John 1:1-5 | Before Bethlehem #sonofheaven #advent

Devotional

Day 1: The preexistent Word is our unchanging hope.

Before Bethlehem and before creation, the Word already existed and remains the unchanging source of hope for a changing world; this truth frames Advent as more than memory, but as encounter with an eternal person. The Word is both distinct from the Father and fully God, inviting worship and trust in a God who is not bound by time. Let this reality steady you when life feels uncertain and help you prepare your heart for Christmas with awe and confidence. [33:37]

John 1:1–5 (ESV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Reflection: When you pause and consider that Jesus existed before time, name one specific worry or fear that truth challenges in you; what is one concrete prayer you will bring to the preexistent Word this week to surrender that fear?

Day 2: God’s Word brought creation into being.

The creative power of the Word explains that all things were made through him and nothing exists apart from his sustaining will; creation depends on his ongoing, sovereign work. Thinking of the power grid analogy, the Word is the ultimate power source who never goes dark, calling believers to abide and draw life continually from him. In Advent, remember your dependence on the Creator and cultivate practices that keep you connected to his sustaining power. [34:43]

Genesis 1:1–3 (ESV)
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

Reflection: What one area of your life feels like a "blackout" right now—where you sense no spiritual power—and what specific habit (a 10-minute daily reading, a prayer routine, or a weekly Sabbath practice) will you begin this week to abide in the Creator’s power?

Day 3: Jesus’ light exposes darkness and heals.

The life that is in the Word is the light of humanity, shining into darkness to reveal and heal rather than merely condemn; when light comes it exposes deeds but also offers forgiveness and restoration. People naturally resist light because it exposes what they hide, yet Advent calls the church to bring this illuminating hope gently and persistently. Share the light with compassion, remembering the purpose is healing and the offer of new life. [58:32]

John 3:19–21 (ESV)
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. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.

Reflection: Who in your life seems to prefer the dark over the light right now; what is one compassionate, truthful step you will take this week (a conversation, an invitation to church, a prayerful message) to invite them toward Jesus’ light?

Day 4: Christ offers abundant life now and forever.

Jesus promises not merely survival but life in abundance—full of purpose, meaning, and hope that transcends temporary solutions or mere death meditations; this life is given through faith in him. Abundant life does not mean the absence of suffering, but it reframes suffering within God’s redeeming purpose and invites believers to live with significance even amid hardship. This Advent, embrace the promise that life in the Word reaches beyond this age into eternal hope. [01:04]

John 10:10 (ESV)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Reflection: Identify one "thief"—a habit, relationship, or worry—stealing your joy; what is one specific boundary or spiritual practice you will adopt this week to pursue the abundant life Jesus offers?

Day 5: God’s word endures when everything fades.

While created things wither and fade, the Word of God stands forever; this Advent truth calls the church to reorient hope from temporal comforts to the eternal promises of God. Clinging to passing securities leaves the heart unsettled, but anchoring life in God’s enduring word brings steady confidence for today and for the life to come. Let this assurance shape evangelism, comfort in grief, and the priorities of the season. [38:33]

Isaiah 40:8 (ESV)
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

Reflection: What temporary thing are you clinging to for security (a routine, achievement, relationship, or possession), and what specific step will you take this Advent to re-anchor your hope in God’s enduring word (a verse to memorize, a devotional schedule, or a pastoral conversation)?

Sermon Summary

Advent invites us to slow down in a noisy, hurried season and recover the wonder of Christ’s coming. This year I’m walking slowly through John 1:1–5 to help us ponder the mystery of Jesus’ origin before Bethlehem—the Word who is both with God and is God. John reaches back past the manger, past creation itself, to show us the eternal Son. By calling Jesus the Word (logos), John speaks to both Greek longings for the rational order behind the cosmos and Israel’s story of God’s powerful, creative speech. He immerses us in the mystery of the Trinity: one God, and yet the Word is personally with God and fully God. That truth has always stretched minds—and in history, it sparked heresies like Arianism. The church answered at Nicaea, confessing what Scripture already taught: the Son is of the same essence as the Father. That matters, because only one who is truly God can truly save.

John also says all things were made through the Word. Creation is not self-sustaining; it lives because he wills it, moment by moment. Think of a citywide blackout: it’s not that lamps and appliances cease to exist—they just have no power. Our lives dim in similar ways when we disconnect from Christ’s life-giving presence. And unlike popular spiritualities that blur the line between Creator and creation, the Word remains distinct, sovereign over what he made. That’s good news when our personal worlds feel out of control.

Finally, John names Jesus as life and light. Light sustains life—without it, photosynthesis stops and ecosystems collapse. Spiritually, Jesus brings the light that reveals and heals, and the darkness cannot overcome it. Our world often copes with mortality by acceptance meditations and “enjoy it while it lasts” counsel. But Jesus does more than help us face death; he conquered it, offering abundant life now and eternal life to come. Advent calls us to abide in him—the inexhaustible source—and to carry his light into a darkened world with humility, courage, and hope.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus is eternally God-with-God This is not a puzzle to solve but a reality to receive. The Word is personally distinct from the Father and yet fully shares the divine nature. If he were less than God, our hope would be less than secure; but because he is God, our salvation rests on bedrock. This mystery humbles our minds and steadies our hearts. [40:35]
2. Creation depends on the Word Your existence isn’t a closed system; it’s a gift sustained by Christ’s ongoing will. This means meaning is woven into the fabric of reality, and you are not an accident. Gratitude and trust become sane responses to a world held together by him. Live as one plugged into the Giver, not as your own power source. [48:39]
3. Abide in Christ’s inexhaustible power Blackouts happen when the grid fails; your soul dims when you drift from abiding. Abiding is not busy striving—it’s steady, relational dependence that bears fruit over time. When strength feels thin, the invitation is not “do more,” but “draw nearer.” He never runs out; we just run away. [51:31]
4. Distinct Creator, not merged nature Jesus does not dissolve into creation; he reigns over it. That distinction keeps us from worshiping created beauty and frees us to enjoy it as gift. It also means providence, not fate, governs your story—there is a wise hand above the waves. Sovereignty is not cold control; it is personal care. [53:29]
5. His light exposes and heals When the light shines, it reveals what we’d rather hide—but not to crush us. Exposure is the doorway to restoration, because grace meets us in the truth. The darkness resists, but it cannot win; therefore repentance is the safest risk you can take. Step toward the light and you will find life. [58:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[26:05] - Opening Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
[27:14] - What Advent Means and Why We Slow Down
[30:35] - The Incarnation: Son of Heaven Focus
[31:14] - John’s Prologue as Overture
[33:12] - The Word’s Eternal Preexistence
[36:56] - Logos for Greeks, Word for Israel
[40:35] - With God and Was God—Trinity
[45:19] - Council of Nicaea and Nicene Faith
[46:10] - Modern Arianism: Jehovah’s Witnesses
[48:39] - All Things Created Through Him
[49:56] - Plugging Into the Power Source
[52:27] - Creator Distinct From Creation
[54:52] - Life and Light That Overcomes
[66:31] - Prayer, Response, and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading (ESV)
John 1:1-5
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.

Observation questions (3–4)

John begins, “In the beginning was the Word.” What does the passage say about the Word’s relation to God and to creation? Which phrases show both closeness and distinction? (focus on vv.1–3)
The text says both “the Word was with God” and “the Word was God.” How does the passage present both distinction and unity between the Father and the Word? Reflect on what this tension makes you notice about God’s life. [40:35]
Verse 3 says, “All things were made through him.” What images or comparisons in the passage help you see creation’s dependence on the Word? How does the “power source” idea speak to the statement in verse 3? [49:56]
Verse 5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” What does the passage say the light does for people (look at v.4 and v.5)? How does John describe the outcome when light meets darkness? [58:19]

Interpretation questions (3–4)

How does the title “the Word” (logos) address both Greek questions about cosmic order and Jewish ideas of God’s creative speech? What might be gained by using that particular image for Jesus? [36:56]
What problem was Arianism trying to solve about the Son’s status, and why did the church insist on affirming the Son as fully divine (“of the same essence”)? What difference does this make for trusting Christ’s saving work? [43:06]
The text insists that “without him was not any thing made that was made.” If all existence depends on the Word, how should that shape a Christian’s view of meaning, contingency, and personal identity? [48:39]
“The darkness has not overcome” the light. What does that say about the present reality of evil and its final fate? How does that promise shape Christian hope in everyday trials? [58:19]

Application questions (4–7)

Jesus is eternally God-with-God and yet one with the Father. Where have you been tempted to base your security on something that shifts (performance, approval, control) rather than on Christ’s unchanging nature? What is one simple step you will take this week to re-ground your trust in him? [40:35]
Creation depends on the Word. In what regular moments (morning routine, commute, mealtime, work) could you practice a short act of gratitude that reminds you you are sustained by Christ and not self-sufficient? Pick one and commit to doing it this week. [48:39]
Abiding is relational dependence, not more activity. What is one concrete way you will “abide” with Christ this week (a 10-minute prayer pause, Scripture reading at lunch, a brief silence before decisions) instead of trying to solve everything by doing more? [51:31]
The Creator is distinct from creation and reigns over it. Where have you been tempted to worship a good thing (nature, success, comfort) instead of worshiping God? Name one way you will enjoy that gift without making it ultimate (for example: a weekend walk of thanksgiving, a gratitude journal entry, a brief prayer before enjoying beauty). [53:29]
The light exposes and heals. What is one truth or habit you are avoiding that needs to come into the light for confession and restoration? Who will you ask to pray with you or hold you accountable this week? [58:19]
Jesus offers abundant life now and hope beyond death. Who is one person you can intentionally share this Advent hope with? Plan what you will say or do to offer that hope (a conversation, a card, an invitation). [01:05:20]

Use these questions to guide honest conversation, pray for one another’s next steps, and encourage practical accountability in the week ahead.

Sermon Clips

And every gospel author, as you know if you've read the gospels, they begin the story of Jesus in different ways. For example, Matthew and Luke give us the backstory of the birth, all the various characters of Christmas that we love. But when we come to the gospel of John, it's different in so many ways. And especially how John begins in the first 18 verses. It's called the prologue. And these 18 verses, it's a highly designed, beautiful, artistic poem. [00:30:35] (39 seconds) #JohnsPrologue

And like a grand symphony, I don't have a background in music, but from what I understand, a symphony is kind of multi, it's a multi-movement composition. But the beginning or the prelude is the overture. And it's kind of this single movement that kind of stands alone. And yet it introduces the entire composition, but it's so rich, it could stand alone as an entire piece. And the prologue is like this. It can stand alone. It is so profound in this literary, artistic work that it introduces us to Jesus's origin. [00:31:14] (38 seconds) #GospelOverture

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