Understanding Jesus: The Eternal Word and Creator

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus' Eternal Existence

Jesus Christ, the Word, existed before time and matter, emphasizing His eternal nature. This truth is foundational to understanding His divinity and role in creation. The Gospel of John begins with the profound statement, "In the beginning was the Word," echoing the opening of Genesis and affirming that Jesus was present at the creation of the world. This highlights that Jesus is not a created being but the eternal Son of God, who has always existed with God. Recognizing Jesus' eternal existence helps us grasp the magnitude of His divinity and His authority over the universe. As we reflect on this truth, we are invited to deepen our relationship with Him, acknowledging His eternal presence and divine nature. [01:19]

"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." (Genesis 1:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: How does acknowledging Jesus' eternal existence change the way you view His role in your life today?

Day 2: Divine Identity of Jesus

The statement "The Word was God" is both simple and profound, affirming the divinity of Jesus Christ. This truth invites believers to worship Jesus as God, without fear of blasphemy, recognizing Him as the divine Word who became flesh. In the Gospel of John, this declaration is a cornerstone of Christian faith, inviting us to see Jesus not just as a historical figure but as God incarnate. Our worship should reflect the awe and reverence due to God Himself, acknowledging Jesus' divine identity and His role as the Savior of the world. As we meditate on this truth, we are encouraged to deepen our worship and devotion to Jesus, recognizing Him as the true and living God. [05:14]

"For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority." (Colossians 2:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your worship of Jesus, acknowledging His divine identity in your daily life?

Day 3: The Mystery of the Trinity

The relationship between Jesus and God introduces the mystery of the Trinity, a doctrine that is essential to understanding the nature of God as one essence in three persons. The Gospel of John highlights that Jesus was both with God and was God, reflecting the unity and distinctiveness within the Godhead. This truth challenges our understanding but is foundational to Christian belief. Embracing the mystery of the Trinity invites us to appreciate the beauty and complexity of God's nature, encouraging us to explore deeper theological truths and grow in our faith. As we reflect on this mystery, we are called to embrace the fullness of God's revelation and His work in our lives. [10:18]

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19, ESV)

Reflection: How can embracing the mystery of the Trinity enrich your understanding of God's nature and His work in your life?

Day 4: Jesus as Creator

The Gospel of John describes Jesus as the Creator, stating that all things were made through Him. This positions Jesus not merely as a teacher or prophet but as the Creator Himself. Understanding Jesus as the Creator enriches our appreciation of His teachings and miracles, elevating them beyond mere acts to divine interventions. Recognizing Jesus' role as Creator deepens our appreciation of His power and authority over all creation, inviting us to trust in His sovereignty and care for the world. As we reflect on this truth, we are encouraged to see Jesus' works as expressions of His divine nature and His love for humanity. [14:48]

"For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him." (Colossians 1:16, ESV)

Reflection: How does recognizing Jesus as the Creator influence your trust in His power and authority in your life today?

Day 5: Engaging with Non-Believers

When engaging with those who challenge Jesus' divinity, such as Jehovah's Witnesses or Muslims, believers can confidently point to the scriptural evidence of His divine nature. The Gospel of John provides a robust foundation for affirming Jesus as God, encouraging Christians to share this truth with love and conviction. Engaging with non-believers requires a deep understanding of Scripture and a compassionate approach, inviting others to explore the truth of Jesus' identity and His role as Savior. As we reflect on this challenge, we are called to be ambassadors of Christ, sharing His love and truth with those around us. [18:03]

"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)

Reflection: How can you prepare yourself to engage with non-believers about Jesus' divinity, sharing His truth with love and respect?

Sermon Summary

In the Gospel of John, we are introduced to profound truths about Jesus Christ, the Word who became flesh. John seeks to convey four essential aspects of Jesus: the time of His existence, the essence of His identity, His relationship to God, and His relationship to the world. Firstly, John emphasizes that Jesus existed before time and matter, echoing the opening of Genesis. This underscores that Jesus was present at the creation, affirming His eternal nature. Secondly, John declares the essence of Jesus' identity with the simple yet profound statement, "The Word was God." This affirms the divinity of Jesus, inviting us to worship Him without fear of blasphemy, as Thomas did, proclaiming, "My Lord and my God."

Thirdly, John explores Jesus' relationship with God, highlighting the mystery of the Trinity. Jesus was both with God and was God, a truth that challenges our understanding but is foundational to Christian belief. This relationship reflects the unity and distinctiveness within the Godhead. Lastly, John describes Jesus' relationship to the world, stating that all things were made through Him. This positions Jesus not merely as a teacher or prophet but as the Creator Himself. Understanding Jesus as the Creator enriches our appreciation of His teachings and miracles, elevating them beyond mere acts to divine interventions.

These insights invite us to deepen our relationship with Jesus, recognizing Him as the eternal Word, God incarnate, and the Creator of all. As we engage with the Gospel of John, we are encouraged to see Jesus clearly and treasure Him truly, understanding that in knowing Him, we encounter God Himself.

Key Takeaways

1. Believers**: When engaging with those who challenge Jesus' divinity, such as Jehovah's Witnesses or Muslims, we can confidently point to the scriptural evidence of His divine nature. The Gospel of John provides a robust foundation for affirming Jesus as God, encouraging us to share this truth with love and conviction. [18:03]
** [18:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - Introduction to the Gospel of John
[00:36] - Four Aspects of Jesus
[01:04] - Time of Jesus' Existence
[02:21] - Jesus Before Time and Matter
[04:24] - Essence of Jesus' Identity
[06:11] - Worshiping Jesus as God
[09:59] - Jesus' Relationship to God
[11:22] - The Mystery of the Trinity
[13:27] - Jesus' Relationship to the World
[14:48] - Jesus as Creator
[17:12] - Engaging with Non-Believers
[20:49] - Practical Application
[22:21] - Conclusion and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 1:1-3
- Jude 1:25
- 2 Timothy 1:9

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Observation Questions:

According to John 1:1-3, what does it mean that "in the beginning was the Word"? How does this relate to Jesus' eternal existence? [01:19]
How does the statement "The Word was God" in John 1:1 affirm the divinity of Jesus? What implications does this have for our understanding of His identity? [05:14]
In what way does John 1:3 describe Jesus' role in creation? How does this elevate our understanding of His teachings and miracles? [14:48]
How does Jude 1:25 contribute to our understanding of Jesus' existence before time? What does this reveal about His divine nature? [03:29]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of Jesus existing before time and matter challenge or enhance your understanding of His divinity? [02:43]
What does the mystery of the Trinity, as described in John 1:1, teach us about the nature of God? How can this understanding impact our faith? [10:18]
How does recognizing Jesus as the Creator influence the way we view His authority and power in our lives? [14:48]
In what ways can the Gospel of John serve as a foundation for engaging with non-believers about Jesus' divinity? [18:03]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on the eternal existence of Jesus. How does this understanding affect your daily worship and relationship with Him? [01:19]
Considering the divinity of Jesus, how can you incorporate more reverence and awe into your worship practices? [05:14]
The mystery of the Trinity can be challenging to comprehend. How can you embrace this mystery in your faith journey without needing to fully understand it? [10:18]
How does recognizing Jesus as the Creator change the way you perceive His teachings and miracles? How can this perspective deepen your faith? [14:48]
When engaging with non-believers, how can you confidently share the scriptural evidence of Jesus' divine nature with love and conviction? [18:03]
Think of a specific area in your life where you need to acknowledge Jesus' authority as Creator. What steps can you take to submit to His power in that area? [14:48]
How can you use the insights from the Gospel of John to deepen your personal relationship with Jesus and see Him more clearly in your daily life? [08:11]

Sermon Clips

What John is saying is, before there was any matter, before anything had been made, was Jesus. In the beginning was the word, so there at the beginning when those things were brought into being he was there already. That's the point of in the beginning. [00:01:41]

Jesus was there not only before matter, he was there before time, because the 20th century brought the discovery that matter in time are co-extensive. No matter no time. Kind of a controversial thing biblically sometimes. Listen to the Great doxology now. [00:02:48]

Jude 1 25 goes like this to the only God our savior through Jesus Christ Our Lord be glory and Majesty dominion and Authority before all time now and forever so he's lifting up his doxological praise of Jesus Christ and he says before all time. [00:03:13]

The Word was God. One of the marks of this gospel is that the weightiest doctrines and the simplest language go together. I don't think that statement could be made grammatically simpler than it is or more weighty than it is. I don't know how to make it more weighty. [00:04:48]

He wants us to fall down with Thomas full of doubt. Jesus says you're doubting he was so patient put your hand here put your hand here and Thomas won't touch him he's on his face my Lord and my God that's the way he wants us to be week after week. [00:06:11]

The word was with God and the Word was God. Now those two phrases the word was with God and the Word was God is why the church believes in the trinity. The doctrine of the Trinity that there is one God and three centers of Consciousness in one Divine Essence. [00:10:05]

He was with God he had a relationship to God he's the perfect image of God reflecting all that God is and standing forth as a person who is full of deity Paul says in a distinct person one Divine Essence so far we've seen two persons. [00:11:18]

All things were made through him and without him was not anything made that was made. The word who became flesh and dwelt Among Us taught us healed us rebuked us protected us loved us died for us John wants to begin by saying he created us. [00:13:37]

All things were made through him yes it's right to say he was God's agent through him When God Says by his word let there be that word is Jesus by the word he brought the universe into being but if you push that too hard you're going to forget. [00:15:02]

God created you through God and they are so mysteriously one as to leave us simply saying Jesus made us and the father made us and there was a relationship of agency involved because by the word he brought us into being. [00:16:01]

The deity of Jesus Christ the godness of Jesus is pervasive in the New Testament but all you need to do is push with all your might on verse 3. and say I think the way verse 3 is constructed without him was not anything made that was made. [00:20:15]

Christ was not made that is what it means to be God this is light and Truth god-centered preaching to help you see Christ clearly and treasure him truly I'm your host Dan Krueger thank you for listening on our next episode John Piper preaches. [00:22:21]

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Understanding Jesus: The Eternal Word and Creator

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus' Eternal Existence

Day 2: Divine Identity of Jesus

Day 3: The Mystery of the Trinity

Day 4: Jesus as Creator

Day 5: Engaging with Non-Believers

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Understanding Jesus: The Eternal Word and Creator

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