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1,437 illustrations
John 1
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2The same was in the beginning with God.
3All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made.
4In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn`t overcome it.
6There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.
7The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him.
8He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light.
9The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
10He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn`t recognize him.
11He came to his own, and those who were his own didn`t receive him.
12But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God`s children, to those who believe in his name:
13who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
15John testified about him. He cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, `He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.`"
16From his fullness we all received grace upon grace.
17For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18No one has seen God at any time. The only conceived Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.
19This is John`s testimony, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"
20He confessed, and didn`t deny, but he confessed, "I am not the Christ."
21They asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No."
22They said therefore to him, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"
23He said, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, `Make straight the way of the Lord,` as Isaiah the prophet said."
24The ones who had been sent were from the Pharisees.
25They asked him, "Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"
26John answered them, "I baptize in water, but among you stands one whom you don`t know,
27he who comes after me, whose sandal strap I`m not worthy to untie."
28These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
29On the next day, he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
30This is he of whom I said, `After me comes a man who is preferred before me, for he was before me.`
31I didn`t know him, but for this reason I came baptizing in water: that he would be revealed to Israel."
32John testified, saying, "I have seen the Spirit descending like a dove out of heaven, and it remained on him.
33I didn`t recognize him, but he who sent me to baptize in water, he said to me, `On whoever you will see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.`
34I have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God."
35Again, on the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples,
36and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!"
37The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), "where are you staying?"
39He said to them, "Come, and see." They came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about the tenth hour.
40One of the two who heard John, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter`s brother.
41He first found his own brother, Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah!" (which is, being interpreted, Christ).
42He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, "You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas" (which is by interpretation, Peter).
43On the next day, he was determined to go forth into Galilee, and he found Philip. Jesus said to him, "Follow me."
44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter.
45Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, "We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
46Nathanael said to him, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."
47Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said about him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!"
48Nathanael says to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."
49Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!"
50Jesus answered him, "Because I told you, `I saw you underneath the fig tree,` do you believe? You will see greater things than these."
51He said to him, "Most assuredly, I tell you, hereafter you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
"Abundant life is not individual flourishing but communal existence—shared meals, mutual aid, common life. The thief is individualism that isolates; Jesus creates community that gives life. The church embodies abundant life together; alone we have mere survival." — Stanley Hauerwas.
SermonWise.ai generates complete sermon outlines for any passage across 17 theological traditions. Try it with John.
Generate a sermon →"The thief steals, kills, destroys—this is the enemy's agenda. But Jesus came that we might have LIFE, and have it ABUNDANTLY! Not mere existence but overflowing life. Eternal life begins now; full life flows from the Good Shepherd. This is...
"Jesus has overcome—and we overcome through Him. His victory is not automatic for us but appropriated through faith. We participate in His triumph; grace enables our perseverance. 'Be of good cheer'—courage is possible because victory is shared." — E. Stanley Jones.
"Abundant life is resurrection life now—new creation breaking in. Jesus brings not escape from creation but its renewal. Life to the full includes body and spirit, individual and social, present and future. The Good Shepherd leads us into the life...
"Life abundant is full salvation—not just forgiveness but transformation, not just heaven later but holiness now. Jesus gives life that overflows in love for God and neighbor. Sanctification IS abundant life; perfect love IS life to the full." — John Wesley.
"Jesus has OVERCOME—past tense! The victory is WON! Our job isn't to win; it's to ENFORCE the victory already accomplished! When trouble comes, DECLARE: 'You're defeated! Jesus has overcome!' Live from victory, not toward it! The world is under His feet—and ours!" — Bill Johnson.
"Jesus says 'I am the WAY'—not 'I am the correct doctrine.' The way is walked, not merely affirmed. To claim Christ as the way is to follow His path of enemy love, nonviolence, and community. The way is embodied discipleship." — Stanley Hauerwas.
"'I AM the Vine'—Christ Himself is the source of all spiritual life. Not Christ plus our effort; not Christ and our additions—Christ alone. The branches exist only in relation to the Vine; apart from Him, literally nothing. All Christian existence...
"I am the Vine—Christ is the source; we are only branches. All righteousness, all fruit, all life flows from Him to us. The branch does not produce life; it receives life. Our works are His fruit flowing through us. Apart...
"Christ is the Way—but this way is open to all. He is the Truth—and this truth can be known by any seeking heart. He is the Life—offered freely to whosoever will.
"'I have overcome'—this is Christ's definitive word over the world. Not 'I will overcome' but 'I HAVE overcome.' The victory is accomplished in His person, His work, His resurrection. In union with Christ, we participate in accomplished victory. The world...
"The gospel exceeds! We ask for forgiveness; God gives righteousness. We imagine acceptance; He gives sonship. We hope for mercy; He gives inheritance. Immeasurably more—this is grace upon grace. God's giving always exceeds our receiving." — Martin Luther. Lutheran: gospel overflow.
"Abundant life spans both ages—eternal life begins now and continues forever. The thief is Satan who ruled this present age; Jesus is the Good Shepherd who leads to the age to come. We taste abundance now; we inherit fullness when He returns.
"Abide in His PRESENCE and POWER flows! The Vine is alive with supernatural life! Connected branches carry ANOINTING, AUTHORITY, GLORY! Don't just know about Jesus—ABIDE in Him! Live in His presence and watch SUPERNATURAL fruit appear!" — Bill Johnson. Charismatic: presence abiding.
"Missionary fruit comes from abiding in Christ. Programs without presence produce nothing lasting; strategies without spirituality bear no fruit. The sent church must be the abiding church. Apart from Him, our mission efforts are nothing; in Him, fruit remains." — Lesslie Newbigin.
"Abundant life is God Himself—not health and wealth but HIM. Jesus came that we might have GOD fully, eternally, satisfyingly. The thief offers substitutes; Jesus offers the Source. Life abundant is knowing God; eternal life is enjoying Him forever." — John Piper.
"Apart from Me you can do nothing—the branch cannot bear fruit by itself. Abiding is the secret: staying connected, drawing life from the Vine. Our activity without His life produces nothing eternal. Stay in Christ; His life flows through you;...
"'Be not afraid'—even of tribulation! Christ has overcome the world; the Church participates in His victory. Through sacramental grace, we are strengthened for trouble. Through the communion of saints, we are not alone. The world's opposition cannot prevail against Christ's...
"The world gives trouble—especially to those who challenge injustice. But Christ has overcome this world of oppression. His victory is liberation. Take heart: the powers that kill are defeated powers. Even martyrdom is victory—the blood of martyrs is seed of freedom." — Oscar Romero.
"Jesus offers life—not just spiritual but integral: body and soul, person and community. Through the sacraments, abundant life flows; in the Eucharist, we receive the Life-Giver Himself. The Church is meant to be sign and instrument of this full life for all." — Pope Francis.
"Abiding in Christ is neither passive quietism nor frantic activism—it is living union. The branch doesn't strive to produce fruit, nor does it pretend fruit doesn't matter. It simply stays connected and fruit comes. This is the balanced Christian life:...
"ABUNDANT life is SUPERNATURAL life! Jesus didn't come to give you religion—He came to give you GLORY! The thief steals through fear and doubt; Jesus gives through FAITH and encounter! Step into the MORE! Heaven's ABUNDANCE is available NOW!" — Bill Johnson.
"YOU are the branch; Christ is YOUR Vine. Abide in HIM—personally, daily, continually. YOUR connection to Christ determines YOUR fruitfulness. No one can abide for you; no one can bear YOUR fruit. Stay close to Jesus; let HIS life flow through YOU." — Billy Graham.
"God's gift is LIFE—and not just barely alive! ETERNAL life! ABUNDANT life! SUPERNATURAL life! Sin pays death; God gives LIFE with POWER! The same Spirit that raised Christ LIVES IN YOU! Receive the gift—LIFE MORE than you imagined possible!" — Bill Johnson.