Appreciate

To recognize the value or significance of something

Do you appreciate Jesus?

“Of course I do!”

“I know how important Jesus is”

Consider This:

Do you “leap for joy” when you hear of Jesus?

Do you give a “loud cry” of praise when you think of His nearness to you?

There are moments for a Christian where we struggle with sin and feel a dryness in our faith… These are moments when we push forward by believing His promises even though we feel low and dry.

But these aren’t supposed to be the complete experience.

There is something in a Christian, even in the midst of pain and sorrow, something that produces appreciation for Jesus.

The manifestations of appreciation for Jesus are:

Joy

Praise

What produces this appreciation for Jesus in a person?

The Holy Spirit

Luke 1:41 ESV

41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,

The Holy Spirit does this in us because one of His primary jobs in us is to make us fall more and more in love with Jesus.

Brothers, We Are Not Professionals: A Plea to Pastors for Radical Ministry Chapter 2: Brothers, God Loves His Glory

the role of the Holy Spirit is to burn in me what He has been burning with for all eternity: God’s love for God

If the idea of God loving himself over loving all other things in existence makes you cringe, or assume he is selfish. Then you might not understand what it means for God to be God.

If God is God, then he is the purest, best, most powerful, and most glorious being in existence. And, it would be absolutely contrary to His nature as God to not love and appreciate himself.

So, the Holy Spirit is meant to produce in you what He himself feels and thinks about Himself.

So, my desire tonight is to share with you from this text a few things that should work with the Holy Spirit in you to make you appreciate Jesus more!

The first thing, really has to be linked to the John Piper quote.

God, by His Holy Spirit, produces in you His own love for Himself.

1. Jesus is God

Look at a couple of things Elizabeth says to Mary...

Luke 1:43 (ESV)

43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

“Mother of my Lord”

Some people like to argue that Jesus is just “a Lord” but is not the same “Lord” as God.

But look at the last thing Elizabeth says to Mary...

Luke 1:45 (ESV)

45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

“what was spoken to her from the Lord”

Within the same declaration of praise and joy, Elizabeth uses the term Lord for both Jesus and God.

God wants you to understand the significance of Jesus being God. Jesus is who we are to look at in order to know God’s love, mercy, justice, and character. We have to understand this about Jesus.

Because this is who Jesus is, it means that Jesus is the one who defines your value, your purpose, your reason for living.

Elizabeth understood this...

Jesus is God

2. Jesus is Accessible

Accessible

Able to be accessed

Anyone can get to Jesus.

Jesus is accessible because...

Jesus is “the fruit” of a human womb.

Luke 1:42 ESV

42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

Mary has Jesus in her belly and she will eventually give birth to Him. He will be a human baby.

Though Jesus is God, he came in human form. Speaking human languages. Looking like a human person. Doing all the things humans do.

Jesus came to us

Remember, Jesus is in Mary’s belly...

Luke 1:43 ESV

43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

Though it is Mary who is walked to this town in Judah, it is Jesus’ presence within her womb that makes this moment a bigger deal.

The emphasis of importance is not on “THE MOTHER” but is on “MY LORD”.

Its still a big deal that Mary is who she is and is chosen to bear Jesus as her son. But that “big deal” is solely due to Jesus being who Jesus is.

God loves you. He has sent Jesus to rescue you. And, really, every time someone like me, or one of these leaders, or another Christian, shares the gospel with you, it is Jesus, Himself, coming to you and pursuing you.

This moment is more than just a speech. It is really a moment where Jesus is meeting you where you are.

Jesus is Accessible

3. Jesus Fulfills Promises

This part is important for you to believe.

Mary’s blessing here and what really sets her apart is that she believed that God’s promises would be fulfilled.

Luke 1:45a (ESV)

45 And blessed is she who believed...

Zechariah didn’t believe God when He declared that Elizabeth would have a baby in her old age, and because of this, Zechariah was unable to speak.

But Mary is different.

She believed.

Luke 1:45 ESV

45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Mary believe God would fulfill His promise to her and Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise.

Jesus fulfills the promise to her.

Jesus fulfills all of God’s promises to us.

Old Testament Promises Jesus Fulfilled

He crushed Satan’s head - Genesis 3

He is the blessing of Abraham to all - Genesis 12

He is the once for all sacrifice for sin - Exodus 19-31

He is David’s heir to the throne - 2 Samuel 7

Practical Promises Jesus Fulfills For You

You don’t have to work for God’s love - John 3:16

You are now never alone - John 16 & Matthew 28

You have His power to overcome - Romans 8:11

You have His power to resist fear - 2 Timothy 1:7

Death can’t defeat you because Jesus defeated death - 2 Timothy 1:10.

Promises Jesus Made To Us

Jesus promised to come back for us - John 14

Jesus promised that we would receive His Kingdom - Luke 12.

Jesus promised that evil will be punished - Matthew 13

Jesus promised that He will take us to the Father - John 14

Jesus promised that God will meet every need we have - Matthew 6

Jesus Fulfills Promises

So, I want you to reflect on this, and consider,

Do I appreciate Jesus?

Grow Group Questions

What are some things in your life that you appreciate? Why do you appreciate them?

What are the ways we manifest our appreciation of Jesus? Are these a part of your life?

What are some of the things we spoke of tonight that you appreciate about Jesus?

What promises that Jesus fulfills or says he will fulfill do you need to remember daily?

Who do you know that needs to see how wonderful Jesus is? How can we pray for them?