Title: Behold His Glory!
Descript.: Introduction to series from John's Gospel
Text: Selected from John
Tracing: Preached December 27, 1992 AM
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A. INTRO
Who are your heroes? Some of the truly great people of world
history or modern society? (Accept congregational response) Chances
are, no matter how great you esteem those great people, those who are
closest to them have a great deal less awe (though not respect) for
them. Proximity sometimes prevents us from seeing the BIG picture.
The gospels illustrate this. The synoptics were written quickly
after Jesus death and have the tone of men writing about a man they
greatly respect. John wrote from the perspective of decades and his
gospel has about it the AWE of a man who has seen earth-shattering
events spring from the life of a friend.
After the Resurrection, the understanding of the apostles was
still imcomplete. It took decades of additional revelation for them
to comprehend the totality of what the incarnation meant. John, with
this later understanding, describes the incarnation in these terms:
"We beheld His Glory! (1:14)". And He made it his goal that we should
too (see 20:21).
B. BODY -- Aspects of His Glory (John 1)
1. Pre-existence & Creation v.1-4
Let there be no mistake about the nature of Jesus Christ --
there was no uncertainty on the part of John, the apostle who knew
Him best! He makes it abundantly clear that Jesus is the God who
created the universe and no other. An understanding of the
triune nature of the Godhead is very difficult to come by and I
have great sympathy with those who say they cannot find scriptural
support for traditional formulations of "the Trinity". But let me
be perfectly clear: You cannot resolve this confusing issue (as
some have done) by denying the divinity of the man Jesus Christ --
Scripture does not allow it! Nor (as some have done) by denying
that God acts by indwelling the believer, nor by denying that
there is an overseeing God in Heaven with a plan for the ages to
bring redemption to man. Now, if you can discount the "Trinity"
without denying those truths, you at least are not heretical even
if mistaken.
This is part of the Glory John saw -- that Jesus was God,
Pre-existing and uncreated (for everything that was created was
created BY Him).
2. Perfect Goodness v.4-9
Look at the consistent comparison used by John. Jesus is
LIGHT, representing good. Indeed, how can you look at Jesus, His
life, and His teachings and see anything but good? From time to
time in history, great evils have been perpetrated in the name of
Christ by men who regarded themselves as Christians. These men
have been misguided and decieved. But nothing can be identified in
Jesus own life as wicked or vile, EVEN BY HIS GREATEST ENEMIES.
3. Transcendance (Incarnation) v.10-11,14
Not only was Jesus God and a PERFECTLY GOOD GOD, but part of
the glory of His life was the He deigned to take part in OUR lives.
Not the God most of our society imagines -- who is there to be
called upon in emergencies and feared at death -- but a God who
affects our daily lives! Heaven met Earth in Bethlehem, and
because of that YOUR LIFE doesn't have to be the same. Jesus
became a part of our world and wants to be made a part of our
lives. Don't treat Him like the Fire Department, only to be called
in an emergency!
4. Grace v.11-12,16-18
Besides all these, there is also the glory of the grace He
brought. Through Him we recieve incredible blessings -- none of
them deserved. We have peace, comfort, encouragement from
following Him. We learn more about how to love fully than the
world can ever teach us. He gives us His strength for our daily
walk -- one blessing after another (v.16)!
Besides those blessings, He lets us know God! This would be
utterly impossible from a natural point of view apart from His
revelation. Yet in Jesus we have a perfect picture of the heart of
God!
Incredibly, His grace goes even further! Though rejected by
(the majority of) His own people, He is willing to make us CHILDREN
OF GOD! Just by accepting Him and trusting Him! What grace! What
opportunity!
C. CONCLUSION
Imagine a tribe of people living in a dark cave. The only light
they know is the pale luminescence of the fungus on the walls. The
only food is the fish that come in by the underground stream. They
have never seen the world. One day a man comes in, carrying a torch,
and tells them about the world, the sun, the fields and their fruits
and offers to lead them out.
Some would be afraid, some wouldn't trust Him. They would remain
in the darkness never even knowing the joys they were missing. But
others would follow -- and find their lives forever enriched by that
simple act of trust!
He waits to lead you to a new existence and a new status as God's
children. Will you follow Him as He shows you the way?
D. COMMENTS
Prepared by Scott L. Purcell
Minister of Stokelan Drive Christian Church
1501 Stokelan Drive
Malden, MO 63863
(314) 276-2343
Reproduce, modify, and use freely
for the glory of God and the Growth of the Kingdom!
If these outlines are of some benefit to you,
a note, postcard, or phone-call would be most welcome!
Index of Preacher's Help and Notes
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