The Eternal Son of God
Topical • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 3 viewsA brief survey through John at the divinity of Jesus
Notes
Transcript
Scripture Reading
Scripture Reading
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
Introduction
Introduction
In our normal morning services, we have been studying Luke’s Gospel together. It really is a wonderful testimony concerning who Christ is, particularly as the One who would come into the world as the Messiah - the Saviour. Not only of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles.
And Luke has been careful to outline that Jesus is both descended from man, but also distinctly the Son of God. And both of these aspects are important when considering Jesus Christ.
This evening, I thought to pause from our evening study in Hosea, and just focus our attention in on the Son of God and His eternality. Jesus was indeed a person - born into the world in space and time at the time so determined by God.
But Jesus is more than a person. And one of the places in Scripture that so beautifully protrays this divinity of Jesus is the Gospel of John. In his very opening verse, John lays down in no uncertain terms that Jesus is the pre-existent Son of God.
And my hope this evening is to give us all a glimpse and renewed sense of anticipation at the fact that Jesus is the Pre-existent Son!
In order to do that, my initial focus will be on verses 1-4 of John 1. But once we’ve considered some brief points from these opening verses, I will continue to do a very brief survey of certain key points in John’s Gospel where Jesus speaks of Himself with the phrase, “I AM.”
And if you don’t already know the significance of that phrase as used by Christ, my hope is that by the end of this evening, you will have a deeper appreciation for Christ and his use of the term in referring to himself.
Jesus is the one who was, and who is, and who is to come!!
So the fist main point this evening...
1. Christ Nature (v.1-4)
1. Christ Nature (v.1-4)
As we turn our attention to the Gospel of John, and particularly these first four verses, we some profound truths concerning the nature of Christ. And all of these seek to elevate for us the supremacy of Christ, the greatness of Christ.
The first thing that we must note concerning Jesus Christ is that...
1.1. He was the Word of God (v.1)
1.1. He was the Word of God (v.1)
In the beginning was the Word...
What is meant by the “Word of God...”
The spoken word of God is that which brought everything into existence...
3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
It is by the simple proncouncement, the spoken word of God, that everything comes into existence. Within the spoken word of God is power; even creative power.
Furthermore, it is God’s word that is directly associated with His revelation.
4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
So began all of the prophets. Revelation to the people of God was through the spoken word of God. When God would reveal His truth to mankind, it was through the spoken word.
7 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.
Just one additional thought concerning the word God, and that is that it contains the wisdom of God. It is through God’s revelation that His manifold wisdom is conveyed to man.
The fact that Jesus is given this name, the “Word of God”, demonstrates then something of these divine truths of God, and the fact that Jesus would be the fullest divine revelation of God. Jesus would be the full and final revelation of God to mankind.
3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
This “WORD” of God would ultimately become flesh, and make his dwelling in humanity, thus becoming the fullness of the revelation of God to us.
1.2. He was Pre-existent (v.1)
1.2. He was Pre-existent (v.1)
John writes here, “In the beginning, was the Word...”
Immediately, the readers mind would be taken back to the opening words of Genesis…
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Both in Genesis and in John, the context demonstrates the beginning that is referred to is an absolute one. It is referring to the beginning of all things. It refers to the beginning of time, the beginning of the universe.
In the beginning was the Word, says nothing less than that Jesus Christ was pre-existent.
1.3. He was with God (v.1)
1.3. He was with God (v.1)
This takes the pre-existence of the Savious one step further.
Before time began, the Word existed. But what existed apart from God prior to the created order coming into existence? Nothing. God created all things.
The Westminster Shorter Chatechism asks...
Q. 9. What is the work of creation?
A. The work of creation is, God’s making all things of nothing, by the word of his power [a], in the space of six days, and all very good. [b]
Before this creation, there was nothing. In our terms, darkness, blackness.
And so it is that as this Word that existed before the created order, was with God, and thus in the presence of God.
5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
God’s word makes it abundantly clear that Christ, the Word, was pre-existent, and lived in the presence of God before all time.
This takes us to the fourth consideration concerning the Son, and that is...
1.4. He was God—the Word (v.1)
1.4. He was God—the Word (v.1)
Not only was the pre-existent Word with God, in the presence of God, but John says that he WAS God.
It is not acceptable or appropriate to translate the original terms in any other way than to say that the Word was being said to be God. Some have attempted to suggest that Jesus was a god. Others have attempted to argue that this verse speaks only of Christ having godly qualities.
But the language that is used is unmistakeable. The fact is that Jesus was God.
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
That verse in Philippians speaks about the equality with God that was enjoyed by the son. That which is equal to God is none other than God. Because God has no equal.
13 Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?
5 Who is like the Lord our God,
the One who sits enthroned on high,
The book of Hebrews also speaks of this glory of Jesus...
3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
In fact the entirery of chapter 1 of Hebrews demonstrates for us that Christ is far superior to all others, including the angels, and is in fact equal with God.
Now we must consider this wonderful but inexplicable truth concerning the trinity that is evidenced in this verse. Not only is the Word with God, but the Word is God.
And the distinction is important. Christ is distinct in His person from God the Father. And yet, Christ is one in nature and essence with the Father. They are perfectly united.
1.5. He was the Creator (1:3)
1.5. He was the Creator (1:3)
Verse 3 tells us...
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
Later on in verse 10, John writes...
10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
It was this Word, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, that was the one by whom the world was created.
In fact, John states this such that he places it both in positive and negative terms.
Positive - through him all things were made...
Negatively - without him nothing was made that has been made.
All the created world was made through Him. The Son was the Divine agent of the Father in the creation of all that exists!
This truth is confirmed in the Epistles...
6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
There is an unequivocal demonstration in God’s word concerning the Son’s work in creation.
This leads us to the 6th consideration…
1.6. He was life (1:4)
1.6. He was life (1:4)
In verse 4 - “In Him was life...”
We’ve been considering the attributes of God in our mid-week Bible Studies, and as we considered God as the Creator and Sustainer of all things, we identified the fact that no life would exist apart from God granting that life.
10 In his hand is the life of every creature
and the breath of all mankind.
And the Psalmist writes...
27 These all look to you
to give them their food at the proper time.
28 When you give it to them,
they gather it up;
when you open your hand,
they are satisfied with good things.
29 When you hide your face,
they are terrified;
when you take away their breath,
they die and return to the dust.
30 When you send your Spirit,
they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
God is the giver and sustainer of life, and without His continued sustaining grace, all would return to dust. No life would exist apart from Him!
But as we read in this text, we find that Christ Himself is life.
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John brings this together in John 5:26...
26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself.
Both 1:4 and 5:26 of John insist on the reality that the Son, Jesus Christ, shares in this self-existing life of God.
Jesus the Lord is our giver of life.
Ultimately, the Scriptures demonstrate for us that Christ is not only the giver of physical life, but He is the giver of Spiritual life, and apart from Him, there would be no spiritual life.
Finally in terms of Christ’s Nature, we must see that...
1.7. He was light (1:4)
1.7. He was light (1:4)
The end of verse 4 reads… “that life was the light of men...”
Light is a very common theme in religions.
Recently I was reading about the Indian festival of lights taking place - Diwali. This is a hindu festival that celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil.
But although these religions may claim to promote light, and may celebrate light over darkness, they do not have the true light of the world.
Christ continually laid claim to being the true light of the world.
46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
The implication is that those who are not in Christ are yet in darkness. There is no light apart from Christ.
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
If we want to find the standard of that which is light, that which determines good over evil, then Jesus Christ is that standard. As the revealed Word of God, He is the One that is brings true light on that which is righteous and that which is unrighteous.
The Old Testament extensively speaks of wisdom and God’s law as those things which bring light.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
And so it is that Jesus Christ, the pre-existent Saviour, is the Light of the World.
I wonder if you sense with me something of the greatness of our Saviour Jesus Christ as we’ve considered His nature and character. Taking this a step further, I would like to just briefly consider...
2. Christ’s Stature
2. Christ’s Stature
We’ll see this through the rest of John’s Gospel, as we just consider briefly what Jesus laid claim to in terms of his own pre-eminence.
And we’ll do this by briefly visiting what are called the “I AM” statements of Jesus as recorded in John’s Gospel.
Now the significance of Christ refering to himself as “I AM” is found in the book of Genesis, where God revealed himself to Moses when He called Moses to go and ask Pharoah to let His people go.
As God speaks to Moses from the burning bush, you will recall that Moses was very afraid. He didn’t want to go to Egypt. And one of the quesitons that He asked God was, who must I say has sent me.
14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”
This was a name that God was known by among the Israelites.
When God made himself known by that name, He was in essence saying...
I AM the God....
who exists
whose personality and power is owing solely to himself
who never changes
from whom all power and energy in the universe flows
and to whom all creation should conform its life.
God demonstrated His glory and uniqueness through this name.
This leads us to Christ’s own use of the name in John’s Gospel...
We find this use in John 8…
Turn to John 8...
This chapter is that amazing encounter between Jesus and the Jews, as they challenged Him, and He challenged them concerning their allegiance. They were claiming to be the children of Abraham, the descendants of Abraham. And Christ tells them essentially that they were of their father the devil… because they were not doing the things that Abraham would do - and that is to exercise faith in God and His chosen one.
Point out key verses… eg.43
Ultimatley, this escalates. Climactic point...
58 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
Notice the response.
Christ himself claimed his pre-existence in this bold statement.
With that in mind, consider the various other times that Jesus spoke of Himself and in essence made himself equal with God…
2.1. The Bread of Life (John 6:35, 48)
2.1. The Bread of Life (John 6:35, 48)
35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
48 I am the bread of life.
Jesus says here that he is the one that gives sustained life such that a person who eats of Him will never again hunger. All of the longings of mankind are filled in Jesus Christ.
Let us be sure, that God would never accept such a statement from a mere
2.2. I am the light of the world (8:12)
2.2. I am the light of the world (8:12)
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
We’ve already considered this aspect previously. But let us be assured that Jesus Christ is the one that gives light. He is the perfect revelation of the Father. It is by His light, looking to Him as the one to guide us, that we may walk in the paths of righteousness.
2.3. I am the door (10:7)
2.3. I am the door (10:7)
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.
When Christ speaks these words, he declares to his followers that he is the only one through whom access may be gained to the Father.
Notice how he contrasts himself in the verses that follow...
8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
There is but one gate to the Father. There is only one, narrow road that leads to eternal life, and that is Christ.
2.4. I am the good shepherd (10:11, 14)
2.4. I am the good shepherd (10:11, 14)
This picture comes straight after Christ’s pronouncement of him being the gate, but is distinct from it...
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—
Christ is the good Shepherd, who lays down his life for his sheep. When danger appears, Jesus doesn’t disappear and forget the sheep. Rather, he continues in steadfast service of the sheep, even to the point of laying his own life down for them.
This is the great Saviour that we serve - one who has been prepared to lay is own life down on our behalf.
2.5. I am the resurrection (11:25)
2.5. I am the resurrection (11:25)
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;
The resurrection was a subject that Christ repeatedly mentioned as He ministered. But in this great “I AM” statement, Jesus goes beyond merely stating that there is a resurrection that takes place. He claims to be the resurrection.
In other words, there is neither resurrection nor eternal life outside of Him.
But because Christ is himself the resurrection, we to may rejoice that we may have resurrection, so long as we are found to be in Him.
2.6. I am the way, the truth, and the life (14:6)
2.6. I am the way, the truth, and the life (14:6)
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Here Jesus claims exclusivity.
The context of his statement is that Thomas had asked him a question concerning his departure, and how they would know the way to Him, if they did not even know where He was going.
And Christ tells him that the way to the Father is through Him. In the One who mediates God’s truth; as the One who Himself gives and sustains life, He is also the one through whom all may come to the Father.
And apart from Him, there is no way to the Father.
2.7. I am the true vine (15:1)
2.7. I am the true vine (15:1)
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
The Gospel according to John a. The Extended Metaphor (15:1–8)
In the Old Testament the vine is a common symbol for Israel, the covenant people of God (Ps. 80:9–16; Is. 5:1–7; 27:2ff.; Je. 2:21; 12:10ff.; Ezk. 15:1–8; 17:1–21; 19:10–14; Ho. 10:1–2). Most remarkable is the fact that whenever historic Israel is referred to under this figure it is the vine’s failure to produce good fruit that is emphasized, along with the corresponding threat of God’s judgment on the nation. Now, in contrast to such failure, Jesus claims, ‘I am the true vine’, i.e. the one to whom Israel pointed, the one that brings forth good fruit.
Application / Conclusion
Application / Conclusion
Christ is our sufficient Saviour. The fact that He is divine, and all that is contained within that truth of His divinity - that He is light; that he is life; that he is the great I AM; He is the sustainer - all of these truths should drive us to trust in Him, and to marvel at Him.
Christ is a Saviour worthy of our Worship. We must recognise the worth of Jesus Christ - we must understand Him in His exalted nature and status. While He is a Saviour that is near, and a Saviour to whom we can relate; He is also the exalted Saviour worthy of our awe, and reverence.
When Thomas was confronted with the risen Saviour who showed him his pierced hands and feet, his response was to fall down and cry out, my Lord and my God!! So should be our response!
Bibliography...
Bibliography...
Outline obtained from: Hallock, E. F. (1974). Bible-Centered Sermon Starters (p. 19). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.