Bible Study - Gift - Recognize God's Gift - John 1 - December 4, 2011

Bible Study – Gift – Recognize God’s Gift – December 4, 2011

This begins a new series entitled “God’s Greatest Gift.”

Our scripture for this lesson is John 1:1-4, 10-18.

Our four (4) lessons for December will explore GOD’S gift of HIS ONLY SON, JESUS, to the world.

John 3:16-17 is fitting scripture to begin our lesson because it reveals the very heart of GOD and the love of both GOD and CHRIST for all people: (JESUS was speaking)

16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His • One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.[10] 1 Jn 4:9–10
17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

Our scripture for today’s lesson is taken from the Gospel of John. John was an apostle of JESUS. He wrote his account of the life and ministry of JESUS about 85-90 A.D. This was after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and before he was exiled to the Isle of Patmos. The Apostle John had walked with JESUS during HIS earthly ministry, witnessed HIS crucifixion, resurrection, ascension and the coming and indwelling of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. John had obediently served CHRIST for many years.

When he wrote his gospel, he had time to grow and mature in his relationship with CHRIST. He understood the scriptures more and he had witnessed the work of the Holy Spirit in ministry. He knew that what he was writing was truth as he had experienced his walk with CHRIST both physically and Spiritually.

Let’s read John 1:1-4:

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.
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] 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.

The Apostle John began his gospel by making it clear that JESUS was part of the triune GOD – GOD, the Father, GOD, the SON and GOD the Holy Spirit. He referred to JESUS as the Word. Why do you think he referred to JESUS as the “Word?” Here are some of my thoughts regarding the use of the word, Word and some of Bible scholar’s thoughts:

·       Word has energy and is defined by that energy which is life, light and truth. It is the root, the very core or the centrality of which the essence of power, life, creation, truth and Spiritual light emanates.

·       Life refers to the creator of physical life and the giver of eternal life.

·       This life source gives Spiritual light.

·       Light has energy, dispels the dark and reveals truth.

·       Let’s switch to some of the Bible scholar’s thoughts on the use of the word, Word – The Jews would understand Word as related to the power of GOD Who created through the spoken word. When GOD speaks things happen. HIS words have power. The universe was created from nothing when GOD (Word) spoke. The Greeks would relate to Word as logic, logos or the rational principle of life or reason. The Jews and the Greeks cultures would interpret “Word” as a wisdom which came from a source beyond human ability - GOD.  

·       Through the use of the word, Word, John wanted to convey that divine power, the origin of the principle of life, reason and wisdom, came together in the person of JESUS, Who was GOD’S Only SON.

·       The statement “The Word (JESUS) was” refers to HIS state of being. The Word was not created but HE was from the beginning, the same as GOD because HE was GOD but not all of GOD. The conception and subsequent birth of JESUS was the beginning of HIS earthly life but HIS earthly life was not HIS beginning. JESUS was not a created being. HE was already in existence before creation the same as GOD. HE was GOD, but HE was not all of GOD. GOD, HIS Father was all GOD. GOD worked through JESUS to create all things. GOD is GOD and as GOD, HE chose to delegate creation to JESUS. Just as GOD has chosen JESUS to judge the world.

·       The reference to JESUS as the “Word” revealed JESUS as a distinct, separate identity from GOD, yet an intimate vital part of GOD. When we study the life of JESUS and HE revealed HIS relationship with GOD, HIS Father, we see that GOD had complete authority. JESUS had freewill to function as HE chose but HE chose to be completely obedient to HIS Father. JESUS chose to leave HIS home and glory in heaven to become 100% human. HIS obedience revealed HIS complete trust in HIS Father and HIS love for all mankind. JESUS is the example for all Christians to completely trust GOD their Father in all things.

Verse 4 states that Life was in JESUS. Life as John used the word meant “eternal life.” All who believe in JESUS as their Savior receive the gift of eternal life through their faith in JESUS as the SON of GOD and HIS passion. JESUS was 100% human and lived a sinless life. HE gave HIS life to pay the penalty for the sin of mankind because GOD demands a perfect sacrifice and the shedding of blood to conquer sin. How do we know that JESUS was the perfect sacrifice? It is because HE gave HIS life, died, was buried and GOD resurrected HIM from the dead. The resurrection is the proof because JESUS conquered sin and its consequence, death. At the instant a person asks JESUS to forgive him/her for his/her sins, believing that HE died for him/her, he/she has eternal life. Eternal life comes at the instant the believer receives salvation and is born into the family of GOD through the miracle of rebirth. Nothing a believer can ever do will change that miracle and event in his/her life.

Let’s read John 1:14-15:

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.’ ”)

This statement clearly identifies JESUS as “the Word.” The pre-existing Word became flesh in the person of JESUS. John wanted his readers to know that he had observed the glory of JESUS which was confirmed by GOD, the Father, Who was full of grace and truth. John had witnessed HIS life, transfiguration, death, resurrection and ascension. What John witnessed included both GOD and JESUS and confirmed by the Holy Spirit. Grace and truth comes from GOD through JESUS to all who have faith and are born again into the family of GOD. JESUS represented the Father fully and completely as the Father led HIM. When JESUS came to earth as a human HE chose to limit Himself to the power and guidance that GOD, HIS Father would provide. This is no different from born-again believes filled and guided by the Holy Spirit. The power is GOD’S power working through obedient Christians. Christians limit GOD in their lives and GOD limits HIS manifestation in the lives of Christians because born-again believers can get puffed up very quickly when they have power. Just think of the times that JESUS encountered those who treated HIM badly. I know if that had been me and I had the power, ZAP. GOD demands obedience unto death, or whatever it takes to complete HIS plan and purpose.

Verse 15 speaks of the witness of John the Baptizer, JESUS’ cousin or some Bible scholars say, a close relative. John the Baptizer was born before JESUS, thus physically he was older than JESUS but John the Baptizer acknowledged that JESUS existed before he was born.

Let’s read John 1:10-13, 16-18:

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 created the world, HE lived in the world but those in the world did not receive HIM. In verse 11, the first use of the word “own” referred to the people in the world. The second use of the word “own” referred to the Jews. GOD had chosen the Israelites through whose prophesy regarding the Messiah was given over the ages. Prophesy spoken by the various prophets, was given by GOD. GOD revealed specifics of the Messiah and HIS mission. HIS mission was to pay for the sin of mankind through HIS death and the proof that HE accomplished HIS mission was HIS resurrection.

In general, mankind rejected HIM but there were some who believed in HIM. Those who believed in HIM received salvation, eternal life and the miracle of rebirth. John made it clear there was nothing a person could do physically to become a child of GOD. Rebirth in the spirit only comes from GOD. Every person must choose to accept or reject CHRIST. Have you made that decision in your life? If not, now is the time to choose CHRIST as your Savior. Ask HIM to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life now. Do not put it off because eternity is one heartbeat away. This is not to frighten you but it is a fact. Eternity is just a breath away.

Let’s read John 1:16-18:

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.

Grace is GOD’S unmerited favor. Grace is a free gift from GOD to all who believe in JESUS as their Savior. Christians receive grace on top of grace because they are the children of GOD through JESUS. Moses gave the law but no one can be completely obedient to the law or especially obey the Spirit of the law. GOD gives bountiful grace and truth for all who believe in JESUS and empowers and enlightens believers through the indwelling Holy Spirit. JESUS came not to do away with the law but to fulfill the law. JESUS was and still is the conduit for GOD’S grace. HE reveals grace and truth to all who believe in HIM. Begin your journey with HIM now.

No one has ever seen GOD but JESUS revealed GOD. In verse 18, John stated “the ONE (JESUS) who is at the Father’s side.” John had witnessed JESUS ascending into heaven and taking HIS seat at the right hand of the Father. John was writing of the things he had witnessed and knew they were true.

We cannot ride on the truth of others. We must discover truth by accepting JESUS as our Savior and obediently serving HIM. The Holy Spirit will be our teacher and guide us to all truth. JESUS is a free gift offered to the world but each person must reach out and receive HIS gift. The benefits are out of this world. Please receive HIS gift for you now.