Sermon for July 17, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is

Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

The Sermon for This Week is:

Part One - Receiving The Light - John 1:9-13 - That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 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: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Part Two - They Beheld His Glory - John 1:14-18 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Part One: Receiving The Light - John 1:9-13

INTRODUCTION:

1. In the prologue to his gospel, John introduces Jesus as “the light”:

a. That shines in darkness - John 1:5 - And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

b. To whom John bore witness - John 1:6-8 - There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

c. Who gives light to every man - John 1:9 - That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

2. Yet John declares what becomes evident later in his gospel:

a. Not everyone was willing to receive the light, i.e., Jesus

b. Even His own people as a whole rejected Him

c. But for those who did receive Him, they were truly blessed!

3. The same remains true today:

a. Many people do not receive Jesus

b. Missing out on the wonderful blessings He offers!

[Why do people not receive Christ? How can we be sure to receive Him, and the blessings He offers as “The Light”? Let’s take a closer look at the text for our study...]

I. MANY DID NOT RECEIVE THE LIGHT:

A. WHO DID NOT RECEIVE THE LIGHT:

1. The world in general - John 1:9-10 - That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

John 1:4 - In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 8:12 - Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 12:46 - I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

John 1:3 - All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

a. Even though He gives light to every man! - cf. John 1:4; 8:12; 12:46

b. Even though the world was made through Him! - cf. John 1:3

2. His own people in particular - John 1:11 - He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

a. He had come into His own land, Palestine - cf. Jeremiah 2:7 - And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.

b. He had come to His own people, Israel - cf. Deuteronomy 7:6 - For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

B. WHY THEY DID NOT RECEIVE THE LIGHT:

1. They did not know Him - John 1:10 - He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

a. Even His own brothers at first, though they did after His resurrection - John 7:5 - For neither did his brethren believe in him. - Acts 1:14 - These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

b. Familiarity often breeds contempt: “A prophet has no honor in his own country...” - John 4:44 - For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.

2. Other reasons provided by John in his gospel:

a. Some loved darkness more than light - John 3:19-20 - And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. - John 5:42-43 - But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

b. Some were afraid of what others thought - John 7:13 - Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews. - John 9:22 - These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

c. Some were misinformed of the facts - John 7:40-43 - Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? So there was a division among the people because of him.

d. Some were hardened by their traditions - John 9:13-16 - They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

e. Some loved the praise of men - John 12:42-43 - Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

[For similar reasons today, many people do not receive Jesus. Yet some did...]

II. SOME RECEIVED THE LIGHT:

A. THE BENEFITS OF RECEIVING THE LIGHT:

1. The right to become children of God - John 1:12 - 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:

a. The word “right” signifies both authority and ability (JFB)

b. Receiving Christ gives us the authority and ability to become sons of God

c. Which is wonderful manifestation of God’s love - cf. 1 John 3:1 - Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

d. Making us heirs of God and joints heirs with Christ - cf. Romans 8:14-17 - For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

2. The privilege of being born of God - John 1:13 - Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

a. Not of blood - i.e., by virtue of physical descent

b. Not of flesh - i.e., by virtue of the lusts of the flesh

c. Not of the will of man - i.e., by virtue of power in a man’s will alone

d. But of God - i.e., a rebirth possible only by the Spirit of God - cf. John 3:5 - 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. - Titus 3:5 - Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

B. THE MEANS FOR RECEIVING THE LIGHT:

1. To receive Christ, we must believe in His name - John 1:12b - even to them that believe on his name:

a. Which is to say we must believe in Him

b. The name of a person is often put for the person himself (Barnes) - cf. John 2:23 - Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.

2. Believing in Him gives us power “to become” a child of God:

a. Faith in Jesus alone does not “make” one a child of God

b. Many believed in Jesus, but did not become His disciples

1) Only by abiding in His doctrine did they become His disciples - John 8:30-32 - As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

2) Some believed, but were unwilling to confess Him - John 12:42-43 - Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

3. When faith moves us to obey Christ, then we become children of God:

a. Faith makes us children of God when we put Christ on in baptism - Galatians 3:26-27 - For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

1) We become children of God through faith, yes - but how?

2) By putting Christ on when we are baptized into Christ!

b. Jesus becomes the author of our salvation when we obey Him - Hebrews 5:9 - And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

1) Such as obeying His command to be baptized - Mark 16:16 - He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

2) Thereby born again of both water and the Spirit - John 3:5 - 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. - Titus 3:5 - Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

4. Sadly, many misapply John’s words in John 1:12 - 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:

1) By saying “the sinner’s prayer” (which is nowhere taught in the Scriptures)

2) Often appealing to Revelation 3:20-21 - Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (which is addressed to erring Christians, not lost sinners)

b. Yet receiving Christ in faith gives one “power to become”, not “makes one become”

1) We must appropriate that power through the obedience of faith

2) Such as confessing our faith, repenting of our sins - Romans 10:9-10 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. - Acts 17:31 - Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

3) Culminating our obedience by putting on (receiving) Christ in baptism - Galatians 3:27 - For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

CONCLUSION:

1. Jesus is the “True Light” who gives light to every man:

a. Bringing grace and truth to those in sin and error

a. Providing the way of salvation through His blood

2. How sad that there are many in the world:

a. Who do not know Him

b. Who have not received Him

-- Who spend their lives stumbling in the darkness?

3. But if you are willing to believe in His name:

a. You have the right to become a child of God!

b. You can be born of God!

-- Provided your faith is an obedient faith, willing to abide in the doctrine of Christ

Let the Word of God, and in particular John’s gospel (cf. John 20:30-31 - And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. Teaching that one becomes a child of God simply by receiving Christ in faith:), point you in the direction of the Light, that you might be saved and have life in His name!

Part Two:

They Beheld His Glory - John 1:14-18 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

INTRODUCTION:

1. In the last few verses of the prologue to his gospel, John identifies the Word:

a. Who was in the beginning with God, and was God - John 1:1-2 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.

b. Through whom all things were made - John 1:3 - All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

c. Who was life, and the light of men - John 1:4-5 - In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. - John 1:9 - That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

d. Who came into the world, though many did not receive Him - John 1:10-11 - He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

e. Yet those who received Him, were given the right to become children of God - John 1:12-13 - 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: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

2. The Word was Jesus Christ:

a. Who became flesh and lived among men - John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

b. Who glory was seen by men - John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

3. The word “glory” as used here:

a. Means “majesty, dignity, splendor” (Barnes)

b. Pertaining to Christ, it refers to His personal excellence or majesty

[John writes “We beheld His glory”. What majesty, dignity, or splendor did John and others see in Jesus when He walked in the flesh among men...?]

I. THEY BEHELD HIS GLORY:

A. THE GLORY OF HIS DEITY:

1. “the glory as of the only begotten of the Father” - John 1:14a - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father

2. “The dignity which was appropriate to the only begotten Son of God” (Barnes)

a. “Such glory or splendor as could belong to no other, and as properly expressed his rank and character.”

b. “This glory was seen eminently on the mount of transfiguration” - Luke 9:28-32 - And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. - 2 Peter 1:16-18 - For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

c. “It was also seen in his miracles, his doctrine, his resurrection, his ascension” - cf. John 2:11 - This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

-- “All of which were such as to illustrate the perfections, and manifest the glory that belongs only to the Son of God.” (Barnes)

B. THE GLORY OF HIS GRACE:

1. “full of grace...grace for grace...grace and truth came by Jesus” - John 1:14b - full of grace and truth. - John 1:16-17 - And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

2. “The word grace means favors, gifts, acts of beneficence.” (Barnes)

a. “He was kind, merciful, gracious, doing good to all, and seeking man’s welfare by great sacrifices and love;”

b. “so much so, that it might be said to be characteristic of him, or he abounded in favors to mankind.” (Barnes)

C. THE GLORY OF HIS TRUTH:

1. “full...of truth...truth came by Jesus Christ.” - John 1:14b - full of grace and truth. - John 1:17 - For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

2. “He was also full of truth. He declared the truth. In him was no falsehood.” (Barnes)

a. “He was not like the false prophets and false Messiahs, who were wholly impostors”

b. “Nor was he like the emblems and shadows of the old dispensation, which were only types of the true; but he was truth itself.”

3. “He represented things as they are, and thus became the truth as well as the way and the life.” (Barnes) - cf. John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

D. THE GLORY OF HIS PREEMINENCE:

1. “He who comes after me is preferred before me...” - John 1:15 - John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

2. As witnessed to by John the Baptist - cf. John 1:27 - He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. - John 1:29-30 - The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

3. John the Baptist recognized His superiority, as did the apostle Paul

a. By virtue of His preexistence (“He was before me”) - cf. also John 8:58 - Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. - John 17:5 - And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

b. By virtue of His creative powers - cf. Colossians 1:16-17 - For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

E. THE GLORY OF HIS REVELATION:

1. “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son...He has declared Him” – John 1:18 - No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

a. “This passage is not meant to deny that men had witnessed manifestations of God, as when he appeared to Moses and the prophets (cf. Numbers 12:8 - With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? - Isaiah 6:1-13 - In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.).”

b. “...it is meant that no one has seen the essence of God, or has fully known God.”

c. “The prophets delivered what they heard God speak; Jesus what he knew of God as his equal, and as understanding fully his nature.” (Barnes)

2. Jesus manifested or declared the Father as no one had done before!

a. As Jesus told Philip - John 14:9 - 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?

b. As Jesus expressed in His prayer - John 17:6 - I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. - John 17:24 - Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

c. As the apostles wrote in their epistles - Colossians 1:15 - Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: - Hebrews 1:1-4 - God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

3. “This verse proves that, Jesus had a knowledge of God above that which any of the ancient prophets had, and that the fullest revelations of his character are to be expected in the gospel.” (Barnes)

a. “By his Word and Spirit he can enlighten and guide us, and lead us to the true knowledge of God;”

b. “There is no true and full knowledge of God which is not obtained through his Son.”

[What a wonderful experience it must have been to behold the glory of God’s only begotten Son! It undoubtedly transformed the life of John and others who saw Him. By the grace of God, it also possible that...]

II. WE CAN BEHOLD HIS GLORY:

A. IN THIS LIFE:

1. We can behold His glory:

a. The glory of His deity, grace and truth!

b. The glory of His preeminence and revelation!

2. How? Through the words of His eyewitnesses!

a. Who made known the power and coming of our Lord - cf. 2 Peter 1:16-18 - For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

b. Who declared what they heard, saw, even handled, that we might share with them in their fellowship with the Father and Son - cf. 1 John 1:1-4 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. - 1 John 5:11-13 - And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

-- Through their gospels, their letters, their inspired writings, we can behold His glory!

3. Indeed, we must behold His glory to be transformed!

a. Our transformation is fundamental to true discipleship - cf. Romans 8:29 - For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. - Romans12:1-2 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

b. Our transformation is gradual, occurring as we behold His glory - cf. 2 Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

c. Our transformation involves renewing the mind, a mind set on things above where Christ is - cf. Revelation 12:1-2 - And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. - Colossians 3:1-2 - If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

B. WHEN HE COMES AGAIN:

1. We will behold His glory:

a. When He appears - Colossians 3:4 - When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

b. When He comes again, to be glorified in His saints - 2 Thessalonians 1:10 - When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

2. Indeed, every one will behold His glory:

a. For every eye will see Him - cf. Revelation 1:7 - Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

b. For every knee will bow, and every tongue confess Him - cf. Philippians 2:9-11 - Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

CONCLUSION:

1. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory...” - John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

2. We may not have seen Jesus in the flesh, but we can still behold His glory...

a. Even now, through the testimony of His apostles and the Word of God

b. Even then, when Jesus comes again to be revealed in His glory

3. What will we do with the glory of Jesus as declared by His apostles...?

a. We should let it transform our lives as we behold the glory of the Lord - 2 Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

b. Then when Christ comes, we will be glorified together with Him! - 2 Thessalonians 1:10 - When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Here is Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians:

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 - Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

May his prayer be fulfilled in our lives, along with this prayer from Jude:

Jude 24-25 - Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.