THEN CAME JESUS
John 1:1-9. Ephesians 5:5-14
CHRIST WAS IN THE BEGINNING, BUT NOT CALLED JESUS
V:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.
We do not know the time of the beginning. The Greek word for beginning is arche which
means commencement. God does not tell us what the beginning was. We can only guess that
it was a time between eternity past and the start of the creation. Some say the time was the
start of creation.
The Greek word for Word in the text is logos which means divine expression indicating
Christ. The divine expression was with God and was God. One Spirit, but two persons.
V:3 Through him all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
The divine expression, takes on the character of a person, the Christ, an equal partner in creation
with God the Father. In the beginning, God, expresses the Holy Trinity, God the Father, God
the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In Genesis 1, The Holy Spirit was hovering over
the waters, energizing the creation. John says that nothing was made without the Christ.
In V:4, Christ was life which includes every human being starting with Adam and Eve to
the end of time on earth when the last person is born. In Christ was all truth and understanding
that man needs to live a life of righteousness while on earth. A man without the truth exists
in darkness. Christ presented Himself to us to the light. Unfortunately, most of the world
rejects Christ preferring to live in darkness.
THE INTRODUCTION OF JESUS
V:6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light so that through him all men might believe. 8 He was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
God provided the world with witnesses to the light. We are God’s witnesses. You cannot browse
the TV channels without coming past a Christian station. Churches grow in every neighborhood.
You cannot drive the streets without passing by many churches. Man hears about God but
refuses to take time to know Him. Man is without excuse to not accept the Savior.
You and I believers in Jesus Christ are the witnesses for Christ but must not present ourselves
as anything but His ambassadors. We cannot take pride in our position as believers.
We must take pride in our relationship with Jesus.
OUR CHARACTER, A ROLE MODEL FOR CHRIST
Ephesians 5:1-14
V:5 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
To be imitators of Christ we must know the logos, the divine expression. We must spend time
studying God’s Word. We know God is love, therefore we must express our love in
sacrificial ways to others. While Jesus walked the earth, He was not about Him, but about
the will of the Father. Jesus saw His life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. He lived a
life in the flesh but without sin. Only a sinless sacrifice could atone for the sins of the World.
You and I are not without sin but are covered by the blood of Jesus. If we can let go of our
problems, and trust Jesus with them, we can take on the lighter yoke of Jesus and be the role
models He designed us to be.
RESIST TEMPTATION, LIVE A LIFE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
V:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person — such a man is an idolater — has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
God chose believers before the foundation of the world for good works. We were equipped with
the power of the Holy Spirit to resist the temptations of the flesh. TV programs are written with
sexually immoral acts to boost ratings which affects the viewers as normal for our society. The
internet is porn central. Believers have to be careful what we watch, see, and hear less we
become like the world. We must block our children from having access to certain programs. Don't
be fooled our kids know what we watch and are highly influenced by what they see.
The world is full of empty words and empty threats that are nothing but the shadow of death
for believers. We can be influenced into disobedience by the world's standards which are the
deceptions of Satan. By studying and meditation on the Word, we can resist all evil influences.
MAKE NO SECRET OF PAST SINS, BUT REJOICE IN THE OUR TRANSFORMATION
V:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
We have been transformed, set apart, justified by the blood of Jesus, and equipped with spiritual
gifts to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our job to role model the life of Christ
in obedience with thanksgiving. By the study of God's Word, we know what pleases God.
Therefore we must think about it and live it according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
We should fellowship with the sheep and separate ourselves from the goats who foolishly
run to a life of darkness.
DO NOT ENVY DISOBEDIENCE, BUT GLORY IN JESUS CHRIST
12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
It is not our job to be busybodies attempting to discover the unrighteous activities of those
who live in darkness. Let us be in prayer for their transformation to the marvelous light.
God worked a transformation on us, and He will do so according to His will for those still
in darkness. Let us pray that God will continue to strengthen us to be light for those in
darkness.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
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