January 5th, Sermon & Ministry Resources

"The Word Became Flesh: Encountering the Living Christ" Text: John 1:1-18

Lectionary Readings — Second Sunday after Christmas Day — January 5, 2025

Jeremiah 31:7-14; 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: In the beginning was the Word,

People: And the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Leader: Through Him all things were made,

People: In Him was life, and that life was the light of all people.

Leader: The light shines in the darkness,

People: And the darkness has not overcome it.

Leader: He came to His own creation,

People: And to all who received Him, He gave the right to become children of God.

Leader: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,

People: We have seen His glory, full of grace and truth.

Leader: From His fullness we have all received,

All: Grace upon grace. Thanks be to God!

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Opening Prayer (based on Jeremiah 31:7-14)

Let us pray:

Gracious and loving God,

Like your servant Jeremiah who proclaimed hope to your scattered people, we come before you with hearts full of gratitude and expectation. You who gathered Israel from the ends of the earth, gather us now into your presence – the weak and the strong, the broken and the whole, the weeping and the rejoicing.

Lord, transform our mourning into dancing, as you promised through your prophet. Lead us beside your streams of water, on level paths where we will not stumble. Make us like a well-watered garden, nourished by your grace and mercy.

We thank you that you are a Father who ransoms and redeems, who turns our weeping into joy and our sorrow into gladness. Pour out your bounty upon us – the grain, the wine, and the oil of your provision. Let our souls be satisfied with your abundance.

Gather your flock, O Great Shepherd. Bring us home from the far places of our wandering. Watch over us as a shepherd watches their flock. And let our voices rise together in songs of joy, knowing that you have turned our mourning into dancing and clothed us with gladness.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Lord, Amen.

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Sermon Outline: [NOTE to Paid subscribers — scroll down for the full manuscript sermon].

[Note: All Scripture is taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.]

Sermon Outline: "The Word Became Flesh: Encountering the Living Christ" (John 1:1-18)

Introduction:

• Context of John's prologue - setting the theological foundation

• The cosmic significance of Christ's incarnation

I. Preexistence (vv. 1-2)

A. The Word's eternal nature

B. The Word's divine identity

C. The foundational relationship within the Godhead

II. Power (vv. 3-9)

A. Creative force in all things

B. Source of life and light

C. Light that darkness cannot overcome

D. Testified to by John the Baptist

III. Persecution (vv. 10-13)

A. Rejected by His own creation

B. Unrecognized by His own people

C. Yet offering divine sonship

D. The paradox of rejection and reception

IV. Presence (vv. 14-18)

A. The incarnation mystery

B. The revelation of glory

C. The complete revelation of God

Conclusion:

• The profound implications of the incarnation

• Our response to this revelation

• Call to receive and believe

Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers