January 4th, Sermon & Ministry Resources

"The Word: God's Ultimate Revelation" (John 1:1-18)

Lectionary Readings — Second Sunday after Christmas — January 4th, 2026

Jeremiah 31:7; Psalm 147:12-20; Ephesians 1:3-14; (John 1:1-9), 10-18

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Call to Worship (based on John 1:1-18)

Leader: The true Light has come into the world,

People: The Light that enlightens everyone.

Leader: He was in the world, and the world was made through Him,

People: Yet the world did not recognize Him.

Leader: To all who did receive Him, who believed in His name,

People: He gave the right to become children of God—born not of flesh, but born of God.

Leader: The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us,

People: He has pitched His tent in our midst!

Leader: We have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s only Son,

People: Full of grace and truth!

Leader: No one has ever seen God,

People: But Jesus Christ has made Him known.

All: Come, let us worship the Word made flesh, the Light of the world!

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Opening Prayer (based on Psalm 147:12-20)

Let us pray:

Gracious and Sovereign God,

We gather this day to praise Your name and to extol Your goodness in this place. You are the One who strengthens and secures us, who blesses those within our gates with Your steadfast presence and peace.

We thank You for Your generous provision—for the abundance You supply, for daily bread and sustaining grace. You are the God who speaks and creation responds: snow falls, winds blow, ice melts, and seasons turn at Your command. All nature bends to Your will, yet You stoop to care for us.

We are grateful that You have not left us to ourselves, but have revealed Your heart and Your ways to us through Your Word. What a privilege to know You, to hear Your voice, to walk in Your truth. You have given us light when we sat in darkness, and have called us into relationship with You.

As we worship together today, speak Your word into our lives once more. Melt the hardness of our hearts. Send forth Your Spirit like the warm wind of spring, bringing renewal and life. Grant us peace within these walls and beyond them. Satisfy us with the finest of Your gifts—with Jesus, the Bread of Life.

May our praise rise to You with sincere and grateful hearts.

In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

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[NOTE to Paid subscribers — scroll down for the full manuscript sermon]

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Sermon Outline: "THE WORD: GOD’S ULTIMATE REVELATION"

Based on John 1:1-18

INTRODUCTION:

• Opening: How does an infinite God communicate with finite humans?

• John’s answer: Not just through a message, but by becoming the Message

• Preview: Three movements in this passage:

  1. The Eternal Word (vv. 1-5)

  2. The Received and Rejected Word (vv. 6-13)

  3. The Incarnate Word (vv. 14-18)

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I. THE ETERNAL WORD: Christ Before Creation (vv. 1-5)

A. Who the Word Is (vv. 1-2)

B. What the Word Does (vv. 3-5)

II. THE RECEIVED AND REJECTED WORD: Humanity’s Response (vv. 6-13)

A. The Witness Points to the Light (vv. 6-9)

B. The Tragic Rejection (vv. 10-11)

C. The Gracious Invitation (vv. 12-13)

III. THE INCARNATE WORD: God in Human Flesh (vv. 14-18)

A. The Miracle of the Incarnation (v. 14)

B. The Abundance of Grace (vv. 15-17)

C. The Ultimate Revelation (v. 18)

CONCLUSION:

The Word who created everything wants to recreate you. The Light that darkness cannot overcome wants to shine in your life. The One who tabernacled among us desires to dwell in you through His Spirit.

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Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers