The Divine Mystery and Timing of Christ's Incarnation

 

Summary

The Incarnation of Jesus Christ is a profound mystery that stands at the heart of our faith. Jesus, fully divine, took on human nature, becoming truly human while remaining truly God. This dual nature is essential for understanding His mission and the salvation He offers. Jesus was not merely an appearance or a theophany, as seen in the Old Testament, but a true incarnation. He was born of the Virgin Mary, made of a woman, and made under the law, signifying His full participation in human life and His submission to the law of God.

The timing of Christ's coming is not a result of evolutionary progress or human development but a divine intervention. The phrase "when the fullness of the time was come" emphasizes God's sovereign control over time. God predetermined the exact moment for Christ's birth, demonstrating His wisdom and purpose. This divine timing is a reminder that God is in control of history, and His plans unfold according to His perfect will.

The delay in Christ's coming allowed humanity to exhaust its attempts at self-salvation. Through various civilizations and philosophies, mankind tried and failed to achieve redemption. This failure highlights the inadequacy of human efforts and the necessity of divine intervention. The law, given to Israel, further exposed humanity's sinfulness and inability to attain righteousness on its own. It is in this context of human failure and divine wisdom that Christ's coming is understood as a miraculous and supernatural act of God.

As we reflect on the Incarnation, we are reminded of the comfort and assurance that comes from knowing God controls time and history. His plans are not thwarted by human actions or the passage of time. Instead, they unfold according to His divine schedule, bringing about His purposes for salvation and redemption.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Mystery of the Incarnation: Jesus Christ's dual nature as fully divine and fully human is a profound mystery essential for our salvation. This mystery challenges our understanding but is crucial for grasping the depth of God's love and the reality of His redemptive work. [22:44]

2. Divine Timing and Sovereignty: God's control over time is a source of comfort and assurance. The Incarnation occurred at the precise moment God had determined, reminding us that history is under His sovereign rule, and His plans unfold perfectly. [31:19]

3. Humanity's Inadequacy: The delay in Christ's coming allowed humanity to realize its inability to achieve salvation through its efforts. This realization underscores the necessity of divine intervention and the futility of relying on human wisdom and strength. [38:44]

4. The Law's Role: The law served to reveal humanity's sinfulness and the impossibility of achieving righteousness through human means. It prepared the way for Christ by highlighting the need for a Savior who could fulfill the law's demands. [39:02]

5. God's Miraculous Intervention: The Incarnation is a miraculous act of God, breaking into human history to bring about salvation. It defies natural explanations and evolutionary theories, emphasizing the supernatural nature of God's redemptive work. [30:28]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [20:10] - The Reality of the Incarnation
- [21:05] - True Humanity of Christ
- [21:26] - Beyond Theophanies
- [22:24] - Two Natures in One Person
- [23:04] - Growth and Submission
- [24:04] - The Trinity and the Incarnation
- [24:58] - Fullness of Time
- [26:00] - Evolutionary Misconceptions
- [28:04] - Christ's Supernatural Nature
- [30:10] - Divine Intervention
- [31:01] - God's Control Over Time
- [33:28] - Predetermined Events
- [35:42] - Wisdom in Timing
- [36:49] - Humanity's Failed Attempts

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Incarnation of Jesus Christ

Bible Reading:
1. Galatians 4:4-5 - "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."
2. John 1:14 - "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
3. Isaiah 53:2 - "For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Galatians 4:4-5, what are the two key aspects of Jesus' coming into the world? How do these aspects relate to His mission? [24:58]

2. In John 1:14, what does it mean that "the Word became flesh"? How does this verse emphasize the reality of the Incarnation? [22:10]

3. How does Isaiah 53:2 describe the unexpected nature of Jesus' coming? What does this suggest about the world's expectations versus God's plan? [28:53]

4. What role does the law play in understanding the necessity of Jesus' Incarnation, as mentioned in Galatians 4:4-5? [39:02]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of "the fullness of time" in Galatians 4:4-5 reflect God's sovereignty over history? What comfort can believers draw from this understanding? [31:01]

2. In what ways does the dual nature of Jesus, as both fully divine and fully human, challenge our understanding of God's redemptive work? How is this dual nature essential for salvation? [22:44]

3. How does the sermon explain the inadequacy of human efforts for salvation, and why is divine intervention necessary? [38:44]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the timing of Christ's coming in relation to humanity's attempts at self-salvation? How does this timing reveal God's wisdom? [36:49]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by the passage of time or events in your life. How can the understanding of God's control over time bring you comfort in such situations? [31:01]

2. The sermon emphasizes the necessity of divine intervention for salvation. In what areas of your life are you relying on your own strength rather than seeking God's help? [38:44]

3. Consider the dual nature of Jesus as both fully divine and fully human. How does this understanding impact your relationship with Him and your view of His work in your life? [22:44]

4. The sermon highlights the inadequacy of human wisdom and strength. How can you cultivate a greater dependence on God's wisdom in your daily decisions? [38:44]

5. Reflect on the role of the law in revealing humanity's sinfulness. How does this understanding affect your view of grace and your need for a Savior? [39:02]

6. The sermon discusses the miraculous nature of the Incarnation. How can you remain open to recognizing and celebrating God's miraculous work in your life today? [30:28]

7. How can you use the understanding of God's perfect timing to encourage others who may be struggling with waiting on God's promises? [31:19]

Devotional

Day 1: The Profound Mystery of the Incarnation
The Incarnation of Jesus Christ is a profound mystery that challenges our understanding yet is central to our faith. Jesus, being fully divine, took on human nature, becoming truly human while remaining truly God. This dual nature is essential for understanding His mission and the salvation He offers. Unlike the theophanies of the Old Testament, where God appeared in various forms, the Incarnation was a true embodiment of God in human form. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, made of a woman, and made under the law, signifying His full participation in human life and His submission to the law of God. This mystery is crucial for grasping the depth of God's love and the reality of His redemptive work. [22:44]

Colossians 2:9-10 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: How does the mystery of Jesus being both fully God and fully human impact your understanding of His love and sacrifice for you?


Day 2: Divine Timing and Sovereignty
The timing of Christ's coming was not a result of human progress or development but a divine intervention. The phrase "when the fullness of the time was come" emphasizes God's sovereign control over time. God predetermined the exact moment for Christ's birth, demonstrating His wisdom and purpose. This divine timing is a reminder that God is in control of history, and His plans unfold according to His perfect will. As we reflect on the Incarnation, we are reminded of the comfort and assurance that comes from knowing God controls time and history. His plans are not thwarted by human actions or the passage of time. [31:19]

Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV): "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to trust God's timing and sovereignty more fully today?


Day 3: Humanity's Inadequacy and the Necessity of Divine Intervention
The delay in Christ's coming allowed humanity to exhaust its attempts at self-salvation. Through various civilizations and philosophies, mankind tried and failed to achieve redemption. This failure highlights the inadequacy of human efforts and the necessity of divine intervention. The law, given to Israel, further exposed humanity's sinfulness and inability to attain righteousness on its own. It is in this context of human failure and divine wisdom that Christ's coming is understood as a miraculous and supernatural act of God. [38:44]

Romans 3:19-20 (ESV): "Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you are relying on your own strength instead of seeking God's intervention?


Day 4: The Law's Role in Revealing Our Need for a Savior
The law served to reveal humanity's sinfulness and the impossibility of achieving righteousness through human means. It prepared the way for Christ by highlighting the need for a Savior who could fulfill the law's demands. The law was not given as a means of salvation but as a mirror to show us our need for divine grace. In Christ, the law's demands are fulfilled, and through Him, we receive the righteousness that we could never achieve on our own. [39:02]

Galatians 3:24-25 (ESV): "So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian."

Reflection: How does understanding the purpose of the law change your perspective on your need for Jesus as your Savior?


Day 5: God's Miraculous Intervention in Human History
The Incarnation is a miraculous act of God, breaking into human history to bring about salvation. It defies natural explanations and evolutionary theories, emphasizing the supernatural nature of God's redemptive work. This miraculous intervention is a testament to God's love and His desire to redeem humanity. As we reflect on the Incarnation, we are reminded of the lengths to which God went to save us and the supernatural nature of His work in our lives. [30:28]

John 1:14 (ESV): "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced God's miraculous intervention in your own life, and how can you share that testimony with others today?

Quotes


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 form if he had not become truly human. [00:20:10]

He rarely did take human nature to him he had a human soul as rarely as you and I have a human soul he became man he didn't cease to be God but he became man in addition two Natures in one person that is the mystery and the Marvel of the Incarnation. [00:22:24]

When the fullness of the time was come God sent forth his son made of a woman made unto the law to redeem them that are under the law now then what is exactly the meaning of this phrase when the fullness of the time was come and here I think we must be very careful. [00:24:58]

The world has got hold of this idea and we shall be hearing a great deal about it in 1859 so let us anticipate it all now on this Christmas day of 1958 because you see we're always ahead of the world God's move is always first so let us be ready for what we shall be told. [00:26:00]

The Christian message is the exact opposite of that what is the Lord Jesus Christ can he be explained in evolutionary terms is he the product of this process of development where's the evidence for that indeed doesn't it suggest the exact opposite there he stands the one who came nearly 2,000 years ago. [00:28:04]

This is Miracle this is Marvel this is Supernatural now I mustn't stay with this this morning but I do commend it to you in your thinking during these next days and especially as I say during the H of next year when there'll be all these celebrations to commemorate the centinary of the public of the Origin of Species. [00:30:28]

Time is in the control of God read your Bible from beginning to end and you'll see it everywhere read your Old Testament and what you see well God controlling time he does things at a given point he allows things to happen and the world begins to say Where's God where's your God then God Acts. [00:31:19]

God has obviously predetermined the exact time of all the great events connected with our Salvation here it is here you see the Lord Jesus Christ appeared at that given point and that given moment in history because that was the moment on which God had decided before the very foundation of the world. [00:33:28]

God gave the world an opportunity of trying to save itself even by the law which he himself gave to the children of Israel you see man always believes he can save himself well God gave him sufficient time to try it out he gave all those centuries to the law he gave Greece and its philosophy a wonderful opportunity. [00:36:49]

God knew perfectly well that if he had sent his son at once to the Garden of Eden that men in sin would have said why didn't you give me a chance if only you had given me a chance I could have redeemed myself I could have rescued myself give me an opportunity men and women in sin are still saying that. [00:38:44]

The law had been tried but it had shown this very clearly that by the Deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight for by the law is the knowledge of sin the law condemns the whole world in and there it is in condemnation and it was when that had happened that the sun came. [00:39:02]

God acts in such a way and in such a manner and at such a time as to make it perfectly plain and clear that it is his action and his action. [00:39:26]

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Transcript
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