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Who and Why?

Christopher Alderman

• 3 min read
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Who is Jesus, and why did He come? John does not begin with a manger scene or a genealogy, but with eternity itself: “In the beginning was the Word.” Before creation, before history, before we could reach toward God, the Son was already with God and was God.

In John 1:1–14, we see the wonder of the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us. Jesus is the light shining into darkness, the Creator entering His creation, and the only Son revealing the Father with grace and truth. Consider not only who Jesus is, but why His coming changes everything.

Sermon Notes

Scripture References

Primary text

  • John 1:1-14

Other references

  • Romans 1
  • Romans 2
  • John 20:30-31
  • Genesis 1:1
  • John 16
  • John 17
  • John 14

Overview

Humanity keeps searching the skies for “something out there,” yet John announces that the very Life behind everything has already come here. Opening his gospel with “In the beginning,” John shows Jesus as the eternal Word who is God, the agent of all creation, and the Light that brings true life to everyone. John writes so we may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing receive life in His name.

Context

Pastor Tim began with a childhood memory of being disciplined in church, then traced mankind’s fascination with aliens, UFOs, and conspiracy theories to illustrate the universal sense that “someone is out there.” Romans 1–2 confirms this inner knowledge, yet people suppress the truth about God. Against this backdrop John 1 is introduced as the definitive revelation of the “Someone” we all seek.

Main Points

  • Across history people have imagined beings beyond earth: TV shows, conspiracy stories, Scientology, even joking that junior-highers are “alien life forms.”
  • Romans 1–2 says creation itself testifies that a Creator exists, yet pride leads us to reject Him.

John’s unique purpose

  • Written last among the Gospels, likely from Ephesus near the end of the first century.
  • John is selective, not retelling everything already covered by Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
  • Purpose statement (John 20:30-31):
    1. That we may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.
    2. That by believing we may have life in His name.
  • Therefore John focuses on who Jesus is, not merely what He did.

Jesus is God (John 1:1-2)

  • “In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God.”
  • Logos captured both Greek and Hebrew audiences: the rational principle (Greek) and God’s active, creative word (Hebrew).
  • Three traits highlighted:
    • Eternal – He already existed before creation.
    • Equal – Distinct from the Father yet fully God.
    • Essential – Possesses everything that makes God, God.
  • Illustration: Banana split into three equal strands to picture the Trinity—distinct pieces, yet one banana.

Jesus is the Creator (John 1:3)

  • “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.”
  • Creation and revelation are inseparable; natural revelation leaves humanity without excuse.
  • To believe in Jesus is to trust the One through whom everything came into being.

Jesus is the Originator of Light and Life (John 1:4-5)

  • Life is a signature theme for John (used 36 times).
  • Light pushes back darkness; darkness can never extinguish light.
    • Illustration: One candle in a sealed, pitch-black room illuminates every corner; so Christ’s light drives out spiritual darkness.
    • Story: Pastor Tim imagined giving someone “24 hours to live” to show how precious life feels—and how hopeless it seems when time is gone. Jesus is the only source of true, lasting life.
  • Jesus later declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14). The world must respond to this light.

The unavoidable decision

  • John’s prologue already presses the question: Will you receive or reject the Light?
  • Rejecting produces continued darkness; receiving grants the right to become children of God (John 1:12-13).

Key Truths

  • Jesus, the eternal Word, is fully God and has always existed.
  • Everything in the universe was created through Him and for Him.
  • He is the sole source of spiritual light and life; darkness cannot overcome Him.
  • John’s Gospel was written so that people might believe in Jesus and live.
  • Christianity centers on a Person, not merely teachings or rituals.

Response

  • Acknowledge Jesus as God and Creator rather than searching for lesser “mysteries.”
  • Receive the Light by believing in His name and becoming God’s child.
  • Walk in the light daily, refusing to let darkness rule thoughts or actions.
  • Share this Light with a world “desperately needing Jesus,” not arguments about aliens.

Closing

The message ended by quoting the Christ-hymn from Philippians, showing Jesus’ humility, death, and exaltation, then urging every listener to bow and confess Him as Lord.

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow … and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Believing or denying Him is the decisive choice each heart must make.

Prayer

“Heavenly Father, we pray and we thank You that this is the One, this is the Word whom we love and adore and follow. And now go and serve a world that desperately needs Jesus.”

Recorded May 31st, 2026
Message by Pastor Tim Ward
Scripture: John 1:1-14