The Person of Christ: The Incarnation

Meaning of the term “Incarnation” The act of becoming flesh “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) Therefore, at the Incarnation, God {Deity} entered His own creation in a unique and powerful way in the Man, Christ Jesus.

The Incarnation of Jesus Christ is Important The uniqueness of the Christian faith

Astounding Majesty & Mystery “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh” (I Tim. 3:16a) “Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” (Isa. 7:14) The term “Immanuel” means “God with us.” (Matt. 1:23) “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Rom. 11:33) Augustine

Reasons For the Incarnation “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” (John 1:18) “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” (I Tim. 1:15) “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (I Jno. 3:8) “And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (I Jno. 2:1) “So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” (Heb. 9:28)

Greatest Introductory Statement John 1:1-5 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

The Text is Foundational Three Relationships of Christ Our Lord’s relationship to God (v. 1-2) to the world (v. 3) to His gospel (v. 4, 5)

I. Our Lord’s Relationship to the Father v. 1-2

1. The Eternality of Christ In the beginning (was) the Word, and the Word (was) with God, and the Word (was) God. He (was) in the beginning (with) God.” (John 1:1-2) All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (v. 3) Word became flesh John 1:14 The {Word} had glory before the world John 17:5 Paul declared {Word} was before all things Col. 1:17 Paul stated {Word} was equal with God Phil. 2:6 The virgin conception and birth marks only His entrance into the world. (Phil. 2:5-11)

Our Lord’s Humiliation, Crucifixion, Exaltation “5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:5-11)

Incarnation in Philippians 2:5-11 ETERNITY Divine Glory (2:6) Divine Glory (2:9-11) Equal with God because He is Deity Glorification (2:9-11) Likeness of Man (2:7) Self-Humiliation (2:6-8) WORLD Exaltation 2:9 Humble Became Obedient 2:8 Resurrection Rom. 1:4 Death on the Cross 2:8

Eternal existence is a unique characteristic of Deity “I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6). “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Rev. 22:13) Moses said, Jehovah is "from everlasting to everlasting" (Psa. 90:1-2) Micah said that out of Bethlehem shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2); Everlasting Father (Isa. 9:6)

2. The Dwelling of the Word a) The intimacy of the dwelling and the Word was with God,(v. 1) He was in the beginning with God (v. 2). “I am in the Father, and the Father in me” (John 14:10, 11), and “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30). John 1:18 speaks of Christ as “the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father.” Then God {Elohim} said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; (Gen. 1:26).

b. The Individualism in the dwelling He was in the beginning with God b. The Individualism in the dwelling He was in the beginning with God. (v. 2) Word “God” not name but nature One divine nature but three distinct personalities One in nature, purpose, thinking, actions Co-existent, Co-eternal, and Co-equal “And God {Elohim} said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). Word “with” John 17:20-23 explains how the Father and Son are one – Three distinct personalities Jesus in the water, the Father speaking from heaven, and the Spirit descending as a dove (Matthew 3:16-17).

3. The Deity of the Word “The Word was God” v.1 Titus 2:13 Col. 2:9 – “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, for you are complete in Him who is the head of all principality and power” John 8:58, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:59). Philippians 2:6 speaking of Jesus states, "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (Heb. 1:3) brightness of His glory and express image of His person. (John 14:9) Titus 2:13 “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Jesus Addressed “my Lord and my God” John 20:24-29 And Thomas answered and said to Him {Jesus}, “My Lord and my God!”  Jesus said to him,  “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Why Is Jesus Designated the Word? John is saying that God chose Jesus as His messenger/messiah to tell us about Himself. Jesus is God and the revealer of God the Father. (John1:18) Heb. 1:1-2. “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,   has in these last days spoken to us by His Son.” Jesus Is the final and decisive message of God.

II. Our Lord’s Relationship to the World

Jesus Is The Creator of The Universe All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. V. 3. Requires tremendous POWER “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” (Col. 1:16) “And to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;” (Eph. 3:9) (Heb. 1:3) Upholds all things by word of power.

III. Our Lord’s Relationship to the Gospel

Jesus Came to Save Man “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” ( v. 4 – 5) Life and Light are the opposite of Death and Darkness “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10b) “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (Jno. 8:12)

In Conclusion The Implications of the Incarnation The Incarnation is a historical issue, requiring an actual response…. “Do you believe the prophets?” Acts 26:27 The birth of Jesus is a theological issue, requiring us to understand Jesus as God…. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved? (Acts 16:31) The coming of Jesus is a personal issue, requiring a personal response and personal commitment…. “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Rom. 14:12)

Psalm 119:17 “Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word.”