God in the Flesh
Christmas 2023 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 1 viewThe Birth of Jesus is so much more than a baby born of a virgin and laid in a manger. Jesus is the very expression of God’s image and nature in human form. But, it even goes deeper than that. This baby wrapped in swaddling cloths has come for one purpose and that is to author salvation for all humanity. That is was Christmas is all about.
Notes
Transcript
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He 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. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
The Image of God: Emmanuel
The Image of God: Emmanuel
The Pre-Incarnate Christ
The Pre-Incarnate Christ
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 was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
The Preeminent Christ
The Preeminent Christ
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
God in the Flesh: The Humble Servant
God in the Flesh: The Humble Servant
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.
Jesus in the form of a servant.
Jesus in the form of a servant.
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Jesus learned obedience through suffering.
Jesus learned obedience through suffering.
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
A Baby for Sacrifice: The Lamb of God
A Baby for Sacrifice: The Lamb of God
A body was prepared.
A body was prepared.
5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ ”
The Lamb of God was Slain.
The Lamb of God was Slain.
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
The Old Covenant of Law is Abolished.
The Old Covenant of Law is Abolished.
8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law),
The New Covenant of Grace is Established.
The New Covenant of Grace is Established.
9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,
Conclusion
Why did the angle appear to the shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night? Because the Lamb of God was coming into the World.
Why do we celebrate Christmas? Because Jesus is the author and source of salvation to as many will receive him.
Communion
An Invitation for the lost
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
An Invitation for the Saved
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.