The Incarnation: The Climax of Redemptive History

The birth of Christ is not merely a historical event but a pivotal moment that marks the culmination of redemptive history. As the Apostle Paul articulates, we are living in the era upon which the end of the ages has come. This profound truth is rooted in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, which theologian Richard Gaffin describes as the dawn of a new creation. The incarnation signifies the decisive victory of God's kingdom over the dominion of Satan, akin to the D-Day of World War II, with the final victory (V-Day) yet to come in the second coming of Christ. This victory is irreversible and marks the finality of God's redemptive work.

The apostles, including Paul and Peter, understood the birth of Christ as the end of the ages, a concept that is consistently reflected in their writings. They did not view Christmas as just another event in the continuum of redemptive history but as the climax of history itself. This perspective is crucial because it prevents us from trivializing Christmas. The incarnation is not merely a stage along the way but the very end of the river of redemptive history, where the kingdom of God has already begun to press back into our world.

Using the analogy of a river flowing into the ocean, the sermon illustrates how the kingdom of God has already begun to mingle with our world, much like saltwater mingling with freshwater at the mouth of a river. This mingling invites us to taste and experience the powers of the age to come. Christmas, therefore, is not just another bend in the river but the arrival of the kingdom, beckoning us to move forward into the fullness of God's eternal kingdom.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The incarnation of Jesus Christ marks the end of the ages, a decisive moment in redemptive history that signifies the dawn of a new creation. This event is not just another historical milestone but the culmination of God's redemptive plan. [00:30]
• 2. The apostles viewed the birth of Christ as the end of the ages, a perspective that underscores the finality and significance of the incarnation. This understanding prevents us from trivializing Christmas as just another event in history. [04:51]
• 3. The analogy of a river flowing into the ocean illustrates how the kingdom of God has already begun to press back into our world. This mingling of the kingdom invites us to taste and experience the powers of the age to come. [10:11]
• 4. Christmas is not merely a stage along the way but the very end of the river of redemptive history. It is the arrival of the kingdom, beckoning us to move forward into the fullness of God's eternal kingdom. [11:04]
• 5. The birth of Christ is a call to lift our eyes and see the horizon of God's kingdom, inviting us to move beyond the delta and into the ocean of God's eternal glory. This perspective transforms our understanding of Christmas and its significance in history. [11:35]
  ** [11:35]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:14] - The End of the Ages
• [00:30] - Incarnation and New Creation
• [00:55] - Apostle Paul's Perspective
• [01:38] - D-Day and V-Day Analogy
• [02:23] - Finality of Redemptive History
• [03:06] - Fullness of Time
• [04:06] - Apostolic Trademark
• [05:09] - Old Testament Warnings
• [06:23] - End of the Times
• [07:18] - Two Comings of the Messiah
• [08:13] - Redemptive History River
• [09:41] - River Meets Ocean
• [10:51] - Arrival of the Kingdom
• [11:35] - Horizon of God's Kingdom

1. 1 Corinthians 10:11 - "These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come."
2. Galatians 4:4-5 - "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship."
3. Hebrews 9:26 - "Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself."

1. According to 1 Corinthians 10:11, what does Paul mean by saying the end of the ages has come upon us? How does this relate to the birth of Christ? [00:14]
2. In Galatians 4:4-5, what is the significance of the phrase "when the set time had fully come"? How does this relate to the concept of the fullness of time mentioned in the sermon? [03:06]
3. How does the analogy of D-Day and V-Day help us understand the significance of Christ's birth in the context of redemptive history? [01:38]
4. What does the analogy of the river flowing into the ocean illustrate about the kingdom of God and its presence in our world? [09:41]

1. How does the understanding of Christ's birth as the end of the ages change the way we view Christmas? What implications does this have for our faith? [04:51]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the kingdom of God has already begun to press back into our world? How can believers experience this reality? [10:11]
3. How does the concept of the incarnation as the culmination of redemptive history challenge or affirm your current understanding of biblical history? [08:59]
4. What does it mean for believers to "taste and experience the powers of the age to come" as mentioned in the sermon? How can this be a reality in our daily lives? [11:21]

1. Reflect on the idea that Christmas is not just another event in history but the climax of redemptive history. How does this perspective change the way you celebrate Christmas? [04:51]
2. The sermon suggests that the kingdom of God is already mingling with our world. How can you be more aware of and participate in this kingdom reality in your daily life? [10:11]
3. Consider the analogy of the river and the ocean. What are some ways you can move beyond the "delta" and into the "ocean" of God's eternal kingdom in your spiritual journey? [11:04]
4. How can the understanding of Christ's birth as the end of the ages influence the way you share the message of Christmas with others? [04:51]
5. The sermon calls us to lift our eyes and see the horizon of God's kingdom. What practical steps can you take to focus more on God's eternal glory in your life? [11:35]
6. Reflect on a time when you have "tasted" the powers of the age to come. How did that experience impact your faith, and how can you seek more of these experiences? [11:21]
7. How can you ensure that the significance of Christmas as the culmination of God's redemptive plan is not lost in the busyness of the holiday season? [08:59]