Prepaing Our Hearts For His Arrival, Part 2

Lead Pastor, Darrin Mariott

Big Idea: Christmas takes on a deeper meaning when our hearts are prepared to recognize and respond to Jesus’s glory.

John 1:1-15
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 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 bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”)

I. Recognizing Jesus’s Glory…

1. His divinity (vv. 1-3, 14; cf. Heb 1:1-3) – In Jesus we see the majesty and character of God fully revealed
Hebrews 1:1-3
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

A. John the Baptist had a ministry of preparation (cf. Matt. 3:1-6) His emphasis was on repentance and humility and his call was to bear witness to the coming Messiah so that hearts would be prepared for His arrival (vv. 6-8).

B. These verses reveal Jesus’s identity and in so doing, also reveal His glory. What do we see about Jesus’s true identity?

2. His supremacy (v. 15; cf. Jn. 3:27-30) – John did not hesitate to declare Jesus’s supremacy and priority as he knew that everything, including his ministry, flowed from Jesus and was predicated on His divine authority.
John 3:27-30
27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

3. His sacrifice (v. 29; cf. Jn. 3:36) – John’s preaching of repentance is in part to prepare us for what only Jesus can accomplish and offer: Forgiveness of sin and eternal life.
John 3:36
36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

II. Responding to Jesus’s glory…

1. Awe and wonder (cf. Lk. 8:22-25) – With Jesus, we know we are in the presence of tremendous power and authority

Luke 8:22-25
22 One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, 23 and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. 24 And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”

2. Reverent fear (cf. Lk. 8:25) – Not the caricature it’s often made out to be, but a humble reverence and respect
Luke 8:25
25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”

3. Worship (cf. Matt. 2:11) – Worship is a proper response to our recognition of Jesus’s identity and character—He is worthy!
Matthew 2:11
11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

4. Obedience – Another indication that we recognize Jesus’s identity and glory is to obey Him (cf. Lk. 6:46)
Luke 6:46
46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?