The Word of Life

The Word of Life 1John 1:1a Big Idea: John introduces us to the subject of his epistle. It is the Word of Life, who was from the beginning. And this Word of Life can never be separated from the person and work of Jesus Christ and what that work produces in those who believe. What is the subject of John’s writing? 1 John 1:1 (NET) — 1 This is what we proclaim to you: what was from the beginning… 1 John 1:1 (NRSV) — 1 We declare to you what was from the beginning… The alternative is to take [concerning the Word of Life]… as an independent adverbial clause. In this way, ‘the Word of life’ becomes the ‘subject’ (Westcott, Law) of the announcement, while the four relative clauses ‘declare the substance’ of it (Law). Similarly, ‘the clause “concerning the word of life” indicates the theme of the announcement, and the clauses “that which was from the beginning … our hands felt” state the contents of the announcement’ (Dodd). It is essentially about eternal life in Christ that John is concerned (John 20:31; 1 John 5:12–13). What John is primarily concerned with throughout this Epistle is the identification and the consequences of eternal life. Two things we learn concerning the Word of Life; The Word of Life cannot be separated from a _____________________ 1 John 1:1–2 (ESV) — 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes… ἀρχή always signifies “primacy,” whether in time: “beginning,” principium, or in rank: “power,” “dominion,” “office.” “Wherefore Christ Jesus, the Son of God, is both God and man; God before all worlds; man in our world: God, because [He is] the Word of God (for ‘the Word was God’); and man, because in His one person the Word was joined with a body and a rational soul. Wherefore, so far as He is God, He and the Father are one; so far as He is man, the Father is greater than He. For when He was the only Son of God, not by grace, but by nature, that He might be full of grace, He became the Son of man; and He Himself unites both natures in His own identity, and both natures constitute on Christ; because, ‘being in the form of God, He thought it not robbery to be,’ what He was by nature, ‘equal with God.’ But He made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant, not losing or lessening the form of God. And, accordingly, He was both made less and remained equal, being both in one, as has been said: but He was one of these as Word, and the other as man. As Word, He is equal with the Father; as man, less than the Father. One Son of God, and at the same time Son of man; one Son of man, and at the same time Son of God; not two Sons of God, God and man, but one Son of God; God without beginning; man with a beginning, our Lord Jesus Christ.” -Augustine The Word of Life cannot be separated from what it ___________________ 1 John 1:1 (ESV) — 1 That which was from the beginning… concerning the word of life— John 1:1–4 (ESV) — 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him (Word) was life, and the life was the light of men. Genesis 1:1–3 (ESV) — 1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. What John is seeking to communicate here is that you cannot be born of Christ and not be like Christ. Questions to Consider Take some time to reflect on the quote from Augustine. May it cause you to rejoice in and worship the Son. Why is it significant that Jesus was in the beginning? What does this look like for you? What in your life still reflects the old life of death? How is Jesus meeting you in your need this morning? What steps will you take this week to better reflect Je