May I Introduce You To Jesus
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
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. (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.’ ”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
In The Beginning
In The Beginning
Verses 1-2
Is Mary the “Mother of God?”
Is Mary the “Mother of God?”
Early in Christian history there arose a controversy within the church over the answer to this question, “Was Mary the Mother of God?” “The Council of Ephesus in AD 431 decreed that Mary is the Theotokos because her son Jesus is both God and man: one divine person with two natures (divine and human) intimately and hypostatically united.” Christ's humanity and divinity are in one individual existence. He is fully God and fully man.
In early Christendom there was a controversy over whether Mary should be given the title, “Mother of God.” The answer to this question is critical to our understanding of Jesus and our salvation.
Ultimately the Council of Ephesus in 431 said Mary was the Mother of God. However, we must understand the term for its intended use. Mary was the “Mother of God incarnate” not the Mother of God the Father nor the source of existence for God the Son.
Jesus was fully human and took his flesh from Mary. However, Jesus is also fully God and as such has always existed.
In fact, Jesus, the Word of God, was the creative agent through which all of creation came into being. He was the creative force of God by which everything was made.
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. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:16-17
“In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
W A Criswell — The written Word, the spoken word, the incarnate Word, all three of them are the same. God and His Word are unique in creation and in revelation. A man and his word may be two different things; but not God and His Word. God’s Word is like Himself: the same yesterday, today, and forever [].
The written Word, the spoken word, the incarnate Word, all three of them are the same. God and His Word are unique in creation and in revelation. A man and his word may be two different things; but not God and His Word. God’s Word is like Himself: the same yesterday, today, and forever [].
Word — In the Old Testament God expressed Himself by His Word. He spoke the universe into existence…His Word or revelation came to the prophets and His Salvation came at His Word
So John uses this imagery in reference to Jesus. He calls Jesus the “Word” indicating that He is the highest expression of God’s creation, revelation and salvation.
Word — In the Old Testament God expressed Himself by His Word. He spoke the universe into existence…His Word or revelation came to the prophets and His Salvation came by His Word
So John tells us the creation, revelation and salvation of God, which we see in the OT is now truly found in Jesus..He is God…He is God’s ultimate expression of Himself to us.
So John tells us the creation, revelation and salvation of God is Jesus..He is God…He is God’s ultimate expression of Himself to us.
Theologically, the term "Mother of God" should not be taken to imply that Mary is the source of the existence of the divine person of Jesus, who existed with the Father from all eternity, or of her Son's divinity. Within the Orthodox and Catholic tradition, Mother of God has not been understood, nor been intended to be understood, as referring to Mary as Mother of God from eternity — that is, as Mother of God the Father — but only with reference to the birth of Jesus, that is, the Incarnation.
The “beginning” referenced here is the absolute beginning of the universe. There was a time when the universe did not exist, time did not exist, matter did not exist, there was nothing at all.
Theologically, the term "Mother of God" (and its variants) should not be taken to imply that Mary is the source of the existence of the divine person of Jesus, who existed with the Father from all eternity,[14] or of her Son's divinity.[15] Within the Orthodox and Catholic tradition, Mother of God has not been understood, nor been intended to be understood, as referring to Mary as Mother of God from eternity — that is, as Mother of God the Father — but only with reference to the birth of Jesus, that is, the Incarnation.
John’s Gospel gives us the answer and a proper understanding of the person of Jesus
In the midst of this “nothingness,” God existed and Jesus is God. It is crucial that we understand this so that we are not confused about the identity of Jesus.
Is Mary the “Mother of God?”
In early Christendom there was a controversy over whether Mary should be given the title, “Mother of God.” The answer to this question is critical to our understanding of Jesus and our salvation.
The “Word” in the Old Testament is “God’s powerful self-expression in creation, revelation and salvation, and the personification of that “Word” makes it suitable for John to apply is as a title to God’s ultimate self-disclosure, the Person of His own Son.”
Ultimately the Council of Ephesus in 431 said Mary was the Mother of God. However, we must understand the term for its intended use. Mary was the “Mother of God incarnate” not the Mother of God the Father nor the source of existence for God the Son.
Jesus was fully human and took his flesh from Mary. However, Jesus is also fully God and as such has always existed.
He was not just a man. He was a man but also fully God. We must never lose sight of this.
God created everything with His spoken Word, it was the expression of His power; He reveals Himself through the Word He gives to His prophets and others and He saves the world through the “Word of His Gospel” which finds it’s ultimate expression in the person of Jesus Christ.
One must conclude whether they believe Jesus to be God or not…there is no half way…no compromise on this point…any attempt to do so compromises His message and mission.
Jesus is the “Word.” The power, revelation and salvation of God…but also simply God Himself.
In fact, Jesus, the Word of God, was the creative agent through which all of creation came into being. He was the creative force of God by which everything was made.
John brings this point home by taking things a step further...
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. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
The Light of a Thousand Suns
The Light of a Thousand Suns
Verses 3-5
Jesus, the Word of God, was the creative agent through which all of creation came into being. He was the creative force by which everything was made.
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. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
God created life. He is the origin of life. Nothing was made and nothing continues to exist apart from Jesus. No inanimate matter ever became life apart from Him. And the advent of life reveals the reality that there is God
“The self-existing life of the Word was so dispensed at creation that it became the light of the human race.”
God poured out life into creation and in doing so has made Himself evident to all mankind.
Romans
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Theologians call this “general revelation.” God has revealed His power, character and nature in the creation to such a degree that it lights the sky like an infinite number of suns…it can be seen by everyone.
Romans 1:
People refuse to believe that which they don't want to believe, in spite of evidence. When explorers first went to Australia they found a mammal which laid eggs; spent some time in water, some on land; had a broad, flat tail, webbed feet, and a bill similar to a duck. Upon their return to England, they told the populace of this, and all felt it was a hoax. They returned to Australia and found a pelt from this animal and took it back to England, but the people still felt it was a hoax. In spite of the evidence, they disbelieved because they didn't want to believe.
People refuse to believe that which they don't want to believe, in spite of evidence. When explorers first went to Australia they found a mammal which laid eggs; spent some time in water, some on land; had a broad, flat tail, webbed feet, and a bill similar to a duck. Upon their return to England, they told the populace of this, and all felt it was a hoax. They returned to Australia and found a pelt from this animal and took it back to England, but the people still felt it was a hoax. In spite of the evidence, they disbelieved because they didn't want to believe.
This demonstrates the absurdity of the position of an avowed atheist. How could one look at the creation and NOT see God. His existence is evident and to take any other position is to abandon all reason.
George Bernard Shaw is perhaps most renowned as a free thinker and liberal philosopher. In his last writings we read, "The science to which I pinned my faith is bankrupt. Its counsels, which should have established the millennium, led, instead, directly to the suicide of Europe. I believed them once. In their name I helped to destroy the faith of millions of worshippers in the temples of a thousand creeds. And now they look at me and witness the great tragedy of an atheist who has lost his faith." Nobody talks so constantly about God as those who insist that there is no God.
George Bernard Shaw is perhaps most renowned as a free thinker and liberal philosopher. In his last writings we read, "The science to which I pinned my faith is bankrupt. Its counsels, which should have established the millennium, led, instead, directly to the suicide of Europe. I believed them once. In their name I helped to destroy the faith of millions of worshippers in the temples of a thousand creeds. And now they look at me and witness the great tragedy of an atheist who has lost his faith." Nobody talks so constantly about God as those who insist that there is no God.
Darkness cannot overcome God. There is no way for it to win.
God is in the business of revealing Himself through the works and person of Jesus. This began not in the incarnation but in the creation itself.
People refuse to believe that which they don't want to believe, in spite of evidence. When explorers first went to Australia they found a mammal which laid eggs; spent some time in water, some on land; had a broad, flat tail, webbed feet, and a bill similar to a duck. Upon their return to England, they told the populace of this, and all felt it was a hoax. They returned to Australia and found a pelt from this animal and took it back to England, but the people still felt it was a hoax. In spite of the evidence, they disbelieved because they didn't want to believe.
People refuse to believe that which they don't want to believe, in spite of evidence. When explorers first went to Australia they found a mammal which laid eggs; spent some time in water, some on land; had a broad, flat tail, webbed feet, and a bill similar to a duck. Upon their return to England, they told the populace of this, and all felt it was a hoax. They returned to Australia and found a pelt from this animal and took it back to England, but the people still felt it was a hoax. In spite of the evidence, they disbelieved because they didn't want to believe.
The Light cannot be overcome. It can be denied, ignored or rejected but it can never be overcome.
We are another link in the long chain of witnesses which
Jesus always prevails, never fails.
The Witness of One
The Witness of One
Verses 6-8
The Apostle John changes gears now. He is moving from the general revelation of God through creation to the particular revelation of God found in Jesus the man/God on earth.
How many of us would relish the title given John the Baptist, “There was a man sent by God.” This is the ambition of the life of a believer in Christ.
But you know what…All of us are given that same title…you and I are here on earth, sent by God, in order to be a witness for Jesus Christ.
John came as a witness to Jesus. He was not the Messiah Himself, not the Light Himself…He simply came to be a witness to anyone and everyone who would hear that the Messiah, the Light of God is Jesus Christ and He has come.
John simply wanted one thing. For everyone to believe in Jesus, turn from their sin and be saved.
And here is our opportunity and responsibility as well…to be the particular revelation of God to a world that sees He exists and simply does not know specifically how they might know Him…we get to teach them how to have a relationship with Him.
King Alfred and the Cakes — In England many years ago there lived a king named Alfred. A wise and just man. Alfred was one of the best kings England ever had. Even today, centuries later, he is known as Alfred the Great. The days of Alfred’s rule were not easy ones. The Danes invaded and eventually broke his army and every man had to save himself as best he could, even Alfred himself.
He disguised himself as a shepherd and fled through the woods and swamps. After several days he came to the hut of a woodcutter. He knocked on the door and begged the woodcutter’s wife for something to eat and a place to sleep. The woman looked with pity on the ragged fellow. She had no idea who he was. “Come in” she said. “I will give you some supper if you will watch these cakes I ma baking on the hearth. I want to ho out and milk the cow. Watch them carefully and make sure they don’t burn while I’m gone.” ---- Alfred thanked her politely and sat down by the fire.
He tried to pay attention to the cakes but soon his troubles filled his mind…How was he going to get his army together again and if he did how was he going to prepare to face the Danes? How could he drive such fierce invaders from England? The more he thought the more hopeless his future seemed, and he began to believe there was no continuing the fight. Alfred saw only his problems. He forgot he was in the woodcutter’s hut, he forgot about his hunger and he forgot about the cakes ---- In a little while the woman came back. She found her hut full of smoke and her cakes were burned to a crisp. And there was Alfred sitting next the hearth, gazing into the flames. He had never even noticed the cakes were burning. -----
“You lazy, good for nothing fellow! Look what you’ve done! You want something to eat but you don’t want to work for it! Now one of us will have any supper.” Alfred only hung his head in shame. ----- Just then the woodcutter came home. As soon as he walked through the door he recognized the stranger sitting at his hearth. “Be quiet!” he told his wife. “Do you realize who you are scolding? This is our noble ruler, King Alfred himself!” ---- The woman was horrified and ran to the king’s side. She fell to her knees and begged the king forgiveness for speaking to him so harshly. ---
But the wise king asked her to rise. “You were right to scold me,” he said. I told you that I would watch the cakes, and then I let them burn. I deserve what you said.Anyone who accepts a duty, whether it be large or small, should perform it faithfully. I have failed this time, but it will not happen again. My duties as king await me.” --- Not many days later King Alfred gathered his men and drove the Danes from England.
How easy it is to gaze into the fire, consider our problems and forget the opportunity, privilege, responsibility…and commission given us. The responsibility to be a witness of the Light and Life of Jesus Christ.
We bear witness, explain, make known the way.
Make The Introduction
Make The Introduction
Verses 9-13
We have the distinct privilege of being a part of what He is doing in the world to save people. The privilege of being a part of the saving of souls by introducing them to Christ
He created everything…has revealed His existence…demonstrated His character and power…placed His Holy Spirit within us...now we give testimony of who he is...what He has done for us…how He has saved us.
In an act which has nothing to do with creation alluded to in verses 1-5, the Light comes into the world. This is the particular revelation to which John testifies. He stepped into time and became a part of the world as a human being. Yet the world did not know Him.
How many people are waiting for us, you and me, to introduce them to Jesus? God has made us a part of what He is doing.
The world rejected Jesus, did not recognize Him for who He was.
He came to His own people and they rejected Him
You and I are a people sent from God…a witness to the Light so that all might believe through Him.
We are not John the Baptist…there is only one of those! But we have a unique ministry, calling and opportunity…we have been commissioned to be witnesses in our own way, in our own time, in our own place. John was not responsible for 21st century Bedford Texas…but we are.
Are you and I being faithful to the task? To the privilege? To the responsibility?
This year we set a goal for our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. We more than doubled our goal. We have sent our money.
This year we will pray for the lost to be saved…pray for those overseas, those here, our neighbors and our friends.
But no one is saved unless they hear the Gospel…and there are those in our life that we have the opportunity and privilege to personally tell.
In the midst of a generation screaming for answers, Christians are stuttering. — Howard Hendricks
In the midst of a generation screaming for answers, Christians are stuttering.
This year will you introduce people to Jesus as someone once did for you?
I remember hearing of a man at sea who was very sea-sick. If there is a time when a man feels that he cannot do any work for the Lord it is then -- in my opinion. While this man was sick he heard that a man had fallen overboard. He was wondering if he could do anything to help to save him. He laid hold of a light, and held it up on the port-hole. The drowning man was saved. When this man got over his attack of sickness he was up on deck one day, and was talking to the man who was rescued. The saved man gave this testimony. He said he had gone down the second time, and was just going down again for the last time, when he put out his hand. Just then, he said, some one held a light at the port-hole, and the light fell on his hand. A man caught him by the hand and pulled him into the lifeboat. It seemed a small thing to do to hold up the light; yet it saved the man's life. If you cannot do some great thing you can hold the light
I remember hearing of a man at sea who was very sea-sick. If there is a time when a man feels that he cannot do any work for the Lord it is then -- in my opinion. While this man was sick he heard that a man had fallen overboard. He was wondering if he could do anything to help to save him. He laid hold of a light, and held it up on the port-hole.
The drowning man was saved. When this man got over his attack of sickness he was up on deck one day, and was talking to the man who was rescued. The saved man gave this testimony. He said he had gone down the second time, and was just going down again for the last time, when he put out his hand. Just then, he said, some one held a light at the port-hole, and the light fell on his hand. A man caught him by the hand and pulled him into the lifeboat.
It seemed a small thing to do to hold up the light; yet it saved the man's life. If you cannot do some great thing you can hold the light
Will you hand out tracts, invite folks to church and share your faith? There are all sorts of ways by which you can be part of introducing someone to Jesus…every man, woman, boy and girl need the light and life of Jesus.
It is so easy to stare into the fire, be swamped with our own cares and forget about the opportunity, privilege and responsibility at hand.
What if all of us performed our duty faithfully? What if each one of us reached just one soul with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 2018? How would it change you to lead someone to Jesus? How would it change them? How would it change us?
Jesus is God…He has always existed…created all that is…sustains the creation so it might keep going…He gives life and that life is light, revelation of who He is…Now we have the privilege…just as John…to be a witness to the truth as we