Embracing New Beginnings: The Incarnation of God
Summary
In this new series on new beginnings, we explore the profound themes found in the Gospel of John, which echoes the creation narrative of Genesis. John begins with "In the beginning," drawing a parallel to the creation account, and introduces us to the concept of the "Logos," a term familiar to both Jewish and Greek audiences. The Logos, or the Word, is not just a philosophical idea but is presented as God Himself, who was with God and was God. This Logos is the creative force behind all things, transcending time and space, and is the foundation of the universe's existence.
John's narrative invites us to consider the grandeur of creation, from the vastness of the Milky Way to the intricate beauty of the Grand Canyon, and even the miracle of human life. These wonders are mere specks in comparison to the greatness of God. Yet, the most astonishing revelation is that this transcendent God chose to become immanent, taking on flesh and dwelling among us. This act of incarnation is likened to God pitching His tent among humanity, reminiscent of the tabernacle in the wilderness where God's presence was manifest.
The incarnation of Jesus is a profound statement of God's closeness and desire to be known by us. Despite His grandeur, God is not distant but intimately involved in our lives. However, the world often fails to recognize Him, distracted by other pursuits and misconceptions about how God should act. Jesus comes not as a conquering hero but as a humble servant, entering into our darkest moments to bring light and hope.
The challenge for us is to recognize and receive this God who has come near. To those who do, He offers the right to become children of God, inviting us into a relationship where He is the center of our lives. This new beginning is an invitation to trust and follow the God who is both transcendent and immanent, the creator of the universe who knows us by name and desires to be known by us.
Key Takeaways:
- The Gospel of John begins with "In the beginning," echoing Genesis and introducing the Logos, a concept familiar to both Jewish and Greek audiences. This Logos is not just an abstract idea but is God Himself, the creative force behind all things, transcending time and space. [03:56]
- The grandeur of creation, from the Milky Way to the Grand Canyon, highlights the greatness of God. Yet, the most astonishing revelation is that this transcendent God chose to become immanent, taking on flesh and dwelling among us, reminiscent of the tabernacle in the wilderness. [16:35]
- Despite God's grandeur, He is not distant but intimately involved in our lives. The incarnation of Jesus is a profound statement of God's closeness and desire to be known by us, entering into our darkest moments to bring light and hope. [20:40]
- The world often fails to recognize Jesus, distracted by other pursuits and misconceptions about how God should act. Jesus comes not as a conquering hero but as a humble servant, challenging us to see Him in the midst of our struggles and suffering. [29:00]
- To those who recognize and receive Jesus, He offers the right to become children of God. This new beginning invites us into a relationship where God is the center of our lives, calling us to trust and follow the God who is both transcendent and immanent. [31:24]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[03:56] - The Beginning and the Logos
[06:21] - The Grandeur of Creation
[08:19] - The Milky Way and Our Place
[10:14] - The Grand Canyon's Majesty
[10:57] - The Miracle of Human Life
[12:25] - Human Ingenuity and God's Design
[14:30] - God's Transcendence
[16:35] - The Word Became Flesh
[18:53] - The Tabernacle and God's Presence
[19:54] - Shekinah Glory
[20:40] - God is Close
[21:26] - Recognizing God's Nearness
[26:16] - The Challenge of Recognition
[29:00] - Jesus in Our Darkest Moments
[31:24] - Becoming Children of God
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 1:1-14
- Genesis 1:1
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Observation Questions:
1. How does the Gospel of John begin, and what significance does this have in relation to the creation narrative in Genesis? [03:56]
2. What is the meaning of the term "Logos" as used in the Gospel of John, and how does it connect to both Jewish and Greek audiences? [03:56]
3. According to the sermon, what are some examples of the grandeur of creation that highlight the greatness of God? [06:21]
4. How does the sermon describe the incarnation of Jesus and its significance in terms of God's closeness to humanity? [16:35]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the concept of the "Logos" reveal about the nature of God and His relationship to creation? How might this understanding impact one's view of the universe? [06:21]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the grandeur of creation points to the greatness of God? How might this perspective influence a person's appreciation of the natural world? [08:19]
3. How does the sermon explain the significance of Jesus taking on flesh and dwelling among us? What does this reveal about God's desire to be known by humanity? [16:35]
4. Why might the world fail to recognize Jesus, according to the sermon? How does this challenge common perceptions of how God should act? [29:00]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the idea that God is both transcendent and immanent. How does this duality affect your personal relationship with God? [20:40]
2. The sermon mentions that Jesus comes as a humble servant rather than a conquering hero. How does this understanding of Jesus challenge your expectations of how God should work in your life? [29:00]
3. Consider the distractions and misconceptions that might prevent you from recognizing Jesus in your life. What steps can you take to become more aware of His presence? [30:05]
4. The sermon invites us to trust and follow God, who knows us by name. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of trust in God in your daily life? [31:24]
5. Think about a time when you felt distant from God. How might the message of Jesus' incarnation encourage you to seek a closer relationship with Him? [21:26]
6. The sermon highlights the importance of recognizing and receiving Jesus to become children of God. What practical actions can you take to strengthen your identity as a child of God? [31:24]
7. How can the grandeur of creation, as described in the sermon, inspire you to worship and appreciate God more fully in your everyday life? [08:19]
Devotional
Day 1: The Logos as the Foundation of Creation
The Gospel of John begins with a profound statement that echoes the creation narrative in Genesis: "In the beginning." This introduction is not merely a literary device but a theological declaration that introduces the concept of the "Logos," or the Word. The Logos is not an abstract philosophical idea but is God Himself, the creative force behind all things, transcending time and space. This concept was familiar to both Jewish and Greek audiences, bridging cultural understandings to reveal a God who is both the origin and sustainer of the universe. The Logos is the foundation upon which all creation stands, inviting us to see the divine hand in the world around us. [03:56]
John 1:3-4 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How does recognizing Jesus as the Logos, the foundation of all creation, change the way you view the world around you today?
Day 2: The Immanence of God in Creation
The grandeur of creation, from the vastness of the Milky Way to the intricate beauty of the Grand Canyon, serves as a testament to the greatness of God. Yet, the most astonishing revelation is that this transcendent God chose to become immanent, taking on flesh and dwelling among us. This act of incarnation is likened to God pitching His tent among humanity, reminiscent of the tabernacle in the wilderness where God's presence was manifest. The incarnation is a profound statement of God's closeness and desire to be known by us, entering into our darkest moments to bring light and hope. [16:35]
Psalm 8:3-4 (ESV): "When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?"
Reflection: In what ways can you become more aware of God's presence in your daily life, especially in moments of awe or struggle?
Day 3: Recognizing God's Nearness
Despite God's grandeur, He is not distant but intimately involved in our lives. The world often fails to recognize Him, distracted by other pursuits and misconceptions about how God should act. Jesus comes not as a conquering hero but as a humble servant, entering into our darkest moments to bring light and hope. This challenges us to see Him in the midst of our struggles and suffering, recognizing His presence and nearness even when it is not immediately apparent. [20:40]
Isaiah 57:15 (ESV): "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'"
Reflection: What distractions or misconceptions might be preventing you from recognizing God's presence in your life today?
Day 4: The Humble Servant in Our Darkest Moments
The world often fails to recognize Jesus, distracted by other pursuits and misconceptions about how God should act. Jesus comes not as a conquering hero but as a humble servant, challenging us to see Him in the midst of our struggles and suffering. He enters into our darkest moments to bring light and hope, offering a new perspective on what it means to experience God's presence. This calls us to look beyond our expectations and see the divine in the humble and the ordinary. [29:00]
Philippians 2:7-8 (ESV): "But emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
Reflection: How can you open your heart to see Jesus in the humble and ordinary aspects of your life today?
Day 5: Becoming Children of God
To those who recognize and receive Jesus, He offers the right to become children of God. This new beginning invites us into a relationship where God is the center of our lives, calling us to trust and follow the God who is both transcendent and immanent. It is an invitation to embrace a new identity, one that is rooted in the divine love and grace that God extends to us. As children of God, we are called to live in a way that reflects His presence and purpose in our lives. [31:24]
1 John 3:1 (ESV): "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to embrace your identity as a child of God and live in a way that reflects His love and purpose?
Quotes
"Now, even if you're not a Christian here and you're basically like, I don't even believe in God and talk about creation and stuff. I mean, wouldn't you believe though, that if there was a God, like if you were to define your own God, you would probably say, you know what God would be? God would be so big and beyond anything beyond time and space. If I believed in a God, I would believe that this God was omniscient, omnipresent, transcendent over all." [00:05:52] (24 seconds)
"Now, just get a sense of just how small we are, how small I am. And here's what John is basically saying. Do you recognize, like, in the universe, like, all of this is just but a speck to God. God is greater and grander than any of that. I was thinking of something that's grand in my life, for instance, and I was thinking of in nature, for instance. How many of you have been to the Grand Canyon?" [00:08:19] (30 seconds)
"But here's what's so explosive, because John, remember, he's hearkening back, he's running, he's like, listen, God's been silent, but I want you to know, the same God who was in the beginning, the same God who was the word, was this divine logos. Look at what he says. He says, the word, this logos became flesh and made his dwelling among us. Now, isn't that stunning?" [00:15:11] (24 seconds)
"Now, could you imagine for the Jewish listener, they're listening to this and they're like, what? He's living in it. He's the tent? He makes his dwelt? Like, he's the tent? You mean the tent? Now, there was a word that described this kind of glory. It's the word Shekinah glory. Can I hear you say Shekinah glory? The Shekinah glory, the manifest presence of God. I mean, isn't that stunning?" [00:19:54] (28 seconds)
"Jesus has come in the flesh and he has come and he knows you by name and he's closer than you think. And some of us, we think, oh, God is absent. He's far away. Yeah, he's out there in the heavens. And while that is true, what John is doing is he's positing this explosive claim that God is not just a God who is up there. God is a God who is close and near." [00:21:05] (36 seconds)
"See, but the message of Jesus is Jesus comes to us in the very midst of our darkest moments, our moments. Our most painful moments. And it's hard for us to recognize him because we're too lost in the ways that we have these preconceived notions about the ways that God. God will come to us. Surely God will come to us with health, wealth, and prosperity. And Jesus is like, no, no, no. I come into the world." [00:29:00] (30 seconds)
"The word becomes flesh, but I don't come to be this ruling conqueror full of celebrity and richness and wealth. I come as one who would die for you and for the world to show you that I am with you in the midst of what seems like the worst and darkest times of your life. Why is it that so many of us, we miss him, we miss this Jesus." [00:29:26] (34 seconds)
"John writes, yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. All it takes is to say, yes, this transcendent God of the universe, the one who has come close, I believe you. I trust you. I want to follow you. I want to be your child." [00:31:24] (29 seconds)
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