December 24-25, 2005

Background: Approximately 80 years had gone by since Jesus came into the world. Greek mythology dominated much of the culture. The Greeks believed in many gods and goddesses, gods of war, the sea, the sun, goddess of love. In many cities, structures were built to worship these gods like the goddess Diana, a fertility goddess sometimes called Artemis, to whom one of the seven wonders of the ancient world was built. These were gods who birthed other gods, gods who were worshipped because of their control of the universe or control over elements within the universe, god’s who needed to be pleased, god’s who simply used the human race as a pawn in their scheme.

In the midst of all of these beliefs, there were the Jews who believed in only one God, and by following the law and offering sacrifices a person could receive forgiveness and live in a better place after death. In fact, to believe in more than one god was heresy.

It was into this very world that Jesus was born and placed in a manger. The message about Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection had spread. Stories of healing, raising the dead, forgiving sins, stories of transformed lives. People were asking “Who is this Jesus?” Some Jews believed in Jesus but they didn’t completely understand who He was. Some Greeks believed in Jesus but they didn’t completely grasp who He was. Many of these were people who had never really met Jesus but had heard stories and were asking “Who is this Jesus?”

Stories developed as to who Jesus was…

• a good person
• a prophet
• Jesus was just one god created by God.
• Jesus was God, and was never truly human, but just appeared human.
• Jesus was part God and part man. Many Greek myths taught this about other gods.

Today: Live in a culture that is very religiously diverse- Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Sikhs, Wiccans, New Age. And members of these religious groups live not just on the other side of the world but now in our own neighborhoods. People worship many gods.

Quotes from chapter 6 of Emerging Church

• “Eastern thought, Western mysticism. I really dig the whole Hindu pantheon. And I just pull from all kinds of different things.” Actress Meg Ryan
• “I believe in God. I just don’t know if that God is Jehovah, Buddha, or Allah.” Actress Halle Berry
• “I go to synagogue, I study Hinduism…all paths lead to God.” Madonna
• “One of the biggest mistakes we make is to believe that there is only one way. There are many diverse paths leading to God.” – Oprah Winfrey

Many beliefs about god and how to be god or be one with a god or the universe. These same people have their own opinions about Jesus – good teacher, enlightened and had higher truth, one god created by God, sinless human, messenger of Allah. Then there are Christians who have placed their faith in God and Jesus, but in the midst of such a religiously diverse culture strive to sometimes understand who Jesus really is.

Who is this Jesus that was born in a manger?

In the midst of a religiously diverse culture, John, one of the original 12 disciples, writes a letter to address this very question. John actually wrote this letter while serving in the city of Ephesus where the temple to Diana was located. A letter written to new Christians – Jews and Greeks, and people who were searching to discover who Jesus was, to people who had incorrect understandings of who Jesus was.

John 1

1. The Word was God. (verses 1-4)

Logos: John says “In the beginning the Word.” Now in Greek culture, philosophers would talk about the energy and reason that created and controlled the universe and they would refer to this as “logos” or “word.” When the Jews would discuss the creation of the universe, they would also refer to “logos” or “word” in reference to the very word of God that brought the world into existence. Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God said…” and things came into existence. So when speaking of the very one who created the universe, the one who governs the universe, John begins by speaking of Jesus as the Word.

1. The Word was with God – intimate relationship with God.
2. The Word was God. – Jesus was God. Mystery beyond comprehension.
3. The Word existed in the beginning – not created by God but co-existed with God.
4. God created everything through Him – Jesus participated in creation.
5. Nothing was created except through Him. The Word gave life to everything. Jesus is the source of life.
6. Jesus was God. - You can know God.

Light: This same culture that John lived in would talk about light and darkness when discussing good and evil. Evil was associated with darkness, light with good. Light emphasizes the removal of darkness. Light is such an important theme in Scripture. In OT we find mention of “God’s word being a lamp to our feet and a light to our path” Psalm 119:105. “The Lord is my light and my salvation” Psalm 27:1. In reference to the coming of Jesus, “The people living in darkness shall see a great light.” Isaiah 9:2. Jesus in John 8:12 says, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

This concept of darkness would have been well understood by the Jews and much of the rest of culture. People viewed the world as a world of darkness, a world going from bad to worse. The world was seen as corrupt, in need of great help, great hope.

2. The Word brought light to everyone. (verse 4-9)

1. Everyone – regardless of your past, guilt, pain. The word brings light to everyone.
2. This light shines in the deepest darkness.
3. The darkness can never extinguish it.
4. The one who is the true light gives light to everyone came into the world.
5. Jesus brings light – more than just shining or reflecting, He penetrates our hearts, reveals our sins, and removes sin. – You can experience true forgiveness.

3. The Word changes lives. (verse 12-13)

1. To all who believe and accept Him, He gives the right to become children of God.
2. They are reborn, forgiven, transformed, changed, to live a new life.
3. Jesus changes lives. - You can live a changed life.

Verse 14: “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”

The “word” became “flesh” and made his home among us. The very God who spoke galaxies into existence broke into our world. He came to where we were in the flesh. The mighty Creator became a part of the creation, limited by time and space and susceptible to aging, sickness, and death. When Jesus was born, He was not part man and part God. He was not a creation of God. He was not just a good person. He was not God with the appearance of being human. Jesus was completely human and completely divine. To say the “word” became “flesh” broke all the rules, and that is exactly what God did. Before Jesus came, people could know God partially. After Jesus came, people could know God fully because he became visible and tangible. The Word was God and he came to bring light and life to all in the greatest Christmas Drama ever.

*You are invited to play a vital role in this Christmas drama with real people. Joseph – a faithful follower, Mary – a willing heart, You – a changed life. You are invited to know God personally through Jesus, to experience true forgiveness, and to live a changed life.

Communion
Verse 18: “No one has ever seen God. But the one and only Son is Himself God and is near to the Father's heart; He has revealed God to us.”

It is Jesus who reveals God’s incredible love for us. A love that was willing to break into our world and offer Himself as the greatest sacrifice so that we can know God personally, be forgiven, and changed. That sacrifice is what sets God apart from any other god worshipped during the time of John and from every other religion today. Because with every other religion, it is about what you can do to earn forgiveness and hope that you can be accepted, hope you can please a god. But in Jesus we find that God has already provided forgiveness.

That is real love, and that is why we celebrate communion. The bread that represents Christ’s body and the drink that represents Christ’s blood that was broken and shed for you so that you can be forgiven, changed, and know God personally. We have placed bread and drink at the tables to the side. While this song is sung, we invite you to come forward and take piece of bread and drink, and as you return to your seats, take some time to meet with God, to talk with God, to seek forgiveness, to offer thanks, to commit your life to God, to be comforted.

Bread: This bread represents the body of Jesus. His flesh that ultimately was broken, sacrificed so that you could receive forgiveness and be in relationship with God. Take and eat and remember Jesus is your Messiah, Savior, Immanuel, God with us.

Drink: This juice represents the blood of Jesus. His blood that ultimately was shed, sacrificed so that you could receive forgiveness and be in relationship with God. Take and drink and remember Jesus is your Messiah, Savior, Immanuel, God with us.

Candle Light
On your way in you were given a candle. If you could take that out, the ushers are going to come and light candles at the end of each row. If you could then light the candle of the person next to you. While this is taking place and as we prepare to sing, listen to this Scripture that we read earlier and now think about the light that leads to life. Isaiah 9:2; 6

Send Out
Jesus in John 8:12 said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

This Christmas, may you worship and experience the light that leads to life.