Theme

The Christians greatest hope, deepest longing, and everlasting joy is to see the face of the invisible God in the person Jesus Christ.

Text

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

Discussion Questions

1. What is glory? What are some different ways we see glory?
2. What are some ways that people in the OT saw the glory of God? What do you think John meant when he said, “We have seen His glory”?
3. Read 2 Cor. 3:18. In what sense is our vision of God unveiled, even today?
4. Read 1 Cor. 13:12. In what sense is our vision of God not yet what it ought to be? How will that vision change in glory?
5. Read Revelation 22:1–5. If an non-Christian asked you, “What is the best thing about heaven,” how would you reply?
6. Read Titus 2:13. What is the “Blessed Hope,” and what would it look like for you and your church to “wait” for it? Hint: Is this simply “waiting around,” or something more?
7. “It is impossible, whilst Christ is in the eye, but that we shall labour to be like him, and greatly love him” (John Owen). How can you keep “Christ in the eye” today?

Transcript

Coming Soon