02 God with Us in the Flesh
Christmas - Tabernacled Among Us • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 3 viewsThis three-week Advent journey traces the breathtaking movement of God’s presence through Scripture—from the tabernacle in the wilderness, to the Word made flesh in Bethlehem, to the Holy Spirit dwelling in believers today. In Week 1, we explore the elements of the tabernacle and discover how every detail pointed toward God’s desire to dwell with His people. In Week 2, we turn to John 1 and see how Jesus is the true and greater tabernacle—God’s glory wrapped in human flesh. On Christmas Sunday, we celebrate the wonder that the God who dwelt in a tent and lay in a manger now makes His home in us, sending us into the world as living tabernacles of His presence.
Notes
Transcript
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
This Week: Christmas Program!
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DECLARATION:
Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Our church family is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.
We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit, and we are missionaries.
Prayer for...
INTRODUCTION:
Review:
Last week: the Tabernacle — God dwelling with His people.
This week: the Incarnation — God dwelling among His people in human flesh.
WHAT IS THE REASON WHY THIS MESSAGE IS BEING SHARED / WHAT IS THE PROBLEM THIS MESSAGE IS ANSWERING?…
BIG IDEA FOR TODAY: Jesus is the true and greater tabernacle, God dwelling among us in human flesh.
WHAT IS THE PICTURE OR ILLUSTRATION FOR THIS BIG IDEA?
Opening Scripture:
John 1:14 “14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt [tabernacled] among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
FROM A TENT TO A MANGER
THE WORD WHO WAS FROM THE BEGINNING
THE WORD WHO WAS FROM THE BEGINNING
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.
A. Jesus existed before Bethlehem
A. Jesus existed before Bethlehem
“In the beginning was the Word” → eternal existence
“The Word was with God” → distinct personhood
“The Word was God” → full deity
B. Jesus is the Creator
B. Jesus is the Creator
“All things were made through Him.”
The One who made the world steps into the world.
C. Jesus is Life and Light
C. Jesus is Life and Light
Light that darkness cannot overcome (Candleholder)
Life that darkness cannot extinguish (Bread)
Key Point: Before there was a tabernacle, before there was a world, the Word already was.
THE WORD WHO ENTERS OUR WORLD
THE WORD WHO ENTERS OUR WORLD
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.
A. The true Light came into the world
A. The true Light came into the world
Not a reflection of God — the actual presence of God
The tabernacle held symbolic light; Jesus is the true light
B. The world did not recognize Him
B. The world did not recognize Him
Just as Israel struggled to trust the God who tabernacled among them
The Creator came to His own creation, and many missed Him
C. God’s ways remain consistent:
C. God’s ways remain consistent:
He comes close
He comes humbly
Key Point: The Incarnation is an expression of God’s nearness.
***If short on time, START HERE***
***If short on time, START HERE***
THE WORD WHO BECAME FLESH
THE WORD WHO BECAME FLESH
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.
A. “Dwelt” = tabernacled
A. “Dwelt” = tabernacled
John intentionally echoes Exodus 40:
The glory filled the tabernacle →
The glory now evident with Jesus
B. Jesus is the new meeting place between God and humanity
B. Jesus is the new meeting place between God and humanity
Tabernacle → temporary
Jesus → final, complete, personal
In the tabernacle, God was accessible primarily through sacrifice
In Jesus, God becomes accessible through relationship because of Jesus’ sacrifice
C. “We have seen His glory”
C. “We have seen His glory”
Same glory glimpsed at in the wilderness
Now revealed as Jesus full of grace and truth, no longer cloud and fire
Key Point: Jesus is the tabernacle made flesh — the presence of God they could touch.
THE TABERNACLE MOVES INTO THE MANGER
THE TABERNACLE MOVES INTO THE MANGER
A. Christmas means God comes close
A. Christmas means God comes close
Not distant
Not symbolic
Not theoretical
Tangible, relational, embodied
B. We could not go to God, God came to us
B. We could not go to God, God came to us
He steps into our world
Into human suffering
Into human limitation
Into human story
C. The Incarnation is God’s declaration:
C. The Incarnation is God’s declaration:
“I want to be with you.”
Conclusion/Reflection:
IMMANUEL: GOD WITH US
IMMANUEL: GOD WITH US
Matt. 1:23 is citing Isaiah 7:14 “Immanuel”
Tabernacle: God with His people
Manger: God among His people
Christmas is the fulfillment of God’s ancient promise to dwell with us.
How is God inviting me to make room for His presence in my life this Christmas?
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