The Power of His Coming

GBI

11th century Anselm of Cantebury

Cur Deus Homo

Why the God-Man?

fides quaerens intellectum

Faith Seeking Understanding

Introduction

The first thing at Christmas that's such a pain to me - Is finding a Christmas tree

The second thing - Rigging up the lights

The third thing - Hangovers

The fourth thing - Sending Christmas cards

The fifth thing - Five months of bills

The sixth thing - Facing my in-laws

The seventh thing - The Salvation Army

The eighth thing - I wanna Transformer for Christmas

The ninth thing - Finding parking spaces

The tenth thing - “ Batteries not Included"

The eleventh thing - Stale TV specials 

The twelfth thing - Singing Christmas carols

** What is the thing that you would say is a pain you are experiencing this Christmas season?

** What steals your joy like the Grinch stealing roast beast?

Nothing changes year to year - it’s the same every year

Everything has changed this year

The tree is bit more empty - less people in the house - less money for gifts.

2025 has been a dumpster fire and 2026 looks like it is bringing more trash.

Luke 2:8–11 ESV

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Instead of being a pain, this season should elicit JOY - If you compare our first song with this Christmas favorite:

“Joy to the World”

1. Joy to the world; the Lord is come; Let Earth receive her King; Let ev'ry heart prepare him room, And heav'n and nature sing.

3. No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow Far as the curse is found.

Because of the Incarnation we can have joy in the world as Jesus made a way for the curse of sin and death to be defeated and scheduled for destruction.

I want us to see from this passage four ways that Jesus coming to earth as a human, the Incarnation, is truly good news of great joy

Jesus came as King to share his kingdom (5-9)

Hebrews 2:5–18 (ESV) 5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? 7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, 8 putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Jesus as KING

Quotation from Psalm 8 - David is marveling that God would give mankind glory and honor and share his dominion with mankind.

There is some debate as whether Psalm 8 is speaking only about humans or if it is a messianic Psalm - i believe both

In Genesis 1:26-27 - God makes men and women in his image and gives them dominion over the earth - They are to serve together as vice-regents over all of God’s creation!

Mankind was made higher than the angels! or the son of man, that you care for him? 7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels;

5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come,

However,

At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.

Adam and Eve failed in their roles to have dominion over creation because of their sin.

We don’t control fish or animals - We’ve lost control of the dominion.

9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus,

Jesus came as king (as the second Adam) to restore man’s lost dominion.

Jesus had authority over the fish

walked on water

controlled nature

We, through Adam and Eve lost dominion because of our sin, but Jesus has regained it with glory and honor and we now share in his Kingdom:

Revelation 1:5–6 ESV

5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Jesus stepped in to fix what we broke. He didn’t leave us alone. He is a King of action. He then shares the blessing with all of us.

so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Jesus leads us through the fear of death (10, 14-16)

Death is something we each must face. As we fear death we become a slave to it - trying to push it away - eating (or not eating) certain things not simply to be healthy but out of fear of death.

Fear of death can be a driving force in our lives.

Satan knows this and he often uses it to stop the work of God in our lives and through our lives.

10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.

Jesus as Founder of salvation - Champion?

Word “founder” often translated in several different ways. - Captain / Author.

Can have the idea of champion or deliverer

Champion was someone who fought on behalf of another (David and Goliath)

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things,

J. D. Greear Sermon Archive King, Champion, Brother and Priest: Hebrews 2:5–18

David and Goliath: vs. 14 says he became what we were: 14] Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

The Incarnation is that Jesus became a man who could die so he might represent all mankind, and by defeating death through death, might be our Champion of salvation.

that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.

To be sure, Satan has only the power that God allows him, but he uses it at times as a weapon against people to gain control over their lives.

Jesus has destroyed the power of death and delivered us from the fear of death.

Colossians 2:13–15 ESV

15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

“Before Jesus, even the holiest people were scared of death and mourned the dead as if they were lost forever. But now that Jesus has risen, death isn't scary anymore. Everyone who believes in Christ steps over it like it's nothing and would rather die than deny their faith in Christ. They know that when they die, they don't really die but live on and become unbreakable through the resurrection. The devil, who used to celebrate death, is now the only one truly defeated because the power of death is broken.”Death is like a tyrant who has been completely defeated by the rightful king; tied up, people passing by mock him, hitting and insulting him, no longer scared of his cruelty and anger, because of the king who defeated him. That's how death has been defeated and exposed by the Savior on the cross. It's tied up, and everyone in Christ steps over it and mocks it, saying, "O death, where is your victory? O grave, where is your sting?" (1 Cor. 15:55).”

— Athanasius, St. . On the Incarnation: In Modern, Updated English (p. 41). (Function). Kindle Edition.

Christmas is as much about the birth of a baby as it is about the death of a Savior

ILLUST - what would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail? What would you attempt?

There are a few movies where the main character has some sort of invincibility. When he realizes it, it changes how he lives - perhaps more recklessly.

What if we understood our own ultimate immortality and lived MORE BOLDLY?

Hebrews 12:2–3 ESV

2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Christmas is a time to be with the family you love but also to be with the awkward side of the family.

That uncle who always says something a bit off

Don’t know who the awkward family member is? Then it is probably YOU!

11 For he who sanctifies (Jesus) and those who are sanctified (us) all have one source (God). That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” 13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.”

Fascinating! Jesus is ‘not ashamed to call [us] brothers’

Jesus is not ashamed to call you family (11-13)

Jesus had every right to be ashamed of us

ILLUST - “Santa?! I know him!” Santa! Santa! (and Santa ignores Buddy)

Jesus had every right to be ashamed of me - my sin doesn’t just make me awkward - it makes me unholy

Blood thicker than water

Common meaning (Family first) 

Your family (blood relatives) should be your primary loyalty. Loyalty:

You should help your family before friends or acquaintances. Priority:

This is the generally accepted modern interpretation, emphasizing blood relations over chosen ones. Origin:

Alternative meaning (Chosen family) 

The longer version is "The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb". Incomplete saying:

"Blood of the covenant" refers to bonds made by choice (like friendship, marriage, shared experience), while "water of the womb" refers to birth family. Chosen bonds are stronger:

• • Modern usage: Some use this to argue that chosen family, not just birth family, creates the strongest bonds. 

Jesus’ genealogy

J. D. Greear Sermon Archive King, Champion, Brother and Priest: Hebrews 2:5–18

Rahab, a prostitute.

● Unwed mothers.

● A girl who was raped by her uncle.

● David’s illegitimate son born out of adultery.

● People who failed and embarrassed themselves.

At his crucifixion almost all his disciples fled. At his resurrection, he told Mary to tell his BROTHERS that he had risen

Jesus is not ashamed of you. x3

The connection made by the author is that Jesus sanctifies and we need sanctification.

He doesn’t turn away from you.

He came to sanctify you.

Jesus became like you to help you (17-18)

17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Jesus came as a priest - representing God and man

made like his brothers (you and me)

in every respect - interesting phrase

‘SO THAT’ he can become a merciful and faithful high priest. How?

As God he can represent God to man. Now as man, he can represent man to God.

He is a MERCIFUL priest

He became man to understand you. Not that he did not have perfect knowledge before, but through the Incarnation we are assured that the knowledge is experiential.

ILLUST - Julian eating dog food - he is the only one in our house who knows it experientially.

J. D. Greear Sermon Archive King, Champion, Brother and Priest: Hebrews 2:5–18

He knows what the lure of temptation is like, first hand.

■ He knows what it is like to be tired and hungry.

■ He knows what it is like to weep, not really even understanding the will of the Father in a certain situation (Like he did at the grave of Lazarus in

J. D. Greear Sermon Archive King, Champion, Brother and Priest: Hebrews 2:5–18

He knew disappointment in ministry (

He is a FAITHFUL Priest

to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

atoning sacrifice to cover for the sins of you and me

“So, two amazing things happened at the same time: the death of everyone was fulfilled in the Lord's body, but because the Word was in it, death and decay were completely defeated. There had to be death, and death for everyone, so that what was owed by all could be paid. Therefore, the Word, whocouldn't die Himself, took on a mortal body so He could offer it as His own for everyone. By suffering through His connection with it, He could "destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who were enslaved all their lives by the fear of death" (Heb. 2:14-15). (21) Don't be afraid. Now that the Savior of everyone has died for us, those of us who believe in Christ don't die like people used to, fulfilling the law's threat. That judgment is over; and now, because of the resurrection, decay has been removed and ended. We leave our mortal bodies at the right time chosen by God, so we can have a better resurrection. Like seeds planted in the ground, we don't disappear when we die, but we will rise again, with death defeated by the Savior's grace.”

Athanasius, St. . On the Incarnation: In Modern, Updated English (pp. 34-35). (Function). Kindle Edition.

What’s your pain of Christmas this year?

Feeling lonely? Look to your brother!

Feeling defeated by your sin? Give it to Jesus who came to deal with it!

Feeling as thought no one knows or understands? Remember Jesus who walked this earth and now stands with God representing you!

Scared to death of death? Come to Jesus. Submit your life to him and receive new life.