LOGOS: Words Matter

John 1:1-3 (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 was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The Historical Framework

Every gospel is aimed at a particular group: Mark – written w/a Roman audience in mind Matthew – written w/a Jewish audience in mind Luke – written w/a gentile audience in mind John – written w/a Greek audience in mind

The Greek’s had developed a theology which included taking parts of other cultures they had invaded & conquered & adding it to their own understanding of God. These views included: Animism – the belief that spirits live in every aspect of nature. Pantheonism – the belief that there is a large council of gods

who work in conjunction w/the most powerful of them being the leader.

The Greek view of the gods was that they were born & ruled in ages: The age of Pantheon – when the gods were made & organized The age of gods & mortals – when the gods interjected

themselves in human affairs The heroic age – when the seeds of god & human relations

arose & became the heroes of mythology The age of philosophy – when men resolved their issues

through logic & gods no longer assisted

The Agora

Jesus is THE LOGOS

Words are important….words have meaning & depending on who’s saying them, words have power.

John introduces us to the WORD The Word was in the beginning & was God & carries ultimate

authority, power & truth even over darkness (see Genesis 1:1-2; 1:26; John 1:5)

This God is eternal & was never made (see Psalm 102:25-28) This God is not part of a pantheon but is instead triune (see

Genesis 1:26; Psalm 110:1; Zechariah 3:6-10; Luke 3:21-22) There is love, respect & unity in God, not a power struggle

(see Deuteronomy 6:4) Jesus’ words have power because of who He is.

We don’t focus on your words having power but instead His word having power.

We don’t teach the heretical view of “word faith” which is faith in your own authority by use of Jesus name as a “unlocking word” but faith in His word.

We don’t teach the “law of attraction” I would like to encourage you to read John & to

pay close attention to a few things: How does Jesus display His authority? How do people react to His words? How do you react to what His word says to us today?

Jesus is THE LOGOS

John 1 The Word (1:1-5) The Light Came into the World (1:6-13) The Word Became Flesh (1:14-18) He came to His own (1:19-4:54) The process of revelation (1:19-51)