THE PREEXISTENT SAVIOUR ENTERS THE WORLD

Scripture Reading: John 1 | Sabbath: February 17, 2024
Memory Verse: John 1:1
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Weekly Proverb: Proverbs 5:15-18
Proverbs 5:15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
Proverbs 5:16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
Proverbs 5:17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.
Proverbs 5:18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
Introduction: John introduces the Saviour to the world.

1. The Saviour is being introduced to the world. What word does John use to introduce Him? Why is He called such? Is this title a description of His function while on earth? John 1:1, John 14:10, 11. Note: While on earth Jesus was God’s spokesman.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
2. Where was the preexistent Saviour before He came to earth? (The “beginning” is the beginning of what?) John 1:2.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3. Who created all things? Did He have to be before all things to have created all things? If He created all things, does the beginning begin before Genesis 1? Are we included in “all things?” John 1:2, 3.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4. What precious commodity is in Him? Considering that He created man, is He responsible for our biological life? How is He responsible for our eternal life? John 1:4, John 11:25, 26, Romans 5:8, 9.
John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
John 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
5. Considering the sin that is in the world, the world is a dark place. Considering mankind’s ignorance of the eternal rewards ahead, our understanding is darkness. What lamp has been provided? Has the world made good use of this lamp? John 1:4, 5.
John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6. The Saviour had to be introduced to the world, His own creation. Who was sent ahead of the Light to introduce Him to us? v 6-8.
John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
John 1:7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
John 1:8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
7. While in the world, did Jesus make Himself known? Did He shine? Who could not have seen this light? Did the Gentiles see the Light? Did the Jews see the light? Matthew 4:23-25, John 1:9-11.
Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Matthew 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
Matthew 4:25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
8. The Jews as a nation rejected Him. The Gentiles, that is to say, the world, rejected Him. But not all. He was with God, living eternally before creation, and now He has extended an invitation for us to be what? How do we accept the Saviour’s invitation? John 1:12.
John 1:12 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:
9. Jesus, the Creator, created the world. Then He put man in the garden. Then we today are born of our ancestors and parents. But, what special birth is implied in this verse? Is the writer speaking of a physical birth or a spiritual rebirth? What is the difference? v 13.
John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
10. God’s spokesman enters the world using what kind of body? When He entered this physical world, did He use a spiritual body or a physical body? v 14.
John 1:14 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.
11. What was the purpose of this physical body? How does His physical body benefit all mankind? Is our salvation through the death of His physical body and His physical blood? Hebrews 2:14-18.
Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Hebrews 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Hebrews 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Conclusion: In these few verses, John introduces Jesus to the world. He is letting us know that Jesus came into the world to be our Saviour.