This is the 1st of 17 in the Studies in John’s Gospel: Knowing the Master series. This series will plan 6 months. We must know our Master first before we can be mature. This is in line with our theme of Presenting Everyone Mature in Christ.
Joh 1:1-18 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. (4) In him was life, and that life was the light of men. (5) The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. (6) There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. (7) He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men 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 every man 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. (12) Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- (13) children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (14) The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (15) John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " (16) From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. (17) For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (18) No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.
God Himself took on human form to reveal Himself to us.
The Master’s origin
The pre-incarnate Word (“Word”; Gk logos) (Jn 1:1-2, Gen 1:1; Gen 1:26; Gen 18:1-2a; Col 1:17)He was there long before the world was form. Jesus was right there in the beginning.
Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
The Bible is not concerned about proving the existence of God.
Gen 1:26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
Jesus is one of the god-heads like the Father. The word ‘us’ confirmed the trinitarian view.
Gen 18:1-2a The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. (2) Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby.
The Christian faith is one that believes in a trinitarian God.
Col 1:17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Was the Creator, life- and light-giver (Jn 1:3-5; Col 1:18)
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
He came to give life (zoe) and light to the world. The life of Jesus was totally different. It was radical. It shows the quality and power of life.
(Pastor Daniel explained the different ways to translate the Bible.)
The prophetic announcement
A witness (Gk marturia) to that light (Jn 1:6-8; Lk 3:2-6)John identified himself as a witness to the light. He showed the way to the light, he pointed to the way. The
Greek word for witness maturia is the original word of martyr.
Some definitions
A politician is one who shakes your hand before election and your confidence after that.
A school is a place where fathers pay and children play.
DUMC is a place where fathers pay (?) and children pray.
Luk 3:2-6 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. (3) He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (4) As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. (5) Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. (6) And all mankind will see God's salvation.' "
- That Jesus is the true light.(Jn 1:9)
- So that all might believe (Jn 1:7)
The One who surpass him. (Jn 1:15; Jn 1:29-31)
John was the forerunner. The one who was coming later would be greater. The Master has no origin. He was already there in the beginning.
Joh 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
The Master’s Incarnation
The world did not realize the significance of his coming. (Jn 1:10; cf 2 Cor 4:4)2Co 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Sometimes when we share Jesus to our friends, they do not find the need for Jesus. There is a veil over their eyes. They are blinded. When we go about sharing the Gospel, we must pray that God will tear down these obstacles so they can see the glory of God.
The consequences of all who receive Him.(Jn 1:11-13)
When we open our hearts to receive Christ as Lord and Savior, we become children of God. Being born in a
Christian doesn’t make us a Christian. Just like being born in a garage doesn’t make one a car. All of us must make a decision ourselves.
What a tragedy it is when Christians live a defeated lives. How sad it is when Christians live a confused lives.
He reflects glory, grace and truth.(Jn 1:14-17)
Grace = undeserved favour. In Christianity, it is not what we ‘do’ to earn salvation, it is about what was ‘done’ by Jesus. No one cam be conceited / arrogant because everything has been done by Jesus.
When we have truth in our lives, we have in our lives: integration, integrity and intention.
From the abundance of His grace have come amazing blessings. (Jn 1:16; cf Eph 1:3)
Eph 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
He makes the Father adequately known. (Jn 1:18)
In Christ, the Father is completely made known.
Questions for discussion
- Who is Jesus and what attributes in John 1:1-18 sets Him up as different from all other religious leaders and human beings on earth? What new appreciation of the Master have you gained and how will you express it?
- Share the amazing blessings you have received since knowing the Master. In what ways will you urgently communicate this truth and blessing to the many people yet to know the Master? How are you seizing or creating opportunities to do so (cf Eph 5:115,16)?
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