Sermon Central
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Jesus, The Last Word
Contributed by Andrew Stringer on Jan 11, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: How many of you here today would like to know God? Would you like to crawl up into that Big Brain of His and figure out what is going on? Well, if you come to know Jesus, you know God!
Jesus, the Last Word
Introduction:
1. How many of you here today would like to know God? Would you like to crawl up into that Big Brain of His and figure out what is going on?
2. I sure would. Several times throughout the New Testament, Jesus said things like, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father…" "I and the Father are one…" etc….
3. Hebrews 1:1-4 contains an interesting statement: "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son…"
4. These verses lend support to what Jesus said about being the representation of God the Father.
5. John 1:1-14 gives us further insight into just what Jesus was and is—The Word!
6. The term Word, as describing Jesus, can be thought of in three ways, that together make up His nature and purpose for coming to earth!
a. FIRST, let us consider that a word is a medium of manifestation.
1) You have a thought, which is unknown to others, but when you clothe that thought with words, it is revealed.
2) Words make objective unseen thoughts, i.e., the ambitions, designs, goals or intentions, motives and purposes or reasons of unknown and unseen thoughts are revealed by words.
3) As THE WORD, Christ has made manifest the invisible God.
b. SECOND, let us consider that a word is a means of communication.
1) By means of words, we transmit information.
2) By words, we express our selves; we make known our will and impart knowledge.
3) So Christ, as the Word, is the Divine Transmitter, communicating to us the will of God; i.e., His displeasure upon sin and that which is His delight.
c. THIRD, let us consider that a word is a method of revelation.
1) Christ as the Word, reveals the attributes and perfections of God.
2) Where our text says, "...and the Word was God," means Christ, the Word, is not only the revealer of God, but God revealed.
3) By Christ’s example, He is a true reflection of God’s character and image.
7. Every person must embrace the Word of God!
I. Because of His Identity (v. 1-4)
A. Jesus is Lord (v. 1-3).
1. Philippians 2:6 proclaims that Jesus "thought it not robbery to be equal with God."
2. Jesus is very God—no less, no more!
3. His Direct Statement shows He is God—"and the Word was God!"
4. His Eternality shows He is God—"in the beginning"—He already existed before the world was made.
5. His Creative Acts show He is God—"all things were made by Him"—Genesis 1 & 2 proclaims that God made all things in no uncertain terms!
B. Jesus is Life (v. 4).
1. He offers New Life
2. He offers Eternal Life (John 3:15-16).
3. He offers Abundant Life (John 10:10)!
C. Jesus is Light (v. 5-9).
1. The Power of the Light (v. 5,9)
a. He shines in every dark place (v. 5).
b. He shines in every human heart (v. 9).
2. The Proclaimer of the Light (v. 6-8)
a. John the Baptist was born to be the forerunner of Jesus Christ!
b. He was not the true light, but was a reflection of the true Light—that is a good representation of what Christians should be today!
c. John told people Who Jesus was and why He came (v. 29).
II. Because of His Humanity (v. 10-14)
How well does the Bible tell when It declares that we "have a High Priest who was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin!" He experienced many trying times, but always came through with flying colors!
A. The Reaction to His Humanity (v. 10-12)
1. He was rejected by His own (v. 10-11).
a. His own creation did not acknowledge Him (v. 10).
b. His own kin did not accept Him (v. 11).
2. He was received by a few (v. 12a).
a. Dishonest men flocked to the Truth (Publicans)!
b. Desecrated women followed the Holy, Sinless Son of God (Harlots)!
c. Depraved people worshipped the Author of Salvation (sinners)!
B. The Revelation of His Humanity (v. 12-14)
1. The Redemption of Sinners (v. 12-13)
a. He gives everyone who receives Him a position in His Family—Sons of God!
b. He gives them the promise of a future, too—Heaven!
2. The Radiance of the Saviour (v. 14)
a. He dwelt among humanity so they could behold God’s Glory!
b. He came down so we could experience God’s grace!
c. He walked among men so we could know the supreme Truth!
Conclusion:
1. Jesus is our hope for this life and the next!
2. He is God incarnate—The God-Man!
3. He made this sin-cursed world and all that is in it, and death and destruction came into the world because of sin.
