THE REASON FOR THE SEASON
JOHN 1:1-18
TWO MAJOR MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CHRISTMAS:
FIRST MISCONCEPTION: —the popular view—is that . . .
The reason for the season is all about . . .
trees and tinsel, gift wrap and mistletoe,
giving and getting,
spending money and loading up credit cards,
“There's nothing like the Christmas season to put a little bounce in your checks.”
The reason for the season isn't about those things!
The REAL reason for the season is [to celebrate the birth of the Savior.]
to announce His birth to remember His coming
=> “Christ, the Savior, is born!”
John, the theological gospel, explains the real reason behind the story.
John tells us the "why"
Purpose statement in John 20:30-31 defines what John wants to accomplish:
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
JOHN’S PURPOSE is revealed on THREE LEVELS:
1) To demonstrate that Jesus is the Son of God, that is, He is God.
2) To convince us to trust Jesus.
[This trust in the Son of God leads to the third purpose: ]
3) That those who read might obtain life
JOHN'S MESSAGE likewise develops on THREE PARALLEL LEVELS:
1) Jesus is God's Son; therefore He makes a legitimate claim to be God.
2) Evidence leads to 2 distinct responses: some trust Him; others refuse to trust Him.
We must decide whether WE will trust Jesus.
3) Those who trust Jesus receive life.
John records Jesus' teachings about life. Jesus tells us 3 things about life:
* He has come to offer us life.
* The life He offers is a satisfying, abundant life.
* The life He offers doesn’t end at death; it’s eternal.
This morning we want to consider the real reason for the season.
WHY WAS JESUS BORN? John’s theological perspective on Jesus’ birth: John 1:1-18
THREE REASONS JESUS WAS BORN:
1. JESUS WAS BORN TO SHOW US WHAT GOD IS LIKE
John begins by telling us Who Jesus is and what He came to do.
In summary: God Himself
came to earth in human form
to reveal what He is like.
(1) Jesus is God Himself. 1:1-3
Jesus was the Word
The Word was God–lit., “God was the Word.”
Structure emphasizes “God” —”GOD was the Word!”).
He was present in the beginning with God—before creation began
Go back as far as you want—billions and billions of years
–He was already there--and had been before that!
He participated in the creation of all things—He is Creator.
He always was, always is, and always will be GOD!
1:18 —“No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only,
Who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.
Jesus is the only one of His kind
“The only begotten” never emphasizes BIRTH;
It always focuses on His privileged position, His relationship to the Father.
There has never been another one like Him—there never will be!
He is intimately related to the Father.
Jesus is clearly identified, along with the Father, as God.
He is One with the Father, and He is God.
He’s the one and ONLY God!\
[ 2nd thing John wants us to understand about Jesus: ]
(2) Jesus came to live in our midst. 1:14
Jesus came and lived among us (lit., “he pitched his tent among us”
–in the same campground with us! ), so we might see what God is like.
“Tent” would cause O.T. reader to think of the tabernacle
Where God was present among them so they could see what He’s like.
(3) Jesus came to reveal what God is like. 1:4-5, 9, 14, 18
1:4-5—The essence of life is in Him.
He’s the light, sent to shine in the darkness,
so those in darkness might see His light.
1:9—He came so that people could see the light.
Through Him we see contrast between darkness, and God, Who is light.
1:14—As He was present among people, people were able to see His glory.
God was present in Him, revealing His glory,
so we could catch a glimpse of God’s glory, and turn to Him.
1:18—Although no one has seen God, and lived, Jesus came to reveal Him
S.D. Gordon: "Jesus is God spelling Himself out
in language people can understand."
That’s why Jesus was born—so that we, who are used to walking in the dark, could find out what God, the true light, is like.
One wintry day a man noticed someone had thrown grain on sidewalk. Hungry sparrows were enjoying a feast! As he took a step their way, the birds became uneasy. Each step their nervousness increased. When he was almost there, they flew away, leaving their banquet unfinished. The man stood thinking. Why had the sparrows scattered? He meant no harm. How could he walk among the birds without frightening them? Only if he became a sparrow and flew down among them.
Robert Stevenson, grandfather of Robert Louis Stevenson, was a gifted engineer. 100 years after his birth a celebration honored his memory. A banner, held high by a farmer, captured the spirit of the day: “ONE OF US.” People found joy in the fact that Stevenson identified with them.
When the eternal Son of God was born in a stable in Bethlehem, He came as one of us.
Jesus lived in our midst, as one of us, that we might see what God is like.
2. [JESUS WAS BORN] TO DEMONSTRATE GOD’S LOVE FOR US.
This truth is implied in 1:11-12.It's stated clearly in 3:16
3. [JESUS WAS BORN] TO GIVE US LIFE—that we might trust Him and receive life –that we might become God’s children. 1:11-12; 20:30-31
This morning you have an opportunity to celebrate His birth as never before!
—if you'll trust Him and receive the life He came to give.
Will you make that decision? Will you stop trusting yourself and trust Him?
SECOND MISCONCEPTION about Christmas:
WE HAVE TO KEEP QUIET ABOUT JESUS.
The message is all around us: keep Jesus to yourself!Don’t get fanatical!
If we tell people about Jesus, they might not like us.
They might get mad. They might criticize us. They might ostracize us.
We don't keep quiet about other good news! Why keep quiet about Jesus?
Helen’s niece the day she was engaged: Stacey's silence—it nearly killed her!
She wanted to tell everybody!
That's the way WE ought to be about JESUS!
Every year I am reminded of the 5-year-old, given one line in Christmas play,
appearing as an angel to say, "I bring you good tidings!"
After many rehearsals, the child asked his mother what "tidings" were.
She explained that “tidings” means “news.”
As the performance began, the little angel became flustered.
After a long silence, he blurts out, "Hey, have I got news for you!"
The angel announced: "I have good news—for everybody!!!"
John was sent to tell people about the One Who is light. 1:6-8, 15
Just as John was sent as a witness concerning that light, so are we.
Acts 1:8 promises: “You shall be my witnesses.” That’s our role!
John continually told everyone about One Person.
Jesus was always the topic of conversation.
He didn’t talk about himself; he didn’t talk about his achievements; he talked about Jesus!
Conference of world religions: Joseph Cook addressed delegates. "I want to introduce you to a woman with great sorrow, bloodstains are on her hands. Nothing she has tried will remove them. The blood is that of murder. She is desperate for relief. Do you have anything to offer that will erase her sin and give her peace?"
Dr. Cook paused. No one responded. Turning his eyes toward heaven, he called out, "John, can you tell this woman how to get rid of her sin?" After waiting a moment, he exclaimed, "Listen! John speaks: "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin"
We have GOOD NEWS!
We’ve been sent into the world to tell friends and family, what a difference His birth, and His death, has made in our lives.
We don't want to cram religion down people's throats.
We seek opportunities to tell them that Jesus has changed our lives.
Chinese student trusted Christ as her Savior.
Several days later, she was talking to friends.
One student said he wasn’t sure there is a god; he only had faith in himself.
She didn’t know any better. Beaming with enthusiasm, she jumped in,
“I used to believe like that, but now I know God is real, because of what He has done for me.
Believing in Jesus is the greatest thing that ever happened to me!
You need to know Him too.”
No one told her she isn’t ready to share her faith, or that she needs special training.
She had good news to share, so she passed it on to a friend.
Like the blind man Jesus healed, she didn’t have the answers.
All the blind man knew was that once he was blind, and now he can see!
That’s enough! That’s all we need to know!
That’s what it should be like to tell people the good news about Jesus.
Studies show this is one of the most painful times of year for many.
How about letting some other people in on our good news?
Our concern is to present the good news that Jesus came to give us life!
Use whatever means you’re comfortable with, but pass it on!
TWO MAIN LESSONS IN THIS PASSAGE FOR US:
That babe born in BETHLEHEM is the Savior.
Since Jesus is the Savior, . . .
1. . . . if we trust Him—stop trusting ourselves and trust Him—
we can KNOW that WE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE! 1 John 5:13
Will YOU trust Him this morning? You can do that right where you’re seated.
You just need to recognize that you’ll never make it on your own.
Believe God’s Word and TRUST the One He sent to bear our punishment.
Those who trust Him can KNOW that we have eternal life!
Trust Him this morning! Don’t leave here without settling the issue.
2. . . . if we know Him, if we’ve received the life He came to give,
we ought to share it with others.
Jesus Christ, the Savior, is born!
He came to show us what God is like.
He came to demonstrate God's love for us
He came to give us life as a free gift, if we trust Him.
That's Good News! Let's celebrate it!
Let's proclaim it! —during this holiday season! The world could use a refreshing change!
If people think we’re a bit strange that’s O.K.
He’s changed our lives. He’s given us something to live for. That IS strange.
But it’s also GOOD NEWS!
Let’s pass it on! “Hey everybody, have I got NEWS for you!”