The Incarnation: God's Perfect Plan for Salvation
Summary
In Romans 8:3-4, we find a profound theological statement that encapsulates the essence of Christian doctrine. The law, weakened by the flesh, could not achieve what God accomplished by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh. This act of God is a cornerstone of our faith, emphasizing that salvation is entirely God's work, not man's. The Incarnation, where God sent His Son into the world, is a pivotal event that underscores the reality of Jesus Christ's humanity and divinity. Jesus, the eternal Son of God, took on human form, not merely as an appearance but as a true incarnation, possessing a human body and soul.
This truth counters early heresies that denied the reality of Christ's human nature. The New Testament, particularly the writings of John and Paul, affirm that Jesus was truly human, experiencing the same infirmities and temptations as we do, yet without sin. His human nature, though like ours, was free from sin, a fact underscored by the doctrine of the virgin birth. This miraculous conception ensured that Jesus' human nature was untainted by sin, setting Him apart as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
The significance of Jesus coming in the likeness of sinful flesh is multifaceted. It was necessary for Him to fulfill the law on our behalf, to bear the punishment for sin, and to offer us a new nature. By becoming man, Jesus could sympathize with our weaknesses, making Him our compassionate high priest. His victory over death and the devil assures us of our resurrection and eternal life. This divine plan silences the devil's accusations, vindicating God's justice and righteousness.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Incarnation as a True Reality: The Incarnation of Jesus Christ is not a mere appearance but a true reality. Jesus took on a human body and soul, affirming His full humanity while remaining fully divine. This truth counters early heresies and emphasizes the importance of recognizing Jesus as both God and man. [08:10]
2. Sinless Human Nature: Jesus' human nature was free from sin, a fact underscored by the virgin birth. This miraculous conception ensured that Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for our sins, setting Him apart from all humanity. His sinless nature is crucial for our salvation, as it allowed Him to fulfill the law and bear our punishment. [16:01]
3. Sympathetic High Priest: Jesus' experience of human infirmities and temptations makes Him our compassionate high priest. He understands our weaknesses and intercedes for us, providing comfort and strength in our struggles. This aspect of His nature assures us that we can approach God with confidence. [45:00]
4. Victory Over Death and the Devil: Jesus' victory over death and the devil assures us of our resurrection and eternal life. By becoming man, He conquered death, silencing the devil's accusations and vindicating God's justice. This victory is a cornerstone of our faith, offering us hope and assurance. [46:04]
5. A New Humanity in Christ: Jesus' incarnation marks the beginning of a new humanity. By taking on human nature, He offers us a new nature, free from sin, and the opportunity to become partakers of the divine nature. This transformation is central to our salvation and our identity as believers. [31:12]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Introduction to Romans 8:3-4
[01:08] - What the Law Could Not Do
[02:25] - God's Action in Sending His Son
[03:30] - The Incarnation Explained
[05:19] - Comparing Scriptural Statements
[08:10] - The Reality of the Incarnation
[10:58] - Early Heresies Addressed
[13:50] - Sinless Nature of Christ
[16:31] - The Virgin Birth
[20:07] - Scriptural Affirmations of Sinlessness
[27:13] - Rejection of the Immaculate Conception
[31:12] - A New Humanity in Christ
[39:16] - The Necessity of the Incarnation
[45:00] - Jesus as Our Sympathetic High Priest
[46:04] - Victory Over Death and the Devil
[50:01] - The Devil Silenced
[51:08] - God's Glory Vindicated
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 8:3-4
- John 1:14
- Hebrews 4:15
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Romans 8:3-4 say about the limitations of the law and what God accomplished through His Son? [00:12]
2. How does John 1:14 describe the Incarnation of Jesus, and how does it compare to the description in Romans 8:3? [05:19]
3. According to Hebrews 4:15, how is Jesus able to sympathize with our weaknesses? [20:53]
4. What are some of the human experiences and infirmities that Jesus shared with us, as mentioned in the sermon? [35:39]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is it significant that Jesus came in the "likeness of sinful flesh" rather than in "sinful flesh"? How does this distinction impact our understanding of His nature? [16:01]
2. How does the sermon explain the necessity of Jesus being both fully human and fully divine for our salvation? [39:16]
3. In what ways does Jesus' victory over death and the devil provide assurance for believers today? [46:04]
4. How does the concept of Jesus as our "sympathetic high priest" influence the way we approach God in prayer? [45:00]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the idea of Jesus being fully human and fully divine. How does this understanding affect your personal relationship with Him? [04:03]
2. Consider the significance of Jesus' sinless nature. How does this truth encourage you in your own struggles with sin? [16:01]
3. Jesus is described as our compassionate high priest. How can you draw strength from this truth in your current life challenges? [45:00]
4. The sermon emphasizes Jesus' victory over death. How does this victory give you hope in facing life's uncertainties? [46:04]
5. Think about the new humanity that Jesus offers. What steps can you take to embrace this new nature in your daily life? [31:12]
6. How can you use the assurance of Jesus' victory over the devil to combat feelings of guilt or accusation in your life? [46:04]
7. In what ways can you cultivate a deeper understanding of Jesus' humanity to enhance your empathy and compassion towards others? [35:39]
Devotional
Day 1: The Incarnation as a True Reality
The Incarnation of Jesus Christ is a profound truth that affirms His full humanity and divinity. Jesus did not merely appear to be human; He truly took on a human body and soul. This reality counters early heresies that denied His human nature and emphasizes the importance of recognizing Jesus as both God and man. By becoming fully human, Jesus was able to experience life as we do, yet without sin, making Him the perfect mediator between God and humanity. This understanding of the Incarnation is crucial for our faith, as it assures us that Jesus truly understands our struggles and can intercede on our behalf. [08:10]
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: How does the reality of Jesus' full humanity and divinity impact your understanding of His role in your life today?
Day 2: Sinless Human Nature
Jesus' human nature was free from sin, a truth underscored by the virgin birth. This miraculous conception ensured that Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for our sins, setting Him apart from all humanity. His sinless nature is crucial for our salvation, as it allowed Him to fulfill the law and bear our punishment. By living a sinless life, Jesus demonstrated the possibility of living in obedience to God, providing us with a model to follow. His sinlessness also assures us that He is the perfect advocate for us before the Father, having fully met the requirements of the law on our behalf. [16:01]
1 Peter 2:22-24 (ESV): "He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed."
Reflection: In what ways can you strive to follow Jesus' example of sinlessness in your daily life, and how can you rely on His strength to do so?
Day 3: Sympathetic High Priest
Jesus' experience of human infirmities and temptations makes Him our compassionate high priest. He understands our weaknesses and intercedes for us, providing comfort and strength in our struggles. This aspect of His nature assures us that we can approach God with confidence, knowing that Jesus is advocating for us. His empathy and understanding of our human condition mean that He is not distant or detached from our experiences but is intimately involved in our lives. This truth encourages us to bring our burdens and struggles to Him, trusting in His love and care for us. [45:00]
Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV): "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. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Reflection: What specific struggles or burdens can you bring to Jesus today, trusting in His understanding and compassion?
Day 4: Victory Over Death and the Devil
Jesus' victory over death and the devil assures us of our resurrection and eternal life. By becoming man, He conquered death, silencing the devil's accusations and vindicating God's justice. This victory is a cornerstone of our faith, offering us hope and assurance. It reminds us that death is not the end, and that through Jesus, we have the promise of eternal life. This assurance should embolden us to live with confidence and hope, knowing that our future is secure in Christ. [46:04]
1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (ESV): "When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.' 'O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How does the assurance of victory over death and the devil influence the way you live your life today?
Day 5: A New Humanity in Christ
Jesus' incarnation marks the beginning of a new humanity. By taking on human nature, He offers us a new nature, free from sin, and the opportunity to become partakers of the divine nature. This transformation is central to our salvation and our identity as believers. In Christ, we are made new, and our lives are to reflect this new reality. This new humanity calls us to live in a way that honors God, embracing the transformation that Jesus offers and allowing His life to be evident in ours. [31:12]
2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."
Reflection: What changes can you make in your life to better reflect the new humanity you have in Christ?
Quotes
The Incarnation really was a fact; it was a true Incarnation. The Son of God did not merely take unto him an appearance of a body. He didn't come with a mere appearance of Flesh. No, he literally had a human body and a human soul. The Incarnation is a fact and a reality. [00:08:10]
There were certain false teachers that arose in the Christian church who taught that Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, did not have a true body. It was an appearance of sort of Phantom body that The Reincarnation was never real. He appeared as a man but was never really man. [00:08:42]
The New Testament is at great pains to tell us and to teach us that that was great heresy and error. Indeed, it can be said that the first Epistle of John was probably written primal to counter that seriously erroneous teaching. [00:09:15]
The first thing it does is this: it reminds us that the Incarnation really was a fact. It was a true Incarnation. The Son of God did not merely take unto him an appearance of a body. He didn't come with a mere appearance of Flesh. No, he literally had a human body and a human soul. [00:08:10]
The whole doctrine of course of the virgin birth is involved at this point. His birth is unique. There we've been told that his conception is unique. Though she's never known a man, though she's not going to know a man, she's going to bear a child. [00:18:01]
The power of the highest shall overshadow thee. That's the answer. Now, this is not simply stated in Luke's gospel. You've got it also in The Gospel according to Matthew. Listen to Matthew 1:18: Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise. [00:18:01]
The human nature of the Son of God was entirely free from sin. But why should anybody ever want to doubt this, you say? Why should they say that the Lord's human nature was sinful? And what they try to say, of course, is this: that they can't see how he could be tempted truly unless this was true of him. [00:27:13]
The reply to that, of course, is again simply Hebrews 4:15: tempted in all points like as we are, apart from sin. Tempted to sin, but there was no sin in him. He was tempted in every way like we are, but there was no sin in him. Sin apart, if you like, apart from sin. [00:28:32]
Our Lord knew the power of Temptation in a way that no human being has ever known it. The devil brought out all his reserves. He brought out all his subtlety. He put it as attractively as he could. We see it in the three Temptations in the wilderness. [00:29:00]
What God has done in Christ is to start a new race, a new Humanity, which has its link with the old Humanity in this portion that was taken from Mary, which was rendered free from sin. So that in a sense, you can say it is still the old Humanity, yes, but it has been so cleansed that it can be the start of a new Humanity. [00:31:12]
Jesus Christ is the second man. Adam was the first man. Adam was the head of a human race. Jesus Christ is the head of a human race, the second man. Here is the firstborn amongst many Brethren. Here is God starting, I say, a new pattern, a new race as it were of men, a new Humanity. [00:31:12]
He knows what it is to be weary and tired, hungry and thirsty. He knows what it is to be disappointed in his friends. He knows what it is to feel grief and sorrow. He knows what it is to weep. Thank God he came in the likeness of sinful flesh. It makes him our sympathetic high priest. [00:45:00]
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