{"id":272,"date":"2023-04-05T15:39:24","date_gmt":"2023-04-05T15:39:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=272"},"modified":"2025-12-15T20:50:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T20:50:07","slug":"the-day-god-came-near","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/the-day-god-came-near\/","title":{"rendered":"THE DAY GOD CAME NEAR"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

THE DAY GOD CAME NEAR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

John 1:15, 9\u201314<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introduction:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, this morning we\u2019re beginning a new series <\/strong>of messages that will carry us through <\/strong>the Easter Season.<\/strong> And, I\u2019m really excited to share these messages with you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because, they focus on remembering <\/strong>some of the most powerful days in human history<\/strong>. Like, the day Jesus arrived on planet earth<\/strong>. And the day He was recognized and worshipped as a King (really, the King of Kings<\/strong>). And of course, there\u2019s the day He shamed sin, defeat death, triumphed over the grave, and rose again.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Days like these remind us \u2014 <\/strong>He has changed our world<\/strong>\u2026and if we\u2019ll allow Him, <\/strong>He will also change our LIVES TODAY<\/strong>!<\/strong> In fact, that was my prayer for you this morning. As we were driving in \u2014 our family prayed for you today. And we prayed that God would change your life! So, this morning I want to begin by looking at <\/strong>the day GOD came near. <\/strong>If you have your Bible<\/strong>\u2026turn with me to John chapter 1.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transition:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the New Testament,<\/strong> there are <\/strong>four books <\/strong>that tell us the story of Jesus<\/strong>\u2019 life<\/strong>. We often refer to them as \u201cthe Gospels\u201d<\/strong> \u2014 because they tell us good news.<\/strong> They describe His arrival<\/strong>, His interactions<\/strong> with people, His teaching<\/strong> and preaching<\/strong>, His tell stories about His compassion for others<\/strong>, His love<\/strong> for<\/strong> people<\/strong>, and His power<\/strong> over<\/strong> all things. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were written by four guys<\/strong> who lived in the 1st century<\/strong> \u2014 Matthew<\/strong>, Mark<\/strong>, Luke<\/strong>, an John. <\/strong>And the first 3 books are quite similar, <\/strong>but John\u2019s gospel is different. <\/strong>It was probably the last gospel written<\/strong>. <\/strong>And by the time John<\/strong> wrote his (around 70 AD) <\/strong>most Christians <\/strong>would have been familiar with the others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, John wrote His with a different purpose <\/strong>\u2014 he wrote His to persuade people to Believe<\/strong> in Jesus. While the others wrote about what<\/strong> Jesus<\/strong> did<\/strong> and what<\/strong> Jesus<\/strong> said<\/strong> \u2014 John\u2019s<\/strong> wrote to tell people WHO JESUS WAS <\/strong>\u2014 <\/strong>and IS! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pastor Skip Heitzig <\/strong>notes that the book of John<\/strong> is really \u201cthe go-to gospel for new believers.<\/strong> While the other Gospels<\/strong> were written for specific groups of people\u2014(like the Jews<\/strong>, Romans<\/strong>, and Greeks<\/strong>), John<\/strong> was written for the world.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 So, Mark <\/strong>focuses on Jesus<\/strong>, as a man of action.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 And Matthew <\/strong>focuses on Jesus<\/strong>, as the promised messiah.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 And Luke <\/strong>focuses on Jesus<\/strong>, as a compassionate servant.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 John <\/strong>focuses on Jesus<\/strong>, as the Eternal God!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, he summarize His entire gospel in chapter 20 <\/strong>and verses 30-31<\/strong>, when he writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

30 <\/em><\/strong>Jesus did many other miracles in the presence of his followers that are not written in this book. <\/em>31 <\/em><\/strong>But <\/em>these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God<\/em>. Then, <\/em>by believing, you may have life through his name.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

John 20:30-31 (NCV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That was His purpose\u2026and that\u2019s really my purpose today as well. I want you to KNOW JESUS. Because <\/em><\/strong>the day He arrived on planet earth, He changed our world! <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MESSAGE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, if you will allow me, I\u2019d like to read a couple passages (with you), from John\u2019s<\/strong> first<\/strong> chapter. Again, if you have your Bible \u2014 look there with me. <\/strong>Beginning in verse 1, John<\/strong> writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1<\/em><\/strong> In the beginning\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t you love those words? They\u2019re the words to some of the best stories aren\u2019t they. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With just three words he grabs our attention. He says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1<\/em><\/strong> In the beginning <\/em><\/strong>was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. <\/em>2<\/em><\/strong> He was with God in the beginning. <\/em>3<\/em><\/strong> Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. <\/em>4<\/em><\/strong> In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. <\/em>5<\/em><\/strong> The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

John 1:1-5 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, skip down (with me), to verse 9.<\/strong> Here John<\/strong> continues, by saying:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9<\/em><\/strong> The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. <\/em>10<\/em><\/strong> He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. <\/em>11<\/em><\/strong> He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. <\/em>12<\/em><\/strong> Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God\u2014 <\/em>13<\/em><\/strong> children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband\u2019s will, but born of God. <\/em>14<\/em><\/strong> The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

John 1:9-14 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this opening chapter<\/strong> of His gospel, John<\/strong> tells us three extraordinary things about Jesus<\/strong>. First of all\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. HE\u2019S GOD ETERNAL.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    John tells us, that Jesus existed in heaven long before he came to earth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    He calls Him the Word. And in doing so, he grabs the attention of everyone in his day \u2014 both the Greeks and Romans (who were in power in that part of the world), and his fellow Jews. Both used the word he pens here when he calls Jesus the Word. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Greek word he used was the word \u201cLogos\u201d. And it meant something to both groups. To the Greeks \u2014 the word \u201clogos\u201d represented a cosmic force that brought order to all things. They thought of something like Logic\u2026or Logical. Something that made sense to the chaos of life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While they didn\u2019t believe in the One God \u2014 Yahweh\u2026they believed there was a \u201cforce\u201d behind everything. And that supernatural force helped them make sense of life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But, for the Jews of John\u2019s day, they knew the word Logos \u2014 but understood it to be something much greater. To them, it was the word that represented God Almighty. They would have thought of God Himself \u2014 the One<\/strong> whose very nature it is to communicate, to reveal, to express, and to connect with creation<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    They would have thought of the<\/strong> One<\/strong>, in the words of John Calvin<\/strong>, who is and was and always will be the Divine Speech that seeks to make himself known to us<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This is so amazing \u2014 because He didn\u2019t have to do this. But He chose to leave Heaven and visit earth. He came from heaven to earth to COMMUNICATE \u201cface to face\u201d with humanity. He put on flesh and blood \u2014 so He could look into our eyes, and we into His. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A commentator by the name of Dale Bruner \u2014 writes, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    “God is saying this to us, God is saying, ‘All that I have ever wanted you to know about me, all that I’ve ever wanted to reveal about myself I have made known in Jesus Christ.'” <\/strong>So God is saying to us, if we want to know him, get together with Jesus<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you want to know what God is like \u2014 look to Jesus. And if you want to know what Jesus is like \u2014 look at God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In fact, that\u2019s what John<\/strong> goes on to say. Not only is Jesus God, but He\u2019s GOD ETERNAL<\/strong>. As John<\/strong> puts it…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2<\/em><\/strong> He was with God in the beginning. <\/em>3<\/em><\/strong> Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So, Jesus wasn\u2019t just a shadow <\/strong>of God. He was God.<\/strong> Moreover, He demonstrated His power and eternality by creating everything <\/strong>we know. He is the author of <\/strong>all<\/em><\/strong> creation. <\/strong>As Paul<\/strong> says in Colossians,<\/strong> Paul<\/strong> writes\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible…all things were created <\/em>by him and for him<\/em><\/strong>. He is before all things, and <\/em>in him all things hold together. <\/em><\/strong>(Colossians 1:16-17)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I love that phrase. Paul<\/strong> uses a really beautiful word \u2014 \u201cSYNESTAKEN<\/strong>\u201d \u2014 and it tells us that God got everything going (in the beginning)\u2026and He keeps everything going. He\u2019s the glue that holds all things together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The writer of Hebrews<\/strong> says, Jesus<\/strong> “sustains all things by his powerful word.” <\/em>(Hebrews 1:3)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So, Jesus<\/strong> is more than just a man. He is the God-man. He is fully God and fully man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So, to read the words of Jesus \u2014 is to read the words of God. More than just<\/strong> a “good teacher,”<\/strong> His words are DIVINE. The are life. And direction. And power. And presence. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    All because, He is God eternal!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So, don\u2019t overlook Him. Give Jesus your attention. Seek Him. Honor Him. Live for Him.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Well, here\u2019s the second thing that John<\/strong> tells us about Jesus<\/strong>\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. HE\u2019S LIGHT IN DARKNESS.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      And this is just as significant as Him being DIVINE \u2014 <\/strong>and ETERNAL.<\/strong> In verses 4-5, John <\/strong>says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      4<\/em><\/strong> In him was <\/em>life<\/em><\/strong>, and that <\/em>life<\/em><\/strong> was <\/em>the light of all mankind.<\/em><\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Here John proclaims Christ’s role as the giver of eternal life. And not just \u2014 life, but abundant life (John 10:10). John<\/strong> uses the term life thirty-six times<\/strong> in his gospel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Jesus<\/strong> says time and time again that he is the giver of life, the author of life. The point is that Jesus offers us something we could never get on our own<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      More than physical life \u2014 He wants to give us eternal life. Abundant life. Life filled up and overflowing. More than just surviving \u2014 He wants us to be thriving in life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      John<\/strong> says in verse 5,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      5<\/em><\/strong> The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      When John<\/strong> writes these words \u2014 he\u2019s telling us that Jesus<\/strong> has come into a dark world<\/strong> \u2014 and just as a candle <\/strong>drives out the darkness of a room, so also, Jesus<\/strong> comes as THE LIGHT <\/strong>into the darkness of this world, and He drives out that darkness,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      To the people in the 1st century \u2014 “light” was the ultimate value.<\/strong> All good things were said to be “light<\/strong>,” and all evil was considered “darkness<\/strong>.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Light also implies an unveiling\u2026or a revealing. So, Jesus<\/strong> wasn\u2019t just someone who could expose our sin \u2014 but He also illuminated a way for us to be free of our sin\u2026to be saved from it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      John<\/strong> says, He is the light that shines forth. And that light is life. <\/strong>It\u2019s not pain<\/strong> or shame<\/strong> or deceit<\/strong> or darkness. He doesn\u2019t come bringing fear or sorrow or disappointment or deception. Je comes as <\/strong>\u201cthe true light that gives light to everyone\u201d. <\/em>And John<\/strong> says, in Him is life!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Jesus<\/strong> Himself would testify to this fact in John 8:12<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>when He said, “I am the light of the world.”  <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      When we\u2019re children, we\u2019re often afraid of the darkness. We put night lights in our rooms so it\u2019s not too dark. In fact, we spend our lives seeking to drive out darkness. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The practical point of is this \u2014 is that the light<\/strong> of<\/strong> Christ<\/strong> pierces the darkness<\/strong> \u2014 and the darkness cannot be overcome it. So be encouraged. Jesus<\/strong> has overcome this world of darkness<\/strong>! <\/strong>He is LIGHT<\/strong> and in Him there is NO DARKNESS!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Don\u2019t you wish you could trust everything to be what it proclaimed to be? Take for instance, the<\/strong> food we buy<\/strong>. So often, it\u2019s not what it professes to be<\/strong>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2014 Like American<\/strong> Cheese<\/strong>. Come on\u2026we all know that\u2019s not really cheese. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2014 Or what about the shakes at McDonalds<\/strong>. They may taste good but \u2014 have you noticed, they don\u2019t call them Milk<\/strong> Shakes<\/strong> \u2014 because that\u2019s not what they are. They\u2019re made of something \u2014 but it\u2019s NOT<\/strong> MILK<\/strong>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2014 Just this week, I was in Florida<\/strong>, and I bought a bottle of juice. It was actually Guava juice <\/strong>(because I love guavas<\/strong>). But I specifically asked the lady at the counter: \u201cIs this JUICE?\u201d <\/strong>And she said \u201cYES!\u201d. <\/strong>I again asked her to clarify \u2014 \u201cIt\u2019s not just some GUAVA DRINK is it?\u201d <\/strong>And she said \u201cNo sir. It\u2019s guava juice.\u201d<\/strong> I said \u201cGreat, I\u2019ll have it!\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Well, guess what \u2014 it wasn\u2019t juice<\/strong>\u2026it was some sugary sweet artificial guava flavored fruity drink. And I knew it \u2014 because, after opening it, and taking a drink \u2014 I looked on the label, and in tiny letters\u2026at the very bottom of a very small label, it said \u2014 FRUIT FLAVORED DRINK!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      I was like \u2014 COME ON!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      But I love that John<\/strong> tells us outright. When it comes to the nature of Jesus<\/strong> \u2014 he\u2019s put it in BOLD<\/strong> LETTERS<\/strong> on the label <\/strong>(for us). He says:<\/strong> God is 100% light <\/strong>and in Him, there is no darkness!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      God is light in that He is 100% good. God is light in that He reveals all that we need to see! God is light in that there is only truth in Him! He is perfectly good, perfectly holy, perfectly powerful, and perfectly just. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      There is no darkness in God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Let that encourage<\/strong> you<\/strong> \u2014 and respond by receiving Him<\/strong> (and that light into your life). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      You\u2019ll notice, in verse 10<\/strong>, John<\/strong> says of Jesus<\/strong>,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      10 <\/em><\/strong>He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. <\/em>11<\/em><\/strong> He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      And isn\u2019t that the way it often is? When someone has been in a dark room<\/strong> and the light is turned on<\/strong>, usually \u2014 their first reaction is to pull away from it. To reject it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      That\u2019s what happened when Jesus<\/strong> came into this world \u2014 when He pierced the darkness. They pulled back. They didn’t want Him! But for those who responded \u2014 their lives were forever changed. Hope was renewed. Life was given. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      John<\/strong> says in verse 12-13<\/strong>, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      12<\/em><\/strong> Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God\u2014 <\/em>13<\/em><\/strong> children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband\u2019s will, but born of God.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Now,, that\u2019s great news! If you and I will WELCOME and EMBRACE the light of Christ in our lives, WE WILL BE CHANGED! We will have the darkness in us driven out and the light of Christ will shine brightly through us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      In one of John\u2019s<\/strong> other letters \u2014 1 John 1:5<\/strong>, he says this: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      5 <\/em><\/strong>This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. <\/em>6 <\/em><\/strong>If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. <\/em>7 <\/em><\/strong>But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1 John 1:5:-7 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      So, again, God is light,<\/strong> and there is absolutely no darkness in him. So draw close to Him. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Live your life IN HIM. Let the LIGHT OF CHRIST<\/strong> drive out the darkness in you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      And if you\u2019re struggling with DARK THOUGHTS \u2014 then turn to Jesus. Pray and ask Him to SHINE HIS LIGHT into those dark places\u2026into the hidden places in your life. Open the door to Him\u2026let Him inside. Let Him in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      That\u2019s really the message of Revelation 3:20, <\/strong>\u201cHere I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in\u2026\u201d  <\/em>That\u2019s a message to you and me. It\u2019s not about salvation \u2014 it\u2019s about openness and transparency with Christ. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      So, try it. Invite Him to bring LIFE<\/strong> and LIGHT<\/strong> to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Well, here’s the third characteristic<\/strong> of Jesus<\/strong> we learn from John<\/strong>, He\u2019s GOD ETERNAL, <\/strong>He\u2019s LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS<\/strong>, and\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. HE\u2019S FULL OF GRACE & TRUTH.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        In verse<\/strong> 14. John <\/strong>says…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        14<\/em><\/strong> The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        I will sometimes hear people pray things like, \u201cGod, show me your glory.\u201d And that\u2019s okay \u2014 because it\u2019s an invitation for God to SHOW UP and SHOW OUT in their lives. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What they usually mean is, \u201cGod, I want to know you more.<\/strong> I want to feel your presence more<\/strong>. I want to sense your closeness in my life more.\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        But understand, God has shown his glory to us<\/strong>\u2026and He\u2019s<\/strong> done some through the coming of Jesus.<\/strong> And with Him, He has brought us grace and truth! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        And aren\u2019t those some of the best words<\/strong> you\u2019ve ever heard?  Jesus<\/strong> came bringing GRACE<\/strong> and  TRUTH<\/strong> to you and me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        When John<\/strong> says, He came <\/em>\u201cFull of grace\u201d<\/em> \u2014 he was saying, in Jesus<\/strong> we find the blessings that we don\u2019t deserve\u2026yet, they are extended our way. Not because of us \u2014 but because of Him. Not because we have earned them \u2014 but, because He has given them. He was (and is) full of grace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        I\u2019m so glad the Jesus<\/strong> we serve is full of grace<\/strong>? He lacks nothing. He\u2019s got more than enough for me and for you. And, we need it. I know I do. I need God\u2019s grace<\/strong>. I need His grace every day! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Love, mercy, help, strength,<\/strong> that I don\u2019t deserve any of those precious gifts from God. But praise God, He gives those to us freely. That\u2019s what grace is. And He is FULL OF GRACE!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        But not just grace, He\u2019s also FULL OF TRUTH. <\/strong>He comes to us \u2014 offering us authenticity. Nothing fake. Nothing that looks good \u2014 but really isn\u2019t. He offers us GRACE AND TRUTH! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        When I was 16, I traveled to Paraguay, South America (on a youth missions trip), much like what our students will be doing this summer when they travel to Costa Rica. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Well, while I was there \u2014 our leaders took us to town one day. We went to Asunci\u00f3n<\/strong> (the capital city), to sightsee and shop.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        And while I was shopping, a man came up to me and pulled out a board full of beautiful watches. And after just a bit of dickering with him, I was able to buy my daddy the most beautiful Rolex Watch for $14.<\/strong> I was so excited, I mean \u2014 after all, I WOULD CERTAINLY BE HIS FAVORITE CHILD.<\/strong> Neither of the others had ever done anything so great. \u2028<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        I BOUGHT HIM A ROLEX! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The problem was \u2014 it wasn\u2019t real. It wasn\u2019t authentic. It was fake. It was cheap. There was no truth there! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        But John<\/strong> says, what Jesus is peddling isn\u2019t cheap. It\u2019s not fake. It\u2019s the genuine<\/strong> article<\/strong>. It\u2019s REAL<\/strong>\u2026AUTHENTIC<\/strong>\u2026and LASTING<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Author Kevin DeYoung<\/strong> says, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Jesus was all grace. <\/strong>He welcomed sinners and tax collectors and ate with them.  He had compassion on the crowds\u2026He welcomed the little children to come (to him)\u2026He healed the lepers, the lame, and the blind. He saved the criminal on the cross\u2026(He was all grace).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        (But, He was also\u2026)<\/em> all truth. He condemned many of the religious leaders of his day for being liars and hypocrites. He called all his those who would be his disciples to take up their cross daily and follow him.  He obeyed the law, set standards, and demanded everything from his followers\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Jesus came from the Father full of grace<\/strong> and truth<\/strong>. All grace, all truth, all the time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        But he didn\u2019t come simply to give us an example of grace and truth.  He came to save us\u2026after we\u2019ve been saved\u2026God says, \u201cAlright, (now know)<\/em>\u2026I have saved you to look like Jesus.\u201d  We (are to)<\/em> look like the one we follow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        (https:\/\/www.thegospelcoalition.org\/blogs\/kevin-deyoung\/full-of-grace-and-truth\/<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        We desperately need grace and truth in our lives! <\/strong>And that\u2019s who Jesus is<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        CONCLUSION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The day God<\/strong> came near was one of the greatest days of human history. It was the day He revealed Himself<\/strong> to us in the person of Jesus<\/strong>\u2026The ETERNAL GOD,<\/strong> He\u2019s the LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS, <\/strong>and He\u2019s FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u2014 <\/strong>And if you\u2019ve not come to grips with that fact \u2014 and if you\u2019ve not yet surrendered your life to serving Him, then what are you waiting for?<\/strong> Put your faith in Jesus \u2014 and accept His gift of forgiveness and salvation today! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u2014<\/strong>And if you have, then LIVE LIKE YOU BELIEVE IT!<\/strong> Follow Him. Trust in Him.<\/strong> And let your life be a reflection of that GRACE & TRUTH He has shared with you.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        THE DAY GOD CAME NEAR John 1:15, 9\u201314 Introduction: Well, this morning we\u2019re beginning a new series of messages that will carry us through the …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-272","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/272","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=272"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/272\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2680,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/272\/revisions\/2680"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=272"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}