Prepare your heart for the Sermon by looking through these suggestions that will assist you in making the most of our time together hearing God's Word.

You will find suggestions for thinking more critically through the passage, meditating more intently on the text, and prayerfully seeking wisdom to deepen your understanding of the passage to be preached this Sunday.

Carefully Think

• The Sunday's sermon continues the series in the Significance of the Reformation. Solus Christus, or Christ Alone, is the fourth in five solas and summarizes our belief that our salvation comes through the work of Christ alone, not from any work of our selves.
• Direct your study to John 1:1-14 for this upcoming Sunday. Read through these verses several times and list out all the truths that regard Christ Jesus (i.e. He is the Word, he is light, all thing made through him, etc.)
• How do you know that this passage is about Christ Jesus? Is it clear in this passage that Christ Jesus is God? Find the role(s) that Jesus has as God based on these verses. (i.e. son, savior, etc.)
• List all the actions ascribed to Jesus (light shining, coming into world, etc.). List all the responses of man to Jesus’ actions (did not know him, did not receive him, etc.)
• Determine the verse(s) that emphasize salvation comes through Christ alone and not of human effort.

Prayerfully Meditate

• When you read Scripture, do you see who Jesus Christ really is? God or man? Both
• When you read Scripture, do you see what Jesus Christ purpose for coming to earth is?
• When you read Scripture, do you see who we really are in light of God?
• Reflect on our position found in Genesis 3, the curse and the hope given. Then turn your thoughts to the only one who is able to lift the curse and allow fellowship with God (like in the Garden the fellowship Adam and Eve had with God before the fall) to be fully restored through His work.
• Meditate on this passage and ask Christ to reveal himself and his work more fully to you through the power of His Word and His Holy Spirit. Col 1:9 "we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge o his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding."