Embracing the Incarnation: Living with Humility and Gentleness
Summary
During this Christmas season, we reflect on the profound mystery and grace of the Incarnation, where Jesus Christ, the eternal Word, became flesh and dwelt among us. This event is not merely a doctrine to be acknowledged but a transformative truth that calls us to conform to Christ's example. The Incarnation is the greatest act of condescension in history, where Christ, fully God and fully man, descended from His heavenly glory to reveal God to us and to atone for our sins. This act of divine humility and gentleness is a model for how we are to live our lives.
In a world filled with distrust and power struggles, the Incarnation teaches us the value of stooping low to lift others up. Just as Christ condescended to us in gentleness, we are called to condescend in our relationships, whether as parents, spouses, or leaders, to nurture and build others up. This requires humility, recognizing that all authority and talent come from God, and using them to serve others with love and gentleness.
The Incarnation challenges us to examine our own hearts and actions. Are we living in a way that reflects the gentleness and humility of Christ? Do we communicate with love and patience, or do we let impatience and anger dominate our interactions? The call is to conform to Christ, to speak the words of life with grace and truth, and to build God's kingdom with humility and meekness.
As we celebrate Christmas, let us not only remember the birth of Jesus but also embrace the call to live out the Incarnation in our daily lives. Let us be conformed to Christ by drawing near to others with gentleness, explaining the grace and truth of God, and living in the riches of His grace. In doing so, we honor the majesty and mercy of God with us, inspiring hope and confidence in a world that desperately needs it.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Incarnation as Divine Condescension: The Incarnation is the greatest act of condescension, where Christ, fully God and fully man, descended to reveal God to us and atone for our sins. This divine humility calls us to conform to Christ's example in our lives. [05:02]
2. Living Out the Incarnation: The Incarnation is not just a doctrine but a way of life. We are called to stoop low, like Christ, to lift others up, using our authority and talents to serve with love and gentleness. [21:26]
3. Gentleness in Relationships: In our relationships, whether as parents, spouses, or leaders, we must communicate with love and patience, reflecting the gentleness of Christ. This requires humility and a recognition that all authority comes from God. [24:34]
4. Conforming to Christ's Example: We are called to conform to Christ by speaking the words of life with grace and truth, building God's kingdom with humility and meekness, and living in the riches of His grace. [31:38]
5. The Challenge of the Incarnation: The Incarnation challenges us to examine our hearts and actions, to live in a way that reflects the gentleness and humility of Christ, and to inspire hope and confidence in a world that needs it. [33:39]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:42] - The Significance of Christmas
- [03:58] - The World's Distrust and Power Dynamics
- [05:02] - The Greatest Condescension
- [06:22] - The Glory of the Incarnation
- [07:13] - Jesus Holds All Things Together
- [10:08] - The Revelation of God in Christ
- [11:01] - The Light of Christ in History
- [12:34] - The Miracle of the Incarnation
- [15:48] - The Fullness of God in Christ
- [17:53] - The Deceitful Heart and Salvation
- [18:48] - The Importance of Good Theology
- [20:01] - Stooping Low to Lift Others Up
- [23:59] - Authority and Submission in Relationships
- [26:43] - The Call to Gentleness and Humility
- [29:33] - The True Man: Christ's Example
- [31:38] - Speaking with Meekness and Fear
- [33:39] - The Challenge of the Incarnation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 1:10-18
- Colossians 1:17
- 1 Peter 3:15
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Observation Questions:
1. According to John 1:10-18, how did the world respond to Jesus when He came into the world? What does this reveal about the nature of humanity? [01:42]
2. In Colossians 1:17, what role does Jesus play in the creation and sustenance of the universe? How does this relate to the concept of the Incarnation? [07:13]
3. How does the sermon describe the term "condescension" in relation to the Incarnation of Christ? What is the significance of this term in understanding the Christmas story? [05:02]
4. What does 1 Peter 3:15 suggest about the manner in which we should share our faith? How does this connect to the theme of gentleness discussed in the sermon? [31:38]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the Incarnation challenge the common power dynamics and distrust present in the world today? What does this suggest about the way Christians should engage with society? [03:58]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of humility and gentleness in relationships. How might these qualities transform interactions within families and communities? [24:34]
3. In what ways does the Incarnation serve as a model for Christian living, particularly in terms of serving others? How can this model be practically applied in daily life? [21:26]
4. How does the concept of "stooping low to lift others up" reflect the character of Christ, and what implications does this have for Christian leadership and authority? [20:01]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent interaction where impatience or anger dominated your response. How could you have approached the situation with more gentleness and humility, following Christ's example? [24:34]
2. Identify a relationship in your life where you can practice "stooping low" to serve and uplift the other person. What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate Christ-like humility? [21:26]
3. Consider the power dynamics in your workplace or community. How can you use your position or talents to serve others with love and gentleness, as Christ did? [20:01]
4. How can you cultivate a spirit of gentleness in your household, especially in moments of conflict or stress? What practical steps can you take to ensure your communication reflects the love and patience of Christ? [26:43]
5. Think about a time when you felt condescended to in a negative way. How does understanding Christ's divine condescension change your perspective on humility and service? [05:02]
6. In what ways can you be more intentional about sharing the grace and truth of God with those around you, especially during the Christmas season? How can you ensure your words and actions align with the message of the Incarnation? [33:39]
7. How can you inspire hope and confidence in others by living out the Incarnation in your daily life? What specific changes can you make to better reflect the majesty and mercy of "God with us"? [33:39]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: The Divine Descent of Christ
The Incarnation represents the most profound act of divine humility, where Jesus, fully God and fully man, descended from His heavenly glory to reveal God to humanity and atone for our sins. This act is not just a theological concept but a transformative truth that calls us to conform to Christ's example. In a world filled with power struggles and distrust, the Incarnation teaches us the value of stooping low to lift others up. Just as Christ condescended to us in gentleness, we are called to condescend in our relationships, whether as parents, spouses, or leaders, to nurture and build others up. This requires humility, recognizing that all authority and talent come from God, and using them to serve others with love and gentleness. [05:02]
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a relationship where you can practice humility and gentleness today. How can you intentionally "stoop low" to lift someone else up in that relationship?
Day 2: Living the Incarnation Daily
The Incarnation is not merely a doctrine to be acknowledged but a way of life that calls us to emulate Christ's humility and service. We are called to use our authority and talents to serve others with love and gentleness, just as Christ did. This involves a conscious effort to reflect Christ's gentleness in our interactions, whether as parents, spouses, or leaders. It requires humility and a recognition that all authority comes from God. By living out the Incarnation, we can transform our relationships and communities, bringing hope and healing to a world in need. [21:26]
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one talent or resource you have. How can you use it today to serve someone else with love and gentleness?
Day 3: The Power of Gentleness in Relationships
In our relationships, whether as parents, spouses, or leaders, we are called to communicate with love and patience, reflecting the gentleness of Christ. This requires humility and a recognition that all authority comes from God. The Incarnation challenges us to examine our own hearts and actions, asking whether we are living in a way that reflects the gentleness and humility of Christ. By conforming to Christ's example, we can build God's kingdom with humility and meekness, living in the riches of His grace. [24:34]
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." (Colossians 3:12-13, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent interaction where you were impatient or harsh. How can you approach similar situations with more gentleness and patience in the future?
Day 4: Conforming to Christ's Example
We are called to conform to Christ by speaking the words of life with grace and truth, building God's kingdom with humility and meekness, and living in the riches of His grace. The Incarnation challenges us to examine our hearts and actions, asking whether we are living in a way that reflects the gentleness and humility of Christ. By embracing this call, we can inspire hope and confidence in a world that desperately needs it. [31:38]
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can imitate Christ's love and humility in your daily life today?
Day 5: The Challenge of the Incarnation
The Incarnation challenges us to examine our hearts and actions, to live in a way that reflects the gentleness and humility of Christ, and to inspire hope and confidence in a world that needs it. As we celebrate Christmas, let us not only remember the birth of Jesus but also embrace the call to live out the Incarnation in our daily lives. By drawing near to others with gentleness, explaining the grace and truth of God, and living in the riches of His grace, we honor the majesty and mercy of God with us. [33:39]
"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:6, ESV)
Reflection: Consider your words and actions today. How can you ensure they are seasoned with grace and reflect the humility of Christ in every interaction?
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Quotes
The Christmas story is about the greatest condescension in history. The incarnation of Christ Jesus is not just a truth or doctrine to know or to simply be acknowledged, but is in fact a grace and a truth to us and therefore a place to conform to be like Christ. [00:05:25]
This same word, Jesus Christ, which eternally dwelt with God and is God, do we understand this? From Jesus, the Son, all things were made. And as Colossians 1 .17 tells us, that Jesus holds all things together. So He not only made it and set it forth, but He holds it together, every last molecule in the universe. [00:07:37]
We marvel at the kindness and gentleness of God to us in the incarnation think about what this is it's god's grace it's god's mercy it's god it's god's truth and it is bestowed upon us in our weakness and hapless state the father sins jesus the meek and gentle now we've spoken about this a lot in the past and we've spoken about this a lot in the present and we've spoken many times about meekness and gentleness. [00:08:58]
Christ condescended to us in gentleness. In gentleness, Christ condescends to draw near and explain the things of God and our own hearts. Webster's 1828 Dictionary, which you've heard me say many times, is the dictionary of scripture, teaches us the original meaning of condescend. It says this, to descend from privileges of superiority. [00:12:03]
Jesus is fully God and fully man. You know, it's interesting. Men have always pushed back one way or another that Christ Jesus was one or the other, a man or God, but not both. Right? We want to find some mysterious way. He was just a spirit. He didn't really take up flesh. [00:15:48]
In the glorious incarnation, Jesus teaches us that just as he does, that we must stoop low to make others great. Jesus stooped low, demonstrating the fruit of the spirit of gentleness in its fullness. Jesus stoops low to make others great. [00:20:15]
Seeing our weakness and our need, Christ, with great power, restrained, condescends, humbles himself to draw near and explain God, explain our hearts, and explain his enemies to his people. Jesus, as one commentator puts it, stoops low to draw near to have a tender dialogue to teach, reproof, correct, instruct, exhort, and build up to maturity, so that we may be equipped for every good work. [00:20:40]
We need to be sure that we understand that in the world that god has created that there are always superiors and inferiors no matter how much the unbelieving world objects you can't just keep things in your head and do good works you can't just keep things in your head god gives different gifts and talents as well as differing positions of authority and submission think about this just for a second so we're going to take the incarnation what christ did and move it right into practically how then we should be conformed to christ we must be able to condescend in gentleness to lift others up think about parents and children there's a place where it starts well we're certainly their superiors and we need to stoop low in gentleness to lift them up to teach them about christ jesus to reveal god's word to teach them about their own hearts before god what about in a marriage relationship [00:21:26]
It is in humility and gratitude we must recognize who is the author of all talent and power of authority. And that it is received from God. We're to be like Christ. And love and pray and bless our inferiors. Those whom God has given us charge of. How do we bless those in our lives? [00:24:22]
We are to always be conforming to Christ, who with great power restrained, came to us with gentleness, he spoke with truth and mercy, and this is a grace to all. We think that we must be tough, especially right now we're trying to rebuild godly leadership in our homes and in our churches. And the patriarchy is a good thing, but it's not some license to act any way that you want. [00:29:17]
Athanasius, in his work on the Incarnation, says this, Man reviles God, thus transfers the honor of God to things in creation, worships devils, lusting, and seeking any explanation, for their existence but God. Now here we are, we've established this truth, this fact, this doctrine. And people of God, we can enjoy a good sermon on the doctrines of God. [00:19:00]
The incarnation happened in real time the book of galatians tells us that christ's incarnation was in the fullness of time that is right on time we see the great love of god for us in the incarnation we see see then how then we should live in the riches of his grace we we quote that ephesians 1 7 a lot of times as the blessing after our confession of sin right how then should we live in the riches of the grace that abounds to us so undeservingly let us be conformed to christ by condescending and gentlerPs. gentleness, to draw near and explain the grace and truth of God to His glory and our benefit. [00:32:49]
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