For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6
There are 4 gospels in the Bible… Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each of them is unique, yet they are harmonious with each other. Together they provide readers with a comprehensive picture of the life, ministry, work, and mission of Jesus Christ. When it comes to the story of Christmas, what do they say?
The gospel of Mark opens with the preaching of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, and then describes the baptism of Jesus. It doesn’t even mention the Lord’s birth or anything to do with His childhood. Therefore, we rarely (if ever) reference Mark in Christmas sermons.
The most familiar accounts of the birth of Christ are recorded in Matthew and Luke. Matthew focuses on the angel’s appearance to Joseph and the visit of the wise men after Jesus was born. Luke’s account is the longest and most detailed. It focuses on Gabriel’s appearance to Mary, her pregnancy, the birth of Christ in Bethlehem, the angelic hosts, and the lowly shepherds. The traditional nativity story combines details from both of these beautiful accounts. Most Christmas messages, pageants, and so forth are based on the passages found in Matthew and/or Luke.
While Matthew and Luke emphasize the humanity of Christ and describe the physical details surrounding His birth, John takes a very different approach. He emphasizes the Lord’s divine nature, presenting a deeply theological explanation of the event. Unlike Matthew and Luke which begin in the days of King Herod some 2,000 years ago, just before Jesus is born, the gospel of John opens like the book of Genesis… in the very beginning.
This morning we are going to read and discuss the Christmas story from John’ perspective. This won’t be the typical Christmas message we’ve often heard and have become accustomed to each year, but it is the same story - just told in a different way. My prayer is that we will hear God’s voice this morning through the proclamation of Scripture.
I. HIS DEITY (John 1:1-5)
In the first verse of his gospel, John introduces his readers to “the Word”. He then gives several descriptions of “the Word” which provide clues about its identity. What is or who is “the Word”? Let’s take a moment to consider these clues.
First, the Word is pre-existent. In other words, it did not come into existence - it has always been. The Word existed before time began and already was (past tense) from the very beginning. (Genesis 1:1)
Second, the Word was with God in the beginning. They were together with another, in fellowship, yet distinct from one another. They have always been so.
Third, the Word was God in the beginning. The Word and God were one, completely and perfectly unified with one another. They have always been so.
Fourth, the Word is a Person. “He” was with God and was God. He is a member of the triune Godhead and is fully divine.
Baptists describe the Trinity like this: “The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.” I recently had a friend tell me that human beings are 1 person with 1 being, while God is 3 Persons with 1 being.
Fifth, the Word was present during and active in creation. All things came into being (were created) through Him. (Colossians 1:16)
Sixth, the Word is the source of life, both physically and spiritually. He shines as a Light illuminating and overtaking the darkness so that mankind might see and know God.
II. HIS RECEPTION (John 1:9-13)
Skipping ahead to verse 9, John calls this divine Person “the Light”. He describes how mankind has responded to “the Light”, again providing more hints about His identity. Let’s make a few observations.
First, the Word, who is the true Light, has come into the world and has enlightened everyone. The Light shines on and avails to every person without exception.
Second, though He was in the world that He created, by-and-large the world didn’t recognize or know Him.
Third, even His own people, His countrymen, God’s chosen nation, the children of Israel, did not recognize or receive Him.
Fourth, for those who did receive Him and believe in His name He gave the right to become children of God. These believers were not born of the will of man, but of God.
III. HIS INCARNATION (John 1:14, 16-18)
In these verses, John reveals plainly who “the Word” and “the Light” refer to. He describes how His incarnation enables mankind to see and know God. Consider these points:
First, “the Word” became a man who dwelt on the earth. This is the Christmas story told in a single sentence. He was seen by many people. He was the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Second, John and many others have believed in Him and received the fullness of His grace.
Third, the Law came through Moses, but grace and truth through Jesus Christ. The Word is Jesus. He has established a New Covenant.
Fourth, Jesus is the visible manifestation or image of the unseen God. He makes God known to man.
CONCLUSION
Just as audible words express inaudible thoughts, so also “the Word” is the ultimate expression or revelation of the unseen God. Jesus makes God known to mankind.
Just as light dispels darkness allowing people to see that which would otherwise be hidden, so also “the Light” enables people to see God. Jesus makes God known to mankind.
Jesus, the divine Son of God, the only begotten of the Father, the second Person of the Trinity, has always been. His birth in Bethlehem was not His beginning. He has always existed. In the fullness of time, in accordance with the Father’s will, Jesus put on flesh, was born of a virgin, and became both fully divine and fully human simultaneously. He came to this earth to seek and save the lost - to redeem sinners and affect salvation for those who would receive Him.
As we approach Christmas this year, may we take time to consider not only the wonderful details of the nativity story, but also the identity of the One who came and the purpose for which He came. Beloved, the little baby who was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger was the King of kings! He is God in the flesh, the Incarnate Word, the Redeemer of sinful men, and God’s greatest gift to this lost world. Jesus is the reason for the season. Merry Christmas!
There are 4 gospels in the Bible… Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each of them is unique, yet they are harmonious with each other. Together they provide readers with a comprehensive picture of the life, ministry, work, and mission of Jesus Christ. When it comes to the story of Christmas, what do they say?
The gospel of Mark opens with the preaching of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, and then describes the baptism of Jesus. It doesn’t even mention the Lord’s birth or anything to do with His childhood. Therefore, we rarely (if ever) reference Mark in Christmas sermons.
The most familiar accounts of the birth of Christ are recorded in Matthew and Luke. Matthew focuses on the angel’s appearance to Joseph and the visit of the wise men after Jesus was born. Luke’s account is the longest and most detailed. It focuses on Gabriel’s appearance to Mary, her pregnancy, the birth of Christ in Bethlehem, the angelic hosts, and the lowly shepherds. The traditional nativity story combines details from both of these beautiful accounts. Most Christmas messages, pageants, and so forth are based on the passages found in Matthew and/or Luke.
While Matthew and Luke emphasize the humanity of Christ and describe the physical details surrounding His birth, John takes a very different approach. He emphasizes the Lord’s divine nature, presenting a deeply theological explanation of the event. Unlike Matthew and Luke which begin in the days of King Herod some 2,000 years ago, just before Jesus is born, the gospel of John opens like the book of Genesis… in the very beginning.
This morning we are going to read and discuss the Christmas story from John’ perspective. This won’t be the typical Christmas message we’ve often heard and have become accustomed to each year, but it is the same story - just told in a different way. My prayer is that we will hear God’s voice this morning through the proclamation of Scripture.
I. HIS DEITY (John 1:1-5)
In the first verse of his gospel, John introduces his readers to “the Word”. He then gives several descriptions of “the Word” which provide clues about its identity. What is or who is “the Word”? Let’s take a moment to consider these clues.
First, the Word is pre-existent. In other words, it did not come into existence - it has always been. The Word existed before time began and already was (past tense) from the very beginning. (Genesis 1:1)
Second, the Word was with God in the beginning. They were together with another, in fellowship, yet distinct from one another. They have always been so.
Third, the Word was God in the beginning. The Word and God were one, completely and perfectly unified with one another. They have always been so.
Fourth, the Word is a Person. “He” was with God and was God. He is a member of the triune Godhead and is fully divine.
Baptists describe the Trinity like this: “The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.” I recently had a friend tell me that human beings are 1 person with 1 being, while God is 3 Persons with 1 being.
Fifth, the Word was present during and active in creation. All things came into being (were created) through Him. (Colossians 1:16)
Sixth, the Word is the source of life, both physically and spiritually. He shines as a Light illuminating and overtaking the darkness so that mankind might see and know God.
II. HIS RECEPTION (John 1:9-13)
Skipping ahead to verse 9, John calls this divine Person “the Light”. He describes how mankind has responded to “the Light”, again providing more hints about His identity. Let’s make a few observations.
First, the Word, who is the true Light, has come into the world and has enlightened everyone. The Light shines on and avails to every person without exception.
Second, though He was in the world that He created, by-and-large the world didn’t recognize or know Him.
Third, even His own people, His countrymen, God’s chosen nation, the children of Israel, did not recognize or receive Him.
Fourth, for those who did receive Him and believe in His name He gave the right to become children of God. These believers were not born of the will of man, but of God.
III. HIS INCARNATION (John 1:14, 16-18)
In these verses, John reveals plainly who “the Word” and “the Light” refer to. He describes how His incarnation enables mankind to see and know God. Consider these points:
First, “the Word” became a man who dwelt on the earth. This is the Christmas story told in a single sentence. He was seen by many people. He was the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Second, John and many others have believed in Him and received the fullness of His grace.
Third, the Law came through Moses, but grace and truth through Jesus Christ. The Word is Jesus. He has established a New Covenant.
Fourth, Jesus is the visible manifestation or image of the unseen God. He makes God known to man.
CONCLUSION
Just as audible words express inaudible thoughts, so also “the Word” is the ultimate expression or revelation of the unseen God. Jesus makes God known to mankind.
Just as light dispels darkness allowing people to see that which would otherwise be hidden, so also “the Light” enables people to see God. Jesus makes God known to mankind.
Jesus, the divine Son of God, the only begotten of the Father, the second Person of the Trinity, has always been. His birth in Bethlehem was not His beginning. He has always existed. In the fullness of time, in accordance with the Father’s will, Jesus put on flesh, was born of a virgin, and became both fully divine and fully human simultaneously. He came to this earth to seek and save the lost - to redeem sinners and affect salvation for those who would receive Him.
As we approach Christmas this year, may we take time to consider not only the wonderful details of the nativity story, but also the identity of the One who came and the purpose for which He came. Beloved, the little baby who was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger was the King of kings! He is God in the flesh, the Incarnate Word, the Redeemer of sinful men, and God’s greatest gift to this lost world. Jesus is the reason for the season. Merry Christmas!