“GOD’S WORD BECAME FLESH” (Outline)
January 3, 2010 -
Christmas 2 -
JOHN 1:14-18
INTRO: The most profound mysteries of God are often discovered in the simplest truths only understood by faith. The birth of our Savior in Bethlehem is a good example. Numerous people all over the world celebrate this humble birth of this innocent child. The mystery that is harder to understand is that this infant is God. This is the truth only understood by faith. Christians believe that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary. Humanly speaking and logically speaking this mystery miracle seems utterly impossible. But nothing is impossible with God! Today’s mystery is that the very word of God became flesh. This is Jesus, our Savior, and the Savior for all mankind. "Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory" (1 TIMOTHY 3:16).
“GOD’S WORD BECAME FLESH”.
I. Our Savior brings blessings.
II. Our Savior reveals the Father.
I. OUR SAVIOR BRINGS BLESSINGS
A. Verse 14a. God’s word is very clear. Jesus is the word of God incarnate = God’s word made flesh.
1. This word of God, living and active, was also visible for a time in the midst of mankind.
2. “Made his dwelling” is the term for pitching a tent. A tent is only temporary, not permanent.
a. Israel lived in tents wandering 40 years. b. Earthly life is a temporary pilgrimage.
B. Verse 16. The physical presence of Jesus in the world provided countless blessings.
1. Jesus was the fullness of God’s grace. God’s grace is his divine, undeserved love for all people.
2. Jesus revealed God’s grace with teachings and miracles. His blood brought forgiveness for all.
C. Verse 17. The law reveals sin. God’s gospel shows the sinner salvation through the Savior, Jesus.
D. The simple truth that is ours by grace through faith is Christ, the Savior is born in Bethlehem. During his lifetime many people did not want to believe in Jesus as the Savior. Nothing has changed in our world throughout the generations since Jesus’ birth. Many look at Jesus and accept him as a real, living being. But to believe in Jesus as Savior takes – well, actually – takes a leap of faith. This faith comes only as a result of God’s free gift of grace. It is the grace of God that we learn about in the Scriptures. Many may, can, and do try to deny the deity of Jesus but that does not change God’s truth. "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men" (TITUS 2:11). God’s word became flesh.
E. God’s grace is one of God’s words filled with divine meaning. Grace is a small, simple word understood by faith. Grace is also a small, simple word that remains a mystery to some. Simply defined: Grace is God’s undeserved love. None of us deserve to be loved by God. None of us can earn even the smallest amount of God’s love. There will never ever be enough money in all of creation to buy a small sample of God’s great love. God’s grace is truly undeserved love: unearned and free. "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding" (EPHESIANS 1:7,8). We give and receive gifts at Christmas because of our love for one another. God’s gift of grace is the only gift that we ever truly need. This gift God gives to each of with his “wisdom and understanding”. God’s word became flesh.
F. Only by grace through faith can or do we believe in all the truths of God’s holy word. Yes, the baby in the manger at Bethlehem was also God. Yes, the baby at Bethlehem was the only One ever born to die. Yes, the baby at Bethlehem would give his holy, precious blood for the sake of others. Yes, God’s greatest blessing is our forgiveness. That forgiveness comes for all in only one way. "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness"(HEBREWS 9:22). God’s word became flesh to live and die and rise again – all for us and for all.
“GOD’S WORD BECAME FLESH”.
Our Savior Jesus Christ brings us blessing upon blessing.
II. OUR SAVIOR REVEALS THE FATHER.
A. One of the hardest missions in Jesus’ while here on earth was for people to see him as God’s Son.
1. The Lord Jesus had taken on human flesh and looked the same as everyone else.
2. People knew Jesus as the son of Mary and Joseph who grew up in Nazareth.
3. Verse 14. Not everyone saw the glory of God in this person of Jesus. A mystery.
B. Verse 16. John, the Gospel writer, now quotes John the Baptist. Jesus came to be baptized by John.
1. John took the opportunity to proclaim that this Jesus was eternal – the very Son of God.
2. The next day John pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
3. John encouraged his disciples to follow Jesus. They did. Such is a humble faith of a believer.
C. Verse 18. Jesus’ always lived to do his Father’s will. Jesus always pointed to his Father’s glory.
1. Jesus did miracles that only God could or would do. Jesus taught with the wisdom of God.
2. Jesus reminded the listeners that he and the Father were one. Jesus’ life revealed the Father.
D. Jesus is God. This is another truth only understood by grace through faith. Humanly and reasonably speaking our mortal minds cannot comprehend such a profound mystery. As God’s word declares his divine truth so God’s word will always stand as truth. Still today, some would deny that this Jesus born in Bethlehem is God’s Son. Islam teaches that Jesus was only a prophet. Scripture teaches that Jesus is Prophet, Priest, and King. Scripture teaches that the son of Joseph and Mary is also the very Son of God.
"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority" (COLOSSIANS 2:9,10). God’s word became flesh.
E. Divine mysteries will always remain a mystery to those who want to think only logically. Logically it makes no sense at all that our sins are freely forgiven. But they are. It is not reasonable to think that God would spare Adam and Eve once they ruined his perfect creation. But God did show mercy. God did promise a Savior. All too many think that this Savior, Jesus cannot be God. Scripture is filled with numerous references to Jesus as the very Son of God. Jesus’ names alone testify. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (ISAIAH 9:6). Jesus is God.
F. Now back to the fact that Jesus’ life here on earth revealed the Father. Jesus taught the people of his day that he was sent from above. Jesus showed the people of his day that God’s power was also with him. Jesus’ life was sinless. Jesus never did anything wrong, said anything wrong, or even thought any evil thoughts. Jesus lived a life of love. Love for his Father. Love for his Father’s creation. "No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us" (1 JOHN 4:12). Today believers reveal the love of the Father. We do this whenever we show compassion to the least of our brothers. (MATTHEW 25:40). God loves us that we might love him and love our neighbor.
CONC.: Simple truths of faith might seem to be mysteries beyond any logical, reasonable, or human thinking. Such is faith. The word became flesh is a mystery. The word became flesh is a divine truth that is vital to our Christian faith. Jesus gives his body and blood for our forgiveness. This is a mystery. This is also God’s truth of forgiveness for our eternity. "But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!"(ROMANS 5:15). GOD’S WORD BECAME FLESH”. Jesus, our Savior, brings us blessing upon blessing upon blessing. Jesus, our Savior, reveals his Father to be our Father. Immanuel – God is with us! Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
CHRISTMAS 2 rdgs:
GENESIS 17:1-7;
GALATIANS 4:4-7;
LUKE 1:68-75;
(PSALM 148)
SERVICES:
1:00pm @ NCF Min. (Sat)/12:00pm @ NCF Medium (Sun) / 9:30am @ Redeemer (Sun) / 7:00pm @ Hays (Sun)
BIBLE STUDIES: TUES. -- 6:00pm (Min) + 7:30pm (Med) @ NCF / 10:55am @ Redeemer (Sun)
/ Sunday radio broadcast @ 9:05am on KQNK 106.7FM or 1530AM
