The Word of Life - The True Light Shines

The transcendent Word is the effectual Light that has come into the world.  John (the Baptist) comes to witness about that Light that is the life of men.  The apparent conflict of the Word or the Light (as John does not mention His name as Jesus yet) has to do with men who reject Him.  The Word/the Light is a person.  In John 1:9-13, the Light is spoken of in reference to His clear presence and need to those in the world who might believe.  John’s gospel moves from explaining the Object of the Word/Light to what He gives to those who believe. Indeed, the True Light comes to shine in the hearts of men. The continuing unfolding of John’s message in this Gospel’s first 18 verses sets the stage for the rest of the book.

The Word of Life - Messages from the Gospel of John

John’s gospel begins with the revelation of the Word.  The existence of the Word is from all eternity and is related to God. Being with God, the Word is God.  It is through the Word that all creation came into being.  As pertaining to the world, the Word is the Light that brings life to men. (John 1:1-5) The coming of John is the continuation of God’s plan in the revelation of the Word that began with creation.  Every time the name John is used in this gospel it refers not to the author of the gospel, but to the Baptizer, who is key to the introduction of the Word as well.  The history of the revelation of the Word comes in full color for humanity through John the Baptist.  John was created for this purpose.  The introduction to the “Word of Life” continues in Sunday’s message.

New Sermon Series Starts Sunday

On Sunday, we will begin an exposition on the Gospel according to John.  The series of messages will be entitled “The Word of Life.”  While Matthew, Mark, and Luke (the Synoptic gospels) present Jesus from below to show who He is from above, John begins from above to show the Word who comes to earth. Sunday’s message, “The Big Reveal,” highlights the significance of the Word, the activity of the Word in the world, and witness of the Word to men. An understanding of the Word is essential in establishing a starting point for all things in this Gospel.