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.

-John 20:30-31

We are headed at full speed into the holiday season.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are upon us, and between Starbucks cups and black Friday advertising, we can’t escape it.  As is our custom at GPBC/HBC, we will be starting a new sermon series that focuses on passages from the Bible that relate to the first advent of Jesus.  This year our text will be the gospel of John 1:1-18.

John wrote his gospel with one clear, unambiguous purpose:

…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.

-John 20:31.

Every syllable in his gospel is aimed at the mark of faith.  Every story contributes to this purpose, including the first eighteen verses which describe Jesus’ arrival on earth.

John doesn’t launch his gospel with the earthly details of Jesus’ birth, but rather with the theological details.  Who is this Jesus who was born?  As he addresses this question in John 1:1-18, he challenges the reader to not only understand, but to believe.

This year, as you and your family celebrate Christmas with all of your traditions, don’t miss the point.  We remember that Jesus was born so that we may believe that he is the Messiah, the very Son of God, and by faith in Jesus, we receive life in his name.

As a bonus, after Christmas we will be continuing in the gospel of John.  What did Jesus do after he arrived on earth?  Why does it matter to us?  What does it mean to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God?

Our gospel of John series starts December 4th at both the Green Pond and Highlands campuses.  Join us as we take a much needed look at the glory of Jesus Christ through the lens of the gospel of John, so that we may believe.