John 1:1-14

Let us pray. Our blessed God and our Father, in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we desire thy help and the gracious leading of the Holy Spirit as we read and consider thy word. We thank thee for the greatness of our Saviour, the person of Christ, and we pray as we consider the great truths concerning his person that we might have a greater appreciation of himself, his majesty, his glory, his greatness, whether in relation, O God, to thyself eternally or creation or man.

We pray that we might really enjoy afresh this morning the uniqueness of the person of thy well-beloved Son. Shed light on the sacred page. Help us, we pray, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen. Now let us turn to the Gospel of John, please. In chapter 1, we're considering the first paragraph of this opening wonderful chapter, the first 14 verses.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made.

In him was life, and the life was the light of men, and the light shineth in darkness. And the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God whose name was John.

The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the light that all men through him might believe. He was not that light that was sent to bear witness of that light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believed on his name, which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

May God indeed bless this precious portion of his Word. Now there's a number of ways that we could very profitably and interestingly outline this first paragraph of John's Gospel, or indeed the whole chapter itself. But it's rather wonderful to see in the chapter what we may call a dispensational panorama from eternity right on to the millennium.

In verse 1 we have eternity. In verse 3 we have time in relation to creation. In verse 5 we move forward to that which presupposes the fall of man.

I take it that the term darkness is really a description of man and his fallen condition in spiritual darkness. So we have that which contemplates the fall. And then, further down, we have the ministry of John the Baptist, so we leap forward to another period.

But just before that, of course, I should mention in verse 17 we have the period of the law. The law was given by Moses, and then from verse 19 onwards we have the ministry of John the Baptist. And then from verse 35, Rabbi, where dwellest thou? Come and see.

They dwelt with him that day. We have a delightful picture of the church period, gathering in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. But before that, not forgetting verse 29, and the death of Christ.

And then I take it the last verse, the angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man would be a millennial picture. So John's gospel begins, chapter 1, with eternity. Then moves forward to time and creation.

Then the fall of man in verse 5. And then the law of Moses in verse 17. Then the ministry of John the Baptist further down the passage. And then the death of Christ, behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world in verse 29.

From verse 35 to 43 a picture of the assembly gathered in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And then going beyond the picture of the church age to the millennial time, the millennial reign of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rather wonderful to notice, isn't it, that Matthew's gospel has a beginning.

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ. And it hasn't ended. Mark's gospel has a beginning.

The beginning of the gospel of the Son of God. It hasn't ended. The Lord received up into heaven.

Luke's gospel has a beginning. From the beginning, he says. He uses that term in Luke 1. And it hasn't ended.

The Lord carried up into heaven. John's gospel has a beginning like the three gospels. Matthew, Mark and Luke.

But it doesn't have an ending. No. Because the last verse tells us such is the fullness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Where the whole world could be filled with books, could not really fully set forth the greatness of our Lord Jesus. Now I want you to notice in verses 1 to 6 we have verses 1 to 5 we have the Word. The Word in relation to God.

Verses 1 and 2. The Word in relation to creation. Verse 3. And the Word in relation to man in verses 4 and 5. Then from verse 6 to 9 we have a reference to the witness. John the Baptist.

We have the origin of his ministry. He came from God. We have the outlook of his ministry.

That all men through him might believe. We have the object of his ministry. To bear witness to the light.

Then from verse 10 to verse 14 we have the third section. All I will say and sit down is in verse 10 we have Christ in relation to the world. In verse 11 we have Christ in relation to the nation.

In verse 12 we have Christ in relation to the believer. Now we could stay profitably for half an hour I'm sure on each verse. But I have a bit of a record in conducting Bible readings.

And that is I've always reached the last verse. I hope you'll help me to keep up that record. Not that we want to hurry through the portion of the Word of God.

And we're very thankful for our preaching brethren here. And they will help us. But I want to make clear.

Any non-laboring brethren who feel like asking a question or a contribution. Please feel free to take part. Not just for preachers.

We want to make this reading as profitable and as enjoyable as possible. Let us begin with verse number 1 then. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God.

And the Word was God. I think we have three things concerning the Lord Jesus here. His eternal deity.

In the beginning. Then His distinct personality. The Word was with God.

And then of course. We see something of the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. We can put it very simply.

His eternal duration. His eternal distinction. And His eternal deity.

Notice it doesn't say. God was the Word. It doesn't say that.

Nor does it say. The Word was a God. That is absolutely false doctrine.

Very simply yet very profoundly it says. The Word was God. Now there is much in this text.

But I want to just ask a question. If the one who is trying to lead the reading is allowed a question. And that is this.

What do my brethren think the most important word. In this opening verse is? This should open it up to us. What is the most important word? I would suggest brother.

It is the Word. John's gospel is the only one that speaks of the Word. First John he says the same in the revelation.

So he is the one who reminds himself. This one was God. Well here the Lord Jesus is the Word.

This stresses and emphasizes His deity. I am using words now. The Lord Jesus is the revealer and interpreter of God.

Now what it says in John 1 verse 1. In the beginning was the Word. The Word is just used. The Word.

It is not a title. It is not an attribute. It is not a personification.

It is the person of Christ. So He is the Word in eternity. Before time.

In first John chapter 1. He is the Word of life. That suggests not only His incarnation. But His ministry.

Communicating life. He is the Word of life. And then in Revelation chapter 19.

He is the Word of God. When the Lord Jesus was here. He revealed the grace of God.

But in the future. He will come in judgment. And He will reveal the judgment of God.

So that is why. He is the Word of God. Pardon me brother.

It is a very important word. But may I say. The most important word to me.

In the passage. In verse 1. And I want to get this open for the young believer. The word Word is important.

But it is the little word was. It is used three times. It is different from the word in verse 6. Where it says.

There was a man called John. Sent from God. Now that word was.

There began to be. There came into existence. So the word was in verse 6. Is different to verse 1. The little word was.

Is in the imperfect tense. We will not go too much on the techniques. Of the word.

The preposition used. But. It suggests and emphasizes.

What it was continually. In other words. When it says in the beginning.

Was the word eternally was the word. That is the force of it. And the word was with God.

Eternally He was with God. And the word was God. That is eternally.

Was God. That is the force of the. Little word.

I wonder John. Would you say something about. The eternal sonship of Christ.

As you know some. Has taught that He existed as the word. And not as the son.

Well I think it is. Very clear in the New Testament. Bill.

That the Lord Jesus is the eternal son. Even a simple look. At John 3 verse 16.

Would support that. Galatians 4 it says. He sent forth His spirit.

Does that mean the spirit. Never existed before. The spirit came on the day of Pentecost.

I agree with you. I know that. I appreciate that.

It says in Galatians 4. God sent forth His son. Two verses on. It says.

He sent forth His spirit. We know He was the spirit. Before He came.

And the same interpretation. We must give. God sent forth His son.

It implies that He was in that. Relationship with God. Before the incarnation.

He appointed her of all things. Before He made the world. Thank you very much.

I want to substantiate. What you were suggesting. In verse.

14. He says the same thing. The word.

Was made flesh. So this isn't. A new beginning.

Not something new. But it's a new form. Of existence.

Thank you for that. John 1 verse 14. The word made.

Is the same use of making the stones. Bread in the temptation. The stones becoming what they weren't.

Before bread. And then. Made wine.

In John chapter 2. The water becoming. What it wasn't before. Wine.

So. He became what He never was before. That's the thought of John 1 verse 14.

He commenced a new mode of existence. He came into a new experience. And He came into a new environment.

Now Stan your point. Beginning. Beginning.

What does that mean? As far as the human mind can go back. Into the remote past. It's eternity.

Before time began. Would you accept that Mr. Gideon used to teach us. In the unbeginning of the beginning.

Would that be alright? When the beginning began. He was there. I think it's different to 1 John chapter 1. From the beginning.

That's good. So He's defending His deity. And John's gospel.

And He's defending His perfect manhood. In John's epistle. Is that right? John knew Him from experience.

From the beginning as it were. Of the Lord's ministry. He could see Him.

He heard Him. He handled Him. Let me say something please.

About the 4 beginnings. You know. What's in view very quickly.

Genesis 1. And right here. John's gospel 1. 1 John 1. And Colossians 1.18. That was read yesterday. Is it a different beginning each time? Yes.

There's a lot in these things. Genesis chapter 1. Is creation. Beginning of time.

John chapter 1. Is eternity. Before time. Before creation.

1 John. From the beginning. That's the beginning I take it.

Of the Lord's ministry. Because He comes into the experience of John. He saw Him.

Heard Him. Handled Him. And so on.

The beginning in Colossians chapter 1. Is in verse 8. In regard to the church and the new creation. It's the same word. In Revelation 3 verse 15.

He said to the church at Laodicea. That He was the beginning. Of the creation of God.

Not that He's the first to be created. The Lord Jesus is not a creator. John 1. Verses 1 to 3. Teaches very very clearly.

We need to hold on to this tenaciously. It's fundamental proof. The Lord is distinct from creation.

And creation. Is dependent upon Him. So is it right to say.

That there's identity. In the Godhead. That's very important.

The word is one person. And God is another. Some of our dear friends are teaching us.

That there's only one God. And that's right. But they don't see the three persons.

Distinct personalities in the Trinity. This is what the passage is teaching. Verse 2 you see.

Emphasizes that Stanley. Doesn't it? The same was in the beginning with God. Why does it repeat.

What you have in verse 1. The same was in the beginning. With God. The word with God.

By the way is beautiful. It's face to face. In communion with God.

We say brother. The first one is asserting three things. About the word.

His eternity. His co-equality. And his unity in nature.

He was God. But verse 2 is asserting. His personality.

He was in the beginning with God. Yes that's what I believe. Thank you very very much brother.

Can we just learn. A practical lesson. Touching the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The truth is so precious. It's worth emphasizing. And worth repeating.

There's some teaching. Truth in the word of God. That today.

Is worth. Emphasizing and repeating. So that we might appreciate it.

All the more. Allow me to suggest brother. John is teaching here.

That his deity. Had no beginning. As you intimated.

Before the beginning. Was began he was. So that this is timeless.

In the beginning was. And then the tense. The word was God.

It's imperfect indicating. It's something that always was. Continuous.

Yes that's why right at the beginning. I ask what's the most important word. In John 1 verse 1. Just that little word.

Three times was. It's so simple. And yet it's so profound.

Now we need to come to verse number 3. We could stay on these very precious things. Now we have. We've seen the Lord in relation to.

God as the word. Now we have the Lord Jesus. In verse 3. In relation to creation.

All things were made by him. And without him. Was not anything made.

That was made. Now at least. I can see in the New Testament.

At least approximately anyway. Eight times. Eight times in the New Testament.

The Lord Jesus is referred to as the creator. And in this. He is equal with God.

Science. And men today. Would eliminate the person of Christ.

From creation. We live in the days. When the theory of evolution.

Is gaining great ground. But as far as I'm concerned. Evolution.

Is like a blind man. In a dark room. Trying to find a black cat.

It's almost impossible. Now. The same was in.

Verse 3. All things were made by him. And without him. Was not anything made.

That was made. Now this wouldn't include sin of course. Now coming on this verse.

Verse 3. It's a very important verse. The Lord Jesus in relation to creation. Doesn't the gospel of John.

Continue to show and demonstrate. That the Lord is the creator. The making of wine.

From water. In John chapter 2. Is one sample. And I do think you know.

The Lord made the eyes for the blind man. From the clay in John chapter 9. And then the fish. Where did he get the fish from? In John chapter 21.

So there are some of the miracles. Later in the gospel of John. Prove to us.

The words of verse 3. That the Lord is the creator. So verse 3 is bringing before us. His creatorial ability.

Now for the young people. Just quickly. A young man.

A young boy not long ago. This was in Australia. And the professor.

At the science class. To get a bit of a. Trick at the young fellow. Because he was a Christian.

He was only about 14. And he said to all the big class. You know he says.

The moon is made of cheese. The boy put up his hand. What is it this time? He says.

Please sir. The moon was made on the third day. And the cattle were made on the sixth day.

So where did God get the cheese from? That was a pretty good answer. I think it is noteworthy as well. That John changes the verb here.

Doesn't he? In verse 3. Yes. Verse 1 and 2 is the verb to be. Yes.

And that is related specifically. To the person of Christ and the word. Yes.

Creation cannot do. Without the Lord Jesus. He is indispensable.

To creation. Colossians 1. Brother Stanley referred to the beginning. Stresses he is the origin.

He is the order. And he is the object of creation. By him.

By him all things are held together. Now a little touch now. The Lord says in John 15.

Without me you can do nothing. If creation. John 1 verse 3. Can't do without the Lord Jesus.

We can't do without him. He is absolutely indispensable. To us.

John this may. I hope it is not a foolish question. Why does John begin his gospel this way? Why? Why would he begin? Was this truth being assailed? I think so.

I appreciate. Good. I appreciate that he shows us.

The greatness of the Lord. Before he points him out. Yes.

If we appreciate his greatness. We will really appreciate. The fact that he washed the disciples feet.

This wonderful person. Would draw near to us. And help us.

Yes I think he is combating error. As to the person of Christ. In those days.

It doesn't say for example. God was the word. Because this would deny.

Distinction to persons. In the Godhead. And it doesn't say.

That the word was a God. Because this would drop Christ. Of his supremacy.

As the word. And at the same time. It would confute the view.

That those who teach. Very wrongly. The Lord Jesus.

As a being inferior to God. You see so. That's why.

He is bringing these things up. To meet that attack. Relative to Bill's question.

John is the gospel. That's distinctive. As presenting God the son.

Or the son of God. So that would be appropriate. Right at the beginning.

That he is presented to us in that character. Yes he is also the gospel. That gives you seven references.

To the manhood of the Lord Jesus. Take a concordance and have a look. Every time the word man occurs.

Come see a man. You know. A man called Jesus.

A light in mine eyes. Behold the man. Seven times he hasn't overlooked.

The manhood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Just come to verse four. In him was life.

And the life was the light of men. Now. What life is this? Certainly verse four.

Would teach the self existence of Christ. In him. Life was not derived.

Life. Life is originated in him. This is very important.

Essential truth. I think we can see that in it. The self existence of Christ.

But what is the life here? That's a question. That would be helpful I think. Is it saying to us.

The Lord Jesus is the source. Of life. The origin of the fountain of life.

Is this life in the sense of preserving. All created things. By his providence.

Some think that. I don't. Is this all sorts of life.

Both vegetable and animal. And human. I don't think so.

I think this is spiritual life. Would my brother agree on that? Yes. Yes.

Chapter five and verse twenty six. Help in relationship to this. There is a father of life.

In himself. So have he given. The son of that life.

And himself. That's a very helpful verse brother Tommy. Thank you for coming in with that.

Because. A branch of exclusives taught. What our brother has.

Mentioned earlier. They denied. The eternal sanction of Christ.

Brother Stubbs. First three is emphasizing. The Lord's work in creation.

Would it be possible. That verse four is emphasizing. That all things that he has created.

Manifesting the life of Christ. In that sense. Are given by God.

To shed light upon his own person. Creation is the expression of life. To man.

Yes. Well I can see that yes. May I just.

I want to just expand. Just a little. What our brother has referred to.

John five verse twenty six. At a very large exclusive Bible reading. I had a record of it.

Mr. Taylor. The man who propagated this terrible view. That Christ was not the eternal son.

It was asked. On John five verse twenty six. As the son has life in himself.

Even so. As the father has life in himself. Even so the son has life in himself.

Mr. Taylor said somebody. When did this life begin. As the father has life in himself.

No begin. So hath the son life in himself. When did this life begin.

Silence. Were you going to say something. I was going to say.

He is speaking here about. Life that is eternal. That is what he is in himself.

Yes. And that is not extinguished by the darkness. Yes.

When he comes down to. Verse six through thirteen. He is talking about life.

Life that is eternal. And then the latter part of the chapter. Or the latter part of our section.

Is eternal love. So there is eternal life. Life and eternal light.

And eternal love. That is good. Well would my brother be happy.

With the view. In verse five. The light shineth in darkness.

And the darkness. Comprehended it not. The idea of this word.

And its use elsewhere means. The darkness. I take this from man in his fallen condition.

I hope the brother would agree with that. The moral state. Of man.

Or the spiritual condition of man. Away from God. Darkness.

But the darkness. Cannot overcome. Is the word.

Or overpower. The light. I think that is good.

Would that not brother. I suggested the fact. That the light in verse four.

Is created by a light. It is what God has made. In relation to the fall.

Isn't there not a suggestion then. That even though man is fallen. That light still is continuing to shed.

Some measure of knowledge of God. Himself. Psalm 19 for example.

Yes. And even Romans chapter one. Would indicate that I believe.

Yes. That is good. Now let us come to John the Baptist in verse six.

Why does John say. Suddenly. After such a wonderful opening.

About the Lord Jesus as the word. There was. Or there came.

A man sent from God. Whose name was John. Why does he say that? It is interesting.

In Matthew's gospel. That John the Baptist is introduced. As the herald.

Of the king. Matthew presents the king. May I suggest.

Whatever way each gospel. Brings in and mentions John the Baptist. It is always in relation.

To the particular theme. Of that gospel. So if the Lord is the king in Matthew.

Then the Baptist is the herald of the king. Now. If the Lord is the servant.

Then in that sense. John the Baptist is a servant. And so you do not get the details of his birth.

Like you do in Luke. Luke is the manhood of the Lord. And there is details of the Lord's birth.

And similarly. With John the Baptist. We have details of the Lord's birth.

And I take the same in John one. The theme of John. John is the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ.

So fittingly. Alongside that theme. There was a man.

This is the emphasis. Who came from God. The emphasis.

Was from God. Yes. He must have been with God.

Before he came out. We often overlook. Maybe the fact.

That John the Baptist was a priest. So he was a priest. He did not function in the temple.

But he functioned in the wilderness. But yet. He spent time in the sanctuary.

And that is. He spent time with God. And came out from God.

Yes. It says the same doesn't it. Chapter three.

About the Lord Jesus. Rabbi. Thou art a man come from God.

Yes. That's right. A simple question brother John.

How would a young believer know. That this was John the Baptist. Well.

All they would need to do. Is go down to verse 19 onwards. Just the same as John one.

How do we know. It's a simple question. That the word in John one verses one and two.

Is the Lord Jesus. Go down to verse 14 and 15. The word became flesh.

So you need the whole chapter. So verse 19 onwards clearly sets forth. This is John the Baptist.

The forerunner. Of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now we are told in verse 7. The same came for a witness.

To bear witness. Of the light. That all men through him.

Might believe. Any comments on that or verse 8. Related to the same theme. It would be right to suggest.

At least. That light is available. For every man.

Because the Lord came into humanity. Yes. That doesn't mean that everybody will be saved.

No. That's good yes. Anything else before we leave.

Verse 7 and 8. Would you say brother. That the Lord Jesus. Was the light.

When he is speaking about John. For instance. What he says in chapter 5. Learning and shining light.

He was the lamp. The Lord was the true light. Here he also.

Says he is only a voice. When John says. The voice of one.

He is showing attention. To the son of God. That's good because.

It reminds me of what I wanted to say. About the Lord Jesus is the word. Isn't there a contrast.

The Lord is the word. John is the voice. Now there is a sense in which.

I don't want to carry the net of this too far. But. Before.

The voice. Even my voice now. Words are formed in my mind.

A word exists. In the mind before. The voice is the vehicle.

Of that word. So it is very suggestive. The Lord Jesus is the word.

Eternally the interpreter. Revealer of God. John the Baptist is the voice.

John said he was before me. Didn't he? Ah. There is another word.

Yes. Yes. Spoken word.

This is the logos. Logos. When it says the Lord Jesus.

Is the true light. It's not. We want to make this very clear.

In the passage. It's not that the Lord Jesus. Was the true light in the sense of.

Opposite to that which was false. He is the true light. In opposition.

To that which is inferior. Lacking completeness. Lacking fullness.

I mean. He is the true bread from heaven. That doesn't deny that the manna.

Was true food. It was. But he is the fullness.

We are looking very thoughtful there brother. Would John the Baptist. Have to have been sent.

Had it not been for the unbelief of the nation. Yes. Had they not rejected light.

Down through the centuries of time. So that God sent a messenger. That bear witness to the light.

Yes. Because of the unbelief of man's heart. They had to point him out.

As a distinct person. When he came into the world. Because they had lost sight.

Of all that God had pointed them forward to. Yes. Now I want to raise a point.

Thank you brother very much. Verse 9. How do we understand verse 9. That was the true light. Which lighteth every man.

That cometh into the world. Now. That cometh into the world.

Does that relate to every man. Or to the Lord Jesus. Because.

Some of you. This that cometh into the world. Man is born with a little spark of divine light in him.

That's absolute nonsense. That's Quakerism. George Fox the founder of Quakerism.

That's what he taught. You know. You need to just fan it a little bit.

And encourage it a little bit. You got a bit of divine light in there. That's not doctrine.

It denies the total depravity of man. Would it be to do. Would it have anything to do.

This verse. In connection with. God giving all man a conscience.

Yes. That's helpful brother Tommy. Yes.

What I'm really trying to say. And I want to make this clear. I take cometh into the world.

To do with the Lord Jesus. Not every man cometh into the world. The structure of the sentence.

You need to be. Just careful how you read it. Yes brother.

I agree with that. Thank you. That's a relief.

The light cometh into the world. Was the Lord Jesus. The light before he came into the world.

I think he was. He was the light that came into the world. Certainly the Lord Jesus said.

As long as I'm in the world. I'm the light of the world. But he was the light before he came.

So light is entering human history. That's a good way to put it brother. Yes.

Now here's a verse in verse 10. I'll tell you what I used to think. I heard a man.

I've repeated it a few times. Say about verse 10. He was in the world.

That's history. It's alright. And the world was made by him.

That's theology. The world knew him not. That's tragedy.

I thought that was good. Study it carefully verse 10. What does it mean? He was in the world.

May I suggest. But the usual idea of it. Is not quite correct.

I'll say this very gently. I don't think this. This is referring to the Lord's.

Being on earth. That he was manifest in flesh. That he came to this world.

He was at large in the world. Before he came. I think this suggests.

His eternal pre-existence. He was in the world. In Noah's day.

Didn't he preach through him? 1 Peter chapter 3. He was in the world. It's the pre-existence of Christ. Isn't that supported by the verb.

To be again. As in verse 1 and 2. Yeah. I haven't thought of that brother.

Please give us a little help on that then. What about the order? You take the first phrase of verse 10. Eternity.

Pre-existence. He was in the world at large before he came. But it wasn't created.

No. That is true. But I take the term he was in the world to refer to.

He was in the world at large. I have to think about that brother. Yes.

And the world was made by him. The world came into being. Brother John.

Sorry? The world came into being. Yes. By him.

This world that he made. He was in it before he came. Brother Joel.

Are you going to help us there? He was in the world. And the world owed its existence to him. Yes.

To be able to recognize him. That is why I am looking at the previous verses as the light. In Old Testament time.

Because it ties in with this verse. I appreciate your knowledge of scripture brother. Do you agree with this interpretation or not? Are you going to be like my dear friend here? I didn't say I disagreed brother.

No, no, no. I understand that. What do you think? I believe what you are saying is correct.

He was in the world from the time he made it. Amen. All the time in Old Testament history he was manifesting God.

Yes. Every manifestation of God has been him. The Lord Jesus the Son.

Yes. And even though the world owed its very existence to him. He will recognize him.

Every period of time. Thank you. Is the same word in the original cosmos? The three of them in that verse 10? I think so, yes.

Just to point out for the young believer. Just to get the setting of these verses. It is important.

In verse 10 we have Christ in relation to the world. Then in verse 11 we have Christ in relation to the nation. I take it.

Israel. Right. Good.

And then in verse 12 and 13 we have Christ in relation to the believer. So we have Christ in relation to the world. Christ in relation to the nation.

And Christ in relation to the believer. We emphasize the word tragedy. Well sums up the latter part of verse 10.

Doesn't it brother? And the world knew him not. The tragedy of the unbelief of the world. And then he moves a little closer.

More limited sphere. He came unto his own. Now some render that his own things.

Slightly different word from the latter part. Later on in verse 11. He came unto his own things.

And his own received him not. That would be his own people. I think in the first.

His own. It would suggest the land. In the second.

It would suggest the people. Any help on that? Just the difference of. If you look at the word.

In the first mention. His own. That's a neuter word.

That includes things. But he came. His own received him not.

That's a masculine word. That's his own people. I didn't want to use those technical Greek terms.

But I know what you mean. Is there not a sense in which his own things are the universe? And what you're saying is part of it. That could be true.

His own property. His own property and possessions. Distinctly refers to the nation.

I think so. He was in the world previously. He came unto his own.

Which was the nation of Israel. In connection with Colossians. I was just looking at it here.

Chapter 1. Verse 16. For in heaven were all things created. That are in heaven.

That are in earth. Visible and invisible. Where they'd be thrown.

Principalities of power. All things were created by him. And for him.

What would that? Much more than the earth itself. Oh yes. The whole creation.

The universe. Heavens and the earth. So that there would be divine order.

Absolutely. Yes. He's the controller of the universe.

Yes. I think in verse 12. Brothers and sisters.

You have an exception. To the end of verse 10. Don't you? His own received him not.

Nicodemus that our brother. Referred to as one case in point. Illustrating this.

But as many as received him. You notice when we get saved. It's not receiving a shadow.

It's receiving a person. We need to insist on that. A person.

As many as received him. To them gave he. Not so much the power.

It's not so much the idea. Of mere ability. But the legitimate.

Rightful authority. He has given. The authority.

Not to become the sons of God. Just to point this out. For the young believer.

John never calls. Believers Christians. Sons of God.

He reserved the title uniquely singly. For Christ. He presents the son of God.

But he always talks about the children of God. But now we are the children of God. He'll say.

And doth not yet appear what we shall be. The children. That's our relationship to God.

Now to them gave he the right. To become the children of God. Even to them.

That believe on his name. Now one or two things. This verse.

Verse 12 would support. In teaching today. It's new birth for example.

Limited. To this dispensation of grace. It's new birth.

Confined to this present age. Is it a new thing? I don't think so. Abraham.

All the worthies were born again. And those in the Lord's life. And ministry.

Were born again. So. It's an alter dispensation of the word.

Isn't it? New birth. The Lord for example. Again for the young believer.

Would never have rebuked. The lack of knowledge. Are you a master of Israel? A Jewish Rabbi.

Orthodox Jew to his fingertips. Nicodemus. He would never have rebuked Nicodemus.

If new birth was something. Entirely new. And that he was going to introduce.

A Pentecost onwards. No. No.

No. No. It's also spoken of.

In relation to Israel. Yes. New birth.

Can there be new birth. Apart from faith? I was going to ask. That question.

For the sake of the young believers. How is he received? How do we receive that? By faith. Yes.

That's the only way. But brother John. On a practical note.

We should say here. Because some of our dear friends. Bring everything on the conversion side.

To God. We can't save ourselves. Understand that.

But here right in this very verse. There is the divine side. And there is the human side.

To as many. As received him. The very truth you are teaching.

If the people didn't receive it. They would never be in the good of it. I believe that.

Some of our brethren are all upset. I'm sorry. They are all on the divine side.

That man has nothing to do. No will or nothing. Say a bit about that please.

I agree with you 100%. There is a balance. Because some.

Seem to put it the other way. They just believe. I understand that.

Excuse me a minute. Brother Bill. As you know maybe better than I do.

Parts of the world today. Are pushing this. It will never come our way.

It's all to do with God. You can't just wait. That's those who teach.

Total depravity. In the sense that man. Has no capacity whatsoever.

Nothing in him at all. This verse does balance that. Let me just say.

Give you a little gem. That I enjoyed as a young believer. A long time ago.

Here. Christ gives us the right. To be the children of God.

Romans 8. The Holy Spirit. Witnesses with our spirit. We are the children of God.

1 John 4. Behold. What manner of love the Father. Hath bestowed upon us that we should be called.

The children of God. Intimately involved. In the work of salvation.

We are children of God. By authority from Christ. By the witness of the Spirit.

That gives assurance. And we have been loved by the Father. That in order that we might be called.

We are children of God. That to me is delightful. Well.

There is 5 minutes left. I am almost getting to the last verse. Verse 13.

Which were born. Not of blood. Nor of the will of flesh.

Nor of the will of man. But of God. What verse 13 teaching? Not of blood.

The word is. Unusual enough in the plural. Not of blood.

We preach. And rightly do. That salvation does not run in the blood.

No man can by any means redeem his brother. Psalm 49. Yes.

So. A man may have aristocratic. Aristocratic.

Blood in him. That is no good. A man may have royal blood in him.

That is no good. Or Jewish blood. Or common rank and file blood.

It is not in blood. It doesn't hardly make sense in English. But it is emphasized.

You know. It is a divine work. Nothing to do with man.

Chapter 8. Remember brother. The Pharisees. The Jews said that we be Abraham's seed.

Good. They said you are not Abraham's seed. That was natural.

That is good. No one of the will of the flesh. Is that self-evident? Yes.

The new birth. What is really showing to us. Is what new birth is not.

Here we have the. Meaning of new birth. John 3. We have the miracle of new birth.

Marvel not that I say unto you. You must be born again. First John.

We have the marks of new birth. Remember that young people. If we claim to be born again.

We are marked by practical righteousness. And obedience to the word of God. We manifest divine life.

That is what John is writing. Hear the meaning. What new birth is not.

John 1 verse 12 and 13. And then the miracle of new birth. John 3. First John.

He mentions new birth. Forgotten of God a few times. He shows.

What are the marks of new birth. Would this verse also brother say. That the new birth is not.

Of natural link. Secondly it is not by. Natural works.

And thirdly it is not by natural decision. New birth. To summarize that.

Very good brother. Thank you. The new birth is not descent from Abraham.

New birth is not by deeds. Self effort. New birth is not by desire of others even.

I would. Maybe this isn't a very good application. You can tell me.

Signal of blood Nicodemus. The will of the flesh. The woman of the well.

She needed the spirit. And of the will of man. You have the.

Son. The father couldn't do anything for him. But it was only for the Lord.

That's good. That's helpful though. Salvation really comes.

From God. For instance we have. Hebrews 10.

Witness of the Holy Spirit. To the work of Christ. And then you have of course.

The Lord Jesus himself. And he has. Finished the work.

And then you find that the father. As well as that. Carried out by the Lord Jesus.

Again. Even in conversion. As we preach the gospel.

From the word of God. It's the spirit of God. Convicts.

Yes. Yes. Thank God.

The whole trinity. In the work of salvation. Very good.

Now we only have two minutes. It's a shame in one sense. But let us at least complete the paragraph.

The word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we beheld his glory. I remember Harry Bell.

A teacher among us years ago. Incarnation. The word was made flesh.

Association. And dwelt among us. Observation.

We beheld his glory. And so he went on. In his own inimitable way.

Here we have the Lord becoming then. What he never was before. And yet.

What he never ceased to be. The son of God. He became what he never was before.

Dwelt among us. Some of our brethren have taught. Very nicely.

But John's gospel is the tabernacle gospel. And here it tells us. He pitched his tent among us.

Might be a rendering. A free rendering. He tabernacled among us.

One thing about the tabernacle is. It was a temporary structure. Wasn't it? Moveable.

Not permanent. It was temporary. Isn't the Lord Jesus saying quite often in this gospel.

Three or four times at least. A little while I'm with you. A little while.

I'm only here for a little while. I try to ask myself the question. Why does it say the tabernacle among us? Tabernacle true.

Christ is the antitype to the tabernacle. But. We may suggest a few thoughts.

Why it is he says. Tabernacle among us. But that's one leading thought that I enjoy.

It was a temporary structure. And I think that indicates. The Lord as the son of God.

Becoming man. Becoming what he never was before. And yet.

He was only here temporary. A little while I'm with you. Great to see that.

Pitched his tent. Go ahead tell me. As it were he pitched his tent among us.

Yes. I did use that expression. That's good.

Brother. Do you think he's referring to the Mount of Transfiguration? I think so. Yes I think so.

I don't know how the brother thinks. You wouldn't know that. No no.

But I think that would be an example. Because Matthew, Mark and Luke all record the Transfiguration. But John doesn't.

But I don't think he's overlooked it. I think at least. The whole of the glory here.

Would take in the Mount of Transfiguration. But I should say much more. But was it not on us that way? John was in close to three and a half years.

And he could see. What we call it as moral glory. Would you go with that? Well I don't know what you think in Hebrews chapter 2. Crowned with glory and honor.

I don't apply that to the. I'm not making brethren and defenders for word. To the exaltation.

I apply it to his life. The Jews saw no glory in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was the despised Nazarene.

And to this day. Very terribly they call him still. The hanged one.

A terrible, terrible disdain. But the writer to Hebrews says. He was crowned with glory.

On earth you're talking about. Yes sir. We can agree but we can agree to differ.

I enjoy it the other way. I think he's crowned with glory and honor today. At God's right hand.

I'm not so sure that there was much glory. As he went out to die. With a crown of thorns on his brow.

Well if you. We must end here. But if you give that interpretation.

You've got to give the interpretation in verse 9. The same in verse number 7. When Adam was crowned with glory and honor. You see. How do you interpret that? That was when man was created.

Man on earth. He had no previous existence. The interpretation you give to verse number.

7. You have to use the same sense. In verse number 9. You and I after 50 years. We'll have a good talk about that.

You say. Adam's glory was seen. In the fact that.

All was under his control. He had no bird. And fish.

And when the Lord was here. He was the only other person. That had control over the creation.

So I would think. His glory was seen. Right.

One last thought before. I'm trying to grasp this. But we'll finish now.

Full of grace and truth. What do the brethren think about that? Is this a perfect balance? You see this in the very next chapter. He was full of grace in the wedding feast.

He supplied the need. The emergency he met. The second half of the chapter.

That he was full of truth. In purging the temple. John 3 and 16.

You have the truth. And in John 4. We'll call my husband. That's the truth.

I'll speak unto thee. Can I say that what Christians need. Is to have grace without compromise.

And truth without legality. Amen. That was perfectly seen in the Lord Jesus.

Now. Thank you very much. Have you any thought.

That grace is before truth. There's a perfect balance in him. But have you any thought.

Doesn't say truth and grace. No. I think that's the character of the Lord.

Isn't it? Before he talked. Now. Maybe some to pray.

Thank you very very much. Amen. Our father.

We just pause now. At the end of this reading. Thank thee for our brother.

That has brought us so well through these verses. That has directed us to the word. And to the witness.

And to the little while he was here. And he pitched his tent among us. May we ask for help.

To remember him. In a worthy way today. Thank thee for all of our.

Beloved brothers and sisters who have come. And we desire that the Lord. Will be honored in all things.

As we give thanks for all thy goodness. This morning. In his worthy name.

Amen.