Sunday Sermon: The Life of the Words, Glory of Light
“9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Just as Genesis begins by proclaiming that God created the world through His Word, so does John’s Gospel open with the declaration that “in the beginning,” the Word brought all things into being. This Word is not merely speech or language, but rather God’s own will, purpose, and love—life and light. Through His Word, God fashioned the world with order and purpose, and He created humanity in His image to fulfill His divine plan.
God did not remain distant after creating the world. Instead, He came as light into our human weakness and darkness, dwelling among us in Jesus Christ. In a human body, Jesus revealed God’s love, grace, and truth, bringing hope even in the midst of death and despair.
For those who receive Jesus, there is the right to become children of God. This goes beyond merely acknowledging that God exists; it is about believing in Him and welcoming Him into our lives. Such a response of faith restores our relationship with God and allows grace and truth to govern our lives.
God’s truth is not cold or merely logical; it is a warm and loving truth. Jesus’ grace and truth guide our lives so that we can love one another and display God’s glory. This path does not rely on our own strength or on the ebb and flow of worldly matters; rather, it is a life rooted in God as our source of hope.
Prayer: Lord, as we enter the new year of 2025, we thank You for showing us where to place our hope. Our confidence does not rest on human ability or worldly circumstances, but in You, who have loved us and created all things through Your Word from the beginning. We welcome Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, into our lives. May He dwell at the center of our hearts, shining the light of life and glory upon us. Lead us to live in grace and truth in our families, our church, and our relationships with our neighbors. Amen.
(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)