Simple Christmas: Simple Faith

Key Bible Verses

• John 1:1-18
• John 20:31
• Colossians 1:16
• John 14:6
• Genesis 1:3-4; Isaiah 9:2; John 8:12; John 3:19
• John 14:3
• 1 John 5:13; John 3:5-7

DIGGING DEEPER

As we read John 1:1-18, we see John writing in verses 1-4, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made;  without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”  Jesus created all things.  Colossians 1:16 states, “ For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”   

John further writes in verse 14, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  Unfortunately many miss this most important gift.  They either reject or don’t recognize Jesus.   

So that we receive this most important gift of the Christmas season—Jesus, John teaches us critical, foundational information about Jesus in the beginning of his Gospel.

• Jesus is eternal - He was there with God from the beginning.  He has no beginning or ending.  There never was a time when He was not. 
• Jesus is one with God.  
• Jesus is God.   He is divine. 
• Jesus is the creator of all things.   He made everything that has been made.
• Jesus is the source of all spiritual life and light for mankind.  
• Jesus' light cannot be overcome by darkness.  
• Jesus becomes flesh and lives among mankind.  
• Jesus is the Son of God who came from the Father. 
• Jesus shows us His glory and we see that Jesus is filled with grace and truth. 

John wanted to communicate and be crystal clear exactly who Jesus is.   

We can be thankful for John’s clarity since through the ages there have been many false beliefs about Jesus.  Here are a few examples of these false beliefs which John refuted in the first chapter of the Gospel of John.   One false belief, Arianism, believed that Jesus was not coeternal with God.  Another false belief, Sabellianism taught that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were different aspects of one God and there was no distinction of the three distinct persons who are in the Trinity.  Another example of false beliefs were the Socinians which taught that Jesus was only man and not God.  

It is also interesting to think about the contrast that John makes in this passage concerning life, light and darkness.  John states in 1:9,  “ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”   

Throughout the Bible the contrast between light and darkness is illustrated.  In Genesis 1:3-4 we see how,  “God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.”  Isaiah 9:2 shares that  “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”   Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  (John 8:12).

In this passage, John 1:1-18, John teaches that Jesus is life and that Jesus’ life is the light of all mankind.   

Additionally, it is interesting to think for a bit about how light shines.   As we turn on a light in a dark room the light takes over.  We can see.  If we turn on more lights we can see even more.  Just as John shares, we know that darkness cannot overtake the light in a room that is lit up.  How critical it is for us to see how Jesus is both the life and light of our world.  

Jesus wants us to be light in our world.  He wants us to be born again.  He wants to give us eternal life when we have faith and believe in Him.  He wants us to share this wonderful gift of believing in Jesus Christ with others.   John 1 5:13 states, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”  

 In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus teaches even more about light.  Jesus says, “You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.   In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glory your Father in heaven.”  

As we reflect on making room for the most important gift, who is Jesus, we know we will never be able to shine perfectly like Jesus did.  But we can be a reflection of Jesus as we live our lives glorifying God, sharing our faith with others, and participating in God’s mission not only at Christmas but everyday.

‍

‍

WHAT NOT TO MISS

Simple Christmas involves a supernatural birth brought about by a simple faith.  We need to make room for the most important gift of all—Jesus.

John 1:1-18  

In the beginning was the Word….

• John’s Gospel account of Jesus points back to creation.
• The word of God brings forth the flourishing of all creation. 
• Colossians 1:16 states, “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”
• Mankind fell and brought sin into the world.
• God compassionately redeemed the world from sin by reversing the curse of sin by sending His Son to save mankind from sin and death and give us eternal life. (John 3:16)
• John in his Gospel signifies the dawn of a new creation through the Word (logos).
• The Word is the Promised Seed come to reverse the curse of sin and darkness and to impart life and light.

He was coming into the world….

• The Word and the True Light enter into creation.  
• The Word became flesh so that He could save the world because He loved the world.
• The Light of the World came to recreate and reinstall life in all mankind so that mankind would move towards God and not away from Him. 
• John 14:6, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 
• Isaiah 9:2, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;  on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…

• We have seen His glory, the glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
• All of God’s glory was packaged in Jesus.
• If we want to please and honor and glorify God, we must do so by living under and unto the Word and the Son of God.
• John reveals in John 1:17 that His name is Jesus!

Some miss this most important gift….

• They do not recognize Jesus.  Verse 10 states, “He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.”
• They reject Jesus.  Verse 11 states, “He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.” 

But to all who did receive Him, the most important gift, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name….

• We are to be born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
• Jesus, who we believe in, grafts us in and adopts us as children of God.
• 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.”

Simple Christmas involves a spiritual birth brought about by a simple faith.

Jesus' birth will bring a new creation.

• Jesus was born for mission to birth a missional people.
• We are to be a new creation.
• Jesus is The Logos of God who stepped into the world to make sense of, to be the logic for a dark and illogical world.
• Jesus came to make a new world order (not tweak the existing order).
• The old is gone and the new has come.
• We have been empowered by Christ to strike the head of the snake—not to the same degree that Jesus did, but to a similar degree.

Jesus' birth will move in a new direction.

• We are sent into the world to live towards/for good and God’s glory.
• We are sent like John the Baptist to testify about the Light of the World.

Jesus' birth will embody a new reflection. 

• We are given the DNA of Jesus through the Holy Spirit and therefore we take on the image of Jesus.  (Romans 8:29; 1 Corinthians 15:49; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10)

As we are crafted more into His image, we offer the world a reflection of Him.

We live with Jesus

• Jesus sends His Spirit to live with His people and each believer is a part of the body of Christ dwelling in the world.  (Ephesians 2:21; 1 Peter 2:4-5)

We live under Him

• Jesus because He is God and preexistent, He is superior and preeminent.  Jesus is our Commander and Chief. (Colossians 1:18)
• Jesus is the audience of One that we live to please, honor, and glorify.

We live like Him

• The law was given to Moses but grace and truth come through Jesus.
• The law was a tutor and teacher to teach the people of God that we cannot live up to the standards of God.
• The law teaches us how sinful we are.
• Jesus came to give a new law, a new command, a new ethic, and inaugurated and instituted a new kingdom.
• Jesus' law that He gave was, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.  And the second is like it:  love your neighbor as yourself.”  Matthew 29:37-39)

As followers of Jesus we live with Him, under Him, and like Him as we reflect His image.  We experience the presence and glory of God who is the King who sits on His throne. We look forward to living eternally with God.  (“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”  1 John 5:13)

Here is a key question.  Are you a believer in Jesus Christ?  Have you been born again?  Have you experienced a supernatural birth brought about by a simple faith?  Jesus himself said, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3:5-7).

This Christmas make room for the most important gift of all—Jesus. 

‍

Life Application

Christmas is a time when we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  During this week, think about doing something that would be a simple way that you could reflect God’s light to the world around you which is in darkness.  Might there be someone God places in your path who needs a kind word, a note of encouragement, or an errand run?  Is there someone you could invite to come to the Northland Christmas Eve Worship Services? Might you be able to help volunteer and Serve on Christmas Eve?

Small Group Discussion Questions

• What is something that you have given birth to or created? How does what you have created reflect who you are?
• Since Jesus was born into the world to move us towards God, what are some ways  that you can move toward God this week?
• Why is it important,  as you reflect Jesus to the world, that you be a part of the body of believers at Northland?
• What are some ways that you reflect that demonstrate that Jesus is your Lord (i.e. boss, master, ruler, king)?
• How can you be a light to the world, showing them that you have been born again as you are on mission reflecting Jesus who is the Light of the World?

Daily Devotional Bible Passages

• Monday - The Word Becomes Flesh- Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 3:16
• Tuesday - The Word Dwells With Us- 2 Corinthians 6:16; Exodus 29:46
• Wednesday - The New Creation- 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 16:20; Colossians 1:16
• Thursday - The New Direction-John 14:6; Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 30:21
• Friday - The New Reflection- Romans 8:21; 1 Corinthians 15:49; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10

Prayer

Lord,  let us reflect on how we can live a simple Christmas which involves a supernatural birth brought about by a simple faith. Help us to see that just as Jesus was born to be the light to the world, we also are called to be God’s light to those who are around us.  Give us opportunities to be loving and caring as we are called to be on your mission to redeem people from our neighborhoods and from the nations. Help us to be bold as we have opportunities to share our faith with those around us who desperately need to know about Jesus and how much He loves the world and wants to be their Lord and Savior.  As we receive presents for Christmas, remind us to be thankful for the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ, who is the Word, the Good News, the true reason for the Christmas season.

Additional Resources

—  A New Beginning by Billy Graham