The Marvel of the Incarnation: God's Gift to Humanity
Summary
The sermon delivered on Christmas Day 1961 at Westminster Chapel reflects on the profound mystery and wonder of the Incarnation, drawing from 1 Kings 8:27 and John 1:14. The narrative begins with the historical context of Solomon's Temple, a place where God's presence was symbolically represented. Solomon's astonishment at the idea of God dwelling on earth is mirrored in the New Testament reality of the Incarnation, where God literally came to dwell among humanity in the person of Jesus Christ.
The central message of Christmas is that God, in His infinite majesty, chose to confine Himself to human form, being born as a helpless infant. This is not a myth or a mere story but a historical fact that reshaped history itself. The sermon emphasizes that this event is not a theophany—a temporary appearance of God—but a permanent reality where God took on human nature. The Incarnation is described as a paradox, where the divine glory is veiled in human flesh, allowing humanity to encounter God without being overwhelmed by His holiness.
The purpose of this divine act is to bridge the gap between God and humanity, enabling us to meet with God, receive forgiveness, and experience His blessings. The Incarnation is not merely about teaching or moral example but about reconciliation with God. The sermon challenges listeners to respond with amazement, worship, and rejoicing, recognizing the depth of God's love and the transformative power of His presence among us.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Incarnation as Historical Fact: The Incarnation is not a myth or a fairy tale but a historical event where God the Son took on human form. This reality reshaped history, marking the division of time itself. It is a profound truth that demands our acknowledgment and reflection. [08:35]
2. The Marvel of God's Confinement: The sermon highlights the wonder of God, who cannot be contained by the heavens, choosing to dwell in the confines of a human body. This paradox of divine humility is a central theme of Christmas, inviting us to marvel at the mystery of God's love. [15:14]
3. Purpose of the Incarnation: The ultimate purpose of the Incarnation is to reconcile humanity with God. Jesus came not just to teach or set an example but to provide a way for us to meet with God, receive forgiveness, and experience His blessings. [25:29]
4. Response to the Incarnation: Our response to the Incarnation should be one of amazement, worship, and rejoicing. Recognizing the depth of God's love and the transformative power of His presence among us should fill us with awe and gratitude. [32:47]
5. The Incarnation as a Call to Worship: The sermon calls us to worship and adore the God who humbled Himself to dwell among us. This act of divine love should lead us to praise and rejoice, acknowledging the unspeakable gift of God's presence in our lives. [34:25]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Solomon's Temple
- [01:29] - Dedication of the Temple
- [03:11] - Solomon's Astonishment
- [05:06] - The Central Message of Christmas
- [07:24] - God Dwelling Among Us
- [08:35] - The Incarnation as Historical Fact
- [11:32] - The Marvel of God's Confinement
- [15:14] - The Paradox of the Incarnation
- [19:08] - The Humility of Christ
- [22:09] - The Purpose of the Incarnation
- [25:29] - Reconciliation with God
- [28:06] - Meeting God Through Christ
- [32:47] - Our Response to the Incarnation
- [34:25] - Worship and Rejoicing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Kings 8:27
- John 1:14
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Observation Questions:
1. What was Solomon's reaction to the idea of God dwelling on earth, as described in 1 Kings 8:27? How does this reflect the significance of the Incarnation? [03:29]
2. According to John 1:14, how is the concept of God dwelling among us expressed in the New Testament? What does the term "dwelt" imply in this context? [07:24]
3. In the sermon, how is the Incarnation described as a historical fact rather than a myth or fairy tale? What evidence is provided to support this claim? [08:35]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the paradox of the Incarnation, where divine glory is veiled in human flesh? [17:01]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the purpose of the Incarnation in terms of reconciliation with God? Why is this purpose significant for humanity? [25:29]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of God's love, as demonstrated through the Incarnation? How does this challenge common perceptions of divine majesty? [15:14]
3. How does the sermon describe the appropriate response to the Incarnation? Why are amazement, worship, and rejoicing emphasized as key reactions? [32:47]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Incarnation serves as a call to worship? How does this relate to the concept of God dwelling among us? [34:25]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the historical reality of the Incarnation. How does acknowledging this event as a fact rather than a myth impact your faith and daily life? [08:35]
2. Consider the paradox of God's confinement in human form. How does this aspect of the Incarnation inspire you to marvel at the mystery of God's love? [15:14]
3. The sermon emphasizes reconciliation with God as the purpose of the Incarnation. How can you actively seek reconciliation with God in your own life? [25:29]
4. In what ways can you express amazement and worship in response to the Incarnation during this Christmas season? Are there specific practices or traditions you can incorporate? [32:47]
5. How does the Incarnation challenge you to view God's presence in your life? What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper awareness of His presence daily? [34:25]
6. Reflect on the transformative power of God's presence among us. How can you allow this power to influence your interactions with others and your community? [32:47]
7. The sermon calls for rejoicing in response to the Incarnation. What are some practical ways you can cultivate a spirit of joy and gratitude in your life, especially during challenging times? [34:25]
Devotional
Day 1: The Incarnation as a Transformative Reality
The Incarnation is not merely a story or myth but a historical event that reshaped the course of history. It marks the moment when God the Son took on human form, a profound truth that demands our acknowledgment and reflection. This event is so significant that it divides time itself, underscoring its impact on the world. The Incarnation is a testament to God's willingness to enter into human history, not as a temporary appearance but as a permanent reality. This act of divine humility invites us to consider the depth of God's love and the lengths He went to reconcile with humanity. [08:35]
"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." (John 1:14, ESV)
Reflection: How does acknowledging the Incarnation as a historical fact change the way you view your relationship with God today?
Day 2: The Paradox of Divine Humility
The marvel of the Incarnation lies in the paradox of divine humility, where God, who cannot be contained by the heavens, chose to dwell in the confines of a human body. This act of divine love is a central theme of Christmas, inviting us to marvel at the mystery of God's love. The Incarnation is a profound mystery that challenges our understanding of God's nature, as it reveals His willingness to become vulnerable and accessible to humanity. This divine humility is not just a theological concept but a reality that invites us to respond with awe and gratitude. [15:14]
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." (Philippians 2:5-7, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you embrace humility in your own life, following the example of Christ's Incarnation?
Day 3: Reconciliation Through the Incarnation
The ultimate purpose of the Incarnation is to reconcile humanity with God. Jesus came not just to teach or set an example but to provide a way for us to meet with God, receive forgiveness, and experience His blessings. This divine act bridges the gap between God and humanity, offering us the opportunity to be in a restored relationship with our Creator. The Incarnation is a reminder that God's love is not passive but active, seeking to bring us back into fellowship with Him. It challenges us to consider how we can respond to this offer of reconciliation in our own lives. [25:29]
"For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." (Colossians 1:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you need to seek reconciliation with God or others? How can you take a step towards that today?
Day 4: Responding with Worship and Rejoicing
Our response to the Incarnation should be one of amazement, worship, and rejoicing. Recognizing the depth of God's love and the transformative power of His presence among us should fill us with awe and gratitude. The Incarnation is not just a historical event but a present reality that invites us to live in a state of worship and adoration. This response is not just about singing songs or attending church services but about living a life that reflects the joy and gratitude of knowing God personally. [32:47]
"Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods." (Psalm 95:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate worship and rejoicing into your daily routine as a response to the Incarnation?
Day 5: The Incarnation as a Call to Worship
The Incarnation calls us to worship and adore the God who humbled Himself to dwell among us. This act of divine love should lead us to praise and rejoice, acknowledging the unspeakable gift of God's presence in our lives. Worship is not just an activity but a lifestyle that reflects our gratitude and reverence for God's incredible gift. The Incarnation challenges us to consider how we can live in a way that honors and glorifies God, not just during the Christmas season but throughout the year. [34:25]
"Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand." (Psalm 95:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: What specific actions can you take this week to live a life of worship that honors the Incarnation of Christ?
Quotes
What happened at Christmas was that God came down to dwell on Earth. I remember hearing of an old preacher, an old Welsh preacher, preaching on this very text that I'm trying to preach on this morning, and he handled it like this. He first of all gave out his text, and the Welsh translation would go something like this: Is it true indeed that God will dwell on the earth? [00:05:16]
God has come down to dwell on Earth. The little children's hymn puts it: I love to hear the story which Angel VIIs tell, how once the king of glory came down on Earth to dwell. That's it. Now here we are confronted with a fact, and you've noticed the hymns we've been singing have already brought it out: pleased as men with men to dwell. [00:06:18]
This is the truth, that God the Son, the second person in the Blessed Holy Trinity, has literally and actually come down to dwell amongst men. It's not a story, not fancy, it's not a figment of the imagination. We are dealing here with sheer history, solid fact, the same sort of thing as we record when we say that Julius Caesar conquered this country in 55 BC. [00:08:30]
The Marvel of the effect, that was the thing, of course, that was in the mind of Solomon. That's the thing he couldn't get over. Is this possible? Why? Well, he gives the reason. He says, behold, the heaven and Heaven of Heavens cannot contain thee, how much less this house that I have builded. [00:11:27]
God whom we can't conceive of as being confined to even to a great Temple, a mighty building, has literally and actually been confined to something very much smaller than that. The heaven, the heavens of Heavens can contain thee, but the virgin's womb did contain him. The virgin's womb, the ever Everlasting son, the word, the one through whom, as we've been reminded, all things were made. [00:14:30]
The purpose of the fact, what's the object, what's the purpose? Well, that's where this Old Testament illustration is so helpful to us. Why did they build their Temple? What was the object and the purpose of the shakina glory? Well, I've already answered the question by saying this: the whole object and purpose of the temple was that it should be a place of worship. [00:23:19]
What's the object of the Incarnation? Why did the Son of God ever come down on Earth to dwell? Why was Jesus ever born at Bethlehem? What's the object of this? What's the purpose? Why did God send his only son here into this world? And the answer, you see, is still the same. This is the object, that we might meet with God. [00:25:06]
Our Lord didn't come into this world merely to give us a teaching. He didn't merely come to give us an example. There are so many people today who seem to think that the sole message of Christmas is the message of pacifism. My dear friends, if you stop at that, you haven't begun to see the glory. [00:26:30]
The great need of every individual is to know God, is to be brought to God, is to find some place where he can meet with God and speak to him and pray to him and be blessed of him. And there's only one place in which it can be done. As God appointed that they should go and meet with him there in that old Temple that was built by Solomon. [00:27:49]
He was born to die. He was born to sacrifice himself for us and our sins. He was born for the suffering of death, that he might taste death for every man. He was born that he might be made the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. And that's the only way whereby we can meet God. [00:28:37]
What should be our response to this? Well, surely it's prefigured in this Old Testament. It should be amazement. Will God indeed dwell on the earth in order that I may meet with him? Is it possible? Can it happen? Amazement. Solomon was amazed that God should meet in the sh Glory with his people in the temple. [00:32:42]
Amazement, worship, adoration, praise, and above all, rejoicing. You remember the first people who went to see him? They were the Shepherds. They went there. They had heard the news. The Angelic host had given them the information. They said, let us go to Bethlehem and see this extraordinary thing that has happened. [00:34:25]
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