When God Moved In - Week 5
The Word Became Flesh
Grace Upon Grace
John 1:15–18 (ESV)
THE BIG IDEA: Jesus is the full, final, and perfect REVELATION of the unseen God.
1. THE PARADOX OF TIME (v. 15)
“He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.”
- John the Baptist admits that even though he was born first, Jesus EXISTS first.
- Jesus didn’t begin in the manger; He only APPEARED there.
The Shift: We must move Jesus from merely having prominence in our lives to having PRE-EMINENCE.
Daily Practice: We anchor ourselves in the One who was before us, so we can handle what comes at us.
2. THE OCEAN VS. THE TEASPOON (v. 16)
“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”
- Pleroma (Greek) = FULLNESS / The sum total.
- "Grace upon Grace" is like WAVES hitting the shore—inexhaustible and relentless.
The Problem: We often live with a SCARCITY mindset, trying to be our own supply.
The Solution: Stop grinding and start RECEIVING.
3. THE SHADOW VS. THE SUBSTANCE (v. 17)
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
The Shift: We move from a Transaction (I do good = God blesses) to a RELATIONSHIP (God blessed me in Jesus = I can do good).
4. THE FACETIME OF GOD (v. 18)
“No one has ever seen God... he has made him known.”
- Exegeomai (Greek) = To explain or lead out. (Root word for EXEGESIS)
- Jesus is the FACE that explains the TEXT.
The Application: When life is hard, we do not interpret God through our CIRCUMSTANCES; we interpret God through JESUS.
Small Group Questions
1. The "Consultant" vs. The Alpha (Based on Point 1) In the sermon, we talked about how easy it is to treat Jesus like a "consultant" we call in only when we have a problem, rather than the "Alpha" who ranks before everything.
Question: What is one specific area of your life (schedule, finances, parenting, work) where you find it hardest to give Jesus "pre-eminence" (first place) rather than just fitting Him in when you have time?
2. Scarcity vs. The Overflow (Based on Point 2) We discussed the difference between a "Scarcity Mindset" (hoarding our energy, feeling drained) and drawing from Christ’s "Fullness" (Pleroma).
Question: Can you identify a moment this past week where you felt your "tank go empty" (patience, joy, or hope)? Instead of just "grinding it out" in your own strength, what would it have practically looked like to stop and "make a withdrawal" of grace in that moment?
3. The X-Ray vs. The Cure (Based on Point 3) We used the analogy that the Law is like an X-ray (it reveals the broken bone but can’t fix it), while Jesus is the Cure.
Question: Many of us secretly live by a "Transaction" mindset ("If I do good, God blesses me"). Do you struggle more with feeling Condemned (feeling like God is mad at your failures) or feeling Performance-Driven (feeling like you have to earn His love)? How does the truth of "Grace upon Grace" challenge that for you?
4. Interpreting God (Based on Point 4) The sermon ended with the thought that "Jesus is the Exegesis of God"—He explains who the Father is. We shouldn't interpret God through our circumstances, but through Jesus.
Question: Is there a difficult circumstance in your life right now that is tempting you to doubt God’s goodness? If you look at that situation specifically through the lens of Jesus’s character and love, how does your perspective change?
3 Day Devotional
Day 1: The Reordered Life
Scripture: “He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.” (John 1:15, ESV)
The Thought: On Sunday, we talked about the paradox of John the Baptist. Even though he was born before Jesus, he knew that Jesus "ranked" before him. John understood that Jesus wasn't just a teacher; He was the Alpha—the One who existed before time began. In our daily lives, it is so easy to drift into treating Jesus like a consultant. We manage the "business" of our lives—our schedules, our finances, our worries—and we only call Him in when there is a crisis. We mistakenly think we are the main character. But if Jesus is the Alpha, He demands pre-eminence, not just prominence. He doesn't want to be a part of our day; He wants to be the source of our day. When we anchor ourselves in the One who was before us, we find the strength to handle anything that comes at us.
The Practice: Give Him the "First Fruits" tomorrow morning. Before you check your notifications, the news, or your bank account, take two minutes to acknowledge His rank. Read one Psalm or simply pray, "Lord, You were before this day began. You lead; I follow."
Prayer: Jesus, You are the Alpha. Forgive me for trying to fit You into my schedule instead of building my life around You. Today, I acknowledge Your rank. You go before me. Lead me in Your grace. Amen.
Day 2: Drop the Teaspoon
Scripture: “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1:16, ESV)
The Thought: We often live with a "Scarcity Mindset." We feel like our patience is running out, our joy is gone, or our energy is depleted. We treat God’s grace like a limited resource that we have to ration carefully. But the Scripture tells us we have received from His fullness (His Pleroma). God’s grace isn't a stagnant pond; it is an ocean. The phrase "grace upon grace" paints a picture of waves crashing onto the shore—relentless, inexhaustible, and overflowing. If you are feeling dry today, it isn’t because the ocean has dried up. It might be because you are trying to be your own supply. You are standing next to the ocean holding a teaspoon, wondering why you are thirsty.
The Practice: Stop "grinding" and start "receiving." When you feel a wave of stress or exhaustion hit you today, stop in that very moment. Don't try to power through. Instead, pray a prayer of reception: "Lord, I am empty. I am making a withdrawal from Your fullness right now. I receive Your patience and Your strength."
Prayer: Father, thank You that Your supply never runs dry. I am tired of trying to be my own source. I dip my cup into Your fullness today. Wash over me with fresh grace. Amen.
Day 3: The Face of the Father
Scripture: “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.” (John 1:18, ESV)
The Thought: Life can be confusing. When we face disappointment, loss, or unanswered prayers, we are often tempted to interpret God through our circumstances. We look at our pain and think, "God must be distant," or "God must be angry." But John gives us the ultimate clarity: Jesus has made God known. Jesus is the "exegesis" of God—He explains the Father. If we want to know what God thinks about us, we don't look at our bank account or our bad days; we look at Jesus. Did Jesus turn away the broken? No. Did Jesus shame the hurting? No. He moved toward them with compassion. Jesus is the final word on who God is.
The Practice: Is there a situation in your life right now causing you to doubt God’s goodness? Take a moment to mentally hold that situation up against the life of Jesus. Remind yourself: "My circumstances do not define God’s character. Jesus defines God’s character."
Prayer: Lord, thank You that I don't have to guess who You are. Thank You for sending Jesus to show me Your heart. When I am confused by life, help me to fix my eyes on Your Son, the perfect image of Your love. Amen.