March 3, 1999

FAMILY BIBLE SERIES:
Faith too important to rest
on anything but Jesus
___ John 1:1-18; 20:30-31
___By Thomas Lea
___Southwestern Seminary
___People who believe in Jesus as Son of God receive eternal life. Christians insist that saving faith rests only on Jesus, not on church membership, family heritage or moral actions.
___We cannot earn or deserve salvation. Our belief in Jesus allows salvation to become a free gift. Our lesson emphasizes five features which assist readers to believe and live.
___ Presentation of the Word (John 1:1-5). These verses present Jesus as God's Word. John used the Greek term "logos" to identify Jesus as the Word. He made it clear that Jesus presented a message from God to human beings.
___Verse 1 presents three facts about the Word of God. First, it states that he is eternal. He existed "in the beginning," before creation. Second, he has personality. He was "with God" the Father and distinct from him. Third, he has deity. He is God.
___Jesus is God's agent of creation (v. 3). He is also "the light of men" (v. 4). He is the basis of all truth revealed about God. The darkness of sin hindered human beings from commitment to Jesus.
___ Witness to the Word (John 1:6-8). John the Baptist preceded Jesus and witnessed about him (Mark 1:1-8). His witness led many to faith. Our witness about Jesus' salvation, his forgiveness and his guidance can lead others to trust him.
___ Impact of the Word (John 1:9-13). These verses show a contrast in the reception the world gave to the Word. Jesus is "the true Light," shedding light on human need. However, the world rejected the witness of the Word (vv. 10-11).
___The Word did have an impact. Some received Jesus by faith. Those who did became God's children. They were reborn, not by human achievement or human decision, but by God's will (v. 13).
___ Presence of the Word (John 1:14-18). These verses announce two facts about the Word. First, they declare that the eternal Son of God became a human being at his birth (v. 14). He added humanity to his divine personality and became the God-Man.
___Second, John announced that through Jesus God's children experienced the presence and grace of God (vv. 15-16). The compelling love of God declared in Jesus draws lost human beings to him.
___ Purpose of the Word (John 20:30-31). Why did John write his gospel? These verses declare that John wrote selectively (v. 30). He knew many other signs and miracles from Jesus' life. He presented only the material in his gospel. His purpose in selecting the material was to promote faith in Jesus. Such incidents as changing the water into wine (John 2:1-11) and raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-46) could lead outsiders to faith in Jesus.
___The truths of this lesson provide encouragement to present the gospel to others. The lesson also reminds us that the study of Jesus' powerful life can lead us to faith and deeper commitment to him.

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