Getting the Word OutGiving back what we received

John 1

Getting the Word OutOur text = John 1

The Eternal Word

John 1:1 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Word: “a single, distinct, meaningful element of speech or writing used with others to form a sentence…”

“Word” in Greek: “Logos”

Logos – what do they ‘say’ to you…

As Jesus expresses the thoughts of God, these logos let you know what they represent.

Getting the Word Out

Getting the Word OutJohn 1:2-3 – “He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”

As “Word” or the expression of thought for God, He spoke all things into existence (GTWO).

The disciples see Christ’s power in Luke 8:23-25…

Today, we see this in authority figures: foreman, business executive, government leader, CEO

Getting the Word OutJohn 1:4-5 – “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

“Light” – Greek phao (“to shine or make manifest”, Strong’s Concordance)

Like speaking, shedding light on things that may be hidden or uncertain will be understood.

Space is empty, cold, dark, void of life and light. Yet scientists claim all came from this! THEY’RE SCIENTISTS!! (contrast Psalm 53:1)

Getting the Word OutJohn’s Witness: The True Light

John 1:6-9 – “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.”

About John – Luke 1:5-19 (GTWO: 17, 19)

More on this in verse 21

Getting the Word Out“…might believe.” (John 1:7)

Romans 10:14-17 – “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Getting the Word Out!

Getting the Word OutJohn 1:10-11 – “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own [domain], and His own [people] did not receive Him.”

John 1:12-13 – “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Getting the Word OutThe Word Becomes Flesh

John 1:14 – “And the Word [expression of thought, logos] became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Philippians 2:5-7 – “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.”

Getting the Word OutJohn 1:15 – “John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’”

GTWO

1 Peter 1:20 – “He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you”

Getting the Word OutJohn 1:16-17 – “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.”

How else can we know what to do?

GTWO!

Getting the Word OutA Voice in the Wilderness

John 1:19-20 – “Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”

Word was getting out about John’s teaching

Part of his message was honesty

GTWO! It impacts others

Getting the Word OutA Voice in the Wilderness

John 1:21-23 – “And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

What is the focus of John and Isaiah’s message?

GTWO!

Getting the Word OutA Voice in the Wilderness

John 1:24-28 – “Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees. And they asked him, saying, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.” These things were done in Bethabara [Bethany] beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.”

Getting the Word OutEvents in Bethany

1. Jesus lodged there (Matt 21:17)

2. Simon the Leper lived there (Matt 26:6)

3. Jesus and the 12 stayed the night there (Mk 4:11)

4. Jesus carried up to heaven (Lk 24:49-50)

5. Lazarus, Martha, and Mary live there; Jesus feet washed by Mary (Jn 11:1)

Getting the Word OutThe Lamb of God

John 1:29-31 – “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”

GTWO!!

Getting the Word OutThe Lamb of God

John 1:32-34 – “And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”

GTWO

Getting the Word OutThe First Disciples

John 1:35-36 – “Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”

We sometimes lump many passage about John seeing Christ, and his response into one single event. This is just one of others.

Again: GTWO!

Getting the Word OutJohn 1:37-39 – “The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).”

John’s work bore some precious fruit!

Getting the Word OutJohn 1:40-42 – “One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).”

Had John not gotten word out about Jesus, Andrew would not have heard, and neither would Peter!

Who gave the first gospel sermon (Acts 2)?

Who went to Cornelius (Acts 10)? Peter! GTWO!!

Getting the Word OutPhilip and Nathanael

John 1:43-45 – “The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

GTWO!

Getting the Word OutJohn 1:46 – “And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

Overcome rejection! GTWO!

Getting the Word OutJohn 1:47-50 – “Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”

Getting the Word OutJohn 1:51 – “And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Christ got the word out about His mission, and that He was here to do God’s will

This was just a taste of what was to come

Getting the Word OutIn closing…

John 21:24-25 – “This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.”

John’s book is GTWO

In the Bible “Word of the Lord” used 261x

“Word of God” used 50x

Getting the Word OutIn closing…

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Word spoke all into existence

Word came to man by Moses and the prophets

Word came to man from God by Christ

Disciples carried Christ’s message to all

Getting the Word OutIn closing…

Now we have the Word of God

What does it tell us?

Have we obeyed it?

Are we carrying it out to others?

Getting the Word OutIn closing…

Matthew 28:18-20 – “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”

The “Great Commission” is still going on today

What have you done with it? (parable of the talents)