Sermon for July 10, 2011 - This weeks Sermon is Book of John Verses

Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

If you are new to studying the Holy Bible – then my guidance to you would be to start with and study in detail the Book of John. Once you fully understand the book of John you will then come to truly know and understand the glory of Jesus Christ. Over the next few weeks we will study, in detail, the Book of John. Join me as I take you through it verse - by – verse.

This week’s Sermon is from the Book of John – Verses John 1:1-8 - 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. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

Part One - The Pre-Existence Of Christ: John 1:1-5 - 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. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

INTRODUCTION:

1. The gospel of John was written for a simple purpose:

a. To produce faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God - John 20:30-31a - And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;

b. To share the “life” that comes through such faith - John 20:31b - and that believing ye might have life through his name.

2. To encourage us to have faith in Jesus Christ:

a. John begins his gospel with a prologue - John 1:1-18 - 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. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 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. 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 bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

b. In which he makes several claims as to who Jesus was

1) He refers to Jesus in this prologue as “the Word”

2) That he refers to Jesus is evident from Verses 14-18 - 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 bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

3. The very first claim pertains to the pre-existence of Christ:

a. That He existed in the beginning, long before being born of Mary - cf. 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.

b. That His work in the beginning has great significance for us - cf. John 1:3-5 - All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

[John is not alone in proclaiming “The Pre-Existence Of Christ.” Elsewhere in the Scriptures we find...]

I. EVIDENCE FOR THE PRE-EXISTENCE OF CHRIST:

A. FORETOLD BY THE PROPHETS:

1. Micah prophesied of the pre-existence of the Messiah to come - Micah 5:2 - But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

2. Isaiah spoke of the King to come as “Everlasting Father” - Isaiah 9:6-7 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

3. Zechariah recorded the Messiah’s own promise to come - Zechariah 2:10-11 - Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

B. AFFIRMED BY JESUS HIMSELF:

1. In His claim to have existed in Abraham’s day - John 8:56-58 - Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

2. In His prayer shortly before His arrest and crucifixion - John 17:4-5 - I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. - John 17:24 - Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

3. In the revelation He gave to John - Revelation 22:13 - I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

C. DECLARED BY HIS APOSTLES:

1. By John in his gospel, and also his epistle - John 1:1-4 - 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. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. - 1 John 2:14 - I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

2. By Paul in his epistles:

a. To the church in Corinth - 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 - Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. - 2 Corinthians 8:9 - For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

b. To the church in Philippi - Philippians 2:5-8 - Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

c. To the church in Colosse - 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.

D. ILLUSTRATED BY THE CREATION:

1. All things were created by Jesus - John 1:3 - All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. - Hebrew 1:2-3 - Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

2. Necessitating His existence before creation - 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.

3. Implying His own eternal power and divine nature - Romans 1:20 - For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

[These are remarkable claims concerning Jesus, even blasphemous if not true. Yet if true (and John’s gospel is design to prove that it is), consider...]

II. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PRE-EXISTENCE OF CHRIST:

A. HE IS DEITY...!

1. Especially when we consider the nature of His pre-existence:

a. His going forths were “from everlasting” - cf. Micah 5:2 - But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

b. He was the eternal “I Am” - John 8:58 - Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. - Exodus 3:13-14 - And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

2. As made clear in John’s prologue - 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.

a. He was “with” God (implying a personal communion with God)

b. He “was” God (explicitly stating His deity)

-- Thus He is worthy of our love and adoration - cf. John 20:28 - And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

B. HE IS LIFE...!

1. By virtue of being the Creator and the Sustainer of life:

a. All things were made by Him - Colossians 1:16 - 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:

b. All things are held together - Colossians 1:17 - And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

2. Again, as John makes clear in his prologue - John 1:3-4 - All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

a. Without Him, nothing was made

b. In Him was life itself

-- Thus He gives us hope for our own resurrection! - cf. John 5:21 - For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. ; 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:

C. HE IS LIGHT...!

1. We live in a world of darkness:

a. Where people spend their lives stumbling in ignorance

b. Alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance - cf. Ephesians 4:17-19 - This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

2. As the Creator and Sustainer of life itself:

a. Jesus is uniquely qualified to bring light into the world - John 1:4 - In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

b. He calls for us to believe that we might become “sons of light” - John 12:35-36 - Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

-- Thus Jesus offers us the “light of life” - John 8:12 - Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

CONCLUSION

1. Sadly, many resist the life and light Jesus offers:

a. Some tried to destroy Him, but did not succeed - cf. John 1:5 - And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

b. Many try to avoid Him, knowing that it will mean changes to their lifestyle - cf. John 3:19-20 - And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

2. But for those willing to come to Jesus:

a. He offers us hope and guidance in this life - cf. Micah 5:4-5a - And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land:

b. He is capable of fulfilling His promises - cf. Matthew 11:28-30 - Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

For He is no mere man, whose existence began when born by Mary, but “whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” - Micah 5:2 - But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Part Two - Bearing Witness Of The Light - John 1:6-8 - There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

INTRODUCTION:

1. In the prologue to his gospel, the apostle John introduces another man named John...

a. A man who was sent from God - John 1:6 - There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

b. A man who came to bear witness of the Light - John 1:7 - The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

-- This man, of course, was John the Baptist

2. John the apostle makes it clear that this other “John” was not the Light:

a. Not only here in the prologue - John 1:8 - He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

b. But also immediately following the prologue - cf. John 1:19-20 - And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.

3. John the Baptist’s purpose in bearing witness of the Light:

a. That all might believe - 1 John 1:7 - But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

b. The same reason John the apostle wrote his gospel - cf. John 20:30-31 - And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

4. John was not the only person to bear witness of the Light:

a. Others did before he came

b. Others have since he came

[Indeed, even we have a responsibility to bear witness of the Light! Before we consider how, let’s note those who have done so in the past...]

I. THE FORERUNNERS OF CHRIST:

A. THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS:

1. They foretold the sufferings of Christ, and the glories to follow - 1 Peter 1:10-11 - Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

a. E.g., the prophet Isaiah - Isaiah 7:14 - Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. ; Isaiah 9:6-7 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. ; Isaiah 53:4-6 - Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

b. E.g., the prophet Micah - Micah 5:2 - But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

c. It has been estimated that there are more than 300 prophecies concerning Christ

2. Jesus reminded His disciples of this truth:

a. To the two disciples on the road to Emmaus - Luke 24:25-27 - Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

b. Later to the apostles in Jerusalem - Luke 24:44-47 - And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

B. JOHN THE BAPTIST:

1. Foretold by Isaiah - Isaiah 40:3 - The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

2. Identified as such by Matthew, Mark, and Luke - Matthew 3:1-3 - In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. - Mark 1:1-4 - The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. - Luke 3:1-6 - Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

3. John the apostle relates how John the Baptist bore witness of the Light

a. Declaring Jesus to be “The Lamb of God” - John 1:29 - The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. - John 1:35-36 - Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

b. Declaring Jesus to be “The Son of God” - John 1:34 - And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

[Both the prophets and John bore witness to Jesus prior to His ministry. During the course of His ministry, there was another One who bore witness of the Light...]

II. THE FATHER OF CHRIST:

A. HE BORE WITNESS THROUGH SIGNS:

1. Through the miracles Jesus did - cf. John 5:36-37 - But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. - John 10:25 - Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. - John 10:37-38 - If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

2. Even as Nicodemus and the man born blind realized - cf. John 3:2 - The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. - John 9:32-33 - Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.

B. HE BORE WITNESS THROUGH HIS VOICE FROM HEAVEN:

1. At the baptism of Jesus - Matthew 3:16-17 - And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

2. At the mount of transfiguration - Matthew 17:5 - While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

3. At Jerusalem during the last week - John 12:27-30 - Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

C. HE BORE WITNESS THROUGH RAISING JESUS FROM THE DEAD:

1. Declaring Jesus to be the Son of God with power - Romans 1:3-4 - Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

2. Declaring Jesus to be One will judge the world - Acts 17:30-31 - And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

[When the Father raised Jesus from the dead, He was seen by select witnesses who in turn were commanded to add their witness of the Light (Acts 10:40-43 - Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.). But not just the apostles; in some ways we can say that witnesses of the Light includes all...]

III. THE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST:

A. THE APOSTLES OF CHRIST:

1. They bore witness through their eyewitness testimony:

a. In this they are very special witnesses - cf. John 15:27 - And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. - Acts 1:8 - But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. - Acts 5:30-32 - The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. - Acts 13:30-31 - But God raised him from the dead: And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

b. Providing empirical evidence - cf. 1 John 1:1-2 - That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) - 2 Peter 1:16-18 - For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

2. They bore witness through their lives and death:

a. Enduring great hardship for their testimony - cf. 1 Corinthian 4:9-13 - For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

b. Giving credence to the truthfulness of their testimony!

B. THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST:

1. Their unity with one another bears witness - John 17:20-23 - Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

a. Through our unity we bear witness to the fact:

1) Jesus was sent by God

2) God loves the world

b. Should make one think how Jesus feels about congregational infighting, denominational division, etc.

1) We know how Paul feels - cf. 1 Corinthian 1:10-13 - Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? - 1 Corinthian 3:3-4 - For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

2) We know what conduct is worthy of our calling - cf. Ephesians 4:1-3 - I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

2. Their transformed lives also bears witness:

a. As evidence of the influence of Christ in their lives - cf. 2 Corinthian 3:18 - But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. - 2 Corinthian 4:6 - For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

1) Whose truth teaches us how to live in righteousness and holiness - cf. Ephesians 4:17-24 - This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

2) Enabling us to “shine as lights in the world” as we reflect the glory of His light in our lives - Philippians 2:12-16 - Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

b. Should make one think how we can be of much use if we are not being transformed

1) By failing to renew of our minds - cf. Romans 12:1-2 - I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,

2) By failing to put on the new man (a Christ-like character) - cf. Colossians 3:9-17 - Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

3. Their proclamation of the Word bears witness:

a. Our duty as the elect people of God is to proclaim His praises - 1 Peter 2:9-10 - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

1) How He called us into His marvelous light

2) How we obtained His mercy

b. Should make one think of how little use we are if we remain silent

1) By not spreading the gospel - cf. Acts 8:4 - Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

2) By not sounding forth the Word - cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:8 - For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

CONCLUSION:

1. Those in the past faithfully bore witness of the Light:

a. The forerunners (the prophets and John the Baptist)

b. The followers (the apostles and early disciples)

2. What about us today...?

a. Do we bear witness of the Light by our unity with one another?

b. Do we bear witness of the Light through transformed lives?

c. Do we bear witness of the Light through proclaiming the Word?

The purpose of bearing witness of the Light is so others can believe (John 1:7 - The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.). Do we help or hinder those around us to believe in Jesus?

Don’t quench the Father’s efforts, who would have each of us bear witness of the Light!

2 Corinthian 4:6 - For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:8 - For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Prayer: Mark 16:16 - He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned - Ephesians 6:23 - Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. - Lord I truly thank You for giving the opportunity to present these words to my brethrens. I pray that You will keep them in Your blessings and accept them into Your heart - this I pray in the name of Thy Son, Jesus, the Messiah, Your only begotten son which You sent to save mankind from themselves. Amen

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