Sermon 195

📖 SERMON 195 — John 1:1–28

Date: January 29, 1950
Text: John 1:1–28
Preacher: Rev. G. S. Kok

INTRODUCTION

The month of December, with its bells, carols, gaiety, Christmas trees, and beautifully decorated cities and towns, is the month in which we celebrate the birth of a babe in Bethlehem. As we again behold that babe lying in swaddling clothes in the manger, we ask the important question: Who is this Child? Many say: “Just an ordinary child.” Let us listen to the apostle John. He knew Christ personally, and he is inspired by the Holy Spirit to give God’s own answer: He is the glorious Christ.

I. THE GLORIOUS WORD OF GOD

A. The personal Word

1. Not just an impersonal symbol.
2. The second Person of the Trinity.

B. Through whom God makes Himself known

1. He is the fullest revelation of God.
2. He alone truly knows God; He is in the bosom of the Father.
3. Whoever would know God must know Him.

II. WHO WAS ETERNALLY WITH GOD

A. In the beginning the Word was with God

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

B. Though the babe is newly born

1. His body had a beginning.
2. But the Person did not.
3. He could say: “Before Abraham was born, I AM.”

C. He existed before creation

1. Before those standing about Him.
2. Before the angels who sang “Glory to God in the highest.”
3. From eternity, and now lying in the manger.

III. AND THE WORD WAS GOD — HIS GLORIOUS BEING

A. That person in human flesh is God

1. Not godlike, but very God.
2. He could truthfully say, “I and the Father are one.”
3. The one only God.

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

1. Shepherds, wise men, and kings.
2. Remove your shoes, for this is holy ground.
3. Let not materialism obscure this truth.

C. A great mystery

1. God did not change into flesh.
2. But the Word became flesh.
3. A glorious truth.

IV. HIS GLORIOUS ACTIVITY

A. Through Him all things were made

1. Everything, without exception.
2. He was the Agent through whom the universe came into being.
3. All things continue to exist through Him.

B. His is the Life and the Light of men

1. The source of all life.
2. The only One through whom we have eternal life.
3. The darkness apprehended it not; it could not overcome it.
   a. The light has been shining since man fell.
   b. Genesis 3:15 gives the first glimpse of Bethlehem’s star.
   c. Satan did not succeed in suppressing it.
   d. Darkness must recede; the Light of the World has come.

CONCLUSION

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