Titles (John 1:21-22)

“Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?” “No,” he replied. “Are you the Prophet we are expecting?” “No.” “Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?” (John 1:21-22) Read: Genesis 40:1-41:57 Relate: Jewish scholars at the time of Christ believed that…

It Isn’t Me (John 1:19-20)

This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.” (John 1:19-20) Read: Genesis 37:1-39:23, 1 Chronicles 2:3-8 Relate: I recently finished reading a very dry, academic work called Christian Missions and the Enlightenment. For some…

With Eyes Shut Tight (John 1:18)

No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us. (John 1:18) Read: Genesis 36:1-43, 1 Chronicles 1:35-2:2 Relate: I remember playing a game of hide and seek when I was about twelve years old or so. Another family that was great friends with…

Law vs Love (John 1:17)

For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17) Read: Genesis 32:1-35:27 Relate: I tend to have this irresistible urge to make a lot of laws for myself. I’ll read about praying Hyde and decide I need to get back to praying for three hours a day, every…

On A Thousand Hills

  From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. (John 1:16) Read: Genesis 30:25-31:55 Relate: I had a professor in college who would have made the perfect spy. He could blend in at a black tie dinner and he could blend in at an auction. He just had a way about him that…

Upward, Inward, Outward (John 1:15)

Read: Genesis 28:6 – 30:24 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’” (John 1:15) Relate: Almost every time I am preaching or teaching on a…

Occupy (John 1:14)

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.  And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. (John 1:14) Read: Genesis 25:27 – 28:5 Relate: On September 17, two and a half years ago about a thousand individuals got together in…

Open Invitation (John 1:12-13)

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. (John 1:12-13) Read: Genesis 25:1-27, 1 Chronicles 1:28-34 Relate: OK, I’ve been sitting here now for a good hour…

He Was Rejected (John 1:10-11)

He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. (John 1:10-11) Read: Genesis 21:8 – 24:67 Relate: No question, hands down, the worst year of my school years was seventh grade. There were plenty of reasons and looking back now, I…

He Is Coming… He Has Come (John 1:9)

Read: Genesis 18:1 – 21:7 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. (John 1:9) Relate: The one who is the true light… There truly is only One who is the light. Yes, there are all kinds of false lights. Buddha is a false light. He preached that…