John 1:1-18

Sometimes in our lives we need to get back to the fundamentals. We get so focused on the intricacies of our lives or professions that we become sloppy in the things that matter most. It's the same reason that NBA players still work on ball handling, free-throws and footwork in the post. If you look at all the great players of the past you will see that they never took these building blocks for granted. Take Michael Jordan for instance, he could jump high and dunk from the free throw line but every year he was selected to the All-Defensive team and never dribbled off his foot during "crunch time". This is the same guy who was cut from his high school team his freshman year. He understood the importance of the basics.

As Christians we need to have an undying affection for the fundamentals. In the book of John chapter one is the Gospel. Verses 1-18 give us these important building blocks:

1. Jesus was in the beginning. John draws from Genesis to say that God has always done his creative work through the Son (cf. 1 Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2 ). Jesus is the purpose for this world. God worked through the Son to create, redeem a people and end this world for His glory.

2. Jesus is the light that darkness could not overcome. Just as when God created the heavens and earth he ended the dark void by speaking light. The world was never the same. Jesus is the light of grace and truth that the darkness of evil and sin cannot overcome.

3. The world was made through Jesus but it did not know him. John says he came even to his people (Jews) and they didn't even know him. The world did not recognize it's king.

4. All who believe he gives the right to become children of God who are not born of blood or the will of the flesh or the will of man but of the will of God. It was God's will that Jesus die on the cross, it is this same sovereign God who calls us to his family.

5. Because Jesus became flesh, we have witnessed His glory from the Father full of truth and grace, we have received that grace upon grace and He has made the Father known.


God is unveiling this big epic story. It's about Jesus who was there when it began. He became flesh to die for our sins so that He could redeem His people and show the glory of the Father. He currently resides at the right hand of the father as the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God who will take the scroll and end this world for His namesake. So that those who believe will be children of God. It's the basics that make us who we are and it's the basics that should stir our spirit. C. J. Mahaney once said that if a message or book does not point you to the cross then it has missed it's mark. Please never lose your passion for reading, talking and hearing about what Christ has done for us. It's fundamental.