September 27, 2009 - John 1:10-18
The reason I chose to work through the book of John, and my prayer for us as we study this together, is that we see and savor Jesus Christ. Many people know about Jesus but they do not see him. It is what Jesus said in Matt 13:13 “seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.” (Mt 13:13).  They may see with their head but not with their heart. They may see portraits of Jesus or hear stories of Jesus but they do not see truth, beauty and the infinite value of Jesus. I also hope that we grow to savor Jesus. Savor means to treasure, cherish, admire, prize and pursue. So to help in that two fold aim, during the course of our study I will be providing you with some resources for your own growth and study. I firmly believe that if you are not reading you are not growing and if you are not growing…you are dead. So here are a few of the books that I am working through for our study:
•    Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ - John Piper
•    Vintage Jesus - Mark Driscoll
•    What Jesus Demands from the World - John Piper
•    Jesus Messiah - Donald Guthrie
•    Christ: The Theme of the Bible - Norman Giseler

In John 1:10-18 there are 6 things that Jesus gives, grants, and reveals through his incarnation. 

1)    Adoption (v12-13)
2)    The Shekinah Glory (v14)
3)    The Fullness of God (v16)
4)    Grace upon Grace (v 16)
5)    Grace and Truth (v14, 17)
6)    Reveals the Father  (v18)

But we still need to address verse 10 and 11. And this is where we hear a shocking indictment. The world didn’t know Him and didn’t receive Him. The translation “The Message” puts it well… “He was in the world, the world was there through him, and yet the world didn’t even notice. He came to his own people, but they didn’t want him.” (Joh 1:10-11). Here comes the creator of the universe, the fullness of God, revealing grace upon grace, demonstrating grace and truth, revealing the Father, willing to grant adoption and regeneration but the world didn’t want him!!
•    They wanted their religion - not Jesus
•    They wanted their traditions - not Jesus
•    They wanted their precious idols - not Jesus

In Mark Driscoll’s book “Vintage Jesus” he gives a list of questions to ask ourselves if we are worshiping Jesus or our idols; if we are knowing and receiving Jesus or our idols. Here is where it gets real practical.
•    Who or what do I make sacrifices for?
•    Who or what is most important to me?
•    If I could have ant thing or experience I wanted, what would that be?
•    Who or what makes me most happy?
•    What is the one person or thing I could not live without?
•    What do I spend my money on?
•    Who or what do I dedicate my spare time to?

Don’t let the indictment of verses 10 and 11 be true of you! Know Jesus intimately, Receive Jesus fully. Know and experience him. See and Savor Him, his adopting you and regenerating you. See and Savor his Shekinah glory, his grace upon grace, his grace and truth…

Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace!!


Family/Group Discussion Questions:
1.    Discuss adoption (verse 12-13). What does adoption include? What would it feel like to be adopted? What is required on the part of the adopter?
2.    Why is it the tendency of humanity to minimize the fullness of Jesus? Do we tend of overemphasize the humanity of Jesus or the Divinity of Jesus? What is the danger of overemphasizing either one?
3.    What impact does Jesus being the fullness of God and receiving from His fullness have on your life?
4.    Review the questions to help uncover possible idols. What is your first reaction to these questions? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the idols in your life and the grace to repent and see and savor Jesus alone.