Title: Our All-Glorious Savior
Text: John 1:1-45
Date: Sunday Morning
Subject: The Person and Work of Christ
Tape # X-38b
Introduction:
Many, many years ago, a
friend of mine sent a Christmas card to our family. In it, he had written a
note about Christmas that I thought was worth keeping. He wrote, --
"Christmas is a time for the Lord's people to reset their compasses, to redirect our lives to the One who gives our past days and the year to come meaning. God has a purpose behind the insanity of the world and the sentimentality of religious people during this season. I suspect that one purpose is to rekindle in our hearts the joy of the Lord, by reminding us that the incarnation of Christ was requisite for his crucifixion and thus for our ultimate glorification."
I am thankful that God has,
in his wise and good providence, given us this one season of the year that
compels all men and women throughout the world to remember that there was a
time when God himself visited this earth in human flesh. Though few know the
meaning of our Lord's incarnation, and fewer still realize what the Son of God
accomplished in the flesh, there is not a person in this country (and few in
the whole world) who will not, for the next few days, be constantly reminded
that two thousand years ago God the eternal Son took upon himself human flesh
and was born at Bethlehem. Never before or since has such an event occurred.
Whose birth was ever
foretold by such a long history of prophecy? Whose birth was ever longed for by
so many? Who, but Immanuel, can claim a forerunner to announce his birth? When
before or since did angels engage in a
Turn with me to the Gospel of John, chapter 1.
Proposition: That man born at
While men everywhere are
reminded of the fact that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into this world, I
want to seize this opportunity to preach Christ to you. I want once more to
explain to you why he came, what he did, where he is now, and what he is doing.
Let me talk to you for a few
minutes about Our All-glorious Savior. In this chapter the Apostle John,
writing by divine inspiration, tells us exactly who he is. We will begin in
John 1:1.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God. 2 The same was
in the beginning with God. (John 1:1-2)
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing
made that was made. (John 1:3)
16 For by him were all things
created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible,
whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all
things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all
things, and by him all things consist. (Colossians 1:16-17)
1 Ά God, who at
sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the
prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his
Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the
worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory,
and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of
his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand
of the Majesty on high;
(Hebrews 1:1-3)
In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (John 1:4)
(1
John 1:1-3) That which was from the
beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have
looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; {2} (For
the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show
unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto
us;) {3} That which we have seen and heard
declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our
fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3)
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of
men. 5
Ά And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness
comprehended it not. (John 1:4-5)
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was
John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear
witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent
to bear witness of that Light. (John 1:6-8)
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh
into the world. (John 1:9)
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by
him, and the world knew him not. 11
He came unto his own, and his own received
him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he
power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his
name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will
of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:10-13)
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among
us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)
full of grace and truth. 15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is
preferred before me: for he was before me.
16 And of his fulness
have all we received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was
given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only
begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
(John 1:14-18)
And without controversy great is the
mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit,
seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received
up into glory. (1 Timothy 3:16)
29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold
the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. 30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a
man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. 31 And I knew him not: but that he should be
made manifest to
·
Typified
·
Prophesied
·
Identified
·
Crucified
·
Glorified
40 One of the two which heard John speak,
and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peters brother. 41 He first findeth his own brother Simon,
and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the
Christ. 42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus
beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called
Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. 43 The day
following Jesus would go forth into
It is my sweetest comfort, Lord,
And will forever be,
To muse upon the gracious
truth
Of Thy
humanity.
Oh joy! There sitteth in our
flesh
Upon the throne of light,
One of human mother born,
In perfect Godhead bright!
Though earth's foundations
should be moved
Down to their lowest deep,
Though all the trembling
universe
Into destruction sweep -
Forever God, forever man,
My Jesus shall endure;
And fixed on Him my hope
remains
Eternally secure!