1. The King of Life
John 1:1-5

2. John 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

3. John 1 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind
John 1 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

4. Intro 4-part miniseries through the Gospel of John
Theme: Jesus is the Creator-King
The 4-parts …

5. Jesus is the king of life
There are 7/8 signs that Jesus is the king of life
Jesus is the king of glory
You are invited to a life of glory with the king of glory

6. Overview
John 1 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Cf. Genesis 1 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

7. 太初，道已经存在，道与上帝同在，道就是上帝。
Word (logos) better captured in the Chinese translation
太初，道已经存在，道与上帝同在，道就是上帝。

8. John 1 2 He was with God in the beginning
John 1 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 

9. Word (logos / logic) is the Word that speaks the world into existence
It is the logos/logic that existed from the beginning, the logic that is inseparable from God.
That logos/logic that created the world has become flesh.

10. John 1 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind
John 1 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

11. John immediately zooms in on the ultimate in God’s creation – the giving of life to the man he made out of clay.

12. John’s declared purpose
John 20 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

13. This book is written so that we may believe, and by believing we may have life – the life / eternal life God wants us to have.

14. If there is no creation, there is nothing.
If we have no life, nothing that is created matters to us.

15. John 1 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

16. Light is the figure of speech used for “revelation.”
Jesus is the source of life. That source of life revealed himself (the light of mankind).

17. How did Jesus reveal himself? In his teaching and his action
John’s Gospel: Jesus taught like no other; Jesus did like no other

18. All religions teach some truth
All religions teach some truth. In the case of Jesus, he taught the truth that gives life. Life comes not only through teaching of truth but also through action. The death and resurrection of Jesus are actions that secure life. This was more than a revelatory moment, it was a victory moment. A victory he shares with his own.

19. Life and Light
John 1 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

20. John 8 12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life

21. Life of Jesus  Light to mankind  Life to mankind

22. “Get a life” Contemporary expression used to admonish …
The keyboard warrior
The workaholic
The obsessive parent
The greedy materialist
The addicted gamer

23. “Get a life”
“Get a life” is used when you are wasting your life away on what does not count. You are merely existing on things that bring you no love, joy or peace.

24. Easier said that done! How do I a get life when I don’t know my life purpose?

25. Video clip: What is it? | Red Metal Tool with Foot

26. Some people spend their whole life as a tool not knowing how they should be used, as intended by their creator.

27. You cannot be another person.
You are who you are, and there is something God has made you to do that no other person can do.
You can find your purpose only in what God has made you for.
I cannot be you and you cannot be me. You will find failures in me and I will find failures in you. The blood of Christ covers us both. The love of Christ binds us together.
I discovered my own weaknesses when I began ministry. You may have discovered yours when you begin work. Both professional and personal weaknesses.

28. Jesus is the life giving light
Jesus lived the life that shed light into our life
The words and works of Jesus bring us life.
This is a light that heals.

29. Jesus is the revealing light
Jesus shows you who you are. Your packaging hides a content more significant than your packaging.
Your purpose is found in your content, not your packaging

30. Jesus is the exposing light
Light is opposite of darkness. It exposes falsehood – false packaging.
False packaging does not want to be unpacked because it declares a lie. Inadequate packaging wants to be unpacked.

31. Psalm 51:6
Behold, Thou desirest truth in my inward parts; in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wisdom. (KJ21)
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. (ESV)
Sincerity and truth are what you require; fill my mind with your wisdom. GNT

32. Contra hypocrisy
Social politeness, shyness, striving to do better, or failures, are not acts of hypocrisy.
Hypocrisy is to hide and to justify your own failures and condemn those failures in other people. (e.g. the people who wanted to stone the woman caught in adultery.)

33. Christians are called to authenticity “Thou desirest truth in the inward parts” (Psalm 51:6, KJ21)

34. Matthew 23 25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

35. Matthew 23 29 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 

36. The life that Jesus gives is eternal
“Life” in 41 verses in John. Most talk about eternal life.
John 3:15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
John 3:16 whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

37. John 4:14 Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 5:24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

38. Eternal life: starts now with a foretaste of the life God wants you to have
At death our soul goes to God our Maker
At the resurrection, our bodies will be raised to eternal life.

39. Conclusion
World – justifies sin and idolatry and enslaves you in sin, bringing you darkness and death now and forever.
Jesus – exposes sin and frees you from sin and darkness, bringing you light and life now and forever.

40. Too many Christians know a lot about church but very little about Jesus.
In this season, we will focus on Jesus. Come to Jesus. In the life of Jesus, you will find light for your own life, and that light is the light that gives you life.

41. The life of Jesus  the light to mankind  life for mankind