GOD: The Holy, Loving, Near Creator - Week 3: The Word Was God, The Word Became Flesh

WEEK 3 — THE WORD WAS GOD, THE WORD BECAME FLESH           Text: John 1:1–18Series: GOD: The Holy, Loving, Near CreatorFoundational Truth: God is triune and self-revealingDisciple Mark Formed: Christ-centered, Scripture-shaped knowing of God BIG IDEA / THESISGod does not remain hidden, distant, or abstract.The eternal Creator has made Himself knowable, personal and near by becoming flesh in Jesus Christ.To know God rightly, we must behold Him as He reveals Himself: Father, Son and Spirit; perfectly united in love.MOVEMENT I — THE WORD WHO ALWAYS WASText: John 1:1–2MOVEMENT II — THE WORD THROUGH WHOM ALL THINGS WERE MADEText: John 1:3–5MOVEMENT III — THE WORD WHO ENTERED OUR WORLDText: John 1:9–13MOVEMENT IV — THE WORD WHO BECAME FLESHText: John 1:14MOVEMENT V — THE INVISIBLE GOD MADE KNOWNText: John 1:16–18THEOLOGICAL SYNTHESIS — WHAT THIS TEACHES US ABOUT GODGod Is TriuneLove is not something God does.Love is who God is.God Is KnowableNot exhaustively, but truly and ever increasing with pursuit.God Is Near Without Ceasing to Be HolyJesus does not dilute holiness.He translates it into grace.God Is Like JesusThere is no hidden God behind Jesus.Jesus is the clearest revelation of God there is.CONCLUSION — THE INVITATIONStop asking first:What must I do for God?The gospel is not first, your salvationStart asking:Who has God shown Himself to be?The Gospel is first, God’s holiness/loving-kindness/nearnessHe is:Eternal WordCreating LightIndwelling PresenceRevealing SonAnd He has come toward you. PRACTICE FOR THE WEEKRead John 1:1–18 slowly — once per dayPray this sentence daily:“Jesus, show me the Father.”Take note of where you behold God as distant rather than revealed, seek Him there