The Gospel of John Part 6 Rev. Arthur B. Carter, Jr. January 2018

Transcription

1 Revealed Reality Bible Study Series The Gospel of John Part 6 Rev. Arthur B. Carter, Jr. January

2 Part 5 2

3 Study Text: John 1:9-13/NLT 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 3

4 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. 4

5 Highlights Even though the Word/Logos/Jesus created the world, the world didn t recognize him because humankind was blinded by the dark covering of sin. This sin began with the act of disobedience performed by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Persons that received and believed in Jesus were and are given the opportunity to be connected to Jesus or plugged in to the light AKA become children of God. 5

6 Part 6 6

7 Highlights In our previous lessons, John has already declared Jesus to be God! In this lesson we will see how John continues to affirm this claim, and how he attempts to prove this claim through drawing on Old Testament Scriptures and the actions of Jesus. 7

8 Study Text: John 1: So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father s one and only Son. 15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, This is the one I was talking about when I said, Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me. 8

9 16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father s heart. He has revealed God to us. 9

10 Analysis of the Text In verse 14, John makes his fourth statement about the Word. In verse 1, John states in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In verse 14, John states that the Word became flesh. Verse 1 emphasizes the eternal existence of Jesus as a member of the Triune Godhead In the beginning was the Word. 10

11 In contrast, verse 14 focuses upon Jesus incarnation. Through His incarnation, Jesus entered the time/space dimension and resided with humankind. 11

12 What Did Jesus Give Up? Paul describes the glories that Jesus set aside in becoming man in Philippians 2: You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. 12

13 When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, (NLT) 13

14 Also, when we read Philippians 2, we are reminded of the similarities between the acts of Jesus and the life of Moses. When Moses gave up the glories of Egypt and demonstrated faithfulness by leading a complaining and rebellious people to their promised land, he exampled the sacrifices made Jesus Christ. 14

15 John s choice of words are packed with meaning and significance to his readers. In the phrase He dwelt among us, John uses a Greek word which is the 3rd, person, singular. This Greek word could be translated tabernacled or temporarily dwell and would have recalled to the mind of the reader God s presence with the nation of Israel in the tabernacle (Ex 40:34) as they made their way to the promised land. 15

16 34 Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle. (Exodus 40:34 NLT) John continues in verse 14 by indicating that he and others had beheld His glory. John is referring to the fact that through His life, His teaching, His sacrifice, His death, and His resurrection, Jesus displayed the glory of God, i.e. a perfect manifestation in human form of the unity of God s attributes in action. 16

17 In addition, there is a veiled allusion to the transfiguration of Jesus that was witnessed by John along with Peter and James (Matt 17:2-8; Mk 9:2-8; Lk 9:28-36). 2 Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus appearance was transformed, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. 4 Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus. 17

18 5 Peter exclaimed, Rabbi, it s wonderful for us to be here! Let s make three shelters as memorials one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. 6 He said this because he didn t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified. 7 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him. 8 Suddenly, when they looked around, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus with them. (Mark 9:2-8, NLT) 18

19 What s Being Expressed? What is being expressed by the unity of God s attributes in action in reference to the Word becoming flesh in the form of a man Jesus? God s attribute of love motivated Him to set aside His omnipresent nature as an infinite being, and send His Own in the form of finite flesh in order to provide a means of satisfying His perfect righteousness. 19

20 God displayed His omnipotent power over nature via a virgin birth and thereby put His sovereign plan into action so that His creatures might share in His eternal life. By an act of His justice, He judged the sins of the world as they were charged to Jesus on the Cross as our substitute and thereby demonstrated God s unchanging character, will, and promises, and veracity of His omniscient word spoken through the prophets since and including the prophecy of Genesis 3:15. 20

21 15 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel. Genesis 3:15 (NLT) 21

22 As we continue, we see that John uses another interesting Greek word to describe Jesus that is translated the only begotten in the NKJV and the One and Only in the NIV. The NIV translation comes closest to the actual meaning of the Greek word (monogene s) which might be better translated unique. Jesus was not just God s only Son Jesus was the unique God-man. There has never been, nor will there ever be another like Him. 22

23 A Summation of the Word Became Flesh Incarnation: Christianity is unique because it is the only religion where our God came down from heaven to embody himself as human (John 1:14; Philippians 2:1-11). Jesus was not born of human effort (he had no earthly father), Jesus was born without a sin nature, which is passed on through the earthly father (Romans 5:12) and was therefore the only One able to be the unblemished sacrificial Lamb who could take away our sin (John 1:29). 23

24 Let s refresh our reading of verse So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father s one and only Son. The phrase in verse 14 full of grace and truth or full of unfailing love and faithfulness shows Jesus as the provider of salvation to humankind and the embodiment of perfect truth. 24

25 John continues this theme in verse 16-17: 16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. What the text seems to suggest is: That every believer receives the fullness of Jesus Christ at the moment of salvation the full measure of God s grace expressed to sinful humans in the Person of Jesus Christ. 25

26 The phrase in verse 16 and grace for grace should be translated and grace in exchange for grace. This phrase refers to the grace of the Mosaic Law which was exchanged for the grace provision of the Son (Jn 1:17 cf. Rom 6:14; 8:3). 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God s grace. (Romans 6:14 NLT) 26

27 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. (Romans 8:3 NLT) 27

28 As great as the Mosaic Law was to the nation of Israel, its usefulness had been exhausted. The writer of Hebrews expresses a similar concept in Hebrews 3:5-6a: 5 Moses was certainly faithful in God s house as a servant. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later. 6 But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God s entire house. And we are God s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ. 28

29 The writer of Hebrews stresses the superiority of the Son to a servant. The servant can have authority to administer the law of the house correctly. However, the Son, Who is the ruler of the house has authority that surpasses the authority of the servant. This superior authority was demonstrated by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount when He made statements such as you have heard that it was said...but I tell you (Matt 5:21-22, 27-28, 33-34, 38-39, 43-44). 29

30 In verse 18, John makes a statement that again affirms the deity of Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father s heart. He has revealed God to us. 30

31 No one has seen God for He is invisible Spirit (Jn 4:24 cf. Col 1:15; 1 Tim 1:17). A human could not look at God and live (Ex 33:20, 22, 23). However, the pre-incarnate Word has an intimate relationship with the Father. He is face-to-face with God (Jn 1:1; 6:46; 1 Jn 1:2). Jesus Christ is the only God we will ever see. 31

32 Citations By Slide Slide 9 Church of the Servant King accessed at: December 12, 2018 Slide 13 Ibid. Slide 14 Ibid. Slide 19 Ibid. 32

33 Citations By Slide Slide 21 Ibid. Slide 22 God On Mission Study Guide; accessed at November 20, 2017 Slide 30 Church of the Servant King accessed at: December 12,