Living with Hope: The Impact of the Incarnation

Devotional

Day 1: Our Earthly Journey is Temporary

Our lives on earth are a temporary, tent-like existence, much like Christ's time here. This perspective encourages us to view our earthly journey as a pilgrimage towards our eternal home. We are reminded that our true citizenship is in heaven, and this should fill us with hope rather than despair. Christ lived with the awareness of His mission, knowing His time was limited, and we are called to do the same. By focusing on our eternal destination, we can find joy and purpose in our temporary trials. [07:36]

"For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come." (Hebrews 13:14, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can shift your focus from earthly concerns to your eternal home today?

Day 2: The Eternal Union of God and Man

The Incarnation brought about a permanent change in Christ, who remains both God and man. This union is a testament to God's love and a profound source of comfort. Christ ascended as the God-man, taking human nature into eternal glory. This truth assures us that our high priest understands our weaknesses and intercedes for us. The eternal union of God and man in Christ is a reminder of the depth of God's love and His commitment to humanity. [15:47]

"For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority." (Colossians 2:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: How does knowing that Christ is both God and man impact your understanding of His love and advocacy for you?

Day 3: Living with Purpose and Awareness

Our lives, like Christ's earthly life, are not meant for settling but for fulfilling God's purpose. We are called to live with an awareness of our mission and the eternal joy that awaits us. Christ lived with a clear understanding of His purpose and the appointed time for His mission. This awareness should inspire us to live intentionally, focusing on the work God has given us to do and the joy set before us. [06:46]

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: What specific mission or purpose do you feel God has given you, and how can you live more intentionally in light of it today?

Day 4: Christ's Compassionate Advocacy

The reality of Christ's humanity and divinity assures us that He is a compassionate advocate. Having experienced human infirmities, He is able to sympathize with our struggles and offers grace and mercy in our time of need. This truth is a source of comfort and strength, reminding us that we are not alone in our trials. Christ's presence at the right hand of God is a constant assurance of His intercession on our behalf. [19:36]

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to experience Christ's compassion and advocacy today, and how can you invite Him into that struggle?

Day 5: Strength in Christ's Intercession

In times of trial, we are encouraged to remember that Christ is our high priest, ever living to make intercession for us. His presence at the right hand of God is a constant source of strength and assurance. This truth provides us with the confidence to face life's challenges, knowing that we have a compassionate advocate who understands our struggles and is actively interceding on our behalf. [29:14]

"Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you draw strength from the knowledge that Christ is interceding for you right now, and how might this change the way you approach your current challenges?

Sermon Summary

In reflecting on the profound mystery of the Incarnation, we are reminded of the temporary and permanent impacts of Christ's coming into the world. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, living a tent-like existence, sharing in the human experience with all its trials and tribulations. This temporary dwelling was a conscious choice by Christ, who knew His time on earth was limited and lived with the awareness of His mission. His life was not about settling into the world but fulfilling the work given by the Father, always mindful of the hour and time appointed for His purpose.

This tent-like existence serves as a powerful reminder for us as well. Our lives on earth are temporary, a pilgrimage towards our eternal home. We are called to live with the same awareness, understanding that our true citizenship is in heaven. This perspective should not be a source of despair but of hope, as it was for Christ, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him.

Moreover, the Incarnation brought about a permanent change in the nature of Christ. The Word became flesh, and this union of God and man is eternal. Christ ascended as God-man, taking human nature into the eternal glory. This truth is a profound comfort, for it means that our high priest, Jesus, is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, having experienced human infirmities. He remains our compassionate advocate, interceding for us at the right hand of God.

As we navigate the challenges of life, we are encouraged to remember that Christ knows our struggles and is ever-present to offer grace and mercy. Our temporary existence is marked by trials, but we are assured of a permanent home with God, where Christ, our high priest, continues to intercede on our behalf.

Key Takeaways

1. Christ's life on earth was a temporary, tent-like existence, reminding us that our time here is also temporary. We are pilgrims, with our true citizenship in heaven, and this perspective should fill us with hope rather than despair. [07:36]
2. The Incarnation brought about a permanent change in Christ, who remains both God and man. This union is a testament to God's love and a source of comfort, as our high priest understands our weaknesses and intercedes for us. [15:47]
3. Our lives, like Christ's earthly life, are not meant for settling but for fulfilling God's purpose. We are called to live with an awareness of our mission and the eternal joy that awaits us, just as Christ did. [06:46]
4. The reality of Christ's humanity and divinity assures us that He is a compassionate advocate. He experienced human infirmities and remains able to sympathize with our struggles, offering grace and mercy in our time of need. [19:36]
5. In times of trial, we are encouraged to remember that Christ is our high priest, ever living to make intercession for us. His presence at the right hand of God is a constant source of strength and assurance. [29:14]
** [29:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to the Gospel of John
[00:50] - The Necessity of Christ's Coming
[01:39] - Reflecting on the Incarnation
[02:16] - Temporary Result of Christ's Coming
[03:49] - Christ's Shared Human Experience
[05:08] - Christ's Awareness of His Temporary Mission
[06:46] - Christ's Purpose and Hour
[07:36] - Our Tent-like Existence
[09:30] - The Christian Perspective on Life
[12:17] - Permanent Result of Christ's Coming
[15:47] - The Eternal Union of God and Man
[19:36] - Christ's Compassionate Advocacy
[24:29] - The High Priest's Sympathy
[29:14] - Conclusion and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to John 1:14, what does it mean that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us"? How does the sermon describe this dwelling? [02:53]
In John 1:10-12, how did the world respond to Christ's coming, and what was given to those who received Him? [00:13]
How does the sermon describe Christ's awareness of His temporary mission on earth? [06:46]
What does Hebrews 4:14-16 say about Jesus as our high priest, and how does the sermon expand on this role? [17:18]

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of a "tent-like existence" in John 1:14 relate to the Christian understanding of life on earth? What implications does this have for how believers view their time here? [07:36]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Incarnation brought about a permanent change in Christ? How does this affect our understanding of His role as our high priest? [15:47]
How does the sermon explain the significance of Christ's dual nature as both God and man, particularly in relation to His ability to sympathize with our weaknesses? [19:36]
What does the sermon suggest about the importance of living with an awareness of our mission and the eternal joy that awaits us? How does this perspective influence our daily lives? [06:46]

Application Questions

Reflect on the idea of living a "tent-like existence." How does this perspective change the way you view your current life circumstances and priorities? [07:36]
The sermon emphasizes Christ's role as a compassionate advocate who understands our struggles. How can this understanding impact the way you approach prayer and seek support in times of need? [19:36]
Consider the notion that our true citizenship is in heaven. How does this influence your decisions and actions in your daily life? Are there specific areas where you need to realign your focus? [09:14]
The sermon highlights the importance of fulfilling God's purpose rather than settling into the world. What steps can you take to ensure you are living with an awareness of your mission? [06:46]
How does the permanent change in Christ's nature, as described in the sermon, provide comfort and assurance in your faith journey? [15:47]
In what ways can you remind yourself of the eternal joy that awaits, especially during challenging times? How can this hope influence your response to trials? [11:46]
Reflect on a recent situation where you felt weak or struggled. How can the knowledge that Christ sympathizes with your weaknesses encourage you to seek His grace and mercy? [19:36]

Sermon Clips

The word became flesh and Tabernacle dwelt in a tent Among Us now the importance of that of course is this we are reminded that he actually did come into this world as a man and he lived in it exactly as we do he shared its experiences all the experiences to which we are subject. [00:03:34]

He dwelt he tabernacled amongst us he lived the life of an ordinary person he was born as we remembered on Christmas morning in poverty he knew poverty he knew need probably knew something about Hunger certainly knew about thirst we've got examples of that and thus he shared all the common experiences of men and women in this world. [00:04:07]

He came as a visitor he knew that he was only to be here for a while and his whole outlook upon life was just that and that is why you will find particularly in this Gospel According to St John he keeps on referring to his hour and to his time and things like that. [00:05:34]

He all along knew that he had come into this world to do a certain bit of work that his father had given him to do he keeps on saying that likewise I do not my own Works he say but the works which the father has given me to do there just before the cross in that great High Priestly prayer he says father I have finished the work which thou Gest me to do. [00:06:49]

The word became flesh that's what we are told here and I do want to call attention to the permanent aspect of this great and wonderful truth the coming of Our Lord into this world made a permanent difference to him now it's as we look at that we see perhaps in its most wonderful form of of all the glory and The Wonder of the Incarnation. [00:12:29]

He was the Eternal Son of God co-equal coeternal with the father but coming into this world he took into that godhead Human Nature and that is what is meant by saying that the word became flesh he was truly a man so that looking at him you see God and Men Eternal God truly men also. [00:13:54]

When he arose from the grave he arose literally in the body that's why we must always hold on to the literal fact of the resurrection of his physical body he didn't leave the body behind he didn't leave the manhood behind when he rose and descended no he rose he ascended as God men not as God only But as God men. [00:14:51]

Seeing then that we have a great high priest that is passed through the heavens Jesus the son of God now it's very interesting to notice how this man here refers to him not as the Lord Jesus Christ but deliberately as Jesus the son of God why well it is I say to bring out this very point I'm trying to make. [00:16:16]

We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with a feeling of our infirmities but one who was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin he still the same he's the one who went through all that while he lived this Tabernacle tent-like existence in this world he's still the same one and he remembers it all. [00:17:18]

He must be one who can have compassion on the ignorant and on them that are out of the way for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity now our Lord knew human infirmity he was without sin as we've been reminded yes but certain of the consequences of the Fallen sin he did experience infirmities there's nothing sinful in infirmities. [00:18:01]

He still is like that he didn't leave all this which he experienced and learned while he was in this world he didn't leave all that behind when he went to heaven he took it with him and it's there in him now and it is with him and it will always be with him. [00:19:47]

Whatever your problems whatever your difficulties whatever your trials never forget that he knows he understands he sympathizes he's able to sucker he is there representing us seated at the right hand of God ever living to make intercession for us. [00:28:45]

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