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THE ENCOURAGING WORD TEXT: John 1:18 Introduction: The Gospel of John was written by John, younger brother of
James, sons of Zebedee and Salome, which were Galiliean fisherman. Jesus nicknamed John and his brother, James, "Sons of Thunder: (Mark 3:17) John is identified as the disciples "whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23); was part of the inner circle of disciples known as Peter, James and John. After Christ's Ascension , John became one the "pillars" of the church in Jerusalem along with James and Peter. (Gal 20:31) The theme of the Gospel of John: "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." (John 20:31) In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God, for he co-existed with the Father before any creature was formed. God spoke, and it was done. Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. (Gen. 1:26a) And the Word was God. He is called God by John. (John 1:1) He is called God by Thomas. (John 20:28) He is called God by by God the Father. (Heb. 1:8) The Word, Jesus received worship, and only God is to be worshiped. Jesus forgives sin, only God can forgive sin. Jesus has all the power in heaven and earth, only God has all power. (Mat. 28:18) In him was life; and life was the light of men. Jesus, the Word has life in himself. He came to illuminate, to light up, minds and hearts to believe and receive eternal life. And those who are in darkness (unbelief and rejection) may see our lights and shining (our good works) that they will be motivated, moved in their hearts to repent and be saved. You will then glorify God and go out to win souls for Christ Jesus. For the Logos gives eternal life and light to every person that believes, accept and obey his command. Today and in times past, many profess Christ as their own, but have not confessed, because they are not willing to give up their sinful desires. Nevertheless, He only loves you with arms open wide, waiting for you to come to Him willingly, not grudgingly. The Word became flesh and lived among us. The Word, the Logos came to earth in human form to seek and to save those which were lost. Father, prepare me a body, and I will go down to earth to bring mankind back to Us. "No son, I will send Abraham: "No Father, Abraham is not good enough to return to earth, because he told the King's servant, that Sarah was his sister, "Son, I will send Moses: "No Father, Moses is not good enough to go down to earth to redeem mankind because of his disobedience. I inspired him to speak to the rock and he struck it, and water came out for the thirsty Israelites." (Numbers 20:8-11) "Son, I will send David: "No Father, David is not good enough to go down to redeem mankind, because he committed adultery with Bathsheba. When he found out that she was with child, David sent her husband Uriah to the front of the line in war to be killed." (II Samuel 11:2-27) "No, Father, prepare me a body and I shall go down to redeem mankind. I must go down to earth and become and example of love and forgiveness. I must go down to earth and become an example of cruel injustice. I must go down to earth so they may see me, hear my voice, and touch me, and believe that they may be one as You and I are One. In the fullness of time, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. (Gal. 4:4) God sent the angel Gabriel to a city of Galilee, to a virgin named Mary engaged to a man name Joseph. The angel said to her, "Fear not, Mary: you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus. (Luke 1:31) Man had sinned and come short of the glory of God, so Christ Jesus, the Word, the Logos, the image of the invisible God came to dwell in man. No man could see God; only the begotten Son, who was in the bosom of the Father, came to declare Him to us. John wrote that men might believe that Christ Jesus was God. John the Baptist said, This is the Son of God. (John 1:34) Peter said, Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God. (John 5:59) Thomas said, Jesus is my Lord and my God. (John 20:28) The Word, the Logos, The Christ said of himself, I am the Son of God. (John 10:36) John, the Apostle calls Jesus the Word. (John 1:1) Isaiah calls the Word, the Messiah, Everlasting Father. (Is. 9:6) Solomon calls the Word, Rose of Sharon. (Song of Solomon 2:1) Luke calls the word, Stone rejected. (Luke 20:17) Paul calls the Word, Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39) What name do you call Him> I have chosen to call Him "Logos" the "Word," "Jesus," because it is written: "That at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, and things in the earth, and things under the earth; every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is LORD." (Phil. 2:10,11) Consequently, The Logos, The Word, The Messiah, The Christ, JESUS is the Author
and finisher of my faith. The New Testament Church This page created and maintained by GCR Online. |