1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. —John 1:1-18

True fellowship and relationship with God the Father are only possible because

I. The Word in relation to God 1:1-2

• A. Both are eternal 1:1
• B. Identical in essence distinct in person 1:2

Just as words are the expression of thought, Christ was the

II. The Word in relation to Creation 1:3

• A. Stated positively – “all things made through Him” (I Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:2)

  yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. —I Corinthians 8:6
  16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. —Colossians 1:16-17
  but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. —Hebrews 1:2

• B. Stated negatively – “without Him was not any thing made”

The revelation of God that

III. The Word in relation to Humanity 1:4-13

• A. The Word is light & life to man 1:4
• B. The Word was verified by John the Baptist 1:5-8
• C. The Word was rejected by many 1:9-11
• D. The Word was received by some 1:12-13

The most important decision anyone will make is

IV. The Word in relation to the Law 1:14-18

• A. The Word provides full access to the Father 1:14-16, 18
  
  1. ”Word made flesh” – He sought us
  2. “dwelt among us” – He wants to relate to us
  3. “beheld His glory” – He provides the means to know Him
• B. The Law only foreshadows that full access 1:17

The

Small Group Questions

1. What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?

3. What do we learn about Jesus in this passage, and why are these truths important?

4. What did John the Baptist understand his ministry to be; how does this inform us as modern-day witnesses of Christ?

5. What does it say about God that he would enter into a broken world to love and redeem it?