https://www.bible.com/events/49471790
Church of the Nazarene – East Rockingham Campus
5 Keys of John Part 1
The Preeminence and Lordship of Christ
We are beginning a new teaching series in the Gospel of John called “Five Keys from John”.
The gospel of John was written around 80-90AD, by Jesus’ closest friend; The Apostle John.
John was the oldest and last surviving eyewitness of the 12 disciples who were with Jesus.
He is writing for a very specific purpose. He says in Chapter 20:31 “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John believes that the Jesus we discover through the stories in his gospel account is real and alive. And when we come to know who he is and believe in him, we will find true and eternal life.
John 1:1-2
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
The first 18 verses form an introduction to the whole book. The themes and theological ideas that John sets out here in the beginning will shape the entire narrative of this gospel.
Our teaching text today is not just a nice point to start a book, for John it’s key to understanding who Jesus is.
In the beginning, was the word, was Jesus…
Jesus extends beyond the beginning we read about in Genesis. He always was.
The word was with God, and the word was God- Jesus was with God, and distinct from him, and at the very same time, he is God. God and Jesus are one.
Jesus is Lord, from the beginning.
John 1:3-5
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Jesus is the central figure in creation. Nothing that has been made without him, and as we will see in the next verse, nothing has life without him either.
When John talks about life and light in his gospel, he is often referring to spiritual realities. So what we also read here is that Jesus is the source of true and lasting spiritual or eternal life.
Light is the revelation, the revealing grace that allows us to see our true spiritual condition.
He is the life, and the light. This is a preview of the saving action of Jesus that will come to full display later in the gospel.
When John talks about darkness, it’s not about an absence of light. It’s about the presence of evil.
Jesus has the power and authority over the forces of evil. Evil has not, nor will it ever overpower Him.
Friends, this is Jesus. The expressed wisdom of God made flesh. One with God from before the beginning.
Creator, author, and sustainer of life.
Savior of the world, defeating darkness, bringing salvation and the light of eternal life.
This is Jesus. Lord, at the very heart of all of creation, of life itself.
A.W. Tozer says “What we believe about Jesus is the most important thing about us.”
I invite you to consider your answer to the question “Who is Jesus?”
I especially want you to think about the answer your life, your actions, your desires and drives, how would they answer the question: Who is Jesus?
Is he the center of your life, or if you were really honest, you are in the center of your own life.
Maybe your career, your family, your relationships are at the center today, and you need to allow Jesus to have his rightful place in your life. To surrender that place to him, allowing the person and life of Jesus to RULE in your life.
The Gospel of John is an invitation to know Jesus, and today, this is an invitation to know him as Lord of you life.