John 1:9 Bible Study

Before moving on to our study today, I wanted to do a little recap of what we have studied so far to help it sink in for the readers.

Who wrote the book of John?

it was John the Apostle, not John the Baptist and not even Johnny Carson.

When was it written?

30 A.D.

85-90 A.D.

200 A.D.

the answer is 85-90 A.D.

To whom is it written to?

it is written to both Christians and non-christians (Gentiles)

Why did John write it?

To prove conclusively that Jesus is the Son of God and that all who believe in Him will have eternal life.

Who are the key people so far?

John the Baptist and Jesus

The first five verses talk about the eternal existance of God. He already existed in the beginning, He created everything there is. He is the Word, He was with God and He was God.

Now, life is found in Jesus. It is eternal life that is found by Him and through Him.

When you have the promise of eternal life in Jesus -- by repenting and putting your faith and trust in Jesus, the light will shine to everyone. The light of God's Word exposes sin -- not just outward sin, but even the inward sin within our minds and within our hearts.

The darkness, the world, can never extinguish the light. God's Word will never fail or fall away (which Joseph Smith said happened!)

Verses 6-8 teaches us that John was a man, a mere man -- and yet, he was God's messenger. Prophecy spoke about him more than 500 years prior to him coming onto the scene.

What was John's job?

To prepare the way before Jesus, to point to the coming Messiah.

John came to tell everyone, he was a witness.

here's a question for you?

how could John be a witness to someone or something he had not seen yet?

it was through his testimony that everyone might believe.

What witness has God given prior to Jesus?

His Word and through Creation.

John had taught men to look through him to Jesus by repentance of sins and to faith in Jesus.

Because of the words he spoke many questioned whether he was the Messiah -- he was not the light, he was only a witness of the light.

When you honor God, you will be used by God for His glory!

We are to bear witness which is to affirm that one has seen or heard (or experienced) something or that he knows it because taught by divine revelation or inspiration.

This brings us to John 1:9

"The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was going to come into the world."

1 John 2:7-8

"Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment, for it is an old one you have always had, right from the beginning. This commandment -- to love one another -- is the same message you heard before. Yet, it is also new. This commandment is true in Christ and is true among you, because the darkness is disappearing and the true light is already shining."

We must remember that the Commandments are fulfilled "through" Christ -- to love one another.

As we go "through" John the Baptist to Jesus, we hear and believe because of his testimony. We are able to love one another by going "through" Christ. The Law points us to Christ and Christ points us back to the Law.

Jesus is the true light.

Romans 13:8-14
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.  For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying,  namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does not harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.  And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.  The night is far spent, the day is at hand.  Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.  Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Ephesians 5:1-13
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.  And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.  But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for the saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thankis.  For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of  Christ and God.  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  therefore do not be partakers with them.  For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.  For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.  But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manisfest is light.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.  For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman.   And the shall not escape.  But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.  You are all sons of light and sons of the day.  We are not of the night nor of darkness.  Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.  For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.  But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.  For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.  Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

You see, Jesus is much more than just a lightbulb!  It is through Jesus that sin is exposed.  It is a light that exposes the darkness of sin.  Believers will not experience the Day of Wrath, but unbelievers will.  People who "profess" to be Christians will also fall into this judgment. If they profess Jesus and yet still live in their sinsm they are considered to be living in the darkness, engulfed in mental, moral, and spiritual darkness because of sin and unbelief.  All these people are children of Satan who is called "the power of darkness" luke 22:53.  The Day of the Lord will overtake them suddenly and with deadly results.

Salvation is Through Jesus Christ!

How does Christ enlighten every man?
1. by the light of reason -- everything created is His, all discoveries and directions of reason, all the comfort it gives us, are from Christ.
2. by the Word being spread to all nations -- John enlightened only Jerusalem and Judea and the region around Jordan (much like a candle lights one room). Christ is the True Light for He enlightens the Gentiles too.
As a light to the darkened world, we are to preach the proper message.

Revelation 14:6-7
Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlastint gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth -- to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people -- saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.

Psalm 19 (the Perfect Revelation of the Lord)
The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.  there is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.  Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices like a strong man to run its race.  Its rising is from one end of heaven, and its circuit to the other end; and there is nothing hidden from its heat.  
The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.  
More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.  Who can understan his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not havfe dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression.  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

3. he enlightens all those that are enlightened to salvation. Those not enlightened will perish in darkness.  Whatever light any man has, he is indebted to Christ for it, whether it be natural or supernatural!

Joh 1:9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the
world.

So John, a man testified of in scripture as he who will make way for
the Lord, is not the light. But this light, which John witnesses of, is
not only the light, but the true light.

Now, what does this light do? It enlightens everyone, and was coming
into the world. So this light teaches us the things of God, and He
does so by coming to us, being in the world but not of the world. (17:14-16)
Indeed He came into the world so that we might believe in Him, and thus
in the Father, and by this not remain in darkness. (12:46)