The Incarnation and Second Coming

Psalm 80:1–3 NIV

Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken your might; come and save us. Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

Greetings and welcome to First Baptist Church. Good to be here with you all on this second week of advent.

2 min Greeting and intro

Family

Area Director for Ran Co YL

Studying at DTS

3 min summary of Elkins YL

in 2 Years 55% of kids

Financial it has been a hard year. 10,000 Matching grant. 6K fulfilled. Started last month, continues through this month

It is my honor and priviledge to be with you this 2rd week of advent and look at the incarnation of Jesus.

Advent Definition

Advent comes from the latin word “coming” which is derived from the greek word “Parousia”. It was a time to wonder at the incarnation of Christ.

The incarnation means a lot to me, it is a theological idea all through Young Life and we get that from Jesus.

When is the last time you read the gospels and were amazed at the life and stories of Jesus? If you aren’t amazed by them, why do we expect the world to be?

This is an incredible time to read the gospel of John and 1 John as they focus so well on these themes.

“Rev Dr Packiam “Advent is when the remembered joy of Christs’s first arrival awakens the anticipated joy of His second arrival”.

What is the purpose of advent? Why do we celebrate it year after year?

As I've pondered this question…Our lives are apart of the biblical story line. We are in the final movement in God’s grand narrative of creation and redemption.

Being apart of the Appalachian Mountain Range. I often go to see 1 mountain but it is always apart of something bigger. I often can’t see it.

“God’s saving plan the Incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and Parousia are all facets of one event— rather like the way several separate mountain ranges blend together as a single range of mountains when viewed through a telescope. The first and second comings of God’s Son comprise one event in the divine plan. Cranfield captures their unity thus: “It was, and still is, true to say that the Parousia is at hand.… Ever since the Incarnation men have been living in the last days.”

Rukham- student from Pakistan. We climbed to the top of a mountain with a fire tower and climbed the fire tower for this incredible view of Randolph County. It is always breathtaking. Rukham's first mountain, firetower, being out in the middle of nowhere. Rukham was stunned by the beauty. That same semester, I got to take Rukham to fall weekend where he heard the Gospel laid out for the first time and it was even better to see him experience Jesus in full view of who he was. Breath taking and stunning.

Today we are going to talk about something breathe taking and stunning...the Incarnation!

Christmas time and the incarnation are woven together and for good.

Do we talk about the Incarnation outside of Christmas…Or are we more concerned with his second coming? You are asking the right question.

Story of breaking nativity scene

The birth of Jesus, the Incarnation is the entire purpose of Christmas, but if you are like me, we seem to pack up the incarnation with baby Jesus and the nativity scene. We skip straight from Baby Jesus to lent and the Crucified Jesus. We skip over his life.

Today I wanted to talk about John 1 because John deals with the Incarnation very differently than the other gospels.

John seems to be concerned with the theological and practical implications of God revealing himself in Jesus.

Read John 1:1-14

The rest of John’s Gospel is unpacking the theological implications of this

Just Look at John 1:1-4 with me

The creator of life was born and lived life so that we might have full life.

One of my favorite verses!

John 1:14 The word becomes flesh. Eugene Peterson " The word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood"

I love John's Gospel because he really explores the incarnation so that we might

1st See Jesus for who he is and to really know him.

2nd that we might catch of glimse, begin to understand how God wishes for us. The church. The Christ Bearers. The renewed humanity that Christ now lives in and through; How we should relate to those that are far away from Christ.

Jesus didn't just become human so that he might die for us. Don't get me wrong, the incarnation was always a rescue mission. And we are still apart of the rescue mission. It’s why we are celebrating Advent! Jesus isn’t finished working and moving.

Jesus became human so that we might see how those that were bought back from sin and brokenness, were to live now that Jesus, the fullness of God, is living inside of us.

Simply put, The Incarnation is God's Model of Ministry!

Over Quarantine earlier this year I had a lot of time to read. Francis Chan’s Letters to the Church

"We can develop leaders only when we structure things in a way that requires others to lead. I had to learn how to limit the use of my gifts in order for make space for others to lead....It's time to put some loving pressure on ourselves and those around us. This is everyone's responsibility. Only when we become servants will we experience the Holy Spirit as Jesus intended. Only then will the Church resemble the Christ they worship."

Jesus modeled the Incarnation because it is something every person does. Build relationships with others and show them who Jesus is. Jesus didn't do flashy tricks, sit in palaces, have money and influential people. He spent time with people and changed the way they understood who God was in a relational way. At dinner tables, feasts, parties, on the way to town. You don't need a seminary degree to do that! You need a heart the breaks for a broken creation…knowing the truth that it can be redeemed.

This is what we train our leaders to do in Young Life. Spend time with those who are far away from God.

We move into the neighborhood.

Lastly, Check out John 1:37-42 with me. This story cracks me up!

After this. Andrew get's Peter. Jesus hadn't done any miracles yet, no healings, nothing flashy. HE SPENT THE DAY WITH THEM! He moved into the neighborhood

Advent is a time to long for Christ’s second return…because we are living out the work of Jesus in his first coming, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Without the incarnation, we wouldn't get a cross or resurrection, and as Paul says...

Everything hinges on the resurrection! If the resurrection is true, the incarnation is indeed true. God came to earth to make his presence known to his people.

If the resurrection is true, the cross is indeed true and Jesus Christ bore our sins so we might enter into life with God. He ransomed us from separation with God.

If the resurrection is true than we are indeed in the last days, awaiting for Christ to return. We know that the check will clear. He has proved it already by his resurrection.

If we are celebrating Christ’s 2nd coming without first recognizing the implications of his 1st coming…we are simply just waiting. His Church was so moved by the incarnation, the Crucifixion, the resurrection, that they went out into the world.

Simple put. The Incarnation is God's model of Ministry

Who is following behind you? Who desperately needs to know the gospel of truth in your life? Have you even turned around and asked the question?

Let us turn our eyes to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. To his first coming and marvel at his great love for us, so we may know and believe in his second coming.

Let's pray