John 1 - 2

John 1-2

1)      Existed in the beginning 2)      Existed in close relation to God (as a separate person) 3)      Existed as God

 Jesus is God  1)      1:1 in his pre-incarnate state 2)      1:14 in his incarnate state  3)      20:28 in his resurrected state

 John 1:1

-The word means “beginning, origin, first cause.” – beginning of history (before man) / born again (spiritual)

- Two beginnings -  eternity past and beginning of man/spirit  – Gen. 1:26  God said let us make man in our image….                                                                                                                     

• Who was God talking to?
• Connect to Genesis … light / darkness (1:5)
• The Word is part of creation
• Never was a time when Jesus was not
• Jesus is God

 1: 3-5

After describing the relationship to the Father, the Word’s relationship to creation is stated. The Word is equal with God, but superior to creation. …. The Word is not part of creation.

Proverbs 8:12-9:12 is an OT description of “the Word.” John states here clearly what the OT had been alluding to in the use of “word”

John addresses the first manifestation of “The Word” communicating with man:   Creation.

• In creation God gave one of his greatest revelations of himself (Romans 1)
• Jesus was the one who created everything:      1 Cor. 8:6 ,      Col. 1:16,  Heb. 1:2, Rev. 3:14
• Life as refer to Jesus = Total 135x

1:5

“light shines” is present tense here for the first time.  The manifestation of this light into the world and into the hearts of men is a continuous action that continues even today. But, the shining of the light that occurred at creation and at the incarnation is still occurring today by that same Word. God’s manifestation of his revelation is not over and historically recorded.  It is recorded, but it is still shining in life and light today

This was not a dual between two equal powers.  Just as light is always greater than darkness, Jesus, the creator is always greater than darkness.

Nature reveals this truth.

a)      We turn on a light switch which drives away the darkness.

b)      The sun drives out the darkness in the morning.  The only reason darkness returns; the sun sets and leaves our view.

c)      We can create light with bulbs.  We cannot create dark bulbs.

d)      Darkness never drives out the light in any natural occurrence.  Darkness only occurs when light is removed or absent.

This theme will reach its highlight in the crucifixion.  This was the darkest moment. 

The darkest event completely disappears, though in the light of the resurrection.

 What John introduces in these three verses continues throughout the book.

• Jesus authority in Creation both physically and spiritually
• Parallels of light and darkness which represent:
• Revelation and salvation (light)
• Ignorance and sin (darkness)

The Seven Witnesses

In the gospel of John there are 7 witnesses

1)      The Father 5:31-32, 34, 37; 8:18

2)      Christ 8:14, 18; 3:11, 32; 8:37

3)      The Holy Spirit 15:26; 16:14

4)      Jesus’ Works 5:36; 19:25; 14:11; 15:24

5)      Scripture 5:39; 5:45-46

6)      John the Baptist 1:7; 1:8; 1:15; 1:19; 1:32; 1:34; 3:26; 5:33

7)      Human witnesses:

a.       Disciples 15:27; 19:35; 21:24

b.      Samaritan woman 4:39

c.       Multitude 12:17

The Prophet was sent by God,  Prophets had to have evidence, No evidence proves they were false

 There Must Be Evidence to Verify the Truth

• It is important to have credible witnesses to the truth.

• God and John are not going to ask you to believe something without verifying its truthfulness.

• To have faith (confidence) in something there must be some evidence or proof of facts.

• Again, faith is not blind faith.Bible teaching itself should be logical and make sense in the world we live. - secular history as well as archology

More God

• Pray

 Text: - 2 Cor 10: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

By default – If we believe in Jesus, we believe in Satan – Good vs. Evil

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly

1.    Spirit world (can’t see) / natural world (can see)   

a.  although we can’t see it spirit world far more real than the world we live in.

Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual

forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

               

                2. Forces influence our behavior

a.    Things going on in spiritual world behind scenes that we would not believe –

b. Influence negative or positive

1.    only two choices – only two choices in spirit realm Christ or no Christ

CHOICE is the keyword – John 3:16

·         God made a choice to send His Son

·         Bible full of choices – good and bad

·         God chose - re-establish kingdom,

·         God chose to -have fellowship with us, creation, etc.

Joshua 24:15 (Amplified Bible)

15  And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord

·         We must make choice – good or evil

·         Good choices – good life / bad choices – bad life

·         what we choose  will influence the way we live and ultimately what happens in our lives and those around us – we effect others ( It’s A Wonderful Life)

           

3.Inspite of us choosing to do good, will bad things still happen to me?

1.    of coarse – sin entered world & all things bad.

2.     Gen 3 fall of man  -  disobedience

4.  For the most part – if we always do the right thing we will be rewarded

1.    Job, Daniel. Jacob, Moses,

2.    Jesus, Paul, Peter

a.    these all martyred – what’s good?

b.    Obedience for it own sake

c.    They knew beyond a shadow of a doubt the reward that awaited them.

                                                                  i.    Disciples -Lived with Jesus (God on earth)

                                                                ii.    Paul saw Jesus and heaven

                                                               iii.    Jesus told them (disciples) about His Kingdom

                                                               iv.    They accepted obedience to God as being it’s own reward

                                                                v.    When we make up our minds to do this we will start to find our purpose and live fulfilled lives.

                                                               vi.    Do the right thing on purpose – by staying connected to The Word, we put ourselves in position to serve others by being used by God. He can only bless us if we have a heart to bless others. When we display what Paul call the fruits of the spirit – people are attracted to us and we can truly help them

5. they came to realize they did not need less (fill in the blank)

 THEY NEEDED MORE GOD!

·         Chris – grass seed to choke out weeds, not weed killer to kill weeds.

THE SAME IS TRUE WITH US! – WE ALL NEED MORE GOD AND NOT LESS (FILL IN BLANK)

When we choose more God, we will not have to choose less (fill in blank) it will all ready be chosen, and we won’t want anything but more God anyway!

Love By Choice

• Pray
• Text: Galatians 5:22

We MUST realize that we don’t have a CLUE when it comes to God’s Love for us …

• Romans 8:39

Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord

• Realize that nothing you have or haven’t done can make God love you any more or any less than HE does right now.
• We are talking about the unconditional, by choice type of love
• Intrinsic value of people – God’s creation in His Image
• Our language = one word for love. Grk has four. We only concerned with “agape” for now
• By choice

Agapao (n) Agape (v)

• Concentrate on agapao and agape – very similar but a diff.  (n/v)

• God’s unconditional love toward man  (John 3:16)  (unconditional, by choice)

• God expects unconditional love of believers towards all men   (John 13:34)

• Very  hard to live out – God never asks anything impossible – (just difficult)

• Bible principle – Sowing and reaping / seed time and harvest – (Mark 4:24 – 29) – we get what we give

    24And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give to [the truth you hear] will be the measure[of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you--and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.25For to him who has will more be given; and from him who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away[^]by force], 26And He said, The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed upon the ground,27And then continues sleeping and rising night and day while the seed sprouts and grows and increases--he knows not how.28The earth produces [acting] by itself--first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29But when the grain is ripe and permits, immediately he sends forth [the reapers] and puts in the sickle, because the harvest stands ready.

·         You get what you give

• God expects and has provided for us to be able to unconditionally love all men. (Gal 5:22 NLT)

22 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law

• We show God’s love by:(1) What we say (edify) –  build up (The Word always does this)

(Proverbs 18:22) Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof

(2) What we do – when we obey (show others God by being kind – no need to be flakkey)

• What separates Christians from non Christians

(Eph 4:26 “Be angry, and do not sin do not let the sun go down on your wrath,)

• Satan comes against us when we decide to walk in love -

·         God Gave us emotions and feelings for reason – some reasons? – apply God’s Word to our lives.

Bible says be angry and sin not – Eph 4:26 – we can still be in touch with our feelings and still walk in love – way of life – meditate on the Word (Josh1:8, Roman 12:1-2)

• Intrinsic value of people – recognize and live out the fact that other people are every bit as good as we are.
• Bible says to “rejoice when others rejoice” (Romans 12:15)
• God has made provision for us to fail, in any phase of life. He is interested to the max about every aspect – everything good or bad in our lives. When we fail – keep trying (John1:9)

-          the smallest decision

-          Love always builds up and is for others – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

• Start by showing God’s love (on purpose) to others, maybe 2 or 3 a day – build up and make showing kindness (God’s Love) a way of life. You don’t need to be “a sappy overbearing Christian” don’t over spiritualize !

-          just be nice to others – ON PURPOSE! (way of life)

-          in a practical way (book of James)

Tts 3:4  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

Tts 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

• We can only show other The Love Of God when we realize that it comes as a free gift (His Mercy)

 From Him  (Ephesians 2:8-9)

• John 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing

We need connection with God to even get close to agape love
           John 15 ⁷If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.

Practicality of Word, - James 1:2 – God wants to take you through not eliminate Psalms 23:4

MEDITATE ON James 2:13-16    ¹³For to him who has shown no mercy the judgment [will be] merciless, but mercy [full of glad of you says to him, Good-bye! Keep [yourself] warm and well fed, without giving him the necessities for the body, what good does that do?confidence] exults victoriously over judgment. ¹⁴What is the use (profit), my brethren, for anyone to profess to have faith if he has no [good] works [to show for it]? Can [such] faith save [his soul]¹⁵If a brother or sister is poorly clad and lacks food for each day, ¹⁶And one