Sermon Tone Analysis

The Apostle Paul told Timothy:

1 Timothy 3:14–16 (LSB) I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you soon, 15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

16 And by common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was manifested in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.

As we read this morning in John 1:14, Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us.

As we just read in 1 Timothy 3, Jesus was manifested in the flesh.

The scripture tells us this is a great mystery.

This morning I referenced Philippians 2:5–11 (LSB) Have this way of thinking in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although existing in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a slave, by being made in the likeness of men.

8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9 Therefore, God also highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.

As if that wasn’t enough we have portraits, drawn by the prophets, that tell us the unique and scandalous manner in which the Son of God became flesh and dwelt among us.

Look at Isaiah 9:6

Isaiah 9:6 “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

A child being born is not unique or scandalous.

But this child is HOW Messiah would lay aside the prerogatives of deity to dwell among us.

Jesus stepped out of heaven and came to earth as a baby.

And then, it is HOW this child conceived and born that devastatingly defies human understanding.

In Isaiah 7 we have a further description of this child:

Isaiah 7:10–14 (LSB) Then Yahweh spoke again to Ahaz [through Isaiah - see vs.3] ,

Isaiah 7:3 (LSB) … Yahweh said to Isaiah, “Go out now to meet Ahaz, you and your son Shear-jashub [ whose name means “a remnant shall return” Isaiah 8:18 - signs and wonders],

at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, to the highway of the fuller’s field,

[God speaking through Isaiah [said], 11 “Ask a sign for yourself from Yahweh your God; make it deep as Sheol or high as heaven.”

12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not test Yahweh!” 13 Then he said, “Listen now, O house of David!

Is it too slight a thing for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my God as well?

14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

Messiah, the Word, will be born of a virgin.

Christmas is first and foremost about the birth of Jesus.

And what a unique birth!

In fact a scandalous birth!

If God would bring His Soon into the world is such a manner, let us not even attempt to dictate how God might answer our prayers tonight.

Let’s leave it to His creative genius.

Prayer:

Every child who is a follower of Christ should become…

1. Powerful in Prayer

2. Responsive in Worship

3. Biblically Fluent

4. Spirit Empowered

5. Actively Serving

6. Bold in Faith

7. Giving Selflessly

8. Living Like Christ