The Eternal Word: Jesus as Life and Light
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truths found in the opening chapter of the Gospel of John. This passage introduces us to the concept of the "Logos," the Word, which is central to understanding the identity and mission of Jesus Christ. John, the beloved disciple, presents Jesus as the eternal Word, who was with God and was God from the very beginning. This Word, through whom all things were made, became flesh and dwelt among us, revealing the glory of God full of grace and truth.
The sermon emphasized the significance of recognizing Jesus as the eternal Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, who existed before creation and through whom all things were made. This understanding is crucial for acknowledging Jesus as our Savior and Lord. In a world filled with darkness and uncertainty, Jesus is the light that shines, offering hope, peace, and life to all who believe in Him.
We also reflected on the themes of life and light. In Jesus, there is life, and this life is the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. This light calls us out of the darkness of sin and into the glorious light of God's presence. The message of salvation through Jesus has reached the ends of the earth, offering a new beginning for those who trust in Him.
Furthermore, we considered the role of John the Baptist as a witness to the light. His mission was to prepare the way for Jesus, the true light that gives light to everyone. This serves as a reminder of our own calling to bear witness to the light of Christ in our lives.
Finally, we were reminded of the incredible privilege of being adopted into God's family through faith in Jesus. As children of God, we have the assurance of His love and the promise of eternal life. This is a call to trust in Jesus for everything, knowing that He holds the world and our lives in His hands.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Eternal Word: Jesus, the Logos, is the eternal Word who was with God and was God. This profound truth reveals the mystery of the Trinity and underscores the divine nature of Christ. Recognizing Jesus as the eternal Son of God is essential for understanding His role as Creator and Savior. [02:34]
2. Life and Light in Christ: In Jesus, there is life, and this life is the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, offering hope and guidance. Embracing Jesus as the light of the world calls us out of the darkness of sin and into the light of His presence. [13:18]
3. Witness to the Light: John the Baptist's role as a witness to the light reminds us of our calling to testify to the truth of Christ. As followers of Jesus, we are called to reflect His light in our lives and share the message of salvation with others. [16:06]
4. Adoption into God's Family: Through faith in Jesus, we are adopted into God's family, receiving the privileges and assurance of His love. This adoption offers us a new identity and the promise of eternal life, calling us to trust in Jesus for everything. [24:33]
5. The Fullness of Grace and Truth: Jesus embodies the fullness of grace and truth, offering us freedom and redemption. Trusting in Him means experiencing the transformative power of His grace, which sets us free from sin and leads us into a life of fullness and joy. [31:21]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:45] - Introduction to John
[02:34] - The Eternal Word
[03:45] - Logos: The Word
[05:15] - The Mystery of the Trinity
[07:56] - Creation Through the Word
[08:42] - Jesus, the Creator
[10:25] - Acknowledging Jesus
[11:25] - Life and Light
[13:18] - Light in the Darkness
[14:03] - Prophecies of Light
[16:06] - John the Baptist's Witness
[17:36] - Jesus, the Light of the World
[18:43] - A New Beginning
[20:42] - Jesus' Humility and Sacrifice
[21:58] - Rejection and Acceptance
[23:21] - Adoption into God's Family
[24:33] - Privileges of Being God's Children
[25:19] - The Word Became Flesh
[26:32] - The Glory of the Son
[29:52] - Grace and Truth
[31:21] - Trusting in Jesus
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 1:1-14
2. Genesis 1:1-4
3. Revelation 19:13
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#### Observation Questions
1. According to John 1:1-14, how is Jesus described in relation to God and creation? What does this reveal about His identity? [02:34]
2. In Genesis 1:1-4, what role does the "Word" play in the creation narrative? How does this connect to the description of Jesus in John 1? [03:45]
3. How does John the Baptist's role as a witness to the light emphasize the mission of Jesus according to John 1:6-8? [16:06]
4. What does Revelation 19:13 reveal about the identity of Jesus and His role in God's plan? [05:15]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of Jesus as the "Logos" deepen our understanding of His divine nature and mission? [03:45]
2. What does it mean for believers to be called out of darkness into the light of Christ, as described in John 1:4-5? How does this transformation manifest in a believer's life? [13:18]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that recognizing Jesus as the eternal Son of God impacts a believer's faith and daily life? [10:25]
4. How does the sermon describe the significance of being adopted into God's family through faith in Jesus? What implications does this have for a believer's identity and relationship with God? [24:33]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your understanding of Jesus as the "Logos." How does this understanding influence your relationship with Him and your view of His role in your life? [03:45]
2. In what areas of your life do you feel you are still in darkness? How can you actively seek the light of Christ to bring transformation and hope? [13:18]
3. Consider the role of John the Baptist as a witness to the light. How can you be a witness to the light of Christ in your community or workplace? [16:06]
4. What does being adopted into God's family mean to you personally? How does this assurance of God's love and promise of eternal life affect your daily decisions and interactions? [24:33]
5. The sermon emphasizes the fullness of grace and truth in Jesus. How can you experience and share this grace and truth in your relationships and challenges? [31:21]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to trust Jesus more fully. What steps can you take this week to surrender that area to Him? [31:21]
7. How can the themes of life and light in Christ guide you in making decisions that align with God's will and purpose for your life? [13:18]
Devotional
Day 1: The Eternal Word: Jesus as the Divine Logos
In the opening chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus is introduced as the "Logos," the eternal Word who was with God and was God from the very beginning. This profound truth reveals the mystery of the Trinity and underscores the divine nature of Christ. Recognizing Jesus as the eternal Son of God is essential for understanding His role as Creator and Savior. The Logos is not just a philosophical concept but a living reality that became flesh and dwelt among us, revealing the glory of God full of grace and truth. This understanding is crucial for acknowledging Jesus as our Savior and Lord, who holds the world and our lives in His hands. [02:34]
"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." (John 1:1-3, ESV)
Reflection: How does recognizing Jesus as the eternal Word change the way you view His presence in your daily life? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him today?
Day 2: Life and Light in Christ: A Beacon in Darkness
In Jesus, there is life, and this life is the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, offering hope and guidance. Embracing Jesus as the light of the world calls us out of the darkness of sin and into the light of His presence. This light is not just a metaphor but a transformative reality that offers hope, peace, and life to all who believe in Him. In a world filled with darkness and uncertainty, Jesus is the light that shines, offering a new beginning for those who trust in Him. [13:18]
"For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light." (Psalm 36:9, ESV)
Reflection: What areas of your life feel overshadowed by darkness? How can you invite the light of Christ into these areas today?
Day 3: Witness to the Light: Our Calling to Reflect Christ
John the Baptist's role as a witness to the light reminds us of our calling to testify to the truth of Christ. As followers of Jesus, we are called to reflect His light in our lives and share the message of salvation with others. John the Baptist's mission was to prepare the way for Jesus, the true light that gives light to everyone. This serves as a reminder of our own calling to bear witness to the light of Christ in our lives, not just through words but through actions that reflect His love and truth. [16:06]
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:14, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to see the light of Christ through you? What specific actions can you take this week to be a witness to them?
Day 4: Adoption into God's Family: Embracing Our New Identity
Through faith in Jesus, we are adopted into God's family, receiving the privileges and assurance of His love. This adoption offers us a new identity and the promise of eternal life, calling us to trust in Jesus for everything. As children of God, we have the incredible privilege of being part of His family, with the assurance of His love and the promise of eternal life. This new identity calls us to live in a way that reflects our status as God's children, trusting in Him for everything and embracing the fullness of His grace and truth. [24:33]
"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12, ESV)
Reflection: How does your identity as a child of God influence your daily decisions and interactions? What changes can you make to live more fully in this identity?
Day 5: The Fullness of Grace and Truth: Experiencing Transformation
Jesus embodies the fullness of grace and truth, offering us freedom and redemption. Trusting in Him means experiencing the transformative power of His grace, which sets us free from sin and leads us into a life of fullness and joy. This grace is not just a concept but a living reality that transforms our lives, offering us freedom from sin and a new beginning in Christ. Embracing the fullness of grace and truth in Jesus calls us to live in a way that reflects His love and truth, experiencing the transformative power of His grace in every aspect of our lives. [31:21]
"For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to experience the transformative power of Jesus' grace and truth? How can you open yourself to His work in these areas today?
Quotes
But of course, the Bible is inspired by God himself. He is the author of creation. He is also the author of his word, the Bible. The Bible tells us, that God moved men to write what is written. So the author is God. So inspired by the Holy Spirit, John records words for us in the Gospel. [00:01:18]
And he does that right at the beginning of this gospel, when he presents to us the eternal Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, Father, Son, Holy Spirit. And he shows us that this eternal word existed before the creation of the world. [00:02:46]
And that eternal word became a baby, born in Bethlehem. As we've been remembering at Christmastime. That word came to dwell in our midst. So a few words to remember as we go through this together. So the headings are, Logos. [00:03:07]
So we see then that the word of God, the logos, is the means by which creation unfolds. We read, and God said, if you read through Genesis, and God said, let there be light. And God said, and God said, and everything that God said happened. God, the word, spoke and it happened. [00:04:31]
And now John reveals the true identity of the word God's spoken word God's logos as Jesus Christ we know this from the nativity if we can just go forward to a verse 14 Millie so in the beginning was a word and then at verse 14 we read that the word became flesh and the word made his dwelling in our midst he lived here he breathed breath on this earth he walked he talked he lived here he breathed breath on this earth he walked he talked the word was became became flesh and made his dwelling among us so Jesus is the word of God the second person of the trinity a fact later confirmed by John this time John is speaking at the end of the bible what's the last book of the bible revelation so here is John at the beginning of his gospel and John who was given a revelation on the island of Patmos and this is what we read in Revelation chapter 19 verse 13 he that is Jesus is clothed in a robe dipped in blood and his name is the word of God his name is the word [00:05:15]
And by making this amazing statement, John sets the mystery of the Trinity right at the beginning of his gospel. Because in Genesis 1, sorry Millie, if we can go back to Genesis 1, we'll read a wee bit further on. So Genesis 1, 1 to 4. [00:07:10]
So the Bible says concerning Jesus, this is elsewhere in one of the letters of the apostle, for by him, by Jesus, all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible. Visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. [00:09:25]
Because in this world of darkness, and sadness, and death, Jesus brings light, and hope, and peace with God the Father. Because Jesus gives life, and Jesus is the light of the world. So we have the Logos, and I think we'll just put the next two together, life and death. And light. [00:11:25]
In him was life, and that life was the light of mankind. In him was life. The Bible says, again, this time, John in his letter, says, this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. [00:12:02]
Jesus, the light of the world, stepped down into our darkness to this sin-sick world. He came to die for your sin and to bring you to the glory. And the paradise of God. So just as light came into the world at creation, we are reading that in Genesis 1, God said, let there be light, and there was light. [00:13:27]
And it can be a sweet aroma to you. You accept Jesus, but if you reject Jesus, it's a stench of death. So that's why it's important at the start of 2025 to be trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ for everything. None of us knows what a day or an hour will bring. But what we do know, if every other year is like it, there will be sudden cancers, there'll be sudden accidents, there'll be incidents, there'll be stuff that just we don't expect. But if we're as safe in Jesus, we're safe for time and eternity. [00:14:40]
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. Children not born of natural descent, nor of human decision, or a husband's will, but born of God. [00:24:13]
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