By Jason Whalen - 3/26/06
This week Bob Kraning was away…and we had guest speaker/Pastor, Jason Whalen give this morning’s message. Jason is on staff at Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton. It was pleasure hearing Jason speak…he has a passion for God…is well rooted and ground in the Bible and has a high view of God. Jason’s message was from John 1:1-3. Below are notes taken during Jason's sermon.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” – John 1:1-3
Truth came to life. To live is Christ, to die is gain. Chuck Obremski’s life was a picture of these words. These are words not only to say…but words to live by. The gospel really works.
Some things in this life seem muddy and unclear. But God’s word is clear. Some things…God’s word and the truth’s therein are iron clad. The glory of God is seen throughout the gospel. The gospel…the Bible…that’s clear…its iron clad.
Now some example of not so clear messages…can be found in church bulletins:
- The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water" The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus"
- Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you.
- This evening at 7 P.M. there will be a hymn sing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
- Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
John 1:1 – In the beginning was the word (logos):
1) - Revelation…what has been revealed.
2) - Life and light….purpose…a certain kind of life and light.
3) - Invitation
Logos = A principle originating in classical Greek thought which refers to a universal divine reason, immanent in nature, yet transcending all oppositions and imperfections in the cosmos and humanity. An eternal and unchanging truth present from the time of creation, available to every individual who seeks it. A unifying and liberating revelatory force which reconciles the human with the divine; manifested in the world as an act of God's love in the form of the Christ.
1) Revelation
Logos is God. God of eternity past…he has never not been. Created everything that has been made. Why didn’t God say that in the beginning was Christ?
Logos…the absolute elite. All meaning, reason and ideals. The pinnacle…the source of everything.
Jesus invests the word logos into a person. Jesus is the ultimate reality in all the universe. But he is knowable today.
The logos entered time and space. John 1:10 “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.” Something new has begun…a new thing.
God spoke to us through his Son. Jesus has made God known to us. No one has ever seen or heard God. John 1:18 “No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.”
Do you take these concepts and implant them in your heart? Jesus is prepared to see you through any circumstance that you face.
He created time and space. Colossians 1:17 – “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” He created the universe and sustains it. He holds the universe together and even our very lives and family.
2) Light and life…he came to give us a certain kind of life…a life in him. John 1:4-5 – “In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.”
Life…Bios and Zoë.
Bios – biological life…air, blood, oxygen.
Zoë life…experience, vitality and passion.
We have a choice…to live a transforming life…or one in which we just go through life. In Mere Christianity…C. S. Lewis talks about the difference between Bios and Zoë.
We can live a life of vitality and significance…one of purpose...large. Bios or Zoë life…it’s the difference between looking at a picture…and living a real life and actual experience.
Jesus has given us this life. Before we were under the weight of the law or lived under paganism.
Light verses darkness. The darkness has not understood it (the light). Did not grasp it nor conquer it.
Darkness – danger, aimless, disorientation and fear.
But God…gave us a light that would fill our lives. Light…safety, purpose, pathway, peace and confidence that settles in us. An intelligence…not to make you smarter…but one that can change your life. We are to be light bearers. The darkness is expelled because of the light. No longer living in confusion, anxiety or difficulty.
3) Invitation
John 1:10 – “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.” The world did not recognize him…and did not receive him. He gave us the right…the authority to become the children of God.
Beginning…the ultimate reality…God himself. He created everything, came to give light and life. He can do this with you…only he can do this…not you. You are a child of God. You are a child of purpose.
John 1:13 – “13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
Need more clarity in your life? Invite Jesus to shine more light into your life…more clarity…to give you something greater.
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