Episode Notes:

The Hope of Christ (John 1:1-5)

In this message, Pastor Ben Smith explores the opening verses of John's gospel to reveal the foundation of Christian hope: the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Introduction: How does knowing who Jesus is give hope? In a world marked by suffering, sin, and uncertainty, the assurance of the gospel is not found in human philosophy, religious effort, or personal achievement—it is singularly founded on the personhood of Jesus Christ. John opens his gospel with a declaration that connects directly to Genesis 1:1, establishing Jesus as the eternal Word through whom all things were created and in whom God's eternal redemptive plan is fulfilled.

Scripture Text: John 1:1-5

Main Points:

I. There is hope in Jesus, the everlasting God (vv. 1-3) • Jesus is God eternal • Jesus is God Almighty

John deliberately mirrors Genesis 1:1 ("In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth") with his opening: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This is not coincidental—John is making an unmistakable claim about Jesus's divinity and eternal nature. Unlike prophets who declare words from God, teachers who explain God's words, or leaders who encourage obedience, only God Himself—the Word—can save. Jesus has no beginning or end, no limitation in knowledge, strength, or time. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. The Creator has intimate knowledge of creation's purpose, and only the Creator can restore His creation to its intended design.

II. There is hope in Jesus, the light of truth (v. 4) • Jesus is light • Jesus is life

When John says that Jesus is "the light of men," he means that Jesus is the one who makes God known to humanity. Jesus entered a world full of religion but lacking true knowledge of God. This sermon traces the hope of redemption from Genesis 3:15 , where God promised Eve that her descendant would crush the head of the deceive. Jesus is the fulfillment of this promise to Eve, as well as God's promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:3), David (2 Samuel 7:12-13), and the messianic prophecies of Isaiah, Daniel, Hosea, and Micah. While the law pointed to God's holiness and man's sinfulness, the light of Christ perfectly reveals both the glory of God and the brokenness of man—and also reveals the truth of the gospel and the hope of salvation. In Him is life, and eternal life is only found in the light of Christ.

III. There is hope in Jesus, the victor over sin (v. 5) • Jesus disrupts the lies of sin • Jesus defeats the curse of sin

The declaration "the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" is not merely descriptive—it is a declaration of war. Light is never neutral to darkness. Darkness cannot remain where light shines, and they cannot coexist in harmony. The nature of light is that it pushes back against darkness, dispels it, and exposes what was covered by it. Jesus stepped into a world darkened by sin and shone forth the light of God—exposing sin, revealing Satan's lies, and showing clearly the hope of salvation. The birth of Jesus was not neutral. The ministry of Jesus was not neutral. The cross was not neutral. The resurrection was not neutral. All these things are God actively working against the darkness of this world. Even Herod's attempt to murder Jesus failed, and Satan's attempt to overthrow God's kingdom by killing Jesus on the cross—the darkest moment in history—became the moment when God's light shone brightest. Until Christ's second coming, darkness will war against the light—but this is a battle whose outcome has already been determined.

Key Takeaway: The confidence of your salvation rests entirely on who Jesus is: God eternal, almighty, and triumphant. True hope is not found in human effort or worldly promises, but in the unchanging nature of Christ, whose victory over sin and death is already assured. As Paul writes in Romans 10:11-13, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame...for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Why This Sermon Matters: In a culture that offers countless competing visions of hope—self-improvement, positive thinking, political solutions, or religious works—this sermon anchors hope where it belongs: in the unchanging, all-powerful, victorious person of Jesus Christ. Whether you're struggling with doubt, facing darkness in your own life, or simply need to be reminded of the solid ground beneath your faith, this exposition of John 1:1-5 will encourage and strengthen you.

Ideal For:

Christmas and Advent preaching

Understanding the deity of Christ

Building a biblical foundation of hope

Personal encouragement in difficult times

Small group discussion on Christology

New believer discipleship

About the Speaker: Ben Smith is the pastor of Central Baptist Church in Waycross, GA, where he faithfully preaches the Word of God with theological depth and pastoral care. He is committed to expository preaching that exalts Christ and equips believers for faithful Christian living.

Resources:

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Original Sermon Date: November 30, 2025

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