Grace & Truth

Here we savor the grace upon grace given in Jesus, the grace and truth revealed in Him that exceeds the law given through Moses.
(John 1:15-17)

Sermon Outline

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ..” (John 1:17)

Pointing to Who is Greater: John the Baptist (John 1:15)

  • John the Baptist chronologically precedes Jesus
  • Jesus’ opinion of John the Baptist: “Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist…” (Matthew 11:11)
  • Jesus’ authority exceeds that of John the Baptist

The Fullness of Jesus (John 1:16)

  • The Fullness found in Jesus the Messiah
  • Grace in place of grace already given

Grace and Truth Exceeding the Law (John 1:17)

  • The gift of revelation through Moses
  • The greater gift of revelation and incarnation in Jesus the Messiah

Living into the Fullness

  • Living into a fullness beyond John the Baptist
  • Living into a fullness beyond Moses and the Law
  • Stepping into the grace and truth of Jesus the Messiah
  • Living within the grace and truth of Jesus the Messiah

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. How would you define “grace”? When have you experienced grace in your life?
  2. This week we continue our sermon series “The Word” from John 1. This week we focus on John 1:15-17. Whether on your own or with others, begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you, and then read that passage aloud.
  3. Verse 15 references John the Baptist, who we encountered earlier in verses 6-8. Read those verses again. What do all these verses tell us about who John the Baptist is and what he is about? What do these verses tell us about who Jesus is in relation to John?
  4. In verse 16, the focus returns to Jesus and “His fullness,” which points back to verse 14. Read that verse again. What do you think our writer intends by referencing Jesus’ “fullness” in verse 16?
  5. The second part of verse 16 places us as recipients of grace through Jesus the Messiah. God’s fullness in Jesus becomes a conduit for grace reaching us, a grace that exceeds even any other gracious gift of God we have received before. What does this say about who Jesus is?
  6. How have you personally experienced fullness and grace in Jesus?
  7. In verse 17, the Apostle John compares what God gave through Moses in comparison to what God has given through Jesus the Messiah. Take a moment to ponder what this means, perhaps making a list comparing the gifts of God given through Moses and Jesus.
  8. What is one thing you sense God is bringing to your attention through this week’s study? If you are with a small group, discuss that with one another and then pray about what you shared. If you are on your own, write it down, pray about it, and consider sharing your thoughts with someone this week.

DIG DEEPER

Exploring Faith

  • These verses describe the fullness of God taking up residence in Jesus. Take some time to read through the following verses as a way to understanding better these claims about Jesus: John 10:25-30; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-4. What do these verses tell us about Jesus?

Growing in Faith

  • John the Baptist is consistently displayed as an ideal disciple in John’s Gospel. Explore what that means by studying John the Baptist’s life through these verses: John 1:6-8; 1:19-28; 1:29-34; 1:35-38; John 3:22-36
  • Consider memorizing John 1:17, or even memorizing these words as part of a longer memorization of the entire prologue (John 1:1-18).

Centered in Faith

  • Is there someone God is placing on your heart so as to share about the grace you’ve experienced in Jesus? Or is there someone God is placing on your heart to help grow in understanding and discipleship? Pray about that, and then step forward into action in response to that sense of calling with those people.
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