Jesus Christ as the Word of God

INTRODUCTION: Seven References to Christ as the Word

• In the beginning was the Word (John 1:1)
• The Word was with God (John 1:1)
• The Word was God (John 1:1)
• The Word was made flesh (John 1:14)
• The disciples saw Him who is the Word of life (1 John 1:1-2)
• He is three in one with the Father and the Holy Ghost (1 John 5:7)
• He returns to earth in power as the Word of God (Revelation 19:13)

Why is Jesus called the Word? As the Word, Jesus is (1) an expression of the unseen God (John 1:18). He (2) reveals to man the true nature of God (Matthew 11:27). He (3) makes us to understand the true nature of God (Hebrews 1:1-2). Finally, He (4) transforms those who will listen to Him (John 1:12). These points tell us of the purpose of Jesus Christ as the Word.

1. The Eternity of the Word (John 1:1a)
1. In the beginning
1. The beginning of creation (Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 1:10)
2. The beginning of Gods way (Proverbs 8:22-23)
3. The beginning of beginnings (John 17:5, 24)
2. The Word already was; that is, He already existed (Micah 5:2; John 8:58)
3. Therefore, He is co-eternal with the Father (Psalm 90:2)
2. The Personality of the Word (John 1:1b)
1. This refers to His identity as separate from the Father. He is with God. That is, He is the companion of the Father, alongside the Father.
2. Doctrinally, the Word, though equal to and in union with the Father, is distinct from the Father in His person. This allows Him to fellowship with the Father (John 17:24)
3. This establishes the plurality of the Godhead (Genesis 1:26; 11:6-7; Isaiah 6:8; 1 John 5:7)
3. The Deity of the Word (John 1:1c)
1. The Word was God. He is one with the Father and the Spirit (John 10:30; 1 John 5:7)
2. This establishes the deity of Jesus Christ
3. This establishes the unity of the Godhead. Notice Isaiah 6:8, which asks, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?
4. The Immutability of the Word (John 1:2)
1. Immutability refers to the unchanging nature of God.
2. The same was in the beginning with God. The same Word who was God and was with God is now made flesh (John 1:14). Yet, He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
3. This refutes the Mormon doctrine: As we are, so he once was; as he is, so we may become.
5. The Creativity of the Word (John 1:3, 10)
1. Jesus Christ, as the Word, is the person of the Godhead who directly created all things. See Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:15-16; Hebrews 1:2; 2:9-10.
2. Jesus Christ created all things by His word (Genesis 1:3; Psalm 33:6, 9; Hebrews 11:3).
3. This verse (John 1:3) refutes the doctrine that makes Christ a created being.
6. The Vitality of the Word (John 1:4)
1. The Word is life (John 11:25; John 14:6)
2. The Word has life in Himself (John 5:26; John 10:18)
3. The Word gives life to man (John 3:16; John 10:10)
7. The Luminosity of the Word (John 1:4-5)
1. A light to men (John 1:4b; John 8:12; John 12:46)
2. A light to shine in darkness (John 1:5a; John 12:35-36)
3. A light rejected by darkness (John 1:5b; John 3:19-20 )

CONCLUSION: Do you glory in Jesus Christ as the Word? Do you allow Him to speak to you and to show you the true nature of the Father? Are you allowing the Word to live in you and transform you daily into His image?