Grace & Truth
- My dad died on Friday. He was a motocross legend. He was in one of 3 Americans in the first tour de nations, Olympics of motorcycle riding. He had a magnetic personality and had a gift at riding motocross. He was liked, respected and even a hero to some.
- He had a drug addiction. He was not there as a father to me or my sister. He had 4 failed marriages, and he lived with an incredible amount of guilt because of his failures. He was a legend and a failure. But, he was a Christian. He loved Jesus and I know he is currently in heaven finally and forever free…
- Did his success outweigh his failures? I don’t know. But my confidence that is in heaven is not based on either? It’s because of our text this morning. The word became flesh and dwelt among us.
- This is how we know we have hope in the assurance of heaven. It is not legacy or failure, it is Because Jesus the divine Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.
- As Christians we believe in Justification. (define) -/+ / great exchange
- Therefore, it is not based on our success to failure, our legacy or fall.
- It is based on Jesus, his success (Perfect life) his fall (Death) and his ultimate defeat of death when he rose again from the dead.
- And as Jesus said to Martha when her brother, Lazarus, died,
- “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25–26
- That question stands to this day… Do you believe this?
- Main point this morning, The Word Full of Grace & Truth
- As Christians we believe in Justification. (define) -/+ / great exchange
#1. The Word
- In review, we have learn that Jesus is God, Creator, sustainer, Life and light.
- GOD, John 1:1, the word is God. was; past, present, continually will be, GOD
- Creator
- For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
- Sustainer
- And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17
- He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. Hebrews 1:3
- life, John 1:4, In him was life,
- For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:3–4
- Light, John 1:4-5
- “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
- This God, creator, sustainer, life & light giver became a man.
- Read Vs. 14
- This truth alone explodes the mind. God, becomes a man?
- Incarnation: The divine becomes human (takes on flesh)
- “[The incarnation] does not mark the beginning of the Son of God. Rather, it marks the eternal Son entering physically into our world and becoming one of us.” Joseph Scheumann
- “The incarnation means that he who never began to be in his specific identity as Son of God, began to be what he eternally was not” John Frame
- Hypostatic union: Fully man and fully God. Not only did the divine become fully human, he remained fully God
- For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, Colossians 2:9 (NIV)
- “If believers were to recapture the greatness of Christ, it would change our world” Kent Hughes
- The truth of the incarnation is either minimized or maximized by who we believe Jesus was before he became human.
- For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, Colossians 2:9 (NIV)
- Jesus is God, Creator, sustainer, life and light and he became a man to save you. To save me, to save us.
- That should at least change the way you celebrate Christmas!
- and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. Col. 2:10
- The Word Full of Grace & Truth
- and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. Col. 2:10
- That should at least change the way you celebrate Christmas!
- Read Vs. 14
#2. Full, Read vs. 14
- Full: to the brim. Complete.
- When Jesus became human, he was a full cup of Grace and truth.
WHICH is vital to know who God is.- OT- Truth, no grace. / NT- Grace, no truth. But God is both!
- Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:6–7
- Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. John 14:8–10
- When Jesus became human, he was a full cup of Grace and truth.
- Jesus is NOT the Father but they are one. 3 persons in one God.
- Who is God? The Word Full of Grace & Truth
#3. Grace & Truth
- Grace is unmerited favor
- Read vs. 16.
- Grace upon grace.
- The truth of the incarnation is either minimized or maximized by who we believe Jesus was before he became human.
- The greatness of God’s grace is also either minimized or maximized by the way we view sin.
- Story of John Newton. (Preaching the Word Pg. 39)
- What makes the grace so amazing is being truthful about our wretchedness.
- When we are truthful about our sin, grace becomes all the greater!
- Story of John Newton. (Preaching the Word Pg. 39)
- Read vs. 17
- Read vs. 16.
- Truth is that which is true
- What does that mean for us?
- The Word Full of Grace & Truth
- What does that mean for us?