20230430 Worshiping the One and Only God-Man
Christ Alone • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
Introduction:
In the gospel of John, Jesus tells us that he is the way, the truth, and the life. Based on these words of Jesus, six times in the Book of Acts the early believers were known as those who were part of a group called “the Way.” It was not until Acts 11:26 that believers were first called Christians in the city of Antioch, a term of derision since it literally means “little Christ.”
This morning I want to remind you that more important than believers being known as “little Christs” is the simple truth that every true Christian needs to be someone who believes in a “BIG Christ.”
I had the opportunity to attend the Coram Deo Conference at Trinity Bible Church in Morgan Hill this weekend and the theme was Christ Alone. The latin phrase The term Coram Deo (before the sight of God) has been used for almost two centuries as a way to remind God's people to live worthy of our calling. The previous conferences have been title Scripture Alone, Grace Alone, and Faith Alone.
Over two days, Friday night and Saturday, seven one hour sermons were preached with different aspects of Christ Alone being the focus of each sermon. It was glorious and wonderful. Let me encourage you to attend next year if you have the opportunity.
As your pastor, I feel it is my duty and also my joy to share with you a small glimpse into how my heart was blessed. And so this morning I want to share with you three wonderful truths about our great Savior Jesus Christ, who alone is able to save, who alone is worthy of our worship, and who alone is the one and only God-Man.
(1) The Greatness of Jesus (Colossians 1:15-20)
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Notice in these few verses how great Jesus is in Paul’s letter to the believers in the city of Colosse who were enduring persecution for their faith. 75 times in 95 verses Christ is referenced.
In these verses Paul answers the question: Who is Jesus?
Using the language of the first 2 of the 10 commandments, Pau tells us that Jesus is God in the flesh, the one who has dominion over all creation, the one who si the creator, the sustainer of all things, the head of the church, the firstborn from the dead, the one who is preeminent (surpassing all others), the one who sustains all of creation, holding them together, the one n whom all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, the who who has brought reconciliation through his substitutionary death upon the cross.
What a great Savior. But more than a Savior.
(2) The Divinity of Jesus (John 1:1-14)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
I want us to focus on verse 14 and verse 1
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus is the God Man. There is no greater mystery. Jesus who calmed the storm. How could Jesus be in a boat and so tired that he fell asleep one minute and then the next minute full of divine energy and able to calm the storm? Jesus was 100% God and 100% Man.
Jesus is the Word made flesh. The term we use is Incarnation. Becoming Flesh. As the Scottish presbyterian pastor Samuel Rutherford said
Samuel Rutherford, “My salvation is my Lord's second greatest miracle; the first is His incarnation.”
Jesus: two distinct natures in one divine person. Two whole perfect natures. Fully God, full man. The Word made flesh. Not the Father, not the Holy Spirit, but the Word, and at His birth he was named Jesus, Immanuel, God with us.
Notice what John 1:1 tells us:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
3 points need to be made: in the beginning - the Eternal word; with God - the beloved word; the Word was God - the Divine word
The Eternal Word - in the beginning. The Word was not created. Gen 1:1 in the beginning God, in the beginning the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - the eternal trinity
As Jesus said to those who opposed him in John 8:58 - before Abraham was “I Am” - The Son has always existed
The Beloved Word - the word was with God. This points to the intimate relationship within the trinity, specifically the intimate relationship between the Father and the Son. In the gospel of John there are over 100 references to the Father Son relationship.
You need to understand that when the Father sent His Son, he sent His best. God gave His best. In the sacrificial system, worshippers were to give their best - without spot or blemish. And their best was killed for a feast. Their best was not simply to be paraded and shown off. Their best was to die as an atonement for sin.
Jesus was not just one sheep from a flock, He was the only begotten of the Father. And Jesus, God’s best, was given to atone for the sins of those who were rebels and enemies of God. As intimate as their relationship was, jesus would be forsaken by the Father at the cross, the Father would not respond to the prayers and the cries of Jesus, the Father would allow the Son to die.
Planned by the Father, Accomplished by the Son, Initiated by the Spirit. But never forget that Jesus the Beloved Word of God, loved by the Father, was given by the Father and forsaken by the Father so that you might receive eternal life.
What a great Savior, what a great sacrifice. Now notice, what a great God.
The Divine Word
Christ is fully God. God is trinity and the true and living God is one in essence but three in person. The Father is God, the Son is God, the Spirit is God. But Jesus is not the Father, and Jesus is not the Spirit. Three distinct persons but one eternal and perfect God.
We are trusting in the one who is eternal but stepped into time.
We are trusting in the one who is beloved but was despised and rejected.
You need to give your life fully to the one who is eternal but died for you.
(3) The Ministry of Jesus (Hebrews 4:14-16)
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hold fast - persevere; the ministry of the Holy Spirit enable us to persevere - don’t give up. Lean into the grace and strength of Christ
Draw near - pray. Come to God, pour out your heart to the Lord. Cry out to Him in your struggle.
Jesus has died for you, risen for you, ascended for you. What is he doing right now - he is interceding for us, he is our advocate, he is offering mercy and grace in our time of need
It’s been said
If your religion hasn’t changed you; you need to change your religion. If your Christianity hasn’t changed you, you need to examine the Christianity of the Bible. If Jesus hasn’t changed you, you need to see the greatness of Jesus in the Bible.
What a great Christ.
May we say like the preacher Charles Spurgeon -
I have a great need for Christ, I have a great Christ for my need!