Advent 1, Sermon at Carol Service, Neuss
Gospel of John, 1,1-14
John, the author of this Gospel is greatly beloved, because he presents Jesus most clearly as the promised Lamb of God, who conveys eternal live to all who simply believe in Him.
This evening we will not talk about the beloved author of this Gospel, but about his main subject – the hero of his story, Jesus the beloved Son of God and his purpose for our Advent. Why? Because we need to know before everything about his name, being, existence, work, destiny, his purpose of coming to earth, credentials, authority and miracles proof it. And then, if we are convinced in his name, character, authority and work, then we will ask: What are the benefits for me? And if I am touched by him and convinced he will benefit me, what do I do with this extra ordinary hero? Do I reject him or receive him for my eternal life?
This is the thought line we will follow these moments. This should touch your heart and mind. Why did the Apostle John write this beloved Gospel? Because he wanted to persuade you to believe in this Gospel Hero. And this will be very clear to all of us if we follow him to the end of his Gospel and end of our Carol Service. Do you believe this Jesus?
At the beginning John declares that the Logos – what the Greeks call all-Reason and the Jews All-wisdom, … was the spoken creative Word of God. He was forever in an intimate relationship (pros theon) with the true Godhead even before the world was created. Even more, he declares that Jesus, the Word, was Co-Creator with the father God, the work master, by whom everything was created and came into existence, not only the physical, touchable world, but also the unseen spiritual world, the angels in heaven working behind political affairs of the world and for the salvation of the souls of God’s people. If Christ is the creator of everything, then he is the origin of all physical life, all peoples on earth, even his elected Israel. And being in possession of all life (being omniscient, omnipresent and almighty) Jesus entered into our cosmos, this earthly world in a mysterious way, taking on a human body to live in a dark, a dangerous, negative and evil world. Or do you believe after 9/11, Paris, I.S. and all the prisons, this world is good? And as Jesus entered into that darkness many were enlightened and discovered the real life, the godly life of eternity, which in Christ Jesus. But who is this Jesus?
He is not only the Logos, the Word, but also the True Light; The Only Son: The Lamb of God: Rabbi and Teacher, The Messiah; Son of God; King of Israel and prophetic the Son of Man. To support that claim, John presents seven miracles: Jesus changed water into wine, healed the blind, raised the dead, etc., and in the 8th final miracle, Jesus personally rose from the dead. What other proof do you still need to believe in him? to be God himself, to forgive your weaknesses and sins forever? and convey eternal life he promised? And now, because this Man is God himself, calling you to welcome und accept him into your life; how can you stand aside and not to decide to follow this Hero? Will you believe and follow him all your life?
John says, all who welcomed or believed in him, he will give, commit, transfer his eternal life. And this is exactly the whole purpose of him coming into our cosmos, into our world to enlighten you and me to believe and cling to him. Will you believe as John designed his Gospel? +- Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Will you tonight believe or accept and invite him into your life, into your heart? will you lay him in the manger and crib of your life? Invite him now: Come Lord Jesus, I invite you into my life. Take my live and let it be consecrated but to thee. Amen.
Anglikanische Kirche i. D. 