The Wonder of the Incarnation: Celebrating Jesus' Birth

 

Summary

The essence of Christmas is not merely a cultural celebration but a profound spiritual event that marks the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the eternal God who took on human flesh. This season, we are reminded of the true meaning of Christmas, which is the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This is not just a holiday but a holy day, a time to reflect on the divine nature of Jesus, who is both fully God and fully man. The Gospel of John provides a deep theological insight into the incarnation, emphasizing that Jesus is the Word made flesh, dwelling among us, full of grace and truth.

The incarnation is a mystery that cannot be fully explained but is accepted by faith. Jesus, the Son of God, has always existed, and His birth in Bethlehem was not His beginning. He is the creator who entered into His creation, revealing God's glory and grace. The incarnation is about God coming to us, not us reaching up to God. This is the wonder of Christmas: God became one of us to save us.

In Jesus, we witness the glory of God. He is the only way to the Father, the truth, and the life. His life, death, and resurrection reveal the fullness of God's grace and truth. Jesus is unique, the one and only Son of God, and through Him, we can know God personally. The balance of grace and truth in Jesus' life is a model for us to follow. Grace without truth leads to liberalism, and truth without grace leads to legalism. But together, they bring liberty.

As we celebrate Christmas, let us worship God's greatness, witness His glory, and welcome His grace. Let us remember that Jesus came to reveal God to us, to show us His love, and to offer us salvation. This Christmas, may we be filled with the wonder of the incarnation and the joy of knowing Jesus as our Savior.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Incarnation of Jesus: The incarnation is the profound mystery of God becoming flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. This event is not just a historical occurrence but a divine intervention where God entered into human history to reveal Himself to us. Jesus is both fully God and fully man, a truth that we accept by faith. [46:52]

2. Witnessing God's Glory: In Jesus, we see the glory of God. He is the visible image of the invisible God, and through Him, we can know God personally. Jesus' life, teachings, and miracles reveal the fullness of God's glory, inviting us to a deeper relationship with Him. [55:08]

3. The Balance of Grace and Truth: Jesus embodies the perfect balance of grace and truth. Grace invites us to come to God, while truth guides us in the way of righteousness. As followers of Christ, we are called to live in this balance, extending grace while upholding truth. [01:00:27]

4. The Unique Nature of Jesus: Jesus is the one and only Son of God, the exclusive way to the Father. His life, death, and resurrection are central to our faith, offering us salvation and eternal life. In Jesus, we find the fullness of God's love and the path to reconciliation with Him. [01:02:27]

5. The Revelation of God in Jesus: Jesus came to reveal God to us, not just in words but in His very being. Through Jesus, we see God's character, His love, and His desire for a relationship with us. This revelation invites us to know God personally and to live in the light of His truth. [01:08:01]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [40:28] - The Significance of Holidays
- [41:42] - Thanksgiving and Cultural Shifts
- [42:44] - The True Meaning of Christmas
- [44:48] - The Incarnation of Jesus
- [46:52] - Understanding the Incarnation
- [49:19] - The Eternal Nature of Jesus
- [50:36] - Jesus: Fully God and Fully Man
- [53:05] - Witnessing God's Glory
- [53:44] - The Balance of Grace and Truth
- [55:08] - The Unique Nature of Jesus
- [56:48] - Welcoming God's Grace
- [58:11] - Grace and Truth in Jesus
- [01:00:27] - The Importance of Balance
- [01:02:27] - The Revelation of God in Jesus
- [01:08:01] - Knowing God Through Jesus

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 1:14-18

Observation Questions:
1. What does John 1:14 mean when it says, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us"? How does this relate to the concept of the incarnation? [46:52]
2. According to the sermon, how does the Gospel of John describe Jesus' nature and existence before His birth in Bethlehem? [50:36]
3. What examples from Jesus' life demonstrate the balance of grace and truth as mentioned in the sermon? [58:11]
4. How does the sermon describe the unique nature of Jesus as both fully God and fully man? [49:19]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the incarnation of Jesus challenge our understanding of God's relationship with humanity? What does it mean for God to "pitch His tent" among us? [53:05]
2. In what ways does the balance of grace and truth in Jesus' life serve as a model for Christians today? How can this balance be applied in our daily interactions? [01:00:27]
3. How does the sermon explain the significance of Jesus being the "one and only Son" of God? What implications does this have for our faith and understanding of salvation? [55:08]
4. What does it mean to witness God's glory through Jesus, and how does this impact our personal relationship with God? [53:44]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the concept of the incarnation. How does understanding Jesus as both fully God and fully man affect your personal faith journey? [49:19]
2. Consider the balance of grace and truth in your own life. Are there areas where you tend to lean more towards one than the other? How can you strive for a better balance? [01:00:27]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of witnessing God's glory through Jesus. How can you actively seek to see and reflect God's glory in your daily life? [53:44]
4. How can the truth of Jesus being the only way to the Father influence your approach to sharing your faith with others? [55:08]
5. In what ways can you celebrate Christmas as a holy day rather than just a cultural holiday? How can this perspective change your approach to the season? [42:44]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of knowing God personally through Jesus. What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with God this week? [01:08:01]
7. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's grace in your life. How can you extend that same grace to others while also upholding truth? [58:11]

Devotional

Day 1: The Mystery of the Incarnation
The incarnation of Jesus Christ is a profound mystery that defies full human understanding. It is the divine act where God became flesh, entering human history as Jesus Christ. This event is not merely a historical occurrence but a divine intervention, revealing God's desire to be intimately involved with His creation. Jesus, being both fully God and fully man, bridges the gap between the divine and the human, offering a unique perspective on God's nature and His love for humanity. The incarnation is a truth accepted by faith, inviting believers to marvel at the depth of God's love and His willingness to become one of us to bring salvation. [46:52]

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." (John 1:1-3, ESV)

Reflection: How does the mystery of the incarnation challenge your understanding of God's love and presence in your life today?


Day 2: Witnessing the Glory of God
In Jesus, we witness the glory of God, the visible image of the invisible God. His life, teachings, and miracles reveal the fullness of God's glory, inviting us to a deeper relationship with Him. Jesus' presence on earth was a manifestation of God's glory, offering humanity a tangible experience of His divine nature. Through Jesus, we are invited to know God personally, to see His character, and to experience His love and grace. This revelation of God's glory through Jesus is an invitation to live in awe and wonder, recognizing the divine presence in our everyday lives. [55:08]

"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: In what ways can you intentionally seek to witness God's glory in your daily life this week?


Day 3: The Balance of Grace and Truth
Jesus embodies the perfect balance of grace and truth, offering a model for how we are to live as His followers. Grace invites us to come to God, offering forgiveness and love, while truth guides us in the way of righteousness, providing a foundation for our beliefs and actions. This balance is essential for a healthy spiritual life, as grace without truth can lead to a lack of moral direction, and truth without grace can result in harsh legalism. As believers, we are called to live in this balance, extending grace to others while upholding the truth of God's Word. [01:00:27]

"For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you practice balancing grace and truth in your interactions with others today?


Day 4: The Unique Nature of Jesus
Jesus is the one and only Son of God, the exclusive way to the Father. His life, death, and resurrection are central to the Christian faith, offering salvation and eternal life to all who believe. In Jesus, we find the fullness of God's love and the path to reconciliation with Him. This unique nature of Jesus sets Him apart as the sole mediator between God and humanity, emphasizing the importance of a personal relationship with Him. Through Jesus, we are invited to experience the depth of God's love and the transformative power of His grace. [01:02:27]

"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to deepen your personal relationship with Jesus, recognizing His unique role in your life?


Day 5: The Revelation of God in Jesus
Jesus came to reveal God to us, not just in words but in His very being. Through Jesus, we see God's character, His love, and His desire for a relationship with us. This revelation invites us to know God personally and to live in the light of His truth. Jesus' life and teachings provide a clear picture of who God is and how we are to live as His followers. By embracing this revelation, we are called to reflect God's love and truth in our own lives, becoming a living testimony of His grace and goodness. [01:08:01]

"No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known." (John 1:18, ESV)

Reflection: How can you reflect the character of God as revealed in Jesus in your actions and decisions today?

Quotes


The incarnation is that God came to earth, took on human flesh, and became one of us. Now, when John talks about the incarnation, he's not just talking about seeing his glory. He's talking about all of his life, from his birth to his resurrection. Because at his birth, he came out of a womb, and in his death, he came out of a tomb. [00:47:15] (16 seconds)


You see, Jesus is the only baby born in history who, at the time he was born, was older than his mother and the same age as his father. Now, write that down in your Bible and go home and contemplate that this week. If you remember nothing else of what I tell you today, you're going to remember that one, I promise you. [00:50:59] (17 seconds)


You want to know what God's like? Jesus. When we want to know God, we got to look to Jesus. You want a relationship with God? You got to start with a relationship with Jesus Christ, because he said, I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through me. [00:53:44] (15 seconds)


Grace says there's a way to God for anyone. Truth says there's only one way to God. Grace says that redemption is possible, but truth says repentance is necessary. Grace says anybody can come to God, but truth says you got to do it through Jesus. Grace says God is love. Well, truth says God is holy. [01:00:27] (23 seconds)


Grace without truth equals liberalism, and truth without grace equals legalism. But when we combine grace and truth, it equals liberty. You see, I want to speak the truth, and I will speak the truth to you, but I want to do it in a spirit of grace. I want to extend grace, but I want to do it in a spirit of truth. [01:01:04] (20 seconds)


You see, the only way to meet God is through Jesus Christ. And that's what Jesus came to do. He came to reveal God to us. You see, God has revealed himself to us in three ways. In creation, he has revealed his power. In his scripture, he has revealed his principles. But in Jesus, he has revealed his person. [01:07:17] (22 seconds)


Jesus didn't just come to tell us what God was like. to show us what God was like. You want to know how God would teach if he were a human being? Listen to Jesus. You want to know how God would act if he were a human being? Watch Jesus. And John goes on to conclude, he has made him known. [01:08:01] (18 seconds)


Because in Jesus, we don't just see God, hear God, feel God. With Jesus, you can know God. And for the first time in your life, you can know two things are true because of Christmas. One, you can see God and live. Two, is that you can know God and live forever. [01:10:28] (16 seconds)


We thank you for that gift of salvation that's afforded only through Christ Jesus, our Lord. And I pray, Father, for those here today who don't know you as Savior, that they would see their sin and that in Jesus, they would see the way, the truth, and the life, and the only way to be reconciled to God the Father. [01:14:06] (16 seconds)


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Transcript
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