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Outline 041 of 100 · John

The Word Made Flesh

John 1:1-14 — The incarnation as the ground of grace and truth

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

John begins not with a manger but with eternity, declaring that the Word who was with God and was God became flesh and dwelt among us. This is the foundation of the whole gospel: God did not send a message about salvation, He came Himself as the Savior. The eternal Word entering human flesh means grace can now be seen, touched, and known in a Person, not merely described in a law. Though the world He made did not know Him, to as many as received Him He gave power to become sons of God — a gift of adoption, not an achievement of merit. 'Full of grace and truth' shows that in Christ mercy and holiness meet without contradiction. Righteousness by faith begins here: the Word became what we are so that we might become what He is by receiving Him.

  1. I. The eternal Word

    • In the beginning was the Word
    • The Word was with God and was God
    • All things made through Him

  2. II. The Word incarnate

    • The Word became flesh
    • Dwelt among us (tabernacled)
    • We beheld His glory

  3. III. The world's rejection

    • He came unto His own
    • His own received Him not
    • Light shining in darkness, unovercome

  4. IV. The gift received

    • Power to become sons of God
    • Not of blood or human will
    • Full of grace and truth
The appeal

The Word who made the universe stepped into human flesh to reach you personally. Will you receive Him today and become a child of God by faith, not by your own effort?

Key points

  • The incarnation shows God coming personally, not merely sending instructions.
  • Receiving Christ, not human effort, grants the right to become God's children.
  • Grace and truth are perfectly united in the person of Jesus Christ.

Key passages

  • John 1:1
  • John 1:12-14
  • Philippians 2:6-7
  • 1 John 1:1-2