The Word From GOD - John 1:1-18 - February 4, 2007

Sunday school Lesson – The Word from GOD – February 4, 2007

This begins a new series of study, “Christianity is CHRIST.”

This 4 week study will be in the book of John:

February 4 – JESUS 100% Human and 100% Divine – John 1:1-18.

February 11 – Something You Must Do – John 3:1-21.

February 18 – Like Father, Like Son – John 5:16-47.

February 25 – Show Me the Proof – John 6:1-71.

The Book of John is a great book for all Christians to study, especially new Christians. John through divine inspiration of the HOLY SPIRIT gives the fundamentals of the Christian faith. The Apostle John is the author of the Book of John and the Book of Revelation. The Book of John was likely written 85-90 AD.

Let’s read John 1:1:

1 In the beginning[1] Gn 1:1 was the Word,[2] The Word (Gk Logos) is a title for Jesus as the communication and the revealer of God the Father; Jn 1:14,18; Rv 19:13. and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Several weeks ago we studied Genesis 1:1 and the same words used to begin Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning,” are used in John 1:1. John wants to make it clear that JESUS did not begin with HIS virgin birth upon earth but like GOD, JESUS has always existed. GOD, JESUS and the HOLY SPIRIT have always existed without beginning and they have no end.

Most of us have struggled with trying to understand the Trinity. I used to think about this and considered many explanations. I thought of me being a father, a son and a husband but that left me as being one person with three (3) roles So far, the best explanation for the Trinity is there are three (3) persons and if you ask a question of anyone of the three (3), you get the same answer. The three (3) are separate yet are ONE. JESUS said HE would sit at the right hand of the FATHER. GOD has given all authority to JESUS. JESUS will judge. JESUS lived upon earth as a human, was tempted in all ways like a human, and was capable of sinning but DID NOT SIN. So WHO better to judge than the ONE WHO has experienced life as a human?

John makes it clear that JESUS is 100% human and 100% GOD.

To me JESUS was born a Christian because HIS divine SPIRIT indwelled HIS human body from the moment HE was conceived. HE prepared the way for us to be reborn as a Christian and for the HOLY SPIRIT to indwell us.

CHRIST being born a Christian, so-to-speak, does not mean HE was not capable of sinning. We as Christians have the HOLY SPIRIT within us, after we ask CHRIST into our lives, and we are capable of sinning. 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us:

13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.

GOD provides a way of escaping temptation but we have a choice of whether we take it or not. If we do escape then we have victory and strength. If we do not escape then we sin and suffer the consequences that sin brings. Oh yes, we can confess and receive forgiveness as 1 John 1:9 tells us:

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

These next statements are speculations on my part, when pondering such questions:

What would have happened to us if JESUS had sinned? We would not have a SAVIOR. We would still be under the Law.

What would have happened to JESUS if HE had sinned? JESUS was human therefore HE was subject to death. I think HE would have lived until HIS earthly body died and then HIS SPIRIT would have returned to heaven. HE would not have completed HIS mission and purpose of redeeming mankind. GOD required a perfect sacrifice and unblemished lamb to pay the penalty for sin.

BUT THANKS TO THE LORD JESUS, HE DID NOT SIN AND HE GAVE HIS LIFE THAT WE MIGHT HAVE FORGIVENESS OF OUR SIN AND RECEIVE THE GIFT OF REBIRTH AND ETERNAL LIFE!!!!!

Let’s read John 1:2-3:

2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created.[3]

JESUS is the Word and is with GOD. GOD gave the power and authority to JESUS to create all things. We have to remember, JESUS will judge all things.

When we think about the power of the spoken word we see it manifested in all creation. Power used for the right purpose, design and plan produces a universe with life that is beyond our imagination. This is a power that commands all things to respond when HIS WORD is spoken. All the molecules, atoms, sub-atomic particles are under HIS authority, control and command. How awesome is that? It is beyond our comprehension but we should immediately understand that same power dwells within every Christian. JESUS as a human on earth had this power within HIM but HE never used any power except that which the FATHER told HIM to use. JESUS was completely and totally obedient to what the FATHER told HIM. They had the most intimate and loving relationship possible. This is the same relationship GOD wants us to have with HIM through CHRIST.

Every Christian has the HOLY SPIRIT indwelling them. So why don’t we have the same power? We have power but we do not see the manifestation of the power of the HOLY SPIRIT because we have not died to self and our flesh gets in the way of allowing CHRIST to live completely through us. I know my flesh gets in the way. I see a need, immediately I think let’s fix that need. In certain situations GOD says wait. This person needs to go through this time in their lives to be stronger and to help others who will face similar circumstances. Power misused can corrupt. JESUS tells us that the FATHER will never give HIS children a serpent if they ask for a fish.

Our relationship with GOD is critical in serving HIM obediently. JESUS never wavered in HIS obedience to the FATHER.

We as humans know that words spoken in hate and for the wrong purpose will bring heartache and devastation. Words can bring healing or great sorrow. There is power in the words we speak today. Especially, as a Christian, we must guard our words. Speak only as GOD directs us through the HOLY SPIRIT. As I write these words I have to confess this hits home with me. This is an area in my life where the flesh raises its head.

Let’s read John 1:4-9:

Col 1:16; Heb 1:2 4 Life was in Him,[4] Other punctuation is possible: . . . not one thing was created. What was created in Him was life and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome[5] Or grasp, or comprehend, or overtake; Jn 12:35 it. 6 There was a man named John who was sent from God. 7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him.[6] Or through it (the light) 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 9 The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.[7] Or The true light who comes into the world gives light to everyone, or The true light enlightens everyone coming into the world.

JESUS, the creator of the world and all life in the world, came to earth as a human. HE came to earth to redeem mankind from sin and death. You would think that GOD being GOD could have said “Okay you humans sinned, you are forgiven and restored.” The fact that GOD did not change HIS plan for the redemption of mankind from sin and death is a wake up call to all humans. GOD sticks to HIS WORD and sent HIS ONLY SON JESUS to die where we should die.

HIS great gift to mankind is salvation from sin and death through JESUS. HE gave a judgment for sin and HE gives a solution for escaping judgment. So every human must look to JESUS as the way, the truth and the life. JESUS is the light of the world.

We as humans want to hide the evil we do. Evil does not want to be exposed. JESUS came to give us a contrast between darkness and light. HE is the light and gives light to a dark world of sin and death.

If you do not know JESUS as your SAVIOR and the light of your life, then ask HIM to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life right now. HE is the only way to escape judgment.

Let’s read John 5:24: (The words of JESUS.)

24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

When a human asks CHRIST to come into their lives, they are immediately born into the kingdom of GOD, become a child of GOD, receive eternal life, will not be judged and have passed from death to life. Verse 24 is the words of JESUS. HE is the authority and our assurance for eternal life.

Let’s read John 1:10-13:

10 He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him. 11 He came to His own,[8] The same Gk adjective is used twice in this verse: the first refers to all that Jesus owned as Creator (to His own); the second refers to the Jews (His own people). and His own people[9] The same Gk adjective is used twice in this verse: the first refers to all that Jesus owned as Creator (to His own); the second refers to the Jews (His own people). did not receive Him. 12 But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be[10] Or become children of God, to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood,[11] Lit bloods; the pl form of blood occurs only here in the NT. It may refer either to lineal descent (that is, blood from one’s father and mother) or to the OT sacrificial system (that is, the various blood sacrifices). Neither is the basis for birth into the family of God. or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man,[12] Or not of human lineage, or of human capacity, or of human volition but of God.

JESUS makes it possible for our rebirth in the spirit to become a child of GOD. Yet the world rejects HIM even today. Humans have their own way and ideas about the path to GOD. JESUS says “I AM the way.” We as humans think we have to earn our way or pay penitence. Salvation is so simple; most of us try to make it hard. Want GOD to be your FATHER? Then ask JESUS to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life now!

Revelation 3:20:

20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me.

The decision is always left to us as humans. We choose. JESUS stands at the door of our hearts. HE knocks and it is up to us to let HIM into our lives. If you have not already done so ask HIM to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life. Our part is to ask HIM in, HIS part is to become a part of our lives. It is a life long journey. It is always us allowing HIM to take control of our lives and partnering with us to build an intimate loving relationship.

Let’s read John 1:14-19:

14 The Word became flesh[13] The eternally existent Word (vv. 1–2) took on full humanity, but without sin; Heb 4:15. and took up residence[14] Lit and tabernacled, or and dwelt in a tent; this word occurs only here in John. A related word, referring to the Festival of Tabernacles, occurs only in 7:2; Ex 40:34–38. among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the • One and Only Son[15] Son is implied from the reference to the Father and from Gk usage. from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified concerning Him and exclaimed, “This was the One of whom I said, ‘The One coming after me has surpassed me, because He existed before me.’ ”) 16 Indeed, we have all received grace after grace from His fullness, 17 for although the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God.[16] Since God is an infinite being, no one can see Him in His absolute essential nature; Ex 33:18–23. The One and Only Son[17] Other mss read God — the One who is at the Father’s side[18] Lit is in the bosom of the Father — He has revealed Him.

JESUS became flesh and lived upon earth as a human. HE is the ONLY SON OF GOD. GOD sent HIM at the precise moment in time for HIS birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension and the return of the HOLY SPIRIT to be witnessed, proclaimed and recorded for the entire world to know of JESUS and HIS provision for all humanity.

The disciple Philip asked JESUS to show him the FATHER. JESUS told him those who have seen ME, have seen the FATHER.

John 14:7-11:

7 “If you know Me, you will also know[4] Other mss read If you had known Me, you would have known My Father. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” 8 “Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time without your knowing Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?[5] Jn 10:30,38 The words I speak to you I do not speak on My own. The Father who lives in Me does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. Otherwise, believe[6] Other mss read believe Me because of the works themselves.

We as Christians are CHRIST’S representatives here on earth. May others see CHRIST in us and be drawn to HIM.

John14:7-11 also reveals the relationship of CHRIST to the FATHER. This is the same relationship HE wants us to have with HIM. Do you want to see the power of the HOLY SPIRIT manifested in your lives? Then seek the relationship first and all these things will be added to you. But only when GOD knows you will be obedient to every word and command HE gives you.

The number one enemy of the SPIRIT is the flesh. JESUS says it best. We must “deny self” but self does not want to be denied. Self wants to rule.

Matthew 16:24-25:

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

This is why we must have the relationship because by our own strength we cannot conquer self. When we have such companionship and fellowship with JESUS the things of this world will be placed in proper perspective. It is a journey but an exciting journey.