In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Part of Chronological Bible Study more Here if you wish to follow along or comment

John 1:1-18

In the last few verses of the prologue to his gospel, John identifies the Word... Who was in the beginning with God, and was God. Through whom all things were made. Who was life, and the light of men. Who came into the world, though many did not receive Him Yet those who received Him, were given the right to become children of God The Word was Jesus Christ... Who became flesh and lived among men Whose glory was seen by men The word "glory" as used here means "majesty, dignity, splendor" (Barnes)  Pertaining to Christ, it refers to His personal excellence or majesty

THE PROLOGUE OF JOHN'S GOSPEL  (John 1:1)
The gospel of John was written for a simple purpose to produce faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God - Jn 20:30-31a To share the "life" that comes through such faith - Jn 20:31b
To encourage us to have faith in Jesus Christ- John begins his gospel with a prologue in which he makes several claims as to who Jesus was. He refers to Jesus in this prologue as "the Word" 

JESUS IS GOD 

1) "Beginning": see Genesis 1:1. Christ was there then. 

2) Explain: "Word" – only in John. Meaning 

3) "With God..., was God" 

4) Christ is joint-creator: "all things" – so He is not Himself a mere creature 5) Christ's relationship to mankind: v.4-5 
the very first claim pertains to the pre-existence of Christ. That He existed in the beginning, long before being born of Mary and that His work in the beginning has great significance for us 
6) Christ is the Light of the world: v.7-9 
John introduces Jesus as "the light" that shines in darkness to whom John bore witness - Who gives light to every man 
Only as you have His light can you know God 

7) V.10: again: Creator 
8) Lord of the Jews: v.11 – and rejected Yet John declares what becomes evident later in his gospel. Not everyone was willing to receive the light, i.e., Jesus. Even His own people as a whole rejected Him, but for those who did receive Him, they were truly blessed!
The same remains true today.... Many people do not receive Jesus Missing out on the wonderful blessings He offers!
[Why do people not receive Christ? How can we be sure to receive Him and the blessings He offers as "The Light"?]
9) Mediator + Saviour: v.12-13 

JESUS IS MAN 

1) V.14: a most amazing verse: self-emptying of the divine nature with the addition of a human nature 
2) "He became what he was not…" he must become man to save us. He retains the human nature in glory forever A perfect Mediator who has gone through and experienced 
Jesus understands us. 
3) One Person with two natures: two perfect entire natures, a far greater than Adam 
One who cannot fail in the covenant 

4) All the obedience and suffering of Christ is of infinite value: because he is God in our nature and so can put right all that Adam put wrong we are better  in Christ than Adam at the first 
Both the power not to sin and the power to sin 

Vs.15-18 the apostle John introduces another man named John. A man who was sent from God A man who came to bear witness of the Light (John the Baptist)
John the apostle makes it clear that this other "John" was not the Light. John the Baptist's purpose was bearing witness of the Light.
That all might believe the same reason John the apostle wrote his gospel.

John was not the only person to bear witness of the Light; there were others before him and after him.
Even we have a responsibility to bear witness of the Light!

CONCLUSION

Jesus is the "True Light" who gives light to every man, bringing grace and truth to those in sin and error. Providing the way of salvation through His blood
How sad that there are many in the world who do not know Him, who have not received Him -- Who spend their lives stumbling in the darkness 
If you are willing to believe in His name, you have the right to become a child of God! You can be born of God!

Let the Word of God, and in particular John's gospel (cf. Jn 20:30-31), point you in the direction of the Light, that you might be saved and have life in His name!
Many resist the life and light Jesus offers. Some tried to destroy Him, but did not succeed. Many try to avoid Him, knowing that it will mean changes to their lifestyle - Jn 3:19-20

For those willing to come to Jesus, to believe in Jesus as Lord is to be eternally saved, he offers us hope and guidance in this life.
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory..." 
We may not have seen Jesus in the flesh, but we can still behold His glory. Now through the testimony of His apostles and the Word of God
And even then when Jesus comes again to be revealed in His glory

----------------Here is Paul's prayer for the Thessalonians (2Th 1:11-12)---------------------
"Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." AMEN


What will you do with Jesus? 

We should let it transform our lives as we behold the glory of the Lord - 2Co 3:18
Then when Christ comes, we will be glorified together with Him! - 2Th 1:10
To Believe in Jesus as Lord is to be eternally saved. It is to be eternally safe none can pluck us from Gods hand. It is to be assured of God's love – for Christ is the Beloved Son of God
God Bless you,

Tracy