Glory of the Only-Begotten (2025-12-21, Greg Lanier, John 1:14-17)

A sermon on the "the Word became flesh" in John 1:14-17 by Greg Lanier. Application questions: Reflect on this claim: “‘The Word became flesh,’ as part of the bigger picture of the Triune God, is the deepest and boldest claim imaginable.” Why might this be true? Read Exod 25:5; 29:46; Lev 26:11-12; Ezek 11:20; 2 Cor 6:16; Rev 21:3. How do these passages show that the core theme of the Bible is that God would “dwell with us”? Discuss the connection made between “we have seen his glory” and the glory that Isaiah “saw” in John 12:41 (including Isaiah 6 and Isaiah 53). What do these passages teach about the (a) preexistent glory of Christ and (b) suffering-glory of Christ? Why is being a child of God—based on the Sonship that Jesus himself has—so important to the Christian life? Here are some suggestions on books you can read in 2026 that can help you grow in knowing God in Christ more: Knowing God (J.I. Packer) Knowing Christ (Mark Jones) The Deep Things of God (Fred Sanders) The Trinity: An Introduction (Scott Swain) Simply Trinity (Matthew Barrett)