Jesus Christ, the Word of God                                   John 1:1-18 [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. [6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. [8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. [9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. [10] He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. [11] He came unto his own, and his own received him not. [12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. [14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. [15] John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. [16] And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. [17] For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. [18] No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
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1. THE IDENTITY OF THE WORD (John 1:1-5 [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
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3. Seven Truths Concerning the Word (John 1:1-5 [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
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5. The creativity of the Word (John 1:3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
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1. Jesus Christ, as the Word, is the person of the Godhead who directly created all things. See Ephesians 3:9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
   See All...; Colossians 1:15-16 [15] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: [16] For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
   See All...; Hebrews 1:2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
   See All...; Hebrews 2:9-10 [9] But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. [10] For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
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2. Jesus Christ created all things by His word (Genesis 1:3And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
   See All...; Psalm 33:6By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
   See All..., 9; Hebrews 11:3Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
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3. This verse (John 1:3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
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6. The vitality of the Word (John 1:4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
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1. The Word is life (John 11:25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
   See All...; John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
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2. The Word has life in Himself (John 5:26For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
   See All...; John 10:18No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
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3. The Word gives life to man (John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
   See All...; John 10:10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
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7. The luminosity of the Word (John 1:4-5 [4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
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1. A light to men (John 1:4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
   See All...b; John 8:12Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
   See All...; John 12:46I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
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2. A light to shine in darkness (John 1:5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
   See All...a; John 12:35-36 [35] Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. [36] While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
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3. A light rejected by darkness (John 1:5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
   See All...b; John 3:19-20 [19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. [20] For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
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4. Both Christ and Scripture as the Word of God
1. Both are called the word of God.
1. Christ (John 1:1-2 [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God.
   See All..., 14; Revelation 19:13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
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2. Scripture (1 Thessalonians 2:11-13 [11] As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, [12] That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. [13] For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
   See All...; Ephesians 6:17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
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2. Both are called wonderful.
1. Christ (Isaiah 9:6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
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2. Scripture (Psalm 119:129Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
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3. Both are called truth.
1. Christ (John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
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2. Scripture (John 17:17Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
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4. Both are called the light.
1. Christ (John 1:6-9 [6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. [8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. [9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
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2. Scripture (Psalm 119:105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
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5. Both are called the life.
1. Christ (John 11:25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
   See All...; John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
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2. Scripture (Philippians 2:14-16 [14] For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. [15] Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! [16] Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD's right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory.
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6. Both have been tried.
1. Christ (Isaiah 28:16Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
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2. Scripture (Psalm 12:6The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
   See All...; Psalm 18:30As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
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7. Both are a stone of stumbling.
1. Christ (1 Peter 2:6-8 [6] Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. [7] Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, [8] And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
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2. Scripture (1 Peter 2:7-8 [7] Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, [8] And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
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8. Both are called precious.
1. Christ (1 Peter 2:6-7 [6] Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. [7] Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
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2. Scripture (2 Peter 1:4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
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9. Both are essential to the new birth.
1. Christ (1 John 5:1Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
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2. Scripture (1 Peter 1:23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
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10. Both are eternal.
1. Christ (John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
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2. Scripture (Psalm 119:89For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
   See All...; Isaiah 40:6-8 [6] The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: [7] The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. [8] The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
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11. Notes:
1. The living Word and the written word are inseparable.
2. No one can reject the scriptures without rejecting Christ.
3. Christ as the Word can be known only through scripture as the word of God.
5. John Proves the Son to be Equal with the Father.
1. Equal in creation (John 1:3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
   See All...; Genesis 1:1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
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2. Equal in His work (John 5:16-18 [16] And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. [17] But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. [18] Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
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3. Equal in life (John 5:26For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
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4. Equal in eternal existence (John 8:56-59 [56] Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. [57] Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? [58] Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. [59] Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
   See All...; Exodus 3:14And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
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5. Equal in power (John 10:27-33 [27] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: [28] And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. [29] My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. [30] I and my Father are one. [31] Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. [32] Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? [33] The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
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6. Equal in glory (John 17:5And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
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7. Equal in receiving worship (John 20:27-29 [27] Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. [28] And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God. [29] Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
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2. THE INTRODUCTION OF THE WORD BY JOHN THE BAPTIST (John 1:6-9 [6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. [8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. [9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
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1. He Was Sent from God ( John 1:6-7 [6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
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1. The man – John (John 1:6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
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1. God uses men.
1. He seeks for a man (Jeremiah 5:1Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.
   See All...; Ezekiel 22:30And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
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2. Opening words of Power Through Prayer by E. M. Bounds: “We are constantly on a stretch, if not on a strain, to devise new methods, new plans, new organizations to advance the Church and secure enlargement and efficiency for the gospel. This trend of the day has a tendency to lose sight of the man or sink the man in the plan of organization. God’s plan is to make much of the man, far more of him than of anything else. Men are God’s method. The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. ‘There was a man sent from God whose name was John.’”
2. God takes note of certain men.
1. Job (Job 1:1There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
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2. Simeon (Luke 2:25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
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3. God gave a special calling to John (Luke 1:13-17 [13] But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. [14] And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. [15] For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. [16] And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. [17] And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
   See All...; Matthew 11:7-11 [7] And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? [8] But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. [9] But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. [10] For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. [11] Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
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2. His Master – God (John 1:6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
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1. He is called the prophet of the Highest (Luke 1:76And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
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2. He received the word of God (Luke 3:1-2 [1] Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, [2] Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
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3. Our highest calling is to please God (2 Timothy 2:4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
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3. His mission – to witness (John 1:7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
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1. The prophecies concerning John (Isaiah 40:3The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
   See All...; Malachi 3:1Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
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2. The practice of his work (John 1:15John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
   See All..., 29; John 5:32-35 [32] There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. [33] Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. [34] But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. [35] He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
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4. His message – to believe on the Light (John 1:7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
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2. He Pointed to the Light (John 1:8-9 [8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. [9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
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1. He was not that Light (John 1:8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
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1. He separated himself from the Light (John 1:19-20 [19] And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? [20] And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
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2. He exalted the Light above himself (John 1:26-27 [26] John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; [27] He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
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3. He receded to the background in the presence of the Light (John 3:26-30 [26] And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. [27] John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. [28] Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. [29] He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. [30] He must increase, but I must decrease.
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2. He bore witness to that Light (John 1:8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
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3. He bore record of that Light (John 1:9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
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1. As the true Light
2. As the universal Light – “which lighteth every man”
1. Lighting every man that came into the world (Psalm 98:2The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
   See All...; Titus 2:11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
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1. Through the crucifixion (John 12:32And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
   See All...; Romans 1:16-17 [16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. [17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
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2. Through the circumstances of history (Romans 1:18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
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3. Through the conscience (Romans 1:19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
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4. Through creation (Romans 1:20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
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2. This refutes the Calvinistic doctrines of unconditional election and irresistible grace.
3. THE IMPACT OF THE WORD (John 1:10-13 [10] He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. [11] He came unto his own, and his own received him not. [12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
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1. He Was Refused by the World (John 1:10He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
   See All...; Acts 4:26-27 [26] The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. [27] For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
   See All...; 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 [6] Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: [7] But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: [8] Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
   See All...; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 [3] But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: [4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
   See All...; 1 John 3:1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
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1. Despite His presence in the world (John 18:19-21 [19] The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. [20] Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. [21] Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
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2. Despite His creation of the world (John 1:3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
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2. He Was Rejected by His Own (John 1:11He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
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1. They were the object of His coming (Matthew 10:5-6 [5] These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: [6] But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
   See All...; Matthew 15:24But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
   See All...; Romans 15:8Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
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2. He was the object of their scorn (John 11:47-53 [47] Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. [48] If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. [49] And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, [50] Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. [51] And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; [52] And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. [53] Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
   See All...; John 19:14-15 [14] And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! [15] But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
   See All...; Acts 3:13-15 [13] The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. [14] But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; [15] And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
   See All...).
3. He Was Received by the Few (John 1:12-13 [12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
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1. Their belief (John 1:12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
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1. They believed on His name (John 3:18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
   See All...; Acts 4:12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
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2. They received Him as their Saviour (Colossians 2:6As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
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3. They were enabled to become the sons of God (Galatians 3:26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
   See All...; 1 John 3:1-2 [1] Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. [2] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
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1. Notice that the power to become is given to those who believe and receive; they are not given power so that they can believe and receive.
2. This, as the teaching of universal enlightenment in verse nine, refutes Calvinism. Christ draws all men to Him (John 12:32And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
   See All...) and thereby enables them to trust in Him (John 6:44No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
   See All...). But He only enables those who believe and receive to become the sons of God. This is how He can be the Saviour of all men, but “specially of those that believe” (1 Timothy 4:10For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
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2. Their birth (John 1:13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
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1. Not by family association – “not of blood” (John 8:33-44 [33] They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? [34] Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. [35] And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. [36] If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. [37] I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. [38] I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. [39] They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. [40] But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. [41] Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. [42] Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. [43] Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. [44] Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
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2. Not by fleshly motions – “nor of the will of the flesh” (Romans 7:5For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
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3. Not by forceful decision – “nor of the will of man” (Romans 7:18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
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3. Note: Four ways by which men can be the sons of God:
1. By creation (Luke 3:38Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.
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2. By redemption (Exodus 34:20But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty.
   See All...); to redeem is to buy back – God bought us back from sin by the death of His Son on the cross.
3. By regeneration (1John 5:1Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
   See All...) – We are born into the family of God (John 3:5-7 [5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
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4. By adoption (Galatians 4:5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
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4. The seven “I am’s” of Christ in the Gospel of John (John 8:58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
   See All...; John 18:5-6 [5] They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. [6] As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
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1. The bread of life (John 6:35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
   See All..., 48, 51)
2. The light of the world (John 8:12Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
   See All...; John 9:5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
   See All...; John 12:46I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
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3. The door of the sheep (John 10:7Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
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4. The good shepherd (John 10:11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
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5. The resurrection and the life (John 11:25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
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6. The way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
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7. The true vine (John 15:1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
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