Understanding Redemption: The Mystery of the Incarnation

 

Summary

The biblical doctrine of redemption is a profound and intricate subject that centers on the person and work of Jesus Christ. Redemption is not merely a theological concept but a divine reality that unfolds through the covenant of grace, which finds its ultimate expression in Jesus. The entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments, points to Him as the fulfillment of God's promises and prophecies. Jesus is the focal point of redemption, holding all power and authority, and it is through Him that the world will be judged.

The doctrine of the Incarnation is central to understanding redemption. It asserts that the Eternal Son of God, the second person of the Holy Trinity, took on human nature. This is not the creation of a new personality but the eternal Son becoming incarnate. The Incarnation is often misunderstood, and clarity is crucial because our salvation hinges on our relationship with Christ. The devil seeks to lead people astray regarding Christ's person and work, making it imperative to understand the Incarnation accurately.

The Incarnation does not imply that the entire Trinity became flesh, but specifically the second person. It was not a mere appearance or form but a true Incarnation. The doctrine emphasizes that Jesus took on a complete human nature, not just a body or a partial nature. This human nature was derived from the Virgin Mary, not created anew, ensuring that Jesus is truly of the seed of Abraham and David.

The Virgin birth is a vital aspect of the Incarnation, highlighting that Jesus had no earthly father. This miraculous birth underscores the mystery of the Incarnation and is essential for understanding Christ's sinlessness. If Jesus had been born in the ordinary way, He would have inherited original sin. The Virgin birth, therefore, is not just a miraculous event but a theological necessity for the sinless nature of Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- The doctrine of redemption is centered on Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of all biblical promises and prophecies. Understanding redemption requires a focus on Christ's person and work, as He holds all authority and power. [01:20]

- The Incarnation is a profound mystery where the Eternal Son of God took on human nature. It is not the creation of a new personality but the eternal Son becoming incarnate, emphasizing the importance of clarity in understanding this doctrine. [02:43]

- The Incarnation asserts that Jesus took on a complete human nature, not just a body or partial nature. This ensures that He is truly of the seed of Abraham and David, highlighting the significance of His human lineage. [18:16]

- The Virgin birth is essential for understanding Christ's sinlessness. It underscores that Jesus had no earthly father, ensuring that He did not inherit original sin, making the Virgin birth a theological necessity. [36:42]

- The mystery of the Incarnation and the Virgin birth highlights the uniqueness of Christ. His birth, life, and resurrection are all marked by divine mystery, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of God's redemptive work. [34:55]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to Redemption
[00:30] - Focus on Jesus Christ
[01:03] - The Fulfillment of Prophecies
[01:56] - Doctrine of the Incarnation
[03:01] - Importance of Clarity
[04:07] - The Trinity and Incarnation
[05:10] - The Word Made Flesh
[06:52] - True Incarnation
[08:09] - Divine and Human Nature
[09:42] - No Change in Personality
[10:40] - The Word Became Flesh
[12:46] - Real Human Nature
[16:08] - Complete Human Nature
[17:18] - Human Nature from Mary
[20:21] - Mystery of the Incarnation
[21:08] - Doctrine of the Virgin Birth
[29:02] - Work of God in Birth
[34:09] - Necessity of Virgin Birth
[36:42] - Sinlessness of Christ
[39:44] - The Supreme Act of God

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. John 1:14 - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
2. Matthew 1:18-25 - The account of the birth of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the Virgin birth.
3. Hebrews 2:14-16 - Discusses Jesus taking on human nature to defeat the power of death.

#### Observation Questions
1. What does John 1:14 reveal about the nature of Jesus and His relationship to God? How does this relate to the doctrine of the Incarnation? [11:13]
2. According to Matthew 1:18-25, how did Joseph respond to the news of Mary's pregnancy, and what role did the angel play in his decision? [28:08]
3. In Hebrews 2:14-16, why is it significant that Jesus shared in our humanity? How does this passage connect to the sermon’s emphasis on Jesus’ complete human nature? [14:28]
4. How does the sermon describe the importance of the Virgin birth in relation to Jesus' sinlessness? [36:42]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the doctrine of the Incarnation challenge common misconceptions about Jesus' nature, and why is it crucial for understanding redemption? [02:43]
2. What theological significance does the Virgin birth hold in ensuring Jesus' sinless nature, and how does this impact our understanding of His role in redemption? [36:42]
3. How does the sermon explain the relationship between the Incarnation and the Trinity, and why is this understanding vital for Christian belief? [05:10]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the mystery of the Incarnation and the Virgin birth highlight the uniqueness of Christ's redemptive work? [34:55]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the significance of the Incarnation in your personal faith journey. How does understanding Jesus as both fully God and fully man affect your relationship with Him? [02:43]
2. The Virgin birth is described as a theological necessity for Jesus' sinlessness. How does this understanding influence your view of Jesus' life and mission? [36:42]
3. Consider the role of the Trinity in the doctrine of redemption. How does this shape your understanding of God’s work in your life and the world? [05:10]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of clarity in understanding the Incarnation. How can you ensure that your understanding of Jesus is accurate and biblically grounded? [03:36]
5. How does the mystery surrounding the Incarnation and the Virgin birth inspire awe and worship in your spiritual life? [34:55]
6. In what ways can you share the profound truths of the Incarnation and redemption with others in a way that is both clear and compelling? [03:01]
7. Reflect on the idea that Jesus' unique birth, life, and resurrection are marked by divine mystery. How can this perspective deepen your appreciation for the extraordinary nature of God's redemptive work? [34:55]

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Christ as the Fulfillment of Redemption
The doctrine of redemption is centered on Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of all biblical promises and prophecies. Understanding redemption requires a focus on Christ's person and work, as He holds all authority and power. Redemption is not just a theological concept but a divine reality that unfolds through the covenant of grace, ultimately expressed in Jesus. The entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments, points to Him as the focal point of redemption. It is through Jesus that the world will be judged, and He is the one who holds all power and authority. [01:20]

"For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory." (2 Corinthians 1:20, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you focus more on Jesus' role in your personal redemption story today? How can you acknowledge His authority in your daily decisions?


Day 2: The Mystery of the Incarnation
The Incarnation is a profound mystery where the Eternal Son of God took on human nature. It is not the creation of a new personality but the eternal Son becoming incarnate, emphasizing the importance of clarity in understanding this doctrine. The Incarnation does not imply that the entire Trinity became flesh, but specifically the second person. It was not a mere appearance or form but a true Incarnation. This doctrine emphasizes that Jesus took on a complete human nature, not just a body or a partial nature. [02:43]

"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 the mystery of the Incarnation impact your understanding of who Jesus is? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of this mystery?


Day 3: Jesus' Human Lineage and Nature
The Incarnation asserts that Jesus took on a complete human nature, not just a body or partial nature. This ensures that He is truly of the seed of Abraham and David, highlighting the significance of His human lineage. Jesus' human nature was derived from the Virgin Mary, not created anew, ensuring that He is truly of the seed of Abraham and David. This connection to humanity is essential for understanding the depth of His redemptive work. [18:16]

"Concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 1:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: How does Jesus' human lineage and nature influence your relationship with Him? What can you do today to connect more deeply with His humanity?


Day 4: The Theological Necessity of the Virgin Birth
The Virgin birth is essential for understanding Christ's sinlessness. It underscores that Jesus had no earthly father, ensuring that He did not inherit original sin, making the Virgin birth a theological necessity. This miraculous birth highlights the mystery of the Incarnation and is essential for understanding Christ's sinlessness. If Jesus had been born in the ordinary way, He would have inherited original sin. [36:42]

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14, ESV)

Reflection: How does the Virgin birth shape your understanding of Jesus' sinlessness? What actions can you take to honor this aspect of His life in your spiritual journey?


Day 5: The Uniqueness of Christ's Redemptive Work
The mystery of the Incarnation and the Virgin birth highlights the uniqueness of Christ. His birth, life, and resurrection are all marked by divine mystery, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of God's redemptive work. Jesus' life is a testament to the divine plan of salvation, and His uniqueness is central to understanding the depth of God's love and grace. [34:55]

"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: In what ways can you celebrate the uniqueness of Christ's redemptive work in your life today? How can you share this extraordinary nature of God's work with others around you?

Quotes


The biblical doctrine of redemption and we began of course by considering God's covenant with men the Covenant of Grace the Covenant of redemption and we saw that that all along in the old expression of it and in the new always points to the one person the Lord Jesus Christ Redemption is in him. [00:00:44]

The whole Bible looks to him and points at him he is the Fulfillment of all the Old Testament promises and prophecies the whole Bible points to him the old forward to him the new backward to him it is in him that everything is done it is in his hands that all power lies according to the Bible. [00:01:12]

The doctrine of the Incarnation asserts is not that the Eternal Triune God became flesh but that the second person in the Triune God became flesh the scripture puts it like this doesn't it it says the word was made flesh. [00:05:12]

The doctrine of the Incarnation does not say that it was not merely an appearance or a form that was taken on by the second person in the Trinity but that it was indeed a true Incarnation he did come in the flesh uh it wasn't an appearance it wasn't a mere form. [00:06:52]

The doctrine of the Incarnation asserts that our Lord took unto himself a full and a complete human nature it wasn't merely partial it was complete he didn't merely take a body to himself now there are people throughout the centuries whove taught that they say that the Son of God only took on a human body that's wrong. [00:16:08]

He took on this real and complete human nature from the Virgin Mary in other words that means this we must not say that a new human nature was created for him some people have taught that that God created a new human nature for his son and that this human nature as it were merely passed through Mary that's wrong. [00:17:18]

The doctrine of the Virgin birth must always be considered first and foremost in a negative way and what it says negatively is this that he had no earthly father he was not born of the will of men or of the will or the energy of the flesh at all. [00:29:02]

As our Lord's divine nature had no mother so his human nature had no father I think that puts it very well as our Lord's divine nature had no mother so his human nature had no father it was entirely the work of of God he took on him human nature from Mary. [00:31:50]

The Virgin birth if you like therefore is the sign of the mystery of the Incarnation it's the kind of sign of the mystery you can't get at the mystery this is a kind of sign or symbol of that mystery there it is in a tangible form this virgin birth the whole thing is mysterious. [00:34:55]

If you do not believe in the doctrine of the Virgin birth how then do you account for his sinlessness how do you account for the fact that he was without sin are we not entitled to put it like this if he had been born in the ordinary way of a father and a mother then surely he would have been an ordinary person like every other person. [00:36:42]

The Supreme Act of God and so Supreme that I expect it to be unusually in every respect and I find the scriptures tell me that it was he was conceived of the Holy Ghost he was born of a virgin named Mary man is entirely excluded the male doesn't come in Joseph is there ever to reminders of that it is entirely the work of God. [00:39:44]

The Son of God became the son of men that son of men might become sons of God. [00:40:44]

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Transcript
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