Prayer for All Members Based on Pastor Jared’s Message, December 25, 2022 John 1:1-14
The Light of the World

Introduction: Though John does not recount the Christmas story as do Matthew and Luke, this is still a very appropriate Christmas message because John tells us who the baby in the manger is. He is the Light of the world.

1. The Light has always been shining; He is eternal. (1-3)

   In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... All things were made through him...

   Jesus was with the Father, always was, and always will be. He made all things. He is the Light, always has been, and always will be. He is not only eternal, but He is the Word, He is with God, He is God.

   Father, thank You for Your eternal Son who is the Creator and Light of the world!

2. The Light is also the life of men; He is vital. (4-5)

   In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

   Our text is not talking just about physical light, but primarily about spiritual light and life. All of us have experienced two major problems: lostness and spiritual blindness. Jesus is the solution to our lostness and blindness. He enables us to have life and to see, and He Himself is also the light and glory to be seen!

3. The Light is not always accepted; He is often rejected. (9-11)

   The true light...was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

   He made the world, but the world does not recognize Him. His own people were looking for their Messiah for hundreds of years, but when He came the majority did not receive Him. This should serve as a warning to us not to miss Jesus.

4. The Light received is life and hope; He offers Himself to all. (12-13)

   But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God...

   We are not all of us God’s children, only those who recognize and receive Him. To receive Jesus is to believe in His name – to believe in Him for who He is.

   Father, may none of us miss Jesus! Please help each who needs light and life to come to Jesus. Help us all to believe in Him, to entrust our lives to Him and become Your children.

5. The Light is God incarnate, God in the flesh; He came to provide all that we need. (14)

   And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us...

   Why did Jesus take on our flesh?

   • To provide salvation. He came to die in our place because we could never save ourselves.

   • To provide sympathy. He came and suffered so He sympathizes with us and gives us grace and mercy.

   • To provide anticipation. He came the first time just as promised, and He will come again just as

     promised.

     Lord, thank You for saving us and sympathizing with us. Please help us to live in anticipation of Your coming again.