Dive Into John Chapter 1

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A few months ago, I started my Sunday morning message series called Rebuilding Faith. Each week's message is ten minutes or less, and I'm currently going through the Gospel of John... slowly.

I just finished chapter one after eight weeks (and an intro). Here's a list of the episodes so far in case you wanted to catch up on any you missed. Or, if you haven't checked it out yet, you can binge listen (or watch) all of them in under two hours thanks to the format! Click on any title below to access that message.

Intro to the Gospel of John

This episode introduces the Gospel of John as a unique and deeply theological account of Jesus' life, emphasizing that John wrote his gospel to help people see Jesus as the Messiah and find life in Him. It highlights how John’s approach differs from the other gospels, focusing on seven key signs to reveal Jesus' true identity. Through this study, listeners are encouraged to see Jesus more clearly, trust in Him, and allow their faith to be strengthened as they seek signs of His presence in their own lives.

Speaking the Language (John 1:1-5)

This episode explores Jesus as the "Word" who has always existed and played a central role in creation. It explains that Jesus serves as the bridge between humanity and God, speaking both the divine and human "languages" to reveal God's character. The episode highlights that the cross is the ultimate expression of God's self-giving love, demonstrating the true nature of the Trinity and calling believers to embody that same sacrificial love in their lives.

Can I Get a Witness? (John 1:6-8)

This episode discusses John the Baptist's role, emphasizing how he serves as a witness who points people to Jesus rather than drawing attention to himself. It encourages listeners to find purpose by pointing their lives to something bigger than themselves, noting that research shows people with purpose beyond themselves experience better health, sleep, and career satisfaction. The message concludes by asking listeners to consider what their lives are pointing to and reminds Christians to reflect on who introduced them to Jesus, encouraging them to serve as pointers directing others to Christ.

Do You See It? (John 1:9-14)

This episode contrasts Moses' limited view of God in Exodus with the full revelation of God in Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the tragedy that Jesus came to the world He created but was rejected, while highlighting that some people did recognize His glory. The message concludes by explaining that God becoming human was an invitation for humans to share in divine nature, allowing us to see God clearly through Jesus and participate in His unconditional, self-sacrificial love.

Crossing the Line (John 1:15-18)

This episode challenges the common view that Christianity is primarily about "converting" people or getting them to "cross a line." It contrasts this line-crossing mentality, which often leads to gatekeeping and stagnation after conversion, with a journey-oriented approach focused on continuously bringing people closer to Jesus. The message emphasizes that Christians should focus less on determining who is "in or out" and more on revealing Jesus to others, just as John testified that Jesus has revealed God to us.

Making Sense (John 1:19-28)

This episode focuses on John the Baptist's identity and how religious leaders struggled to categorize him, initially suggesting he might be the Messiah or Elijah before questioning his authority to baptize. It draws two key lessons: first, that John the Baptist serves as a model for how we should view the Bible; and second, that Christians today should follow John's example of deflecting attention from themselves and consistently pointing people to Jesus rather than to power, influence, or security. The message critiques modern Christian nationalism and certain evangelical theologies for failing to truly point people to Jesus, emphasizing John's humility as a model for authentic Christian witness.

A Lamb and a Dove (John 1:29-34)

This episode looks at John the Baptist's recognition of Jesus as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." It emphasizes the significant shift from the Passover lamb that was only for Israel to Jesus being a lamb for the entire world, challenging both ancient and modern exclusionary mindsets. The message highlights John the Baptist's initial doubt before his moment of clarity upon seeing the Holy Spirit descend like a dove, and concludes by asking listeners to consider whether they truly embrace Jesus's mission to save everyone, not just those they deem worthy.

Come and See (John 1:35-42)

This episode explores how we often carefully manage what others know about us, especially on social media, contrasting this with Jesus's invitation to "come and see" who he truly is. It shares the story of John the Baptist's disciples following Jesus, highlighting that Jesus fully knows us yet still loves us unconditionally—creating the ideal condition of being both known and loved, in which we can truly thrive.

You are Not the Holy Spirit (John 1:43-51)

This episode reassures listeners they don't need to be theologians or have all the correct answers to introduce others to Jesus, as they are not the Holy Spirit—only God can transform hearts. Using the story of Nathaniel, who skeptically questioned Jesus but later worshiped Him, the episode highlights the power of prayer and encourages believers to pray for those who seem far from faith, trusting that no one is beyond hope.

I don't think each chapter will take me eight weeks, but this felt like the right way to kick things off.

The Gospel of John is such an incredible book and such a needed resource for us today. Unlike any other Gospel, John’s account reveals Jesus as the Son of God through powerful signs, deep teachings, and personal encounters. From the famous opening—“In the beginning was the Word”—to the moving version of Christ’s resurrection, this book invites you to experience a life-giving relationship with Jesus.

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Dive Into John Chapter 1

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