TOPIC: “JESUS THE WORD OF GOD

TEXT: St. John 1:1-2:

 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.                                                                                                                              Vs 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”.

John begins his gospel by calling Jesus “the Word”.  This is the last of the four Gospels to be written.  The first three are called synoptic Gospels, meaning, to “see together”, contained many of the same stories and teachings, but were told from a different angle.  Yet at the same time each were fully inspired by God.  

There was a difference in John’s gospel.  John shows us a side the other writers didn’t touch on.  He gives us twenty one chapters which unfolds and presents a new facet of Jesus’ divine character, giving us three main characteristics of Jesus Christ as “the Word”:  (1) His relation to the Father; (2) His relation to the world; (3) His relation to humanity.

JESUS THE WORD AS RELATED TO THE FATHER:

To the “Father” Christ was preexistent with God.  Even before the creation of the world, Jesus has always existed.  He did not come into existence in Bethlehem, that’s when He was made visible.  But He has always been here throughout the endless ages of eternities past.

Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning”.  

This “beginning” is the “reshiiyth”’, the first in place, time, order or rank (a first-fruit), first-fruits, chief. This “beginning” was not a calendar date, it was a “Person”, “Jesus the Christ” Himself!

• Colossians 1:17-18: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.  And he is the head of the body, the church:  who is “the beginning”, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
  This word “beginning” is from the root word arche’, meaning the beginning of a thing; chief (in relation to order, time, place, or rank; to have precedence in relation (rank or power)!

JOHN HIMSELF DECLARED IT:

• Revelation 3:14: And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; “These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God”.
• Revelation 21:6: And he said unto me, “It is done”.  “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end”.

Jesus was Divine, having the same nature and essence as the Father.  The “essence” being the basic nature of something; a concentrated substance that keeps the flavor and fragrance, of that from which it is extracted.

• John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God!  Vs 14: And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us!  

So we know that God is a Spirit (John 4:24), but He put on flesh in Jesus Christ.  1John 4:8 states that “God is love”!  So Jesus was the very “love” of God walking around on two feet that was nailed to the Cross, rose from the dead on the third day with all power and gave us the right to “the Tree of Life”, which was eternal life that He had from the Father Himself!  

• John 5:26: For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself!

Life is from the root word Zoe, which pertains to plants, and animals, as well, but in relation to mankind when Jesus spoke of “life” He always used the word “eternal or everlasting” with it!  That’s because God made us “eternal people”!  God made man to live and not die, that’s why we’re made in the image and likeness of God!  Therefore we must “put on the new man, which is renewed (restored; revitalized) in knowledge after the image of him that created him (Colossians 3:10).  God is Eternal and “As He is, so are we, in this world” (1 John 4:17).  

• Colossians 1:12: Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
• Vs 13: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
• Vs 14: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.  
• Colossians 2:9: For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
• Vs 10: And you are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power
• Vs 11: In whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ.

 Isn’t He “Ummm Ummm good”!!!

• Psalm 34:8: O taste (experience) and see that the LORD is good!  Blessed is the man that trusts in him.

JESUS THE WORD AS RELATED TO THE WORLD:

It’s through Christ that God the Father created and now sustains the world.  Sustain meaning to strengthen or support physically or mentally.  Synonyms for “sustain” are:  comfort; help; assist; encourage.

• 2 Corinthians 5:19: To wit (know), that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
• Colossians 1:16-17: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:  all things were created by him, and for him:  and he is before all things, and by him all things consist (to be composed or made up of).

JESUS THE WORD IN RELATION TO HUMANITY:

• St. John 1:14: And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.

Yes, the Word took on “human nature”, but yet was without sin.

• 2 Corinthians 5:21: For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
• Philippians 2:6: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
  Vs 7: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 
  Vs 8: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
• 1 Peter 2:22: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.
• 1 John 3:5: And you know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

This is the basic statement of the “incarnation”:  CHRIST came down from heaven and entered the condition of human life through the gateway of “human birth” and became the “God-Man”!  God is a Spirit (St. John 4:24), He wasn’t seen until He took on a bodily form in Jesus the Christ – Mary’s Baby.  He was “incarnated – He took on a “bodily form”:  

• Matthew 1:23: Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 
  He was a “man” but yet He was “God”!  He is the “light of men” and His “life” was the light for everyone who would believe.

• St. John 1:4: In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

This was the “light” that God was speaking of in Genesis 1:3, when He said, “Let there be light”.  This was not the “light” of the Sun.  If someone wants to be technical, that “light” didn’t come into existence until the fourth day, and this was the “first day” when God said, “Let there be light”!

“LET” (synonyms) [allow; permit; propose; cause; assign].  In no place where “let” is used is a “creative act” implied!  It is used in the sense of:  “made appear” or “made visible”, expressing permission and purpose in connection with already existing things!!!  The light, firmament, waters, earth, darkness and all other things mentioned here were already in existence but had been thrown into chaos, and the laws which previously governed them had been made void.  The PURPOSE for their existence had been annulled by “sin”.  But God Himself was ready to REPLENISH or restore the earth to perfection.  So He just says “LET THERE BE” [reappear or become visible] AGAIN!!!

[God gave the “light” an assignment and its assignment was “TO APPEAR” – MAKE YOURSELF VISIBLE]!!!

 Genesis 1:3: “LET THERE BE LIGHT”. 

 This word “light” is from the root word, owr (ore), which means illumination (giving of light; to make clear; to provide with understanding; spiritually or intellectually enlightened); luminary [a notable person; one that enlighten mankind]; lightning, happiness, bright, clear, day, light(s) (ning); morning; sun).  Synonyms for “illuminate” are to clarify (become or make clearer); elucidate [to make clear, clarify; to explain].

God was “letting” (allowing, permitting, causing) the knowledge, wisdom, understanding, dominion, authority, and power, that the morning stars, and sons of God were functioning in between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2 to return to His people in this creation He Himself was now replenishing!

Genesis 1:3: And there was “light”!   There were luminaries (notable people; those that could enlighten mankind)!!  Those that could do what the “morning stars and sons of God” were doing in Genesis 1:1, ruling and reigning over the earth, with dominion, authority, and power that God had given them!

There were worlds here before this world that we are living in now.  Hebrews 11:3: Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

THEN GOD “SAW”:  (ra-ah’/raw-aw’) looked, beheld, considered, provided, approved, discerned, mark, observed that “the light” was good.

Genesis 1:4: And God saw the light (owrs-people with His knowledge and life in them) that it was GOOD.

GOOD is from the Hebrew word towb, pronounced tobe, defined as a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women); also well; merry; fair; prosperous; precious; fine; wealthy; beautiful; favorable; glad; bountiful; cheerful; at ease; joyful; kindly;  loving, pleasant; sweet.  Good, in every sense of the word!

What “light” was it that God saw, that was “good”?  (1 John 1:5) “God is light”!  (Mark 10:18) “There is none good but one, that is, God.  It was like God was looking into a mirror at Himself; because that “light” or “luminaries” He was looking at was looking just like Himself!  He saw those (male and female) He was giving assignments of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, dominion, authority, and power, and they were carrying out the assignment!  He saw them doing what He was doing “BEING CREATIVE AND MAKING”!!

• ST. JOHN 8 (speaks of Jesus being the light of the world): 
  Vs 12: Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, “I am the light of the world:  he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life”.

This “light of life” has been shining from the book of Genesis:

• Matthew 5:14: You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:5: You are all children of light, and the children of the day:  we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

We too were pre-existent WITH THE FATHER: 

We were with God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Ghost in the beginning when He said in Genesis 1:26: “Let US make man”.

• St. John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God, and the Word was with God: 
  Vs 2: And the “SAME” (that was US) was in the beginning with God. 
  Vs 14: And the Word was made flesh.
  1 John 4:17: As he is, so are we, in this world. 

We too in relation to the world:

 We too in relation to the world are “recreating”.  Jesus is the Word and the Word is working in and for us as it worked in Him:

• John 14:12: Verily, verily, I say unto you, “He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to my Father”. 
  This “same Word” is the “true inner self” of every individual.  Man therefore contains within himself the capacities and capabilities of “Being” through his words, uses the creative principles of the “Divine Mind” of God to create.  We make our own world by our own words whether silently or audibly expressed.  So let our words carry “life”!
• Deuteronomy 30:14: The word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou may do it.
• Psalm 141:7: Our bones are scattered at the grave’s mouth, as when one cuts and cleaves wood upon the earth.
• Proverbs 18:21: Death and life are in the power of the tongue:  and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
• Matthew 12:36-37: But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment.  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
• James 3:6: The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity:  so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

WE TOO IN RELATION TO HUMANITY:

We too in relation to “humanity” were made flesh!

• St. John 1:12-13: 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:  which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God!

There are those of us that are here because God sent us here!  Those that came forth from God as Jesus did came from “above”, but there are those that are from “beneath”!  

St. John 8 (Jesus speaking to the Pharisees [the religious group] the Jews): 

Vs 23: And he said unto them, “You are from beneath (kato’teros) [hell]; I am from above (not beyond the blue but from the Father):  you are of this world; I am not of this world”.

Vs 38: I speak that which I have seen with my Father:  and you do that which you have seen with your father.

Vs 44: You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own:  for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Vs 47: He that is of God hears God’s words:  you therefore hear them not, because you are not of God.

Look at what Jesus said in St. John 3:13: No man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

We are not just “mere men”, but we are “gods”!  Jesus was God in flesh form, so are we God in flesh form in the earth:

• Psalm 82:1: God stands in the congregation of the mighty; he judges among the gods. 
  Vs 6: I have said, “You are gods; and all of you are children of the Most High”!
• John 10:34: Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, I said, you are gods”?
• 1 John 4:17: As he is, so are we, in this world!

As Jesus preached and taught the Kingdom there was controversy.  People thought He was strange when He came to them preaching and teaching repentance.  When He performed miracles, men thought He was just a Prophet.  When He spoke the Word of God with power men thought He was amazing.  However, when He proclaimed equality with God, men thought He was crazy, St. John 19:7, especially when He claimed to be the “Son of God”.  With that claim they wanted to kill Him:  The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God”.  Yet, He was not deterred from His mission.  We cannot be deterred or distracted by those that don’t believe the revelation truth’s of the Word of God that we proclaim either.  Neither can we compromise or water it down to appease “men”.  Had Jesus done so He would have debased Himself, but He didn’t, because He is Truth, He is the Way, and He is the Life (John 14:6).

JESUS THE WORD OF GOD, WE THE WORD OF GOD!  

What does the Word of God do?  It restores, heals, delivers, causes demons to tremble, open deaf ears, opens blind eyes, sets the captives free, shines bright in a dark world, raises the dead, turn situations and circumstances around.

That’s why we can no longer be silent but preach and teach the Kingdom, for it is written, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32)!!!

The Church (the Body of Christ) has to come to know and accept the reality that God is Spirit and He lives inside of us!  And if we the Church want to come to the fullness of God we have to know and accept the reality that we have to know Him by the Spirit!!

• John 4:24: God is a Spirit and they that worship him, must worship him in Spirit and in truth.
• 1 John 4:4: Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

God is a Spirit and we worship Him in Spirit and Truth.  Just like the “wind” that is blowing, we cannot see it but we know it’s there.  We can feel it moving upon us!  We cannot see Him, but we feel Him move within and upon us!  Glory to God!!!

JESUS THE WORD OF GOD, WE THE WORD OF GOD!

• 1 John 4:17: As he is, so are we, in this world!

Jesus being the “Word” of God, we have to eat all of Him!  How can we do that?  By studying, believing and accepting His Word.  When we do this we become Him!  The flesh aspect of Him is no more except in us the Church His Body and He’s in us because we ate Him!!  He’s now in us and we’re in Him!!!

• John 6:48-51: I am that bread of life.  Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.  This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.  I am the living bread which came down from heaven:  if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever:  and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

Jesus gave His flesh on the Cross and He said “It is finished”, and He bowed His head and gave up the ghost (John 19:30).  God was through with that “flesh body”!  

• 2 Corinthians 5:16: Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh:  yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth (from here on) know we him no more.

So I’m not looking for that “flesh body of Jesus” that hung on the Cross to come back and deliver me, I never saw it anyway, but now I believe He is here by the Spirit!

• John 20:29: Jesus said unto him, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed:  blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed”!

Let us like Jesus the Word, give out the Word to all men, because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

For we are “the Word” made flesh as Jesus was (St. John 1:1-2, 14), and we are the “trees of life”:  

• Isaiah 61:3: To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
• As he is, so are we, in this world (1 John 4:17).  We are His flesh body in the earth now!
• Ephesians 5:30: We are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
• 1 Corinthians 12:12: For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body:  so also is CHRIST!

Remember Jesus had twelve disciples that He taught for three and one half years, yet not all were in the inner circle.  There were three in the inner circle – Peter, James, and John.  

Let’s look at Thomas, to show how like Thomas, people can be under the Word and still not grasp the spiritual revelation.  St John 14, when Jesus was speaking to them about the promise of His return, Thomas had to be the one to say: 

• Verse 5, “Lord, we know not whither thou go and how can we know the way”? 
  Thomas denotes “understanding” that sits in the “frontal lobe” of the brain which controls speech; personality; higher intellectual processes (concentration, planning, and decision making); verbal communication:
• Proverbs 4:7: Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom:  and with all thy getting get understanding.     
  And there was Philip who said to Jesus in verse 8, “Lord, show us the Father, and it suffices us”.  Philip denotes “power”, and sits at the “root of the tongue”, which governs taste, controls the larynx and its vibrations:
• Proverbs 18:21: Death and life are in the power of the tongue. 
  Yet these men were with Jesus but had not been disciplined in the revelation of who Jesus really was.

But then there’s Peter, one of the three in the inner circle.  Peter denotes “faith”.  Actually in Matthew 10: 1-2, he was the first of the disciples to be called: 

• Hebrews 11:6: For without faith, it is impossible to please God. 
  In the beginning his faith waived.  When our faith waivers we to have not fully come into the understanding of who we are, whose we are and where we’re going.  Therefore Philip the “tongue” or “power”, will say, “Lord show us the Father”!!  

But when Peter which is “faith” lays hold of life and substance, the gates of hell or Hades shall not prevail against him (Matthew 16).  

Faith is the central part of the consciousness (one’s awareness) of a “Master”!  So in Matthew 16:15, when Jesus said unto them, “But whom say you that I am”.  And Peter said, “Thou art the Christ the Son of the Living God” (vs 16), he (Peter) got the revelation!!!  He saw pass the “Man Jesus” and saw “The Christ”, “the Anointed One”!!!

When “faith” stands at the forefront, then our understanding will become enlightened and the tongue will speak with power and authority and say, “I know who I am, I know whose I am, and I know where I’m headed!!!

So where are we headed!!

• Ephesians 4:13: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ!!!

In fact, Jesus said with this kind of “faith” “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18)!!

So our “faith” is in knowing “WE LIKE JESUS, ARE THE WORD OF GOD”!!!

Evangelist Mary Perry