Intro:

Some times Christians can have no problem believing in the Eternal Existence of God. They believe with all their heart that God has ALWAYS been present , and Yet struggle with the reality of God's presence in their own life.

You believe He exists Don't you?

Do you believe He is present in you own life?

John tells us that the Word Co-Existed with the Father.

Do you marvel that He Co-exist with us?

Our passage this morning tells us that the Word WAS with the Father always. He was equal to God the Father, Yet distinct from the Father. He was One with the Father before Creation.

There is a parallel truth that we must apply to our lives. Just as God the Father and God the Son Co-Exist and are One, Jesus lives within us and we are One with Him.

So this Morning I will speak to you about:

1. The Personal Existence of the Word and

2. The Personal Character of the Word.

Text: John 1:1-5

1, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

The Personal Existence of the Word:

"In the Beginning..." Both Moses in Genesis and John in this Gospel use this phrase.

"in the beginning" Both writers have the same starting point , but they move in different directions with their thoughts.

Moses starts with God Creating and moves towards the creation of man.

John starts with Creation and moves backwards to find the Existence of God ALONE.

Why would he do that?

Remember his purpose is show that Jesus is God.

John must show that Jesus has always existed. That's why John stresses this Co-Existence:

1, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.

Paul stressed the same thing. Col 1:17 "And He is before all things"

Jesus also claimed to be: "the Self-Existing God"

Ever-Existing God, No Beginning, No End

There was never a time when the Word was not. John gives Emphais: v., 2 "He was in the beginning with God".

Why is this important?

If Jesus is not God - then He's not the Savoir.

Listen to what Peter said:

John 6:67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

What do we preach? That Jesus is the Son of God. He is God!

What was The Word before it became Flesh?

The Word was Before Creation.

No Material Body... The Word existed before He took on Flesh.

John wants the readers to understand that The Word was not Created. We know that Scripture clearly defines God as the Creator. Not the opposite, Creation becoming God. Many false Religions of the past and present have taught that man can become God. Some have this notion that we all have a spark of Deity within us.

God's Word is Clear... the clay pot NEVER becomes the Potter.

This view: Wrong logically and Biblically.

How did Jesus exist before His incarnation?

Look at v. 1, "and the Word was God."

the word "was" here means to exist, No Beginning, No End.

Now look at v. 3 "All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made."

Was = came into being

We must understand and grasp what is said in Gen. 1:1, "In the beginning God,"

Before anything became - God Was. God Existing Always as, God, Word, Spirit.

How does this effect us?

Our faith is in an everlasting God who will give us everlasting Life.

He existed Eternally

He offers Eternal Life

He Existed Spiritually

He offers Spiritual life

What evidence do we have in Scripture of the pre-incarnate Jesus?

1. Angel of Jehovah wrestled Jacob,

2. "God said let us make man in our image,"

3. John the Baptist, "he who comes after me, was before me."

Eternal Presence and Relationship of the Word with God.

Not only will Jesus live Forever, He has always lived.

The Personal Character of the Word?

"He was with God"

John answers the question: How is the Word related to God ?

"With" shows distinction. The "Word" is distinct from the Father

Three persons in the Trinity. Yet they are One. "I and my Father are One."

Their thoughts and purposes are One. "the infinite Spirit exists as a simple, indivisible substance; but it subsists as three persons."

One = Three = One

Equal in Deity, God = God

Not equal in Authority, Son does not = Father

God has given us examples of this Oneness with Distinction:

The Body of Christ: We are all One, Yet are Different. We are submissive to each other. Yet there is leadership.

In Marriage: We are One. Yet we are quite different. And God has ordained a leadership role in the Husband.

So we learn from John that the Word was With God: Co-existing Always. Yet distinct from one another.

What difference does this make - PRACTICALLY? How do we acknowledge this distinction in our day to day life?

We recognize the distinction in our prayer. Praying To the Father in Jesus name.

John 16:23 "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you."

When we ask for spiritual wisdom and insight the Trinity is involved.

We pray to God: in Jesus name, having access through Jesus, in and through the Spirit of God.

God supplies spiritual understanding through the illumination of the Holy Spirit within the Believer.

John 14: 16 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."

Even in our lives They are One yet Distinct.

Christ in us:

Col. 1: 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Holy Spirit in us:

1Co 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

God in us:

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him."

Think of it: The Trinity in Us! WOW! Now That's Amazing, beyond comprehension!

Are you aware of the very Presence of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit in your life?

A real Presence. A dynamic Presence. Convicting Us, Encouraging us, Admonishing Us, illuminating Us, Comforting Us

What a REALITY ! Do you Believe it? Do you Live accordingly? When you get up in the Morning? When you face the unbeliever? If youčre a Christian, the Reality is true weather you believe it or not.

Illustration:  Elisha's Prayer: 2Kings 6:15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" 16 So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Live according to God's unity with us and presence in us:

concerning: our Sin, our ministry...

Conclusion: God's presence was real in the past. His presence is real today. Let's understand that. Let's Experience that and live accordingly.

The way to salvation....