Sermons on John 1:1-18

John 1:1-18 Interpretation:

Jesus: The Eternal Word and Our Deliverer (FBC Benbrook) interprets John 1:1-18 by emphasizing the passage as a "table of contents" for the Gospel of John, suggesting that each line foreshadows events and themes that will be expanded upon later in the Gospel. The sermon highlights the unique use of the term "Word" (Logos) and explores its significance, noting that while Jesus is called the Word in the prologue, this title is not used elsewhere in the Gospel or the New Testament, except in Revelation. The sermon delves into the Greek term Logos, explaining its philosophical and scriptural connotations, and argues that John uses it to encapsulate Jesus' roles in creation, revelation, and deliverance.

Jesus' Purpose: Revealing, Restoring, and Reuniting Us (Home Church) interprets John 1:1-18 by focusing on the reasons for Jesus' coming, using the passage to highlight Jesus as the Logos who reveals God to humanity. The sermon emphasizes the incarnation as a means for God to be understood in human terms, presenting Jesus as the embodiment of God's love and faithfulness. The sermon uses the term Logos to explain Jesus' role in creation and his purpose in restoring and reuniting humanity with God.

Jesus: The Word, Light, and Our Path to God (Central Manor Church) interprets John 1:1-18 by presenting the passage as a prologue that encapsulates the entire Gospel of John. The sermon highlights the concept of the Word (Logos) as a divine force that was with God and was God, emphasizing the mystery of the Trinity. It explores the idea of Jesus as the creator and sustainer of life, and the light that shines in the darkness, offering salvation to those who believe.

Embracing the Light: The Transformative Power of Incarnation (Quincy Free Methodist Church) interprets John 1:1-18 by emphasizing the concept of Jesus as the "Logos" or "Word," which is a term that bridges Greek and Jewish understandings. For Greeks, "Logos" referred to reason and cosmic order, while for Jews, it invoked God's creative word in Genesis. The sermon highlights that Jesus, as the Logos, brings order, light, and life to a chaotic and dark world, paralleling the creation narrative where God speaks light into existence. This interpretation underscores the dual nature of Jesus as both divine and human, bringing new creation and salvation.

Embracing the Light: Sundays, Baptism, and Christ's Dual Nature (Crossland Community Church) uses the analogy of a telescope and a microscope to interpret John 1:1-18. The sermon suggests that John’s Gospel allows us to see the grandeur of Christ (like a telescope) and the intimate details of His humanity (like a microscope). This dual perspective helps believers understand the vastness of Christ's divinity and the closeness of His humanity. The sermon also emphasizes the concept of "Logos" as the Word that was with God and was God, highlighting the creative power of Christ in the act of creation.

Facing the Future with Faith and Assurance (MLJTrust) interprets John 1:1-18 as a foundational text that emphasizes the sovereignty and purpose of God in creation. The sermon highlights the idea that the world is not an accident but is created with purpose by God. It contrasts the Christian understanding of the world as God's creation with the secular view of the world as a product of chance. The sermon uses the Greek term "Logos" to emphasize the preexistence and divinity of Christ, who is both with God and is God, underscoring the unity and distinction within the Trinity.

Understanding Jesus: Identity, Mission, and Abundant Life (MLJTrust) offers a unique perspective by comparing the Gospel of John to the synoptic gospels, suggesting that John's Gospel serves as a bridge between the historical accounts of Jesus' life and the theological applications found in the epistles. The sermon emphasizes the concept of "fullness" in Christ, derived from the Greek word "pleroma," which signifies the completeness and abundance available to believers through Jesus. This interpretation focuses on the transformative power of receiving grace upon grace from Christ.

John 1:1-18 Theological Themes:

Jesus: The Eternal Word and Our Deliverer (FBC Benbrook) presents a distinct theological theme by exploring the concept of Jesus as the Word (Logos) in relation to Old Testament themes of creation, revelation, and deliverance. The sermon emphasizes Jesus' role in these areas, suggesting that the term Logos encapsulates Jesus' divine authority and mission.

Jesus' Purpose: Revealing, Restoring, and Reuniting Us (Home Church) introduces the theme of Jesus' purpose in coming to reveal God, restore God's kingdom, and reunite humanity with God. The sermon emphasizes the incarnation as a means for God to be understood and experienced by humanity, highlighting Jesus' role in restoring humanity to its original design and purpose.

Jesus: The Word, Light, and Our Path to God (Central Manor Church) presents the theme of Jesus as the light in the darkness, emphasizing the prologue's role in summarizing the Gospel's message. The sermon highlights the mystery of the Trinity and Jesus' role as the creator and sustainer of life, offering salvation to those who believe.

Embracing the Light: The Transformative Power of Incarnation (Quincy Free Methodist Church) presents the theme of Jesus as the light that dispels darkness, both physically and spiritually. The sermon emphasizes that the light of Christ reveals God's presence and truth, pushing back the darkness of sin and death. This theme is expanded by encouraging believers to be light-bearers, reflecting Christ's light to others and living out their identity as children of God.

Embracing the Light: Sundays, Baptism, and Christ's Dual Nature (Crossland Community Church) introduces the theme of Christ's dual nature as both divine and human. The sermon explores the theological implications of the incarnation, where God becomes flesh and dwells among humanity. This theme is further developed by discussing the Trinity and the role of Christ as the creator and sustainer of life.

Facing the Future with Faith and Assurance (MLJTrust) presents the theme of God's permissive will, explaining that God allows evil and darkness to exist for a greater purpose, which is ultimately for the good of His people. This theme is distinct in its emphasis on the comfort and assurance that comes from understanding God's sovereignty and purpose, even in the presence of evil.

Understanding Jesus: Identity, Mission, and Abundant Life (MLJTrust) introduces the theme of the identity of Jesus as the Son of God and the Lamb of God, emphasizing the necessity of recognizing Jesus' divine nature and sacrificial role for understanding the fullness of life in Him. This theme is distinct in its focus on the personal and transformative relationship believers can have with Jesus, moving beyond mere intellectual acknowledgment to experiential knowledge.

John 1:1-18 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Jesus: The Eternal Word and Our Deliverer (FBC Benbrook) provides historical context by discussing the philosophical and scriptural connotations of the term Logos in the first century. The sermon explains how John may have been addressing contemporary philosophical ideas about Logos while grounding his understanding in Old Testament scripture.

Jesus' Purpose: Revealing, Restoring, and Reuniting Us (Home Church) offers cultural insights by explaining the significance of the term Logos in the context of first-century Israel, highlighting how the concept would have been understood by John's original audience as a reference to God's creative and revelatory power.

Embracing the Light: Sundays, Baptism, and Christ's Dual Nature (Crossland Community Church) provides historical context by discussing the persecution of Christians during the time John wrote his Gospel. The sermon explains that John was writing to a community experiencing chaos and darkness, similar to the formless void in Genesis. This context helps illuminate why John emphasizes the light of Christ that cannot be overcome by darkness.

Facing the Future with Faith and Assurance (MLJTrust) provides historical context by discussing the prevailing secular view of the world as an accident, contrasting it with the Christian belief in a purposeful creation by God. The sermon references historical figures like Mr. H. Fisher to illustrate the secular perspective on history as meaningless, highlighting the Christian counterpoint of a divinely orchestrated plan.

Understanding Jesus: Identity, Mission, and Abundant Life (MLJTrust) offers insights into the historical context of John the Baptist's ministry, explaining the significance of his role as a forerunner to Christ. The sermon describes the cultural and religious expectations of the Messiah during that time, emphasizing the importance of recognizing Jesus as the fulfillment of those expectations.

John 1:1-18 Cross-References in the Bible:

Jesus: The Eternal Word and Our Deliverer (FBC Benbrook) references several biblical passages to support the interpretation of John 1:1-18, including Genesis 1 (creation by the Word), Hebrews 1 (Jesus as the revelation of God), Colossians 1 (Jesus as the creator), and Revelation 19 (Jesus as the Word in the second coming). These references are used to expand on the themes of creation, revelation, and deliverance.

Jesus' Purpose: Revealing, Restoring, and Reuniting Us (Home Church) references Genesis (creation and the fall), Revelation 21 (restoration of God's kingdom), and Ephesians 2 (Satan's current rule) to explain Jesus' purpose in coming to restore and reunite humanity with God. The sermon also references Matthew 28 (the Great Commission) to emphasize Jesus' purpose in repurposing humanity.

Embracing the Light: Sundays, Baptism, and Christ's Dual Nature (Crossland Community Church) references Genesis 1 to draw parallels between the creation narrative and John 1. The sermon highlights how both passages begin with "In the beginning" and emphasize the role of light in dispelling darkness. This cross-reference supports the interpretation of Jesus as the creative Word that brings order and life.

Embracing the Light: The Transformative Power of Incarnation (Quincy Free Methodist Church) also references Genesis 1, focusing on the act of God speaking light into existence. The sermon uses this reference to illustrate how Jesus, as the Word, brings new creation and life, echoing the original creation narrative.

Facing the Future with Faith and Assurance (MLJTrust) references Genesis 1:1 ("In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth") to support the interpretation of John 1:1-18 as a declaration of God's creative power and purpose. The sermon also references Romans 8:28 ("All things work together for good to them that love God") to emphasize the theme of God's permissive will and the ultimate good that comes from His divine plan.

Understanding Jesus: Identity, Mission, and Abundant Life (MLJTrust) references 1 Corinthians 1:30 ("But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption") to illustrate the fullness available to believers through Christ. The sermon also references Isaiah 53, highlighting the prophetic imagery of the suffering servant as a foreshadowing of Jesus as the Lamb of God.

John 1:1-18 Christian References outside the Bible:

Jesus: The Eternal Word and Our Deliverer (FBC Benbrook) references Tim Keller's explanation of the Word as a creative and revelatory force, using it to illustrate the concept of Jesus as the Logos. The sermon also mentions theologians who discuss the philosophical and scriptural connotations of Logos, suggesting that John was addressing contemporary philosophical ideas while grounding his understanding in Old Testament scripture.

Jesus' Purpose: Revealing, Restoring, and Reuniting Us (Home Church) references Vaughn Roberts' book "God's Big Picture" to explain the concept of the kingdom of God, using it to illustrate Jesus' purpose in restoring God's kingdom and humanity's original design.

Embracing the Light: The Transformative Power of Incarnation (Quincy Free Methodist Church) references New Testament scholar N.T. Wright, who comments on the theological depth of John 1:1-18. Wright emphasizes that John's language stretches beyond normal possibilities to convey the divinity and humanity of Jesus, urging readers to look long and hard at Jesus to understand the true God.

Facing the Future with Faith and Assurance (MLJTrust) references historical figures like Mr. H. Fisher to illustrate the secular perspective on history as meaningless, contrasting it with the Christian belief in a purposeful creation by God. The sermon does not explicitly reference non-biblical Christian authors.

Understanding Jesus: Identity, Mission, and Abundant Life (MLJTrust) does not explicitly reference non-biblical Christian authors in the discussion of John 1:1-18.

John 1:1-18 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Jesus: The Eternal Word and Our Deliverer (FBC Benbrook) uses a detailed analogy of a pastor reupholstering church pews to illustrate the concept of creative authority, explaining that while humans can make decisions and take actions, only God's Word has the power to create and transform reality.

Jesus' Purpose: Revealing, Restoring, and Reuniting Us (Home Church) uses the analogy of home restoration TV shows to illustrate the concept of Jesus restoring humanity to its original design. The sermon also uses the concept of hyperlinks in digital media to explain how biblical references would have immediately connected John's audience to Old Testament themes.

Embracing the Light: The Transformative Power of Incarnation (Quincy Free Methodist Church) uses the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" as an analogy to illustrate the impact of living in the light of Christ. The sermon compares George Bailey's realization of his life's impact on Bedford Falls to how believers may not fully understand the influence of Christ's light shining through them until they see the world without it. This analogy emphasizes the transformative power of living as light-bearers in a dark world.

Embracing the Light: Sundays, Baptism, and Christ's Dual Nature (Crossland Community Church) uses the analogy of a telescope and a microscope to illustrate the dual nature of Christ. The sermon explains how these instruments allow us to see the grandeur of Christ's divinity and the intimate details of His humanity, helping believers appreciate the full scope of who Jesus is.

Facing the Future with Faith and Assurance (MLJTrust) uses the analogy of teaching someone to ride a bicycle to illustrate the concept of God's permissive will. The sermon explains that just as a teacher might let a student fall to learn, God allows certain events to happen for a greater purpose, emphasizing the idea that God's control is not lost even when He permits challenges to occur.