IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD.

IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD. 

Text: John 1:1

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." — John 1:1»

Introduction. 

Life begins with many things. A child's life begins with birth. A nation's history begins with its founding. A building begins with a foundation. But before there was a world, before there was time, before the stars, the sun, and the moon, there was the Word.

John does not begin with the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. He takes us beyond Bethlehem, beyond Abraham, beyond Adam, beyond Genesis itself, into eternity. He declares that before anything ever existed, Jesus Christ already existed.

This verse is one of the strongest declarations of the deity and eternity of Christ in the entire Bible.

1. "In the Beginning Was the Word" – Christ Is Eternal. 

John echoes Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Before creation began, the Word already was.

John does not say, "In the beginning the Word came into existence." He says, "the Word was." Jesus had no beginning because He is eternal.

Everything around us has a beginning:

- Mountains were formed.

- Oceans were created.

- Angels were made.

- Human beings were born.

But Christ has always existed.

Illustration. 

Imagine asking someone, "Who created the Creator?" The question has no answer because the Creator was never created. Just as the sun shines because it is its nature, Christ exists because He is eternal. He does not borrow life; He is life itself.

2. "The Word was with God" – Christ is Personal

The Word was with God, showing a personal relationship between the Father and the Son. This reveals the beauty of divine fellowship before the universe existed.

Long before mankind knew love, love already existed within the Godhead.

This teaches us that Christianity is not merely about religion but about relationship. The God who enjoyed eternal fellowship now invites sinners into fellowship with Himself through Christ.

Illustration. 

A lonely person may have wealth, fame, and success, yet still feel empty because relationships matter. If eternal fellowship existed in heaven before creation, then true life is found in relationship with God.

3. "The Word was God" – Christ is Divine

John leaves no room for doubt.

Jesus is not merely a prophet.

*He is not simply a great teacher.

*He is not just an angel.

*He is God.

•The One who slept in the boat is the One who created the sea.

•The One who hungered is the Bread of Life.

•The One who died on the cross is the Author of life.

His humanity allowed Him to die for us; His deity gave His sacrifice infinite value.

Illustration

If a king removes his crown to rescue a poor beggar trapped in a pit, he does not stop being a king. Likewise, when Christ became man, He did not stop being God. He humbled Himself to save us.

4. Why is Jesus Called "The Word"?

Words reveal thoughts.

Without words, people cannot know what is in another person's heart.

Jesus is called the Word because He perfectly reveals the invisible God.

When people looked at Jesus, they saw God's compassion, holiness, mercy, justice, and love.

As Hebrews 1:3 says, He is the exact representation of God's nature.

Lessons:

1. Trust Him Completely

If Jesus is God, then no problem is too difficult for Him.

2. Worship Him Wholeheartedly. 

He deserves more than admiration; He deserves worship.

3. Listen to His Word. 

The eternal Word still speaks today through the Scriptures. Ignoring His voice is rejecting the One who existed before time.

4. Receive His Salvation. 

John later writes that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). The eternal God entered our world to save sinners. The One who created us also came to redeem us.

Illustration:

A little boy once asked his mother, "Who made God?"

She smiled and replied, "No one, my son. If someone made God, then that person would be God instead. God has always been."

Years later, during a terrible tragedy, that same boy—now a grown man—remembered those words. Everything around him had changed. Friends had left. Wealth had disappeared. His health had weakened. But one truth remained: the God who had no beginning would have no ending.

He knelt and prayed, "Lord, everything else may fail, but You never will."

That is the comfort of John 1:1. The eternal Christ remains the same through every generation.

Conclusion. 

John 1:1 answers life's greatest question: Who is Jesus?

- He is the eternal Word.

- He is with God.

- He is God.

The One who spoke the universe into existence is the same One who speaks peace into troubled hearts today.

When everything else passes away, Christ remains. Kingdoms rise and fall. Generations come and go. The heavens and earth will one day pass away, but the eternal Word will never cease.

Altar call:

Is Jesus merely a historical figure to you, or is He your Lord and God?

Today, bow before the eternal Word. Trust Him, worship Him, obey Him, and proclaim Him, for the One who was in the beginning is the same One who offers eternal life to all who believe in Him.

"The One who had no beginning can give you a future with no end."

-Kunle Solomon.

Minister.

SheepGate Evangelical Ministry. Join us on our WhatsApp page: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BsioVIQmwKW4jX6n6PcKGm?mode=gi_t 

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Email: sheepgateevangelicalministry@gmail.com