Christmas John 1_14_18 The Incarnation A

JOHN 1:14-18 THE INCARNATION OF JESUS

INTRO: A father told his son that he would send him to sleep in the attic, with only bread and water for his supper, if he disobeyed once more. The child disobeyed again and was send to the attic: The father could not eat. He had the boy on his mind and his heart. His wife said: “I know what you are thinking. But you must not bring the boy from the attic. It would cause him to disobey again. He would have no respect for your word. You must not cheapen your relation as his father by failing to keep your promise.”To which her husband replied: “You are right. I will not break my word. To do so would cause my son to lose his respect for my word. But he is so lonely up there.” He kissed his wife good-night, entered the attic, ate bread and water with the boy, and when the child went to sleep on the hard boards, his father’s arm was his pillow.

The greatest need man has is to be reconnected to God, because of sin there is a great divide between the creator and man. But God Promised to return and to bridge that gap, restoring the relationship that had been severed because of man’s disobedience.

Like the disobedient young boy in the attic, His father came to Him in love and grace when he certainly didn’t deserve it, so it is with God and wretched man.

At Christmas time we celebrate God’s coming to earth, we call this His incarnation, which means the embodiment of God the Son in human flesh. We celebrate this marvelous event on Dec. 25th but no one really knows the exact date of the incarnation. However, the Bible tells us all we really need to know:

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Gal. 4:4

CPS: The most stunning thing about the incarnation is that God saw me in my wretched condition and loved me enough to change places.

The Revelation of God’s Glory in the person of Jesus 14-15

Man had waited Millinas for the return of God, yet when He came many missed His coming, this was because of a presumption that He would come in Glory and establish His Kingdom on earth and reign. However, when He came it was in Human Flesh as Jesus of Nazareth, the Carpenter son of a Carpenter. But John writes to Jews and Gentiles a like giving full exposure to the Person of Jesus so that all would believe, He tells us though in flesh He was still Glorious God.

The Word is Made Flesh

Logos = Message of God (vs.1 God was the Word)

Ginomai (verb) become, to come and experience a state. {humanity and its consequences of sin}

Skēnoo (verb) to pitch a tent or to take up residence (Tabernacle – Temporary Dwelling)

The Glory is exposed

Doxa (noun) which means splendor

Signs (Miracles)

Shekinah (Mark 9:1-8)

Theaomai (verb) which means to look at with astonishment {WE!}

The Uniqueness is explained

Monogenēs (Adj) unique and only one of its kind

Plērēs (Adj) complete, a totality of fullness [Grace and truth]*** Its good He came in both, had he come in truth alone none of us would have survived

The Corroborating testimony (two or more witnesses)

John the Baptist

John’s Testimony (1:29)

Jesus’ Preexistence

John’s Gospel

Nathan (Son of God, King of Israel)

Peter (holy one of God)

Blind man of Chp 9 (Lord.. I believe)

Martha (the Christ, the Son of God)

Thomas (my Lord and my God)

APP: When Jesus came in flesh His glory wasn’t manifested for all to see but that does not negate the fact the Jesus is Glorious God!

The Revelation of God’s Grace in the Person of Jesus16-17

The person of Jesus is the greatest gift ever given to mankind, some say we give Christmas presents because the Magi came bearing gifts when they visited the Lord Jesus, but I believe we give gifts to celebrate the gift God bestowed upon us…. Grace in the Person of Jesus!

That which was received

Lambanō(verb) to acquire or take possession of)

Charis anti Charis (Grace for Grace) {Grace in place of Grace}

Taken in context, God grace in Jesus is taking the place of God’s grace in the Law. The Law was grace given to man, it revealed God’s standard and man’s sin. It allowed for atonement of sin by means of yearly sacrifices. The Law was but a Shadow of the true grace that would come into the world, Jesus. (Hebrews 10:1) The Law could never perfect the worshiper but in Jesus the worshiper through faith is perfected forever, there is no need for any other sacrifice because IT IS FINISHED in the person of Jesus at Calvary’s Cross

That which is realized

Ginomai (verb) (2nd use) come to experience a state.

Through Jesus we come to know and experience the fullness of God’s grace personally

All the Bible points to Jesus!