“As Many As Receive Him”
John 1:11-13
- Last week we started the Gospel of John!
- Last week we learned…the KEY VERSE to the book.
John 20:31 But these are written (recorded) in order that you may BELIEVE that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah), the Son of God, and that through BELIEVING and cleaving to and trusting and relying upon Him you may have life through (in) His name!
- Let’s review John1:1-10
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth
It’s here we learn that Jesus predates the CREATION of the time-space-material universe.
1. In the beginning was the Word
The verb “was” highlights the ETERNAL, PRE- EXISTENCE of the Word
Jesus did NOT come into existence. He ALWAYS was…
Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting (eternity).
1. In the beginning was the Word(logos)
Much as our words reveal our heart, mind and thoughts to others… So Jesus is God’s WORD (logos) to reveal God’s heart and mind and thoughts to us!
1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God
It here we learn that… The Word (The Second Person of the TRINITY), always was and has always been with the Father in intimate fellowship throughout all eternity.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with, God and the Word was God.
It’s here we learn UNMISTAKABLY that Jesus is God!
John 1:1 is the most compact and pulsating theological statement in all Scripture on the DEITY of JESUS!
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
Jesus is the Creator
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were CREATED that are in heaven and that are on earth… All things were CREATED through Him and for Him.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
11 He came to His own, & His own did not receive Him.
On a large scale… the Jewish people as a whole… also failed to recognize Jesus as there promised Messiah.
Luke 19:41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your PEACE! But now they are hidden from your eyes.
Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!
Isaiah 65:2 I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in a way that is not good, according to their own thoughts;
Now in contrast … to those that didn’t know who Jesus was v.10….
John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
In contrast to those who did NOT receive Jesus in v. 11
11 He came to His own, & His own did not receive Him.
We come to verse 12….
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
Q. Have you RECEIVED Jesus? Have you BELIEVED in Jesus… in such away that you have become a Child of God?
This is NOT talking about merely an INTELLECTUAL belief.
This is talking about RECEIVING Jesus in a way that completely changes your life!
This is talking about BELIEVING in Jesus in such a way that it leads to a… NEW BIRTH.
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
13 who were born, not of blood
Speaks of NOT a PHYSICAL birth but a SPIRITUAL birth!
nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man (husband), but of God
This birth is NOT like when we chose to have children… but This birth is… A SOVEREIGN work of God!
This birth does not ORIGINATE from the will of the flesh ( from our impulses ) but from God’s Sovereign Will.
John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit
Ephesians 1:4 He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world
John 6:44 No one can come to Me UNLESS the Father who sent Me draws him
Understand
Salvation is a sovereign work of God that we respond to.. by RECEIVING Jesus... by BELIEVING in Jesus.
So be careful NOT to think you can get right with God any time you want to… or are ready… “I’m not ready”
IF… there is a work of the Holy Spirit in you… enabling you to see your need to GET RIGHT WITH GOD … to MAKE PEACE WITH GOD… to RECEIVE JESUS… THEN be so careful not to harden your heart!
Hebrews 3:15 Today, if you will hear His voice, DO NOT harden your hearts as in the rebellion
Genesis 6:3 “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever ”
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Jesus talks about this SECOND BIRTH in John 3
John 3:7 You MUST be born again.
The Aposlte John talks about this SECOND BIRTH even more at the end of his life in 1 John.
1 John 2:29 …every one who practices righteousness is born of Him.
1 John 3:9 / 5:18 Whoever has been born of God does not (practice) sin, for His seed (life) remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God & everyone who loves is born of God & knows God
1 John 5:4 for everyone born of God OVERCOMES the world. This is the victory that has OVERCOME the world, even our faith.
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
John 1:13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.