In the Beginning Was the Word

In the Beginning Was the Word

Introduction (John 1:1–18):
Our theme is simple and glorious: “Sir, we would see Jesus.” John opens heaven’s curtain and shows the eternal Word who made all things, gives light to all, and became flesh for our salvation. Let us behold His glory and respond in obedient faith.

The Eternal Word
John begins where Moses began, yet looks farther back. “In the beginning was the Word” (John 1:1). Genesis speaks of the beginning of time (Genesis 1:1). John testifies that when time began, the Word already existed. Eternity is not a measure of time; it is the absence of time. Jesus, the Word, is eternal. He declared, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). He is no recent arrival who first appeared in Bethlehem; He is the everlasting One who entered history for our redemption.

The Word With God, the Word Was God
John affirms a fellowship within the Godhead: “the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1–2). The phrase points to face-to-face communion—distinct in person and one in nature. Scripture consistently reveals Father, Son, and Holy Spirit acting in perfect unity (Matthew 3:16–17; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Jude 20–21). To see Jesus is to see the Father’s nature revealed (John 14:9).

The Word and Creation
“All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:3). He is the active agent of creation and its continual sustainer. Paul writes, “By Him all things were created… and in Him all things consist”—held together in ordered harmony (Colossians 1:16–17). The Hebrew writer adds that He “upholds all things by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1:3). The cosmos remains intelligible and stable because the Word who spoke it into being also maintains it.

The Word as Light and Life
“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4). His teaching illumines the mind as the sun illumines the eye. The true Light shines and enlightens every person (John 1:9). Counterfeit lights will appear in every age, which is why Jesus identifies Himself as the true vine, the authentic source of life and fruitfulness (John 15:1). Those who receive His light find what darkness cannot overcome (John 1:5).

Witness to the Light
God sent John the Baptist “to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe” (John 1:6–8). The gospel rests on God’s testimony, not speculation. Witness anchors faith in revealed truth so that belief rests on God’s voice.

Rejected by Many, Received by the Faithful
“He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him” (John 1:10). The Creator stood among His creation, yet many turned away. Still, the promise is sure: “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12). Belief opens a gracious privilege—the right to become God’s children. God grants new birth from above, not by human ancestry or human planning, but by His will (John 1:13; John 3:3–5). Saving faith embraces the Lord’s will and enters the new birth He provides.

The Word Became Flesh
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). At the fullness of time, the eternal Son tabernacled among us (Galatians 4:4). John saw His glory—glory as of the unique, only-begotten Son—“full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). In Jesus, grace comes to rescue and truth comes to sanctify (John 17:17). Moses mediated the law; Jesus brings grace and truth in their fullness (John 1:17).

Grace Received, Glory Beheld
“Of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace” (John 1:16). His resources never run dry. The more we draw near, the more we receive. In Him we meet the Father’s heart, for “the only begotten Son… He has declared Him” (John 1:18). To see Jesus is to have the Father made known.

Seeing Jesus This Week
John 1:1–18 lays a foundation for every other passage we will study. We meet the eternal, divine Creator; the true Light; the Giver of life; the One who offers new birth; the Word who took on flesh and revealed the Father. Let this chapter shape our hearing, our faith, and our obedience.

“In the Beginning Was the Word” Sermon Outline:

• I. The Eternity of the Word

  • The Word existed before the beginning (John 1:1–2; Genesis 1:1).

  • Jesus’ self-identification as eternal (John 8:58).

• II. The Deity and Fellowship of the Word

  • “With God” and “was God” together affirm personhood and divine nature (John 1:1–2).

  • The triune witness in Scripture (Matthew 3:16–17; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Jude 20–21).

  • Seeing the Father in the Son (John 14:9).

• III. The Word’s Work in Creation and Preservation

  • All things made through Him; nothing exists apart from Him (John 1:3).

  • Creation’s scope and purpose; all things hold together in Him (Colossians 1:16–17; Hebrews 1:3).

• IV. Life and Light for Humanity

  • Life in the Son; His life is our light (John 1:4–5).

  • The true Light enlightens every person (John 1:9; John 15:1).

• V. The Witness and the World’s Response

  • John the Baptist’s God-sent testimony (John 1:6–8).

  • The world’s ignorance and Israel’s refusal, yet the open door remains (John 1:10–12).

• VI. Becoming Children of God

  • Believers receive the right to become God’s children (John 1:12).

  • New birth originates with God; Jesus teaches the birth “from above” (John 1:13; John 3:3–5).

• VII. The Incarnation and Its Gifts

  • The Word became flesh, dwelt among us—glory beheld (John 1:14).

  • Grace and truth in their fullness; sanctified by the word (John 1:16–17; John 17:17).

  • The Son makes the Father known (John 1:18; Galatians 4:4).

Call to Action
Come to the Word who became flesh. Receive the Light by trusting His testimony, turning from sin, confessing His name, and submitting to the new birth He provides (John 1:12–13; John 3:3–5). Abide in His grace and truth each day. Let John’s witness shape your faith this week, and let your faith answer with obedience today.

Key Takeaways

• Jesus is eternal; He existed when time began (John 1:1–2; Genesis 1:1; John 8:58).

• The Word is divine and in perfect fellowship with the Father and the Spirit (John 1:1–2; Matthew 3:16–17; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Jude 20–21).

• All things were created through Him and are sustained by His powerful word (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16–17; Hebrews 1:3).

• He is life and the true Light who enlightens every person (John 1:4–5, 9; John 15:1).

• Believers receive the right to become God’s children through the new birth from above (John 1:12–13; John 3:3–5).

• The Word became flesh, revealing the Father and bringing grace and truth (John 1:14, 16–18; John 17:17; Galatians 4:4).

Scripture Reference List

• Genesis 1:1 — The beginning of time and creation.

• John 1:1–18 — The eternal Word, Creator, Light, Incarnation, and revelation of the Father.

• John 8:58 — Jesus’ declaration of eternal existence.

• John 14:9 — Seeing the Son reveals the Father.

• Matthew 3:16–17 — Father, Son, and Spirit manifested at Jesus’ baptism.

• Matthew 28:19 — The triune name in the Great Commission.

• 2 Corinthians 13:14 — Apostolic benediction naming Father, Son, and Spirit.

• Jude 20–21 — Life in God by the Spirit.

• Colossians 1:16–17 — Creation through Christ; all things hold together in Him.

• Hebrews 1:3 — The Son upholds all things by His powerful word.

• John 15:1 — Jesus, the true vine.

• John 3:3–5 — The new birth from above.

• Galatians 4:4 — The fullness of time and the sending of the Son.

• John 17:17 — Sanctification through the truth of God’s word.

Prepared by Robert Moss