>>By the way of introduction to our study of the Gospel of John we want to analyze what the central theme is in this Gospel which is diverse from the other three.

>>In order to unfold the meaning of the Spirit in the Gospel of John we need to see the diversity in the four gospels which are totally distinct in character.

>>The Gospel of Matthew portrays Christ in His Kingly office; heir of the throne of David, the King of the Jews.

MAT 2:1-2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

>>The Gospel of Mark does not mention the lineage of Jesus, but it begins in the first chapter showing Him as the Servant of Jehovah; it concentrates on His work.

MAR 1:14-15 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

>>The Gospel of Luke reveals the humanity of Christ; it teaches His perfect human nature, contrasting Him from the sinful sons of men.

LUK 4:6-8 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.

8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

>>In the fourth Gospel, John reveals Christ as the heavenly One come down to earth to tabernacle with men; this is the main truth which dominates the Gospel of John.

>>The first three gospels teach Jesus' human relationship with men, but the Gospel of John reveals Christ's spiritual relationship more than human ties.

>>The central theme of the Gospel of John teaches that the One who was born in the manger, eat and drank with sinners, died upon the cross, was co-equal with the Father, was the very only begotten Son of God.

JOH 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

>>It is John's gospel which teaches us the spiritual nature of our relationship with God in Him.

JOH 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

>>Each Book of the Bible has its own central theme; the theme of the Gospel of John is the Deity of Christ as is apparent from the very first verse.

JOH 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

>>The blessed example of this same Jesus who was crucified and laid in the tomb now teaches us what our spiritual relationship is to be as we become dead unto sin and serve Him as our "Great God and Saviour."

TIT 2:12-14 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

>>The Deity of Christ was foretold by the inspiration of the Spirit in ISA 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

>>The eternal relationship between the Father and the Son of God was foretold by the inspiration of the Spirit in MIC 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

>>It was also of this same Jesus who was born in a manger that david prophesied in PSA 110:1, "The LORD said unto my Lord..." which we see fulfilled in ACT 2:34-35 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

2:35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

>>In these days of apostasy it cannot be emphasized to much that the Son of God, the Second Person in the Trinity is co-eternal, co-equal with the Father.

>>It is in this fourth gospel that we have the full unveiling of Christ's glories. It is here that we see Him dwelling with the Godhead before time began.

JOH 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

>>The Deity of Christ is revealed in the Gospel of John as the creator of heaven and earth as we see from JOH 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

>>John the Baptist bare record of this same Jesus in JOH 1:34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

>>The Gospel of John testifies of Jesus' glory in JOH 2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

>>It is this fourth Gospel which reveals the Father's love and how He gave all authority unto His Son.

JOH 3:35-36 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

>>It is in this fourth gospel that we learn the eternal nature of Christ's power as co-equal with the Father

JOH 5:21-23 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

>>The Deity of Christ shines forth in JOH 10:27-30 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

30 I and my Father are one.

>>The Deity of Christ is also found in JOH 14:8-10 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

>>Not only does this fourth Gospel unveil the Deity of Christ, but it is also distinguished from the other three in that it unfolds the spiritual relationship between Christ and His church.

JOH 3:5-8 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

>>The sovereignty of God in salvation also comes through so beautifully in JOH 1:11-13 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

>>The sovereignty of God in our salvation comes through so beautifully throughout this fourth gospel.

JOH 6:44-45 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

>>The spiritual relationship between the Father, the Son, and the church come through so beautifully in John 17.

JOH 17:1-3 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

>>This intercessory prayer of Jesus not only included the ones unto whom He personally preached the gospel, but the whole family of God who would believe after His death.

JOH 17:20-23 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

>>The Deity of Christ and His Spiritual relationship with His church, for the reconciliation of His Father and His church also comes through in JOH 14:15-17 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

>>See how our blessed Saviour teaches that our spiritual relationship with Him and His Father are contingent upon our becoming reconciled with His will in JOH 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

>>This spiritual relationship between the Father, the Son, and His church distinguish the Gospel of John from the other three gospels.

JOH 15:7-10 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

>>The Father's greatest glory was Christ's unconditional obedience; if we are to please Him in any way it can only be true an unconditional surrender to His will.

1JO 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

>>All our spiritual relationship with the Father in Christ centers in our having become reconciled to His will.

2PE 1:10-11 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

>>What things are these? See the context! Peter says 2PE 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

>>These things are what we find in the context in 2PE 1:5-7 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.