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Sermons

"JOHN'S GOSPEL"
INTRODUCTORY MESSAGE
SUNDAY MORNING, JANUARY 4, 2009

PASTOR DAVE RING
LOS ALAMOS 1ST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Beginning today and continuing for the entire first half of 2009 - with just a few weekly exceptions - I'll be both preaching and teaching the Gospel of John. Today we'll begin with some overall introductory thoughts; next Sunday we'll actually get into the "meat" of John's Gospel, starting - as you might reasonably expect - with John 1:1. But let's first lay some foundations for such study.

1. Who was John? Hints from John 18:15-16 and elsewhere
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2. Why did John write this Gospel? John 20:30-31
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3. Who was John's intended audience? John 1:6-7
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4. What are some of the unique features of John's Gospel?

a. Non-chronological, non-biographical (of Jesus)
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b. Interpretive rather than merely factual
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c. Numerology (special meanings attached to 1,3,4,6,and 7)
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d. Overt anti-Jewish (leadership) bias (Grace supersedes law!)
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e. Jesus is clearly identified as God
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f. The importance of "light" and "life"
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In preparation for next Sunday's message, please read the first chapter of John's gospel (two or three times over)

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