Divine Timing: Hope in Christ's Incarnation

 

Summary

In reflecting on the profound truths found in Galatians 4:4-6, we are reminded of the divine orchestration of our salvation, involving the Blessed Holy Trinity. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all intricately involved in the redemption of humanity, a testament to the immeasurable love and concern God has for us. This divine plan, conceived before the foundation of the world, is a staggering reality that should fill us with awe and gratitude. The coming of the Son into the world is not merely a historical event but a divine intervention, a breaking into time that defies human understanding and evolutionary explanations.

The incarnation of Christ is a profound mystery, where the eternal Son of God took on human nature, being made of a woman and under the law. This was not a mere appearance but a true incarnation, where the divine and human natures were united in one person. This reality assures us that Jesus fully understands our human condition, having lived under the same laws and limitations.

The timing of Christ's coming, described as "the fullness of time," reveals God's sovereign control over history. It was not a random occurrence but a divinely appointed moment, predetermined by God. This understanding should comfort us, knowing that God is in control of time and history, and that He acts according to His perfect wisdom and timing.

As we consider the state of the world and the church today, we are reminded that God's timing often coincides with our moments of greatest despair and hopelessness. Just as the birth of Christ came at a time when Israel was at its lowest, so too can we expect God to act in our darkest hours. This should fill us with hope and anticipation, trusting that God will act in His perfect time to bring about His purposes.

Key Takeaways:

- The involvement of the Blessed Holy Trinity in our salvation is a profound testament to God's love and concern for humanity. This divine orchestration, planned before the foundation of the world, should fill us with awe and gratitude. [07:07]

- The incarnation of Christ is a true mystery, where the eternal Son of God took on human nature. This assures us that Jesus fully understands our human condition, having lived under the same laws and limitations. [20:03]

- The timing of Christ's coming, described as "the fullness of time," reveals God's sovereign control over history. This understanding should comfort us, knowing that God acts according to His perfect wisdom and timing. [31:08]

- God's timing often coincides with our moments of greatest despair and hopelessness. Just as the birth of Christ came at a time when Israel was at its lowest, so too can we expect God to act in our darkest hours. [43:00]

- The contemplation of God's timing and actions should fill us with hope and anticipation, trusting that God will act in His perfect time to bring about His purposes. Our worst times can be God's best times for action. [45:59]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:07] - Introduction and Apology for Audio Quality
- [01:01] - Interrupting Ephesians Study
- [01:36] - Viewing Everything in a Christian Manner
- [02:25] - The World's Perversion of God's Truth
- [03:53] - The Difference Between Emotion and Sentimentalism
- [05:31] - Biblical View of Christmas
- [06:35] - The Trinity's Concern for Our Salvation
- [09:24] - The Eternal Plan of Salvation
- [11:18] - The Coming of the Son
- [12:14] - Sent Forth: The Doctrine of the Son
- [15:10] - The Incarnation: Truly Human and Divine
- [24:49] - The Fullness of Time
- [31:08] - God's Control Over Time
- [36:37] - The Wisdom of God's Timing
- [43:00] - God's Timing in Our Despair
- [45:59] - Conclusion and Hope in God's Timing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Galatians 4:4-6

Observation Questions:
1. What does the phrase "the fullness of time" suggest about God's control over historical events? [31:08]
2. How does the sermon describe the involvement of the Holy Trinity in the plan of salvation? [07:07]
3. What is the significance of Jesus being "made of a woman" and "made under the law"? [20:03]
4. How does the sermon explain the difference between the world's view of time and God's view of time? [41:34]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "the fullness of time" challenge or affirm the way believers view current world events? [31:08]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the incarnation of Christ provides comfort to believers? [10:28]
3. How does the sermon interpret the role of Jesus' humanity in understanding our human condition? [20:03]
4. What implications does the sermon draw from the idea that God's timing often coincides with moments of despair? [43:00]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's timing was perfect in your life. How did that experience shape your faith? [31:08]
2. How can the understanding of the Holy Trinity's involvement in salvation deepen your appreciation for God's love? [07:07]
3. In what ways can you find comfort in knowing that Jesus fully understands your human struggles? [20:03]
4. How can you apply the concept of "the fullness of time" to your current life situation, especially in moments of waiting or uncertainty? [31:08]
5. Think of a situation where you felt hopeless. How can the message of God's perfect timing bring you hope in similar situations? [43:00]
6. How can you remind yourself of God's sovereignty over time and history in your daily life? [31:08]
7. What practical steps can you take to trust in God's timing, especially when facing challenges or uncertainties? [43:00]

Devotional

Day 1: The Trinity's Unified Role in Salvation
The involvement of the Blessed Holy Trinity in our salvation is a profound testament to God's love and concern for humanity. This divine orchestration, planned before the foundation of the world, should fill us with awe and gratitude. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each play a unique role in the redemption of humanity, demonstrating a unity and purpose that transcends human understanding. This divine plan, conceived before the foundation of the world, is a staggering reality that should fill us with awe and gratitude. The coming of the Son into the world is not merely a historical event but a divine intervention, a breaking into time that defies human understanding and evolutionary explanations. [07:07]

Ephesians 1:9-10 (ESV): "making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth."

Reflection: Consider how the understanding of the Trinity's involvement in your salvation changes your perspective on God's love for you. How can you express gratitude for this divine orchestration in your daily life today?


Day 2: The Mystery of the Incarnation
The incarnation of Christ is a true mystery, where the eternal Son of God took on human nature. This assures us that Jesus fully understands our human condition, having lived under the same laws and limitations. The incarnation is not a mere appearance but a true union of divine and human natures in one person. This reality provides comfort and assurance that Jesus empathizes with our struggles and challenges, having experienced them Himself. The eternal Son of God, being made of a woman and under the law, lived a life that fully embraced the human experience. [20:03]

Hebrews 2:14-15 (ESV): "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, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery."

Reflection: Reflect on a specific struggle or challenge you are facing. How does knowing that Jesus fully understands your human condition change the way you approach this situation today?


Day 3: God's Sovereign Timing
The timing of Christ's coming, described as "the fullness of time," reveals God's sovereign control over history. This understanding should comfort us, knowing that God acts according to His perfect wisdom and timing. The birth of Christ was not a random occurrence but a divinely appointed moment, predetermined by God. This assurance of God's control over time and history should bring peace and confidence, knowing that He orchestrates events according to His perfect plan. [31:08]

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."

Reflection: Think about a situation in your life where you are struggling to understand God's timing. How can you trust in His perfect wisdom and timing today, even when the outcome is uncertain?


Day 4: Hope in Despair
God's timing often coincides with our moments of greatest despair and hopelessness. Just as the birth of Christ came at a time when Israel was at its lowest, so too can we expect God to act in our darkest hours. This should fill us with hope and anticipation, trusting that God will act in His perfect time to bring about His purposes. Our worst times can be God's best times for action, reminding us that He is always present and working, even when we cannot see it. [43:00]

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): "but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Reflection: Identify a moment of despair or hopelessness you are currently experiencing. How can you actively wait on the Lord and find hope in His promise to act in His perfect time?


Day 5: Anticipation of God's Perfect Timing
The contemplation of God's timing and actions should fill us with hope and anticipation, trusting that God will act in His perfect time to bring about His purposes. Our worst times can be God's best times for action. This perspective encourages us to remain patient and faithful, knowing that God's plans are always for our good and His glory. As we trust in His timing, we can find peace and assurance that He is working all things together for His purposes. [45:59]

Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV): "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you are waiting for God's intervention. How can you cultivate a sense of anticipation and trust in His perfect timing today, even when the wait feels long?

Quotes


The first is that we are reminded here by the apostle that the Blessed Holy Trinity the three persons of the Eternal God are concerned in our Salvation. And if that isn't the most staggering thing you've ever heard well then I say it is doubtful whether you're a Christian or not. [00:06:35]

This is the essential message that though we are what we are and the world is what it is that the three persons in the Blessed Holy Trinity are concerned about us and about our Salvation. [00:07:14]

I like to think of that Eternal conference that Eternal Council before the very foundation of the world when Father Son and Holy Spirit met together and talked before the very Angels were created about man and about his salvation and how this great and glorious work was planned and divided. [00:08:49]

The one who had stood Always by the father and in his company has taken up his position and his place amongst us he has tabernacled amongst them he has taken up his stand side by side with us if I may Venture on such an expression the one who had rubbed shoulders with the father and the Holy Spirit began to rub shoulders with men. [00:14:34]

The whole essence of the Incarnation you see is there and the whole wonder and comfort of the message for us this morning is just there that the one who dwelt Among Us Among Us was the one who had dwelt in that atmosphere and in that Society throughout all eternity send for. [00:16:31]

The Lord Jesus Christ is truly human as well as truly Divine now we can't grasp that it's beyond us and yet it is absolutely essential that we should believe it he could not perform the allotted task which he was sent to perform if he had not become truly human. [00:20:12]

He really did receive his human nature from the Virgin Mary purified of course the Holy Ghost Came Upon her and therefore that which is born of her can be described as that Holy thing but nevertheless it was truly human nature he didn't merely have an appearance of a body. [00:20:56]

The timing of Christ's coming, described as "the fullness of time," reveals God's sovereign control over history. It was not a random occurrence but a divinely appointed moment, predetermined by God. This understanding should comfort us, knowing that God is in control of time and history, and that He acts according to His perfect wisdom and timing. [00:31:08]

God controls time when the fullness of the time was come things are not just happening the world isn't out of hand it's under god well then I go on to a second principle which is this that God has obviously predetermined the exact time of all the great events connected with our Salvation. [00:33:08]

The blackest and the darkest hour is the one that generally presses the door we are in the hands of God and everything is in his hands and time is in his hands and our worst is his best he said it at Bethlehem he has said it many times since and he will say to again. [00:45:59]

The contemplation of this should make us as Christians look up and be expectant and anticipating what God is yet going to do for us in his own time amen. [00:46:59]

Our worst time is God's best time and God's Ideal Time, and that I suppose is the Supreme message of Christmas with regard to this question of time there was never a point in the history of the children of Israel the Jews when they had reached a lower end than just at this time when the Son of God was born as the babe of Bethlehem. [00:43:00]

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Transcript
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