Sermons on John 1:14-18

John 1:14-18 Interpretation:

Transformative Power of a Living Relationship with Christ (Saanich Baptist Church) interprets John 1:14-18 as a direct parallel to Exodus 34, emphasizing that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God's glory, full of grace and truth, in a way that surpasses Moses' veiled encounter. The sermon uniquely highlights that Jesus' incarnation is not just a display of glory but a transformative presence that changes believers from within, contrasting the static, controlling nature of religion with the dynamic, relational transformation that comes from beholding Christ. The preacher draws a linguistic connection between the "grace and truth" in John 1 and the Hebrew descriptors of God in Exodus 34, suggesting that Jesus embodies the very attributes God proclaimed to Moses. The analogy of Moses seeing only God's back while Jesus is "God shrouded in flesh" but "loud in the hearing" is a novel metaphor, emphasizing that in Christ, God's glory is both veiled and revealed, accessible in a new, transformative way.

God's Revelation: Understanding Our Purpose and Redemption (Ligonier Ministries) interprets John 1:14-18 as the culmination of God's self-revelation, with the incarnation of Christ being the ultimate act of God making Himself known. The sermon frames the passage as the answer to humanity's longing for meaning and fulfillment, with Jesus as the Redeemer who restores fellowship with God. The preacher emphasizes that the purpose of the incarnation is to "make the Father known," and that the fullness of grace and truth in Christ is the means by which redemption is accomplished. The analogy of the "escape room" is used to illustrate the difference between groping for clues about God and having God reveal Himself directly in Christ.

Seeing and Savoring the Glory of Christ (Desiring God) provides a highly detailed and theologically rich interpretation, focusing on the supernatural act of seeing Christ's glory as the only means of salvation. The sermon uniquely argues that the "accent" in John 1:14-18 falls on grace, not just truth, and that the ability to see Christ's glory is itself a gift of grace—"Grace enables you to see." The preacher draws a sophisticated parallel between Moses' encounter with God's glory in Exodus 33-34 and the surpassing revelation in Christ, arguing that while Moses saw only God's back, Jesus is in the "bosom" of the Father and fully reveals Him. The sermon also introduces the concept of "grace upon grace" as a wave of grace that surpasses the grace given through Moses, and uses the metaphor of spiritual blindness and darkness to explain the necessity of both regeneration (new birth) and incarnation for true sight.

Transformative Light: Christ's Glory and Our New Birth (Desiring God) interprets John 1:14-18 by drawing a sharp distinction between Moses and Jesus, not as mere contrast but as escalation: Moses points to grace, but Jesus performs grace. The sermon uses the analogy of Moses only seeing God’s back, while Jesus is in the bosom (lap) of the Father, indicating a face-to-face, intimate relationship. The preacher also highlights the Greek structure, noting that the word translated "and" in verse 16 should be "because," which changes the logic of the passage: we see Christ’s glory because we have received grace upon grace. The Incarnation is thus the means by which the darkness of the world is overcome, and regeneration (new birth) is the means by which the darkness in the soul is overcome—both centered on the glory and grace of Christ.

Seeing and Experiencing the Glory of Jesus (Desiring God) uniquely emphasizes that the accent in John 1:14-18 falls on grace rather than truth, noting that after this passage, "grace" does not appear again in John’s Gospel or 1 John, while "truth" appears 55 times. The preacher interprets this as John’s deliberate focus on the overflowing, centrality of grace in the Incarnation. The sermon also references the Dutch scholar Herman Ridderbos, who claims the entire Gospel of John is proof of the visible glory of God through the Incarnation, reinforcing the idea that seeing Jesus is seeing God’s glory.

Seeing the Glory of Christ: Grace and Truth (Desiring God) offers a nuanced interpretation of "glory" in John 1:14, arguing that it is not physical beauty or outward miracles but a "spiritual, moral beauty" perceived only with the "eyes of the heart" (referencing Ephesians 1:17). The preacher insists that the glory of Christ is self-authenticating and compelling to those whose spiritual eyes are opened, and that the Incarnation is the means by which this glory is made accessible. The sermon also stresses that grace in Christ is not sentimental or unprincipled but is always paired with truth, culminating at the cross where both are upheld.

The Mystery of the Incarnation: Grace and Transformation (Desiring God) provides a doctrinally focused interpretation, emphasizing the dual nature of Christ: fully God and fully man. The preacher addresses misunderstandings from other faiths (e.g., Islam, Jehovah’s Witnesses) and explains, using both grammar and analogy, that the Son did not cease to be God when becoming human. The sermon also explores the meaning of "as" in "glory as of the only Son from the Father," arguing that it means "as he really is," not merely "like" the Son. The Incarnation is presented as the foundation for both salvation and relational transformation within the church.

John 1:14-18 Theological Themes:

Transformative Power of a Living Relationship with Christ (Saanich Baptist Church) introduces the theme that spiritual transformation is not achieved through religious observance or moral effort but through exposure to the glory of Christ, which is experienced as grace and truth. The sermon adds the nuanced idea that the law, while glorious, could only "kill," whereas Jesus brings a "better covenant" that imparts life and freedom from religiosity. The preacher also explores the progressive nature of transformation ("from one degree of glory to another") and the idea that true discipleship is marked by ongoing change, not static perfection.

The Wonder of the Incarnation: Celebrating Jesus' Birth (Oak Grove Baptist Church) presents the theme that Jesus is the unique and exclusive revelation of God, and that grace and truth are not merely attributes but the very means by which God relates to humanity. The sermon adds a fresh angle by insisting that grace always precedes truth in the order of experience and application, and that the balance of both is essential to avoid the pitfalls of legalism and liberalism. The DNA metaphor is used to argue that grace and truth are the "building blocks" of Christian life, not just theological concepts.

God's Revelation: Understanding Our Purpose and Redemption (Ligonier Ministries) develops the theme that God is fundamentally a Revealer, and that the incarnation is the ultimate act of revelation, making possible both knowledge of God and redemption. The sermon adds the facet that the fullness of grace and truth in Christ is not just a theological statement but the practical means by which God restores fellowship with sinful humanity, fulfilling the longing for meaning and satisfaction.

Seeing and Savoring the Glory of Christ (Desiring God) advances the theme that salvation is fundamentally about seeing and savoring the glory of Christ, and that this sight is a supernatural work of grace. The sermon uniquely emphasizes that the new birth is both the means and the goal of grace—grace opens the eyes to see glory, and the vision of glory is itself the ultimate gift of grace. The preacher also explores the eschatological hope that believers will one day see Christ's glory fully and be transformed by it, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to a deeply experiential and transformative encounter.

Embracing Grace and Truth: The Heart of Christmas (Desiring God) introduces the theme that the Incarnation is not just about God revealing himself but about God giving himself—pitching his tent among sinners to be known, touched, and experienced. The sermon’s focus on grace as the overflow of God’s fullness adds a dynamic, experiential dimension to the doctrine, suggesting that grace is not merely a concept but the tangible evidence of God’s abundant reality.

Transformative Light: Christ's Glory and Our New Birth (Desiring God) presents the theme that grace is both the means and the goal of the new birth: grace flows from Christ’s glory, causes regeneration, and enables believers to see and be satisfied by that glory. The sermon also develops the idea that Jesus "narrates" God (using the Greek word for "made him known"), contrasting Moses’ reporting of God’s words with Jesus’ embodiment and performance of grace.

Seeing and Experiencing the Glory of Jesus (Desiring God) adds the theme that the ultimate goal of the Gospel and eternal life is to see and enjoy the glory of Christ, not merely to live forever. The preacher connects this to Jesus’ prayer in John 17:24, arguing that the fullness of salvation is found in beholding Christ’s glory, which is both the means and the end of Christian hope.

Seeing the Glory of Christ: Grace and Truth (Desiring God) introduces the theme that true spiritual sight is a supernatural gift, not a product of intellectual effort or willpower. The sermon also insists that grace and truth are inseparable in Christ, and that the cross is the only place where both are fully upheld—grace abounds because Christ is punished in our place, and truth is upheld because sin is not ignored.

The Mystery of the Incarnation: Grace and Transformation (Desiring God) uniquely connects the doctrine of the Incarnation to relational transformation within the church, arguing that right theology (the dual nature of Christ) is intended to produce greater love, humility, and service among believers. The preacher insists that the Incarnation is not just a theological mystery but the practical foundation for Christian community and self-giving love.

Embracing the Mystery of the Word Made Flesh (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme that the new covenant, realized through Jesus, is fundamentally different from the old covenant given through Moses. The sermon emphasizes that while the law brought fear and exposed the lack of a true heart for God among the people, grace and truth through Jesus create a new heart and a new creation in those who receive him. The preacher highlights that the law written on stone is now written on hearts, and that grace is not lawlessness but the power to live righteously, referencing Titus to show that grace teaches and transforms. Another distinctive theme is the idea that Jesus, as the Word, is the Father's will and voice made visible—so much so that to see and hear Jesus is to encounter the very heart and intention of the Father. The sermon also explores the significance of Jesus sitting down to teach (in contrast to Moses on Sinai), suggesting that Jesus' authority is inherent and his words are self-authenticating, not needing external displays of power. The act of "pressing into" the kingdom is discussed as a wholehearted, all-consuming pursuit, echoing early Christian interpretations of receiving Christ with total commitment.

John 1:14-18 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Transformative Power of a Living Relationship with Christ (Saanich Baptist Church) provides detailed historical context by paralleling John 1:14-18 with Exodus 34, explaining the significance of Moses' encounter with God's glory and the giving of the law. The sermon explains that in the ancient world, exposure to God's glory was both awe-inspiring and terrifying, necessitating a veil for Moses and a system of law for the people. The preacher notes that the law was seen as the means of identity and blessing for Israel, but that it ultimately could not transform the heart—a transformation now made possible through Christ's incarnation.

The Wonder of the Incarnation: Celebrating Jesus' Birth (Oak Grove Baptist Church) offers historical insight into the meaning of "dwelt" (sk?no?), explaining its resonance with the Old Testament tabernacle as the place where God met with His people. The sermon also references the ancient Jewish understanding that no one could see God and live, highlighting the radical nature of the claim that Jesus makes God visible and accessible.

Seeing and Savoring the Glory of Christ (Desiring God) provides a rich historical context by recounting the story of Moses' request to see God's glory in Exodus 33-34, and how this event shaped Jewish expectations of encountering God. The preacher explains that Moses' experience was the high point of Old Testament revelation, but that even this was limited compared to the full revelation in Christ, who is described as being "in the bosom of the Father." The sermon also notes the cultural significance of the law as the greatest gift Moses could give, contrasted with the surpassing gift of Christ's presence.

Transformative Light: Christ's Glory and Our New Birth (Desiring God) provides detailed historical context by exploring the Jewish understanding of Moses as the ultimate figure who sought to see God’s glory (Exodus 33-34). The sermon explains how Moses’ experience of only seeing God’s back is contrasted with Jesus’ unique, face-to-face relationship with the Father, which would have been a radical claim in first-century Judaism. The preacher also notes the cultural significance of the law as a preliminary, gracious pointer to the greater reality of Christ.

Embracing Grace and Truth: The Heart of Christmas (Desiring God) offers contextual insight into the use of "tent" imagery, connecting it to the Old Testament "tent of meeting" and explaining how, in ancient cultures, pitching a tent signified a desire for close, ongoing relationship rather than temporary residence. The sermon also references the use of the same Greek word in Revelation 21:3 to show that God’s dwelling with humanity is permanent and intimate, not fleeting.

John 1:14-18 Cross-References in the Bible:

Transformative Power of a Living Relationship with Christ (Saanich Baptist Church) cross-references Exodus 34 to draw a parallel between Moses' encounter with God's glory and the revelation of grace and truth in Jesus. The sermon also references Mark 3 (Jesus healing on the Sabbath) to illustrate the conflict between grace and religious legalism, and 2 Corinthians 3 to discuss the veil over the hearts of those who rely on the law.

The Wonder of the Incarnation: Celebrating Jesus' Birth (Oak Grove Baptist Church) references John 8 (the woman caught in adultery) to illustrate the interplay of grace and truth in Jesus' ministry, and John 14:6 ("I am the way, the truth, and the life") to emphasize the exclusivity of Christ as the means to God. The sermon also alludes to John 3:16 and John 5:45, as well as the story of Moses and the tabernacle in the Old Testament.

God's Revelation: Understanding Our Purpose and Redemption (Ligonier Ministries) references Genesis 1 ("In the beginning"), Acts 14:17 (God not leaving Himself without witness), Psalm 68:19-20 (God as salvation), Romans 1 (human ingratitude and idolatry), and John 1:1, 14-18 to build a comprehensive biblical theology of revelation and redemption.

Seeing and Savoring the Glory of Christ (Desiring God) makes extensive use of cross-references, including Exodus 33-34 (Moses and God's glory), John 8:41-47 (spiritual parentage and new birth), John 3:3 (necessity of new birth to see the kingdom), John 17:24 (Jesus' prayer for believers to see His glory), John 14:9 and 12:44 (seeing Jesus is seeing the Father), and John 5:45 (Moses writing about Christ). The sermon also references 1 John and other passages to support the theme of seeing and becoming children of God.

Embracing Grace and Truth: The Heart of Christmas (Desiring God) references several passages: John 3:14 (Moses lifting the serpent as a type of Christ), John 5:46 (Moses writing about Jesus), John 6:32 (Moses and manna as a foretaste of Christ), 2 Corinthians 4:18 (the unseen, eternal reality), and Revelation 21:3 (God’s permanent dwelling with humanity). Each reference is used to show continuity between the law and Christ, the typological nature of Old Testament events, and the ultimate fulfillment of God’s presence in Jesus.

Transformative Light: Christ's Glory and Our New Birth (Desiring God) references Exodus 33-34 (Moses’ encounter with God’s glory), John 5:45 (Moses writing about Christ), John 6:32 (Jesus as the true bread), John 14:9 (seeing Jesus is seeing the Father), John 12:44 (believing in Jesus is believing in the Father), and Micah (origins of Christ). These references are used to contrast Moses’ mediated experience with Jesus’ direct revelation of God, and to show that Jesus is the fulfillment and surpassing of all Old Testament types.

Seeing and Experiencing the Glory of Jesus (Desiring God) references John 1:12-13 (new birth as the means of seeing Christ’s glory), John 8:41-47 (not all are children of God), and John 3:3 (new birth required to see the kingdom). The preacher also cites John 17:24 (Jesus’ prayer that believers would see his glory) and 1 John 3:1-2 (the transformative power of seeing Christ at his return), using these to argue that seeing Christ’s glory is both the means and the goal of salvation.

Seeing the Glory of Christ: Grace and Truth (Desiring God) references Ephesians 1:17 (eyes of the heart), 2 Corinthians 4:4 (the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ), and John 1:12-13 (new birth and spiritual sight). These passages are used to explain the nature of spiritual perception and the supernatural work required to see Christ’s glory.

The Mystery of the Incarnation: Grace and Transformation (Desiring God) references Matthew 1:23 (Emmanuel, God with us), Philippians 2:3-8 (Christ’s humility as the model for Christian relationships), John 13:35 and 15:12 (love as the mark of discipleship), and John 1:1, 1:14 (the dual nature of Christ). These references are used to ground both the doctrine of the Incarnation and its practical implications for church life.

Embracing the Mystery of the Word Made Flesh (SermonIndex.net) references several biblical passages to expand on John 1:14-18. The sermon draws on Titus (specifically Titus 2:11-12) to explain that grace teaches believers to deny ungodliness and live righteously, reinforcing the transformative power of grace mentioned in John. Matthew 3-5 is used to contrast Jesus' teaching on the mountain with Moses at Sinai, emphasizing the newness of Jesus' covenant and the eager reception of his words. Deuteronomy 18 is cited to show that Jesus is the promised prophet who would speak God's words, a point reinforced by referencing Acts 3, where Peter applies this prophecy to Jesus. John 12:48-50 is quoted to stress that Jesus speaks not on his own authority but as the Father's mouthpiece, and Isaiah 1:18 is invoked to illustrate the cleansing and reasoning together that is possible through Christ. The sermon also alludes to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) as the embodiment of the new law, and to passages about "pressing into" the kingdom (Matthew 11:12; Luke 16:16) to describe the active, wholehearted response required to receive Christ.

John 1:14-18 Christian References outside the Bible:

The Wonder of the Incarnation: Celebrating Jesus' Birth (Oak Grove Baptist Church) explicitly references Norman Geisler, quoting his statement about casting his lot with Jesus as the one who claimed to be God in human flesh and proved it. The sermon also cites H. Richard Niebuhr's critique of a "God without wrath bringing men without sin into a kingdom without judgment through the ministry of a Christ without a cross," using it to warn against a grace-only or truth-only gospel. Martin Luther is quoted regarding the danger of falling off either side of the "horse" of grace and truth, and the preacher references Plato's statement about the impossibility of man and God meeting, contrasting it with the revelation in Christ.

Seeing and Savoring the Glory of Christ (Desiring God) references Dutch New Testament scholar Herman Ridderbos, quoting his assertion that the entire Gospel of John is proof of the visible manifestation of God's glory in Christ. The preacher also alludes to the King James translation and the work of biblical commentators in discussing the Greek and Hebrew nuances of the text.

Seeing and Experiencing the Glory of Jesus (Desiring God) explicitly references Dutch New Testament scholar Herman Ridderbos, quoting his assertion that "by means of incarnation God has visibly appeared among humankind" and that "the entire Gospel of John is proof of that abundant glory, a glory manifested before the eyes of all." This citation is used to reinforce the claim that the Incarnation is the visible manifestation of God’s glory and that the Gospel of John is structured to reveal this reality to those with spiritual sight.

Embracing the Mystery of the Word Made Flesh (SermonIndex.net) explicitly references Justin Martyr, an early Christian apologist, to show how the early church understood the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in Jesus and the spread of the gospel. The sermon quotes from Justin's "Dialogue with Trypho the Jew," where Justin argues that the law and the word of the Lord have gone out from Jerusalem to the nations through the apostles, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy. The preacher notes that Justin was writing within a generation of the apostle John, lending historical weight to his interpretation. The mention of Polycarp, a disciple of the apostles, further situates this understanding within the living tradition of the early church.

John 1:14-18 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

The Wonder of the Incarnation: Celebrating Jesus' Birth (Oak Grove Baptist Church) uses the metaphor of DNA's double helix to illustrate the balance of grace and truth in the Christian life, explaining how the two strands correct and balance each other, just as grace and truth must be held together in the believer's life. The sermon also tells the story of Dr. Evan O'Neill Cain, who performed an appendectomy on himself to prove the efficacy of local anesthesia, using this as an analogy for the incarnation—Jesus stepping down to take our place because no one else could. The preacher further references the experience of ziplining in the Smoky Mountains to illustrate the difference between seeing a picture and experiencing reality, paralleling this to the difference between hearing about God and encountering Him in Christ.

God's Revelation: Understanding Our Purpose and Redemption (Ligonier Ministries) opens with the analogy of an escape room, comparing humanity's search for God to being trapped and needing revelation to escape. The preacher uses the example of Chick-fil-A lunch as an "effect" that points to a "cause," illustrating the philosophical argument for God's existence from causality. The sermon also references the book "Darwin's Black Box" by Michael Behe to discuss the complexity of the cell and the inadequacy of naturalistic explanations for human existence.

Embracing Grace and Truth: The Heart of Christmas (Desiring God) uses two detailed secular illustrations: first, a critique of a pro-abortion video that denies the reality of the unborn child by focusing only on what is visible, paralleling the invisibility of God and the tendency to deny what cannot be seen; second, the story of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, who, upon not seeing God in space, concluded God does not exist. Both illustrations are used to highlight the folly of denying unseen realities and to set up the significance of the Incarnation as God making himself visible and knowable. The preacher also uses the analogy of pitching a tent in someone’s backyard to illustrate the intimacy and accessibility of God in Christ, contrasting it with building a palace to keep people at a distance.