Philippians 2:5-8: “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. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross”

The Gift of the Incarnation

What is the incarnation? How should we respond to the incarnation?   Why did God become man? How should we respond to the incarnation?

I. What is the Incarnation? = embodiment, personification, or epitome of someone or something else

A. Jesus is Fully and Truly Human Luke 2:7:“And [Mary] gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (NASB)

- He became thirsty (John 4:7, 19:28). - He became tired (John 4:6). - He became thirsty (John 4:7, 19:28).     - He was tempted to sin (Matthew 4:1-10, Hebrews 4:15). - He wept (Hebrews 5:7, John 11:35). - He suffered (Hebrews 2:18). - He is “like his brothers in every respect” (Hebrews 2:17).

John 10:30-31: “I and the Father are One” B. Jesus is Fully and Truly God 1. While on earth, He claimed to be God John 10:30-31: “I and the Father are One”

John 8:58-59: “Before Abraham was born, I am” Exodus 3:14:"I AM WHO I AM." "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" John 15:24: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father”

Jesus did things only God could do 2. While on earth, Jesus did things only God could do - He fed 5000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish (Mark 6:35-44). - He turned water into wine (John 2:1-11). - He commanded the wind and the waves to be still – and they obeyed (Mark 4:39). - He raised the dead to life (John 11:43-44). - He forgave sins (Mark 2:5-7).

3. Other New Testament writers tell us that Jesus is God Hebrews 1:3: “[The Son] is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.”

- John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” - John 1:3: “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” John 1:14: “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 1:18: “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.”

II. Why the Incarnation? Hebrews 2:14-17: “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”

A. Jesus became a man to be our representative. Romans 5:18: “One trespass led to condemnation for all men.”

Hebrews 2:14:“He himself partook of [flesh and blood]” Why? “That through [His] death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.”

B. Jesus became a man to be our high priest.

C. Jesus became man to be our propitiation.

III. How Should We Respond to the Incarnation? Mark 1:15: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."