John 1:1-2

June 2, 2013 NOTE: Some blog posts are rushed because writing is much harder than preaching. This is one of those that didnt get written down very well, and I suggest listening to the sermon instead of just reading. http://www.sermonaudio.com/playpopup.asp?SID=63131257251 Today were going to start a study through the gospel of John. If you want to know what its all about all you have to do is look 20:30-31: And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. Every chapter all the way through shows that Jesus is the Christ; Hes the Son of God who is with the Father and who saves His people. The first chapter alone stuns us with at least 12 titles: the Word, God, the Light, the only begotten of the Father, Jesus Christ, Lord, Lamb of God, Rabbi (Master), Messias (Christ), Him of whom Moses and the prophets wrote (Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph), the King of Israel, and the Son of man! All of these show us that Jesus Christ is much more than just a man and also much more than just a spirit. Hes the God-Man who is the Creator and Lord of all. He is the Intercessor and Priest who stands before the Father for His people and Who came to earth in a humiliated state so that He could satisfy the wrath of God on our behalf. Obviously a study about the nature of Christ is important, and let me give you a few reasons why this is so: 1. When we understand whats revealed about Christ we wont be in as much danger of heresies such as those of Mormonism, Arianism, Unitarianism, etc. Mormons teach that Elohim was a created man who was promoted to godhood by a council of gods. Elohim has many spirit-wives and two of his children are Jesus and Satan. Of course, there was a great war in heaven between the two and so Jesus had to come save us (his brothers and sisters) from our other brother, the Satan. Arianism comes from a man named Arius who lived in the late 200s AD. To put it simply, he figured that since Jesus is the Fathers Son then He cant have always existed. In other words, He was created, and isnt really God. Actually Hes just adopted. If they worship Christ, then theyre guilty of

worshiping the created thing rather than the creatortheyre guilty of idolatry. Unitarianism is related to Arianism, but more specifically Im talking about the doctrine that teaches that theres one God (in number) who wears different faces. Some Unitarian actually mocked Trinitarians by drawing a picture of a god with three faces. They understand that God is one, but they fail to see that its in union and not number. If that doesnt sound like an important detail, consider that we (the elect body) are one with Christ, not in number but in union which is far better. 2. There is a real spiritual war that begins with hath God said. Its amazing to me that the fall of man wasnt anything forced on Adam and Eve. They were tricked by words and made to doubt the truth. Persecution isnt the greatest danger to a church. Actually persecution is good for the church as it weeds out a large number of tares. Whats really deadly to a church is heresy. Paul warns that their mouths must be stopped (Titus 1:11). 3. Christ is the only means to understanding the Triune Godhead. The fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily. 4. Satan and the world are not anti-god; they are anti-Christ. Its especially important to understand Christology because all we know about God comes through Him. There are those who say not to even try to understand such great mysteries, but we need to be aware that the Bible is written that we might know God. Sure, well never fully grasp the eternal and unsearchable, but we can know everything Hes revealed. 5. He helps us understand the gravity of a Father giving away His Son. What does it mean that God so loved the world? Did God give us a spirit? No, but He gave us His flesh and bone Son. 6. Understanding Christ sets realistic expectations within evangelism with a simple gospel. Christ came as the Shepherd of His sheep. He came to seek and to save that which was lost. We arent salesmen pitching at potential customers. We believe Jesus has done and will do all the work necessary and that He will faithfully call all His elect through the message preached. This doesnt mean

were now free to sit back and watch, but it actually means we take greater joy and more confidence in witnessing. He will save His people; were sure of that. All we can do is witness as John has done. 7. It makes us sure of our salvation as heirs of the eternal covenant. Everything we hope for is in Christ and we dont have a single thing without Him. But in Him all the promises are yes and amen (II Cor. 1:20). 8. Christ is most glorified when we seek to know Him as He really is! Lets begin now in verses 1-2: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. First, lets look at the fact that Hes called the Word. Look at verse 3 and compare it to Ephesians 3:9. Paul says God created all things by Jesus Christ. So its obvious were talking about Jesus here. But why would he call Him the Word? Well, first of all, the Greek word is . We get our English word logo from it. 1 We were driving down the road the other day and I noticed that the McDonalds logo had no words on it. It was just two golden arches, but we all knew what it meant. Logos are symbols which represent something else. They express or communicate an idea or entity. Jesus is the expression or communication of God. 2 He is a unique being. God is a Spirit, but the Word gives us something we can see as God in the flesh. John 1:14 is very important: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Think of all the times Jesus said whoever has seen me has seen the Father (Jn. 14:9). Now lets look at what the verse says about Him: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. He was in the beginning. Compare this to Genesis 1:1. This shows us that the Word existed before the creation. The Greek word was (all three uses here) is an imperfect (continual action in the past) indicative (mood of certainty, fact) verb. He
1 2

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=logogram&allowed_in_frame=0 http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=logos&la=greek#lexicon

was already existing before creation continuously and Hes not a part of the creation. Notice something else: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. He was with God. Why would it say that He was God and with God? Is it not because He is the Word (as a spirit within the Godhead) and because He is with God in the flesh? When was He with God? Was it after the ascension or before? He was with God as God-Man! Finally, lets look at one more thing: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. He was God. The actual Greek reads: The Word was with God and God was the Word. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Phil. 2:5-8). God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:1-3). He was begotten as a Son but not in respect to His deity. The Word was with God and the Word was God. He was not a begotten God. newgracebaptistchurch.wordpress.com