SUNDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY - JULY 19TH - PASTOR JOSIAH SHIPLEY

John 1:1-5 and the Identity of the Word

Good evening and welcome to Sunday Night Bible Study with Pastor Josiah Shipley. Tonight we're going to be in John Chapter 1. So here's the upcoming schedule. We're going to be in John Chapter 1 for two weeks.

Then we will take a week off, which I believe is August 2nd, because the church will be doing a block party, a back to school party I believe it is, for the kids going back to school. They're going to be giving out backpacks and school supplies and things of that sort.

And then starting the second week of August, I believe it's August 9th, we will finally start the long awaited Life of the Apostles, starting with the life of Paul. September we should be doing the Canyon of Scripture, and then in October we'll be starting a new book.

So for the next two weeks we'll be in John Chapter 1. I know we've been all over the place, but we've been doing some good stuff. You know, we did Faith and Obedience, we did Eternal Security, we did Romans Chapter 1, so now we're going to be in John Chapter 1 for the next two weeks.

Next Week's Teaching Assignment and a Shorter Lesson Tonight

Next week in person I will not be here, I will still do a video, but if you can make it to Witten for next Sunday night, what's the date on that, let me check my handy dandy phone calendar. So tonight is July 19th, next week is July 26th, Brother Richard McGee will be teaching at James Chapter 1, so that will be a real cheap treat.

Okay, so for tonight, John Chapter 1, this may be a shorter lesson, but I am ready, here we go. John Chapter 1, verses 1 -5. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him. And apart from Him, not one thing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life took a lot of days. I read out of ESV, but I memorized this in Holman, so forgive me if I kind of cross translations there.

The Eternal Word and the Trinity

So, a few quick things guys. In the beginning was the Word. You've got to know who the Word is to understand the Gospel of John, particularly Chapter 1. Well, you don't have to guess, we've got a few hints there.

It says the Word created all things, we're going to come back to that in a minute. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. But, Chapter 14, excuse me, verse 14 tells us exactly who the Word is. John 1 -14, and the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, tabernacled among us, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Okay, so the Word is the eternal Son of the Father. The Word is Jesus Christ. So let's go back to verse 1. The Word is Jesus. In the beginning was Jesus, and Jesus was with God, and Jesus was God. Josiah, how can Jesus be with God and be God?

Well, I'm glad you asked. Because we believe in the Trinitarian nature of God, which is often called the Trinity. Last night in the question and answer session, someone asked a question. We did a live question and answer the past two weeks.

Someone asked about the Trinitarian nature, and we explained it there. And there's a really awesome video on YouTube with me and ministry on the Trinitarian nature of God. It had three of us there. I believe it was Pastor Jeff, Brother Jeremiah, and myself.

It's really good. It's like an hour and a half just on that one question. It's a really good resource. Anyway, in the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God. The Word was God. Jesus was with God in that God is three persons in one God, in one being.

God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit. So Jesus was with God the whole Trinitarian nature. And Jesus was God. And He still is. So in the beginning, He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him.

So, very interesting. In the beginning. When you hear those words, what do you think of? Well, you should think of Genesis 1 -1. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Well, that's interesting because this just says Jesus created all things.

Exactly. Because Jesus is God. John wrote this Gospel. The Gospel of John. Later than the other Gospels. He wrote this. We don't know. It would have been in the 80's, 90's, even close to 100 A .D. Probably in the 80's.

This is what John writes in 1 John. One of his later books. John wrote five books in the Bible. John is remembering back to when he talked to Jesus. He touched Jesus. Remember, John is the one who recorded Thomas saying, unless I put my hands in his side, in his wrist, I will not believe.

John saw that. John heard these things. John slept next to Jesus. John talked with Jesus. John walked with Jesus for three years. John remembers. And he's saying he's writing these things so other people can believe too.

In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him. So who's the creator? Well, God. Yes. Precisely, Jesus.

Because Jesus is God. When the Bible says all things were made through him, what do you think it means when it says all things? We've been over this many times. The word all means all. It means all. All things.

There are some who teach that Jesus was the first creation. That Jesus really isn't God. And that God the Father, or God, created Jesus first. And then Jesus was the agent of creation and created everything else.

But that's not true. Jesus was not created. Jesus has eternally existed as God. And as the Son of God. So, sorry guys. So, when the Bible says all things were created through him. Let me explain something to you.

Just follow my logic for a minute. If the Bible says everything has been created. All things were created through him. And according to him, not one thing was created that has been created. If everything that was ever created was created by Jesus.

Then how would Jesus have created himself? If Jesus is not eternal. If Jesus was created. Then this verse would be a lie. Because this verse says all things that have been created were created by Jesus.

You know why? Because Jesus was never created. He has always been the creator. He has never been a creation. Jesus has eternally existed. Just like the Father. And just like the Holy Spirit. All things were created through him and apart from him.

Without him. In him was life. The word Zoe. Zoe. I love that word. In him was life. And in that life was the light of men. I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me. No one comes to the Father but by me.

Guys, I'm sorry. There are not many paths to the top of the mountain. It's just not true. Jesus taught an exclusivity of the gospel. A narrow way. He said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.

In him was life. Matthew 5 .16. Let your light. The light that's in you. What is that light that's in you? It's Jesus. That's what this verse says. Jesus is in you if you're a believer, right? Let your light so shine before men.

Let it shine in such a way that they can see your good works and glorify your Father that's in heaven. Your light should shine so brightly that even though we're commanded to preach the gospel with our mouth, before you've even opened your mouth, they're already glorifying God because they've seen your good works.

You've got to walk the walk and talk the talk. You can't just do one or the other. That's how brightly your light's supposed to shine. I want my light to shine that brightly. I don't want to hide it under a bushel.

No, I don't want to let it shine. You remember the song? Verse 5. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness hasn't overcome it. Ladies and gentlemen, there's a lot of darkness in this world. But the darkness has not overcome the light because the light is Jesus.

Our job is to let that light shine so brightly that with all this darkness in the world, the darkness can't overcome it. You know why? Because greater is he who is in us than he who is in the world. Greater is he who is in us than he who is in the world.

Recap of John 1 and the Light That Overcomes Darkness

So let's recap. In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God. And the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him. And without Him, nothing. In Him was life.

And in that life was the light of men. The light of men has not overcome it. Isn't that beautiful? Isn't that just beautiful? In the beginning was Jesus. And Jesus was with God. And Jesus was God. Jesus was with God in the beginning.

All things were made through Jesus. And without Jesus, not anything. And in that life darkness has not overcome it. John is writing 50, 60 years after he saw Jesus do these things. And he's saying the darkness hasn't overcome it yet.

Church, the darkness hasn't overcome it up to this point. And it won't. Because I am sure of this. That he who started the good work in you will carry it on to completion. I trust God in His promises and His Word.

And with all the darkness in the world. I trust that my God is good. And the judge of all the earth will do what is right. His Word is a lamp unto our feet. And a light unto our path. His Word. Bible.

But don't forget, Jesus is the Word. Jesus said when He was leaving in John 14, 26. The counsel of the Holy Spirit, the Father will send Him in my name. You see all three persons of the trinity of God there?

John 14, 26. The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and remind you of everything I've told you. Because we know we don't get it right the first time. So hear these words one last time. In the beginning was the Word.

The Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him. The light came. The darkness has not overcome it. I love you guys very much. I wanted to try a shorter video this time.

I'm very interested to see how this will change with reaches and views and all that. Please, please, please put comments. I promise you I read everyone. I promise. Let me know what you think of these shorter videos.

Are they helpful or not? If you like the longer videos, put it in the comments. If you like the shorter videos, put it in the comments. I need to know to make this the most effective I can. Love you guys very much.

That was John chapter 1 verses 1 -5. Share this on your personal Facebook. Maybe because it's shorter, more people will watch it. Don't forget to subscribe to Witten Media Ministries on YouTube. We need more subscribers to reach more people.

So it will show up on their feed. You know how this works. I love you all very much. Hopefully, I will see you at church next week. It was good to see those of you I saw today. For those of you that don't attend church at Witten, you live in another state or whatever, then it's perfectly fine.

But don't forget to find a local congregation where you can serve. Let's pray. Father God, there's a lot of darkness in this world. But up to this point, that darkness has not overcome the light that is in us.

Not because we're so great, but because you, God, are in us. In your Son, Jesus Christ, and in your Holy Spirit. Father, you are the only sovereign. I wish to obey you as sovereign. Let others see your good works and glorify you in heaven.

Amen. God, share your joy. Your joy of knowing who God is. I love you, and I'll see you all soon.