Gospel Introductions - John 1:1-18, Luke 1:1-4, Mark 1:1, Matthew 1:1, Matthew 9:9-13)

(Mark 2:14-17, Luke 5:27-32)

John 1:1-18 (NIV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 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.
15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

Luke 1:1-4

1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Mark 1:1

1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God,

Matthew 1:1

1 This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:

Matthew 9:9-13

9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

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Before you read, ask God to speak to you through his Word, and help you understand it and know him better.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What does this passage tell me about Jesus?

2. How is Holy Spirit encouraging me?

3. How is Holy Spirit convicting me?

4. How can I as an individual and we as the church live this out?

5. What questions do I have about this passage?

In a journal, write the date, the passages you read, and then write a sentence or two at least about the text, your thoughts from the questions above, or a prayer.

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My notes:

1.

Jesus - The Word. With God. God. Everything made through him. In him was life. Life in him is light for everyone. His light shines in darkness. Darkness doesn't understand his light. By testimony of Jesus' light, people come to faith. His light is the true light and gives light to everyone. He was not recognized by the world. He was not received by his own. To those who receive him and believe he gave the right to be children of God. He became flesh and lived with us. We saw him. He came from the Father. He is full of grace and truth. He is greater than those who testify of him. We have received blessings from the fullness of his grace. Grace and truth come from him. He is God the One and Only. He is at the Father's side. He makes God the Father known.

2.

The story of Jesus' life is worth investigating, being certain of, and telling others.

3.

Jesus is good news. Jesus is Messiah. Jesus is the Son of God.

4.

Jesus is Messiah. Jesus is human. Jesus is Jewish. Jesus is King.

5.

When Jesus saw Matthew, a tax collector, he saw a future disciple. Jesus is attractive to sinners. Jesus is found among sinners. Jesus came to call sinners, not righteous people.