1. HE MUST INCREASE, I MUST DECREASE “Jesus the Powerful Word” John 1:1-2 1/23/11

2. HE MUST INCREASE, I MUST DECREASE GOD’S PRESENCE AND ACTIVITY ARE SEEN THROUGH HIS WORD.

3. HE MUST INCREASE, I MUST DECREASE “The Word” Greek: “logos” Meaning: “word” “reason”

4. HE MUST INCREASE, I MUST DECREASE Logos to the Greek Person: Stocism= reason Philos= ideal world

5. HE MUST INCREASE, I MUST DECREASE John’s Connection with the Old Testament Similar intro- In the beginning… Reappearance of several OT words (light, darkness, life) OT allusion, Jn. 1:14, 17-18 Isaiah 55:11 is the framework for how John presents Jesus.

6. HE MUST INCREASE, I MUST DECREASE Similarity between the Word and “wisdom” in Prov. 8:22-31 Jewish Targums (Aramaic translations of the Hebrew OT) substitute “Word of God” for “God.”

7. HE MUST INCREASE, I MUST DECREASE General Revelation- where aspects about God and His nature are revealed to all mankind so that all humanity has an awareness of God’s existence. God’s reality is known to all.

8. HE MUST INCREASE, I MUST DECREASE Psalm 19:1-6 1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 6Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

9. HE MUST INCREASE, I MUST DECREASE Romans 1:18-21 18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

10. HE MUST INCREASE, I MUST DECREASE General Revelation- where aspects about God and His nature are revealed to all mankind so that all humanity has an awareness of God’s existence. God’s reality is known to all. Special Revelation- where God reveals the way of atonement and true life through Jesus and His Word.