here in our text. It clearly speaks of the Son as God. That is why people tamper with this passage.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
2 Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.
A denial of it
It clearly speaks of the Son as God.
Because it clearly reveals the deity of Jesus Christ!
If Jesus is not eternal then our text is not true. And if this is not true then we are still in our sins. And if we are still in our sins then we are left with no hope of being saved.
In the beginning Jesus was there and He was with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.
He always existed as God. If not then Jesus was just a man. A sinful man with no way to fulfill our need to be saved.
But thanks be to God that Jesus was and is God!
B. The Deity of the Son
B. The Deity of the Son
It says it clearly.
- the Word was God
- the Word was God
This clearly reveals His deity.
When speaking of Jesus’ deity, we are talking about Him as being worthy of worship. And we are talking about Him as sovereign over everything.
Answer: When speaking of Jesus’ deity, we are talking about Him as being worthy of worship. And we are talking about Him as in control of everything.
deity n. — a supernatural being worshipped as controlling some part of the world or some aspect of life or who is the personification of a force.
controlling some part of the world or some aspect of life or who is the personification of a force.
Jesus is sovereign over all angelic and demonic powers
Jesus is sovereign over all suns, moons and stars. Over all space and time.
Jesus is sovereign over all creation. Over all creatures and creeping things.
That is why the Holy Scriptures address Jesus as Lord!
Jesus is sovereign over all
The Holy Scriptures clearly teach that Jesus was and is God! Proving that He is the Sovereign over all things!
9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,
14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,
38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”
And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”
58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
Jesus wasn’t just a man. Or a good moral teacher.
A denial of this truth proves a belief to be false and without hope.
A denial of this truth denies that Jesus was the Creator of all things.
He was God and He condescended to us! He came to His own creation and dwelled among us.
The eternality of the Son is proven by the inspired word of God given to us.
The Creator visited His creation!
Question: But what did creation do at His appearing?
Remember ? Remember what the prophet said when he saw God?
5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
This is who Jesus was in the flesh! Yet we esteemed Him not. He came to His own but His own rejected Him.
The God who made everything and who was deserving of worship was rejected.
Yet He saved us who were yet sinners.
The One who made all things came into His own Creation to save!
2. The Role of the Son in Creation (v.3)
2. The Role of the Son in Creation (v.3)
Read Verse 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Read Verse 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Verse 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Verse 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
By consummate I mean the complete and perfect role of the Son as the Creator.
Since we have seen clearly that Jesus is the eternal God spoken of in Holy Scripture, then it would follow that He is the Creator who made all things.
Which, by the way, we cannot do! This is an incommunicable attribute that God does not share with us.
Meaning that God creating is a quality that belongs only to God.
This is an incommunicable attribute that God does not share with us.
We can never make something out of nothing.
We cannot speak things into existence as an example.
That is only an attribute of God. And He does not share that with anyone. All things have already been made.
All things were made already. And what we can only do is borrow what was already made.
We can never create out of nothing!
All things were made already. And they were made through Him. And for Him.
16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
The role of the Son in creation is Creator, Sustainer and the purpose of all things.
All things were made by Him and for Him.
The NASB reads it this way:
3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
3 All things came into beingthrough Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
Meaning that everything in creation came into being through the Son. And everything was made for Him.
Question: What should be the result of belief in this truth about Jesus Christ?
Answer:
6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
There should be fear! Meaning that there should be reverence and a healthy fear of Him!
There should be awe.
There should be worship!
These are the reactions one should have when thinking of how we should respond to this truth about Jesus Christ!
Some may argue that we shouldn’t have a fear of God.
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
By the way Jesus was speaking to His disciples!
Though we should maintain a sense of awe and fear we must also be confident in Him for life!
Jesus, who clearly is the God who created life, is life in Himself!
3. The Life of the Son (v.4-5)
3. The Life of the Son (v.4-5)
Read Verse 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Read Verse 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
- In him was life
- In him was life
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
In Jesus there is life.
Question: What does that mean?
Answer: and the life was the light of men.
In the next part of the verse we see that the light:
In the next part of the verses we see that the light:
is the light of men
and the light shines in the darkness
26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Clearly this light is the life of Jesus who is Himself life and the Word of God Himself!
The Holy Scriptures teach that the light is the truth of God. Namely, His word.
115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Jesus is the incarnate Word of God! He is what the Holy Scriptures are about!
23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
Jesus is the incarnate commandment of God. In that He perfectly displayed the law of God and He fulfilled it. He Himself is the Word of God!
Jesus is the truth and the life! Thus He Himself is the light of men! He is the light that men need who are still in darkness.
Question: What does darkness mean?
19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.
46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.
6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
john 2:46
Darkness is the the state of the person who hasn’t come to Christ for salvation.
It is someone who does not have life. Since Jesus is life.
It is someone who is lost in sin. Someone who is not looking to Christ for life.
It is someone who does not practice the truth. Instead they practice sin. They are workers of iniquity.
Question: Which one are we?
The purpose of this book is:
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Apart from Jesus who is God, Creator, Sustainer and Life, we have no hope and no life!
Questions
Questions
To deny Jesus is to deny life.
Do you deny Jesus as God?
Has light shined in your heart? Causing you to become a new creation in Christ Jesus?
Have you come to the reaction of awe and fear of Jesus Christ? Has the reality of Him being God caused you sobriety and dependency?
Do you believe? And has that belief caused life in you?
My prayer today is that if you profess to know Jesus Christ that it would be genuine and not just a profession.
I pray that life has come. That the light who is Jesus Christ, has shined in your heart.
If not then repent ands turn to Jesus Christ for salvation!
The One who was God from the beginning, who was and is God, who made all things and reigns sovereign over all things, this Jesus calls all men everywhere to repentance.
Turn from your sin and trust in Jesus for salvation.
We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
But Jesus lived a sinless life, He died and He rose from the dead to declare all who come to saving faith righteous and guilt free!
He came and died so that we could live in Him!
The Eternal Son of God was given to us so that we could have life in His name!
He created all things by Him and for Him. This includes you!
And if you place your trust in Him, He will give you life in His name!