Incarnation

The Incarnation (John 1:1–18)

Big Idea:

Jesus is God who became human so we could know God, be saved by Him, and belong to Him.

Jesus is the Eternal Word (John 1:1–5)

Jesus is not just part of the Christmas story—He is the Author of it.

God Became Human to Save Us (John 1:14–18)

John 1:1–13 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

John 1:14–18 “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. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.”

We are shaped by words, words of a friend can really build you up or they can really cut you down. something you see of yourself because of something someone might of said in 6th grade for good or for worst. or perhaps something someone said something to you this week and you can’t shake it.

Middle school lunch detention- Something Mrs. Gomez's said to me that really shaped me. “Jackson you much smarter than you give yourself credit and i notice that your a hard worker” Words shape, we all have stories of how words can shape us. We are all shaped by words spoken over us. WE impact others by our words too. Friendships, classmates, and families.

God Speaks up and a God who shows up.

the greek word for word is logos

Jesus is the Eternal Word (John 1:1–5)

John 1:1–5 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

John calls Jesus “the Word.” Why? Because God reveals Himself through Jesus the way we reveal our thoughts through words.

WHAT John teaches about Jesus:

Jesus is eternal

“In the beginning was the Word” Before anything existed—Jesus existed.

Jesus is fully God

“The Word was God” Not “like God”—but God Himself.

Jesus created everything

“All things were made through Him.” Jesus isn’t part of creation—He is Creator.

Why is it important that Jesus is God—not just a good teacher? → Because only God can save us, forgive sins, and give eternal life.Why this matters:

Where do you see spiritual darkness today? Brokenness, sinful choices, and a world rejecting God.

How does Jesus bring light into real life situations? He shows truth, gives direction, and gives hope in hard times.

Christianity doesn’t start with a baby in a manger—it starts with God in eternity.

Christmas is God entering Creation—not Creation giving birth to God

Jesus is not just part of the Christmas story—He is the Author of it.

Illustration

Dorothy L. Sayers, an Oxford graduate famous for her Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries

Harriet Vane, a oxford grad, witty (and writer) who becomes Lord Peter's love interest, reflecting Sayers' own intellect and experiences as a pioneering woman at Oxford.

Because Jesus made you:

your life has purpose

you are not accidental

your identity begins in Him

Jesus is not just part of the Christmas story—He is the Author of it.

What does it mean to “receive” Jesus? To welcome Him personally and trust Him as Savior and Lord.

What does “believe in His name” mean? → To trust who Jesus truly is—not just know facts about Him.

How does adoption change your identity? → You’re not just forgiven—you belong to God forever.People Responded in Different Ways (John 1:6–13)

John highlights 3 responses:

The world didn’t recognize Him

Even though Creation points to God, people ignored Him.

Why?

people love darkness more than light (John 3:19)

we want control

sin blinds us spiritually

His own people rejected Him

Israel expected a Messiah—but not a humble one. They rejected the Savior they had waited for.

Some received Him

Those who believed became children of God.

This means:

God adopts us

gives us a new identity

gives us new life

A little deeper:

Believing “His name” means trusting Him as He truly is:

Savior

Lord

God

King

Not just admiring Jesus—but surrendering to Him.

Application:

Some people reject Jesus because they misunderstand Him—but some reject Him because they don’t want Him.

God Became Human to Save Us (John 1:14–18)

John says,

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

This is the Incarnation. God became a real human being, not just appearing like one.

Why did He have to become human?

Mediator

A Mediator must fully represent both sides:

God

humans

Only Jesus can do that.

Sympathetic High Priest

He knows what it feels like to be:

tired

stressed

sad

rejected

tempted

He understands because He lived it.

Substitute

Hebrews says animals can’t take away sin. Why?

an animal can’t replace a person

a sinful human can’t save another sinful human

So God became human for us.

Jesus is the only one who could die in our place.

Revealer of God

Verse 18 says Jesus “made God known.” Want to know what God is like?

Look at Jesus:

His compassion = God’s compassion

His kindness = God’s kindness

His mercy = God’s mercy

Jesus is God explained in human language.

Illustration:

According to a 2013 article, Liberty Tower’s unveiling included the installation of “a rare 11-foot Statue of Liberty replica” in the lobby. Chattanoogan

The replica reportedly was cast “from the original 1878 mold, by decree of the French government,” and the article says only 12 such statues can be made — Chattanooga’s is “the third of four that currently exist.”

John 14:9 “Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”

My hope for you as youth students is that you encounter Jesus: experience him in context of community and mission

1. Jesus is God

He is eternal and Creator.

2. People respond in different ways

Some reject Him; some receive Him.

3. God became human

He came to save us and reveal God to us.

Takeaway

Jesus didn’t just come to Earth—He came to you. So that you could come to God.