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Sermon Introduction

The author established that the Word was there from the beginning. He was the uncreated origin of all creation. Nothing came into existence without Him. The Word was with God and God Himself (John 1:1). Moreover, the Word was the life-giver and the light-giver. The author would develop these ideas in a physical and spiritual sense.

The author would then introduce John the Baptizer, who became a witness of the light. The light would come, but His own people would reject Him, but not all. Others would believe whom God would give the right to become His children; such were born of God, not man.

Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

John 1:6-13

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Notes

The author established that the Word was there from the beginning. He was the uncreated origin of all creation. Nothing came into existence without Him. The Word was with God and God Himself (John 1:1). Moreover, the Word was the life-giver and the light-giver. The author would develop these ideas in a physical and spiritual sense.

The author would then introduce John the Baptizer, who became a witness of the light. The light would come, but His own people would reject Him, but not all. Others would believe whom God would give the right to become His children; such were born of God, not man.

1. John, the witness

   The writer mentioned a witness named John, also known as John the Baptist. He witnessed about the light that would overcome the darkness. Although the Baptist’s ministry created an impact, He never claimed to be the light.
   
   6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light (John 1:6-8).
   
   

2. True light rejected

   The writer mentioned the light that gives light to everyone. He described the light as present in creation, who made the universe, but the people in the world did not know Him. Moreover, His own people rejected Him.
   
   9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him (John 1:9-11).
   
   

3. Right to be children

   The majority would reject the light, but some would not. They would receive Him, meaning they believed in His name. God would give them the right to be His children; they would be born of Him, not this world. This included Gentiles.
   
   12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:12-13).
   
   

Application

1. Believe prophetic fulfillment of Scripture

   Isaiah prophesied of a voice crying in the wilderness to “prepare the way of the Lord” (Isaiah 40:3, Matt. 3:1-3). The word of God through the prophet was true, as stated by Isaiah. Thus, we believe in the prophecies fulfilled related to Christ.
   
   

2. Expect rejection

   John prepared the coming of the Lord. Every believer should proclaim Christ and His finished work. Christ suffered, died, and rose again; He calls people to repentance for the forgiveness of sin. But we should expect rejection.
   
   

3. Believe in His name

   Let us not be one of those who would reject the Lord. Let us receive Him by believing in His name. And if we believe in His name, let us acknowledge God's work in our lives, who were born out of the will of God.
   
   
   

Reflection & Discussion

1. Why did God send John the Baptist?

2. What happened to the true light?

3. Describe the person who receives Him.