Full of Grace and Truth

John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, `He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

Word of God

logos Logos (Greek philosophy)

• The logic of the world

• Design and destiny

Word of God

dabar

“By the Word of the Lord were the heavens made” (Psalm 33:6).

“He commanded and they were created” (Psalm 148:5).

Faithful With Little

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? (Luke 16:10-11)

What is a talent?

The share of God's world that he gives to each of us--abilities, money, education, family, time, opportunities, everything we have.

Making the most of the Lord’s property shows a healthy relationship to Jesus and a readiness for greater things.

Five-talent faithfulness

• "The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more."

• Delayed obedience is disobedience.• Glad to work for his boss, and eagerly

expecting his return.• Eager to report to the boss, trusting his

generosity.

Two-talent faithfulness

• Does not complain about talents he lacks.

• Makes the most of talents he has.

• It's not how many talents you've been given, but how well you use them.

• The boss appreciates and rewards two-talent faithfulness.

Winners

• Praise: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

• Promotion: "You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things."

• Payment: "Come and share your master's happiness!"

Whiner

• Too selfish to work

• Too timid to rebel

• More excuses than results

• Tries to play it safe

• Keeping religion in a safe place, just in case.

• Excuses, not results

Blaming the boss

"Lord, you're such a harsh master. You allow so many unfair things to happen. You demand so much and give so little. In light of what a harsh master you've been, Lord, you should be grateful that in spite of it all, I've kept going to church and I've never plunged into a really filthy lifestyle. Here's what you gave me; you can't expect much more."

The Master’s response

• The servant, not the master, is the one being evaluated.

• Those who resent the Lord and wish He would stay out of their lives will get their wish: “Throw that servant into the outer darkness.”

A healthy relationship

• Loving the Master’s character

• Trusting the Master’s generosity

• Delighting in the Master’s work

• Desiring what only the Master can give

Three driving desires

• Praise

• Promotion

• Payment

Praise from God

• "How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?" (John 5:44)

• “Find out what pleases the Lord” (Eph 5:10).• “Make it [your] goal to please him” (2 Cor

5:9). • “At that time each will receive his praise

from God” (1 Corinthians 4:5).

Promoted by God

• “You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.”

• “Those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars for ever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).

• “To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations…I will give the right to sit with me on my throne” (Revelation 2:26, 3:21).

Paid with divine pleasures

• “Come and share your master’s happiness.

• “You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at you right hand” (Psalm 16:11).

• “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done” (Rev 22:12).