Sermon 168

📖 Sermon 168 — The Glorious Christ

Date: 12-3-50 and later dates noted
Text: John 1:1–28 (emphasis on v. 29)
Preacher: G. S. Kok

INTRODUCTION

December — the month of bells, carols, gaiety, Christmas trees, brightly decorated towns and cities. All because in this month we celebrate the birth of the Babe of Bethlehem.
We again behold the child wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And we ask the all-important question: Who is this Child?
Many say: just an ordinary child. But let us listen to the Apostle John.

1. He knew Christ personally.
2. Being inspired by the Holy Spirit, he will answer with God’s own truth: He is the Glorious Christ.

SUBJECT: THE GLORIOUS CHRIST

I. THE GLORIOUS WORD OF GOD

A. The personal “WORD”

1. Not an impersonal symbol.
2. The Second Person of the Holy Trinity.

B. Through Him God makes Himself known

1. He is the fullest revelation of God.
2. He alone truly and fully knows the Father — He is “in the bosom of the Father.”
3. Whoever would know God must know Him.

II. HE WAS ETERNALLY WITH GOD

A. “In the beginning the Word was with God.”

1. When time began, He already existed.
2. Dwelling eternally in the glory of the Father.
3. Sharing the fellowship and love of God.

B. Though the Babe was newly born

1. His human body had a beginning.
2. The Jews were right when they once said, Thou art not yet fifty.
3. Yet He existed before creation.

C. He existed before all things

1. Before those standing around Him.
2. Before the angels who later sang “Glory to God in the Highest.”
3. He could truthfully say: “Before Abraham was born, I AM.”

D. How awesome this is

1. More awe-inspiring than the greatest earthly wonders — like the “Sherman Tree.”
2. To think: He who dwelt with God from eternity now lies wrapped in swaddling clothes.
3. A Person — not merely a child — has come from everlasting glory.

III. “THE WORD WAS GOD” — HIS GLORIOUS BEING

A. That Person in human flesh is God

1. Not God-like, not a god, but very God.
2. He can say, I and the Father are one.
3. The one only Savior of us.

B. Well may we sing
Come and worship, come and worship, Christ the Lord.

1. Shepherds, wise men, kings — remove your shoes, for this is holy ground.
2. Let not materialism blind us to this glory.

C. A great mystery

1. God did not change into flesh.
2. Yet the glorious truth stands: The Word became flesh.

IV. HIS GLORIOUS ACTIVITY

A. Through Him all things were made

1. Without exception.
2. He is the divine Agent of creation.
3. All things continue by His sustaining power.

B. He is the Life and the Light of men

1. The source of all life.
2. The only One who gives eternal life — knowing God and having fellowship with Him.
3. “The darkness apprehended it not” (or “did not overcome it”):
   a. The light has shone since the fall — already Genesis 3:15 shows the first glimmer of Bethlehem’s star.
   b. Many did not “receive” Him, but that is not the meaning here.
   c. Darkness — Satan and all his allies — did not conquer the Light.
   d. Darkness must flee. The Sun has risen in full strength. Christ, the Light of the world, has come.

CONCLUSION

This is St. John’s testimony about the Babe in Bethlehem’s manger.
Why does he give it?
To glorify Christ — and that you may believe in Him and have eternal life.