The Fisherman's Story

by Samuel E. Ward   "The Beginning of the Fisherman's Story"  John 1:1-18   Introduction   We reveal ourselves in actions and words.  Ultimately, our words are the only means by which we can explain our actions.  Our words may be many or few, simple or complex, the truth or a lie, but they all are designed to convey a message.  As we begin to study the text of John's gospel, it would be helpful to understand John's usage of "the Word" to describe Jesus Christ.  There is much written by many scholars on John's usage of "the Word" and its roots in Greek philosophy, Gnostic teaching, and especially Hebrew thought.  It all comes down to something rather simple. Jesus is God's message to humanity (The Word).  The message has taken the form of God showing Himself in human form in order for His divine character to be observed in His actions and words among them.  But not only does God reveal His character in Jesus, but also His will.  God has spoken in many ways in the past, but His most complete message has been sent to us in human form by way of Jesus Christ.    (Heb 1:1-3 NIV)  In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, {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. {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.   I.  The Word  Is the Subject of the Story, John 1:1-5   (John 1:1-5 NIV)  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. {5} The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.   John makes many statements about the Word that make Jesus a unique message and revelation of God:   A.  The Word Was in the Beginning (before Creation) B.  The Word Was with God (in eternity) C.  The Word Was God (not just a messenger of God). D.  The Word Was with God in the Beginning (i.e., at Creation already existing))   1.  The Word created all things (nothing was made without the Word). 2.  The Word is the source of all life. 3.  The Word is the Light of life shining for all men.   a.  The Light shines in the darkness of a world turned away from God's light. b.  The darkness has failed to understand it and seek it.   II.  The Word Was First Witnessed to by John the Baptist, John 1:6-8.   (John 1:6-8 NIV)  There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. {7} He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. {8} He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.   A.  The Witness' Credibility:  He was sent from God. B.  The Witness' Identity:  His name was John. C.  The Witness' Mission:  He was to testify to the Light. D.  The Witness' Purpose:  He was to point all men to belief in the Light.   III.  The Word Was Not Recognized  for the Light He Was and the Relationship He Offered, John 1:9-13   (John 1:9-13 NIV)  The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. {10} He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  {11} He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. {12} Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- {13} children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.   A.  The Word Was a Light to Every Man Out of the Darkness. B.  The Word Was Not Recognized by the World He Created.   Verse 11 becomes interesting when translated literally.  "He came unto own things, but his own people did not receive him."  "Things" is often understood to be His creation and "people" can refer to either humanity in general or the Jews in particular.  Regardless, the Word was not recognized for who He was by either humanity or the Jews when He appeared among them in the flesh upon the earth.   C.  The Word Was Believed by Some and They Became Children of God.   1.  They did not become children of God by any human birthright. 2.  They did not become children of God as a result of the completion of any human impulse. 3.  They did, however, become children of God by a supernatural spiritual rebirth through faith in Christ.   Membership in God's family cannot be passed on to your descendants.  It is the work of God upon an individual who has chosen to believe in Christ, the Word.  It is the only way to become a member of God's family.   IV.  The Word Was God Dwelling with Humans for a Season, John 1:14-15.   (John 1:14-15 NIV)  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. {15} John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'"   A.  God Became Human So We Could Relate to Him Not Possible in Any Other Way.    (Heb 2:17-18 NIV)  For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. {18} Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.   B.  God Retained His Divinity and Glory. C.  God Revealed His Grace and Truth.    1.  Note just some of the truths Jesus spoke:   a.  The truth about eternal life, John 5:24-25; 6:47.   (John 5:24-25 NIV)  "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. {25} I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.   (John 6:47 NIV)  I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.   b.  The truth about sin, John 8:34   (John 8:34 NIV)  Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.   c.  The truth about the devil, John 8:44   (John 8:44 NIV)  You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.   d.  The truth about His divinity, John 8:58.   (John 8:58 NIV)  "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"   e.  The truth that He is the only Way to the Father, John 14:6.   (John 14:6 NIV)  Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.   f.  The truth about God's Word, John 17:17.   (John 17:17 NIV)  Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.   g.  The truth about His Kingship, John 18:37.   (John 18:37 NIV)  "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."   2.  When you know and practice the truth of God, you experience the grace of God.    (John 8:31-32 NIV)  To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. {32} Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."   V.  The Word Is a Source of Constant Blessing to Those Who Believe,  John 1:16-18.   (John 1:16-18 NIV)  From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. {17} For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. {18} No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.   What have we gained from this act of grace on God's part?   A.  In Jesus, humans were able to see God's grace and truth in contrast to the Law of Moses.    The Law condemns.  Grace saves from condemnation.   (Rom 3:20-23 NIV)  No one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. {21} But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. {22} This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference [or exception], {23} for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.   B.  In Jesus, Humans Were Able to See God Revealed in the Flesh.   (1 John 1:1-2 NIV)  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. {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.   Jesus was God making Himself observable in human flesh.   C.  In Jesus, Those Who Believe Have Received a Constant Flow of Blessing as a Result of God's Grace.    Here is partial list of blessings we have in the Word, Jesus Christ.   (Eph 1:3-14 NIV)  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. {4} For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.  In love {5} he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- {6} to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. {7} In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace {8} that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. {9} And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, {10} to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. {11} In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, {12} in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.  {13} And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, {14} who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.