Author:

John, the close friend and loved disciple of Jesus.  John 21:24 “This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.”

He wrote the gospel of John; 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John; and Revelations. 
J

Time and place:

Is about the last 3 years of Christ life on earth which was around 28-30 AD, and the gospel of John was written between 70-100 AD.  Most likely written from Ephesus, modern day Turkey.   
J

Purpose: To believe

  John 20:30-31 “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 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.”
  1. written to help people believe
  2. don’t make the mistake of thinking that this book doesn’t give fuel for the    believer’s soul!

John 8:31 “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples”

John 10:26-28 “but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

John 15:6 “If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.”

If you stop believing, you were never saved.  “Don’t stop believing!” – Journey
J

Four Main Themes:

  1. Existence of Jesus
  2. The Identity of Jesus
  3. Relationship between Jesus and God
  4. Jesus and His relationship to the world

 

Jesus is…

The Literal Truth v.1
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John is calling Jesus the Word, because he is making it crystal clear that Jesus is truth!

John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

John 16:12-15 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

John 18:37 “Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
J

The Lord of all v.2

Matthew 28:18 “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
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The Life-Giver vv.3-4

  1. Initial Creator. Colossians 1:16 “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”
  2. Eternal Life Giver. John 20:31 “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.”

The Light v.5

John 8:12 “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”