John Lesson 1 – John 1:1-18

 

John 1:1-5 – Jesus, The Eternal Word

John starts out with the words, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.” – John 1:1-2.  This shows us that Jesus is God and was there at creation just as in Genesis 1:1.  Genesis 1:26 uses the words “us” and “our” indicating God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit were there – “Let us make man in our image.”  Each person is fully God and is one God.  We call these three persons the Trinity.  The ‘Word’ used here is Jesus.  We usually refer to the Word as the Bible.  The Word whether it is Jesus or the written Word is powerful.  It contains the power of life and death.  The Word of God gave everything the power to exist.    There was never a time when the Word was not in existence.  Even Jesus called Himself God. “Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM’”. – John 8:58.  Believing who Jesus says He is, is basic to the Christian faith.  He is our saving faith.  He is our Lord.  He is the center of all creation.  He is the center of our Christian belief.

John goes on to say that “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” – John 1:3.   ‘All things’ mean everything in the universe both in the past, the present and the future.  We see this in Colossians 1:15-17 and again in Hebrews 1:1-3.  He made the visible and the invisible.  Christ is the Creator.  He is part of the Trinity along with God the Father and the Holy Spirit.  He was involved with every aspect of creation.

John 1:4-5 – “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.”  We see in many Scriptures the symbols of light and darkness.  Light refers to biblical truth, holiness, purity, and Jesus Himself.  Darkness refers to lies, sin, spiritual blindness, and Satan who is the prince of the power of the air who promotes spiritual darkness and rebellion against God. 

Examples of light in the world are those who speak Biblical truth and share the gospel with the world.  They don’t hide their testimony.  They are not ashamed to bless their food when in a restaurant.  They know God and live accordingly.  They love and care for others.  They go beyond the church walls to take the light out where it is dark.   

Examples of darkness in the world are those who are spiritually blind.  They are willfully blind and reject God and His ways.  They choose to be resentful instead of forgiving, or deceitful instead of truthful.  They don’t turn to God, but turn to people for attention, pleasure, partying, or some form of sensuality.  They are out for themselves instead of others.  They are evil and live in sin and they enjoy it.

Principle:  Jesus is the eternal Word, the Creator of everything.

Do you believe Jesus is who He says He is?

John 1:6-8, 15 – The Word’s Witness

John the Baptist’s aim and life work was to testify that the true Light would be coming into the world. “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.” – John 1:6-7.   The man John can be confusing.  This is referring to John the Baptist not John the author of this book.  John wrote that John the Baptist was not the light, but that Jesus was. 

My primary purpose and focus of my life is to glory God in all I do.  It isn’t always easy to be a Christian, but an easy life was never promised.  I believe in Jesus and always try to do His will – that is when I know what that is.  Sometime it’s a struggle to know if it is His will or mine.

What does it mean to believe?  Even Satan believes.  To really believe is to believe in Jesus Christ, to know that He exists, and to follow Him in His every Word and in every area of life.  It is to trust Him, recognize Him as Savior, and that He is the only way to the Father.  When we believe, we become a child of God and are part of His family.  It means to decide and accept facts as truth.  We desire to belong to Christ and commit to live as Christ lived and have Christ as our example.  Once we truly believe we are a new creation and have a new life, an eternal life. 

John the Baptist described Jesus in verse 15.  He said: 

This is the one I spoke about - meaning Jesus was the one he prophesied as the Messiah. 

He who comes after me has surpassed me - meaning Jesus is greater than him.

He was before me - meaning that Jesus is the Creator and has always existed even before creation.

The significant truth is that Jesus is God!

So now that you know these truths, you should believe in Jesus because He is greater than anyone or any prophet; He provides abundant grace; He is greater than Moses and the law; He is God’s ultimate revelation to us. (John 1:15-18)

It isn’t easy to always follow and do His every Word.  We are only human, but we are to never give up and keep on trying.  He is there to guide and direct us and also forgive us when we fall short.

Principle:  The significant truth is that Jesus is God!

John 1:9-13 – Jesus, The True Light

John said that Jesus came into the world, but the most people did not recognize Him.  Even His own (referring to Israel) did not receive Him (John 1:10).  The world as a whole rejected their Creator and Deliverer, though some did receive Him.  All who received Him and believed in His name became the children of God by being born again.  (John 1:10-13) 

People are still rejecting Jesus today.  They think He was only a teacher or prophet and that there are others ways to Heaven.  Satan has filled them with doubt and self-absorption, pride and lust for the world’s desires.  People are taught to be independent and be self-reliant.  Many think they don’t need Jesus; whoever He says He is.  They think Hell isn’t real and everyone will go to heaven because God is love.  They simple do not believe He is God.  They don’t take Jesus at His Word.  They fear social rejection or persecution.  They live in the moment and think the world is more appealing than eternal things.  They are like the man in Matthew 19:16-23 and are not willing to lose their earthly possession in order to gain an eternal relationship with Jesus.

John 1:12 – He gave people the right to become God’s children by receiving Him, believing in Him and who He claims to be, trusting in Him, obeying and following His commands. 

John 1:13, “children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God”.  John is reminding us of the nature of birth.  Those who received Him are born of God, not of human effort or achievement.  This is a new birth that changes your life.  We are preoccupied with Jesus in our thoughts, conversations, and all activities.  We act like Jesus.  He becomes our example. 

You can you know you are a child of God, because “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.” – 1 John 5:1.  It’s that simple.  Believe it!

Have you received Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

Do your actions show that you believe and are His follower?

We will discuss being born again in chapter 3.  Think about these questions.

Have you been born again?

Are you still living the same old life of darkness?

Are you blinded in your sins?

If so, what will you do about it?

Principle:  Jesus is the true Light of the world.

John 1:14-18 – The Word Became Flesh

“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 1:14.  The Word or Jesus was born of flesh through Mary, but has the Spirit of God.  Jesus became human just like us.  God is a Spirit.  When we die our bodies will die, but since we are made in the image of God our spirit will live on either in heaven or hell. 

John 1:16 – “From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.”  Grace is God giving what we do not deserve.  First He gives us salvation, then He is constantly giving us grace making us more like Him.  His grace has no limit.

John goes on to say that Jesus existed before him and that we have all received grace.  The law (Ten Commandments) was given to Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus.  (John 1:15-17).  The law didn’t show God’s grace, but demanded holiness.  It was given so people would know the moral standards God expected of them; however, no one could obey all these laws.  They were too difficult so God sent Jesus.  God wants to forgive us for our sins, but we must repent.  When we confess and repent of our sins and trust and believe in Jesus, we are forgiven.  Jesus comes to give us grace and truth.  Jesus didn’t come to replace the law, but to complete it.

“No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.” – John 1:18.  No one can see the face of God, but of course Jesus has.  We see Jesus in the flesh, but not God the Father who is in heaven.  To see Jesus is to see God.

Principle:  Jesus is God’s ultimate revelation to us.

What would you do if you saw God?

Would your life change?

If you are a Christian, has your life changed?

I love the song “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me.

I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by Your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When Your face is before me
I can only imagine
Yeah

Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You Jesus?
Or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing, Hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Whether you use the words saved, born again or eternal life, they all describe a new life in Jesus.  When you receive Him as your Savior, He gives you a new birth and a new identity.  He is the Light in the darkness.  As you study the book of John ask God to help you to be the kind of witness John was. 

Next time we will continue our study of John 1.  Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Resources:

The Holy Bible NIV

Bsfinternational.org

Bibleref.org

Enduringword.com

Introduction to the Gospel of John

John’s Gospel the Truth is here!

This is my third time to study the gospel of John through BSF (Bible Study Fellowship).  Each time God reveals something new and different to me.  So I look forward to what He will show me this time.  Join me each week as I post using the BSF study lessons as my guide.   

You can find in person BSF classes by going to www.bsfinternational.org.  There you can also find weekly lessons.  The same lessons are studied around the world.  In my area we start mid-September, follow the school calendar, and end in early May.

When I start a new study of the Bible, I like to remind everyone about the Bible itself.  The Bible was written by 40 different men over 150 years.  These authors came from all different walks of life from kings, peasants, prophets, philosophers, fishermen, poets, statesmen, and scholars.   It was written in 3 languages over 3 continents.  It has been translated to over 690 languages.   It’s the most widely read book of all time.  Book stores sell over 100 million Bibles a year.  There are over 6,000 prophecies with more than 3,000 that have already come true.  There is no other book in history like it.  It’s one united story that is all connected together.  It’s the handiwork of God.  It is God speaking to us.  This study is on the Gospel of John written by John who was one of Jesus’ disciples.

John is the last of the four gospels.  The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as Synoptic Gospels.  Synoptic means to present or take the same or common view.  The gospel of John focuses on Jesus as a person, His true deity, and His work.  It is the most beloved and distinctive gospel and the most personal.  John reveals Jesus as the Messiah, the fulfillment of many Old Testament themes, and the eternal Son of God sent by God the Father to bring a new relationship between God and man.  He gives the simple message of eternal life.  His stories are so simple that children love them.  If you are a new Christian or new to studying the Bible, the gospel of John is a good place to start.

What we know about John is that his father was Zebedee: his mother was Salome; his brother was James; together he and his brother were given the nickname, “Sons of Thunder”; his fishing partner was Peter.  John is one of the twelve disciple and is known as the “beloved disciple”.  In John 21:24 he tells us that he is the one who wrote the book.

John tells us of the divinity of Jesus right from the beginning: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” – John 1:1.  He teaches the simple message of the gospel – to attain eternal life you must be “born again” (John 3:3).  His book records the most famous verse in the Bible:  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 

He tells of seven miracles of Jesus known as the seven signs:

John 2:1-11 – Jesus changing water into wine

John 4:46-54 – Jesus healing the royal official’s son

John 5:1-15 – Jesus healing the paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesda

John 6:1-15 – Jesus feeding the 5,000

John 6:16-21 – Jesus walking on water

John 9:1-41 – Jesus healing the blind man

John 11:1-44 – Jesus resurrecting Lazarus

He records seven “I am” statements” Jesus used to describe Himself:

John 6:35, 48 – “I am the bread of life”

John 8:12, 9:5 –  I am the light of the world”

John 10:7, 9 – “I am the gate”

John 10:11, 14 – “I am the good shepherd”

John 11:25 – “I am the resurrection”

John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth, and the life”

John 15:5 – “I am the true vine”

Jesus also identifies Himself as God:

John 4:26 – “I who speak to you am he”

John 8:58 – “Before Abraham was born, I am”

John 10:28 – “I give them eternal life”

John 10:30 – “I and the Father are one”

John even tells us his purpose for writing the book:  “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” – John 20:31

John ends his gospel by saying:  “Jesus did many other things as well.  If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” – John 21:25

Principle:  Jesus, fully human and fully divine, makes known the invisible God.

So hold on!  You’re in for a life-changing study in the Gospel of John.

Next week we will start with the first chapter of John.  Hope to see you here. -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Why Christians Don’t Share The Gospel

 

There are many reasons believers don’t share the gospel.  Probably the main reasons are fear, anxiety and awkwardness.  We have a fear of rejection.  We are too worried what others will think.  We don’t want them to think we are Jesus freaks.  However, we do share when it’s convenient.

Many feel unprepared.  They are afraid people will ask questions they can’t answer.  Don’t worry about that.  That’s OK.  No one has all the answers.  If you don’t know the answer to their question, just say “I don’t know”.  Honesty is best.  Then it will give you a chance to follow up with them again.  The Bible does tell us to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason of the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15).   This simply means you can clearly communicate why you believe in Jesus.

Another reason may be that it’s not politically correct.  The world doesn’t like it when we say there is no other way to get to heaven than through Jesus.  The world thinks there are many ways.  But Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6.

Another reason Christians don’t share to gospel is some people don’t believe in absolute truth.  They think it’s not their responsibility.  They think everyone already knows about Jesus and they will figure it out for themselves.  They think everyone will go to heaven, because God loves all people and doesn’t want anyone to perish.  This is partly true.  Jesus loves all people and doesn’t want anyone to perish, but He wants people repent, believe and follow only Him.  “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9.

All these reasons are just excuses.   What it all comes down to is, maybe Christians just don’t care.  Maybe they are too busy with their own lives.  Perhaps they are too selfish to take the time to tell others about what will ultimately save their life.

Many assume that sharing the gospel is only about trying to convert people to Christianity.  Actually converting someone to Christianity is the work of the Holy Spirit.  By sharing the gospel you are simply telling them about God’s love and how sin separates us from God.  You are telling them God’s remedy of the cross and how they can be reconciled with God.  You may never see the person’s positive response to Jesus, but at least you’ve planted a seed.  The rest is up to God.  We don’t save people, God does.

Statistics show more than 60% of church going Christian never share their faith.  God has called all Christians to share the Good News.  It’s easy for pastors, but the truth is God calls every believer to share the gospel.                

Why should the gospel be shared? 

Christians should share the gospel because as believers we have been commanded to do so.  The Bible tells us we should preach the gospel to all creation.  Jesus’ last words before He went to be with the Father was, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” – Matt. 28:19-20.

We should share the gospel because Hell exists!  “But I will show you whom you should fear:  Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell.” – Luke 12:5.

We are to share the gospel because to remain in silence is a sin.  “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” – James 4:17.

We should share the gospel because it causes us to search the Scriptures.  It deepens our prayer life, our walk with God, and our gratitude for the cross.  Not only is it our responsibility, but a privilege.  2 Corinthians 5:20 tell us we are Christ’s ambassadors.  It shows our gratitude for what Jesus has done for us.  Ephesians 2:12 tell us before we were saved we had no hope and were without God.

We are to share the gospel because we as believers are in the presence of God and He is watching us.  We will be judged on what we do and don’t do.  He anointed us and set His seal of ownership on us and put His Spirit in our hearts.  He’s given us a job to do. 

We should not be ashamed to share the gospel.  “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of god for the salvation of everyone who believes” – Romans 1:16.

Don’t assume people already know about Jesus.  They may have heard His Name mentioned, but people need to hear the Gospel.  They need to hear that He died for them and that they can have eternal life.  

How to share the gospel?

The Gospel can be presented in six words:

GOD created us to be with Him.

OUR sins separate us from God.

SINS cannot be removed by good deeds.

PAYING the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again.

EVERYONE who trusts in Him alone has eternal life.

LIFE with Jesus starts now and lasts forever.

One of the best ways to share the gospel is to live a godly life.  Non-Christians often look at Christians as hypocritical because they say one thing but do another.  Make a habit of reading the Bible, praying, going to church and practicing what you preach. 

Be sure to pray for those unbelievers.  Pray, pray and pray some more.

When sharing the Gospel, keep it simple.  Don’t make it complicated.  Tell them that because of sin we are separated from God, but God provided a way to restore a relationship with Him by sending His Son, Jesus Christ to the cross to die for their sins.  He was buried.  He rose again.  Tell them that they need to turn away from sin and accept what Jesus did on the cross. 

Share the ABC’s of Salvation:

ADMIT to God that you are a sinner.

BELIEVE in Jesus Christ as God’s Son.

CONFESS your faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Share these Scriptures:

Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.

Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”.

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

1 Peter 2:24, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed”.

Romans 10:9, “If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved”.

Romans 10:13, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Is the way you live pointing people to Jesus?

Do you know what Scripture actually says about sharing the gospel?

Do you truly understand grace and true humility?

Do you know the will of God for your life?

Are you unprepared to share the gospel?

What is keeping you from sharing your faith?                                                                                                                                       

If you have integrity, then share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Don’t keep it to yourself.  If you keep this important message to yourself, you are betraying your Savior.  You should have a real burden to reach people for Him.  If you are nervous about how you should do this or what you should say, ask God to help you.  Ask Him to give you the desire and confidence before it’s too late.  You never know if today will be your last day or their last day. 

Join me here next time -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Resources:

https://www.sonlife.com/blog/sharing-the-gospel/