John 1:6-13 (NIV)
6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

I.       Introduction:

II.    Hear The Hope Of Christ: The Light Is Coming

A.    The Man: A Great Herald

1.      A Man Set In Time

a)      Coming In History

b)      Having An Identity

2.      A Man Sent With A Mission

a)      Sent By God

b)      Sent With A Message

(1)   Presenting Testimony To The Light

(2)   Presenting Opportunity For Faith

B.     The Message: A Great Hope

1.      A Testimony Delivered By A Prophet

2.      A Light Coming To The World

III. Heed The Tragedy Of Rejection: The Light Is Refused

A.    Rejected By The World In General

1.      In Spite Of His Presence In The World

2.      In Spite Of His Having Created The World

B.     Rejected By His Own In Particular

1.      He Came To His Own

2.      He Was Not Recognized By His Own

IV. Hold The Promise Of Faith: The Light Is Embraced

A.    The Light Received

1.      Christ Received By Some

2.      Christ Received By Faith

B.     The Promise Realized

1.      The Right To Become A Child Of God

2.      The Experience Of Being Born Of God

V.    Conclusion: