I. THE PROPHET JOHN----1. The True Light-s Witness, Jn 1-6-9--2. The Time of John-s Witness-- a. Tiberius in 15th year, Lk 3-1-2-- b. tetrarch arrests John, Lk 3-18-20--3. The Tishbite in Spirit, Mt 3-4-6-- a. 2 Ki 1-8- Lk 1-16-17-- b. Lk 3-15-17 -1 Ki 18-17-40-----II. THE PREPARATION FOR CHRIST----1. The Word Fulfilled-- a. Is 40-3-5--2. The Way Made Straight-- a. flee from the wrath to come, Lk 3-7-- b. fruits unto repentance, Lk 3-8-14-- - faith like Abraham, vv8-9-- - faith-s evidence, vv10-14----III. THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION----1. Preparing for the Lord--2. Proclaiming His Message

I. THE PREEMINENT WORD--1. Christ-s Eternal Existence, vv1-2--2. Christ-s Effectual Creation, v3--3. Christ-s Exclusive Illumination, vv4-5----II. THE PREACHING OF JOHN--1. John, the Forerunner of Christ, v6--2. John, the Faithful Witness for Christ, v7--3. John, the Frailty of His Humanity, v8----III. THE PRECIOUS SON OF GOD--1. Christ, the Illumination of Creation, vv6-13--2. Christ, the Incarnate God, vv14-18

I. A PARTICULAR INCIDENT--1. Passover Observation, vv41-42-- a. Exo 23-14-17- 34-23--2. Parents Cannot Find Jesus, vv43-45-- a. Song 5-6--3. Precious Words from the Child, vv46-52-- a. Psa 78-2-- b. 2 Chro 30-23----II. ITS PROPHETIC IMPLICATIONS--1. Foreshadows Christ Crucified - Risen. vv41, 46-- a. 1 Cor 2-2--2. Fully Man, v46-- a. Heb 5-8- Phil 2-8--3. Forever God, v49-- a. Phil 2-6----III. ITS PRACTICAL IMPORTANCE -- APPLICATION---1. The Doctrine of Christ-s Deity-- a. promotes humility--2. The Doctrine of Christ-s Humanity-- a. promotes holiness--3. The Doctrine of God-s Sovereignty-- a. promotes honesty

I. JESUS, THE TODDLER, Matt 2-1-18----1. Wise Men Enter Jerusalem, vv1-8--2. Wonderful Joy in Bethlehem, vv9-11--3. Word from God to Avoid Herod, v12-15--4. Wicked Slaughter of Bethlehem-s Children, vv16-18----II. JESUS, THE NAZARENE, Matt 2-19-23----1. The Return to Nazareth, vv19-23-- a. the word from a dream-- b. the way for concern----2. Root of Jesse, v23-- a. Num 6-1-21 ---- -naziyr--- b. Isa 11-1-5 --- -netzer-----III. JESUS, THE WAY, TRUTH, LIFE----1. The Faithless Traditions of Men--2. The Faithful Fulfillment of God-s Word--3. The Festive Celebration of God-s People

I. CHRIST-S INFANCY AT THE HOUSE OF GOD----1. Christ and Simeon, vv22-35 -previously---2. Christ and Anna, vv36-38--3. Christ and God-s Law, v39a----II. CHRIST-S CHILDHOOD IN THE HOME OF HIS PARENTS----1. Where Does Christ Go- Lk 2-39b-40- Mt 2-1-23-- a. two possible scenarios-- - Nazareth, Bethlehem -Jerusalem-, Egypt, Nazareth-- - Bethlehem, Egypt, Nazareth----2. How Does Christ Grow--- a. became strong-- b. filled with wisdom-- c. favor of God----III. CHRIST-S LIFE IN HIS HOLY PEOPLE----1. The Want of Wisdom -Revelation---2. The Way of Wisdom -Imitation---3. The Word of Wisdom -Captivation-

THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS- How to Read Your Bible for All Its Worth----New Year-s Eve Message, December 31, 2017----I. WORDS TO MOTIVATE--1. Last Year----II. TOOLS TO MEDITATE--1. Four Questions- Ask---- a. How is Jesus EXPRESSED in the text, Jn 5-39-- b. How is Jesus EXALTED in the text, Rev 19-10-- c. How the text EQUATES to us because of Jesus, Jn 6-56-- d. How the text EMPOWERS us to bring Jesus glory, Jn 15-4-5----III. EXAMPLE TO APPLY AND MAGNIFY----1. Malachi 4-1

I. MAGNIFICENT GOSPEL ENCOUNTER-----1. The Purification of Mary -Lev 12-1-8, last week---2. The Presentation of Jesus -Ex 3-2, 11-16, last week---3. The Proclamation of Simeon -Lk 2-29-32, last week---4. The Prophecy of Simeon-- a. the parents marvel-- b. the prophet blesses----II. MARVELOUS GOSPEL EXPRESSION, Luke 2-34-35----1. Simeon-s Prophetic Words-- a. gospel separation -v34a--- b. gospel sign -v34b--- c. gospel struggle -v35a--- d. gospel sanctification -v35b-----III. MEANINGFUL GOSPEL ENCOURAGEMENT----1. Separated--2. Significant--3. Surrendered--4. Sanctified

I. THE PURIFICATION - PRESENTATION-----1. The Purification of Mary, Lev 12-1-8--2. The Presentation of Jesus, Ex 3-2, 11-16--3. The Proclamation of Simeon----II. THE PROPHET - PROCLAMATION, Luke 2-25-32----1. Gospel Call on Simeon-s Life-- a. Simeon hears the Lord-- b. Simeon obeys the Lord-- c. Simeon proclaims the Lord----2. Gospel Considerations from Simeon-s Words-- a. the sufficiency of Christ-s gospel, v29-- b. the sight of Christ-s salvation, v30-- c. the scope of Christ-s saving grace, v31-- d. the supremacy of God-s sovereign grace, v32----III. THE PRACTICAL - PERSONAL APPLICATION----1. The Prophet-s Office--2. The Preacher-s Place--3. The Christian-s Life

I. CHRIST, THE EIGHTH DAY, Luke 2-21----1. Circumcised According to God-s Command-- a. Founded in Abraham, Gen 17-12-- b. Facilitated through Moses, Lev 12-3-- c. Fulfilled in Christ, Luke 2-21----2. Called According to God-s Grace----II. CHRIST, THE EVERLASTING COVENANT, Galatians 4-4-7----1. Requirement Satisfied in Christ, v4--2. Redemption Secured by Christ, v5--3. Relationship Set Forth through Christ, v6--4. Reward Significant with Christ, v7----III. CHRIST, THE ETERNAL LORD----1. By Gospel Grace--2. Through Gospel Faith--3. For God-s Ultimate Glory

I. SON OF GOD IN SWADDLING CLOTHS----1. Born in a Manger, vv1-7--2. Broadcasted by an Angel, vv8-14--3. Beheld by Shepherds, vv15-20----II. SHEPHERDS GO TO SEE THE CHRIST----1. Five Precious Truths of Gospel Conversion-- a. inclined to act upon the word heard, v15-- b. inevitable witness of God-s fulfilled word, v16-- c. incredible experience confessed, vv17-18-- d. important treasure nurtured by church, v19-- e. inspired converts sent forth in joy, v20----III. SURE APPLICATION FOR CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS----1. The Gospel Message Instills Fearful Reverence--2. The Gospel Message Humbles the Hearer--3. The Gospel Message Produces Heavenly Joy