Temple Baptist Church - 8-10-2025
John 1:1-14; Philippians 2:5-8
Introduction:
A. In the study of Theology, we find the incomprehensible. Though we cannot comprehend who God is, He is knowable through both the Word of God and Nature.
1. Knowing God in Nature. Psalms 19:1-3 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. (2) Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. (3) There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Romans 1:19-21 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
2. Knowing God in the Word. Psalms 40:7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
3. Psalms 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
B. We have seen who God was last week. This morning, we will see what God did for us. In Philippians 2:5-8, we find the fullness of the condescension of Jehovah God. It is here that we will see what God became FOR US.
C. In our text, we see the distinct steps of the condescension of Christ.
1. Verse 5. The Mind of God in condescension. In John 3:16, we find the mindset of both God the Father and God the Son.
John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
1. These are unfathomable verses.
a) That a thrice-holy God would love this sinful world and the wicked people that dwell here enough to give His only Begotten Son to die for us is far beyond our comprehension. This will be a mystery to you and me as long as we live on this earth.
b) I cannot imagine God loving this old, worthless sinner that much! God told Moses that He could start all over with him, and He did start all over with Noah. “Such love, such wonderous love; that God should love a sinner such as I, how wonderful is love like this!”
2. The Willingness of God the Father. The Father spoke from heaven: “This is my beloved Son!” Would you or I give our only son or daughter to die for one on death row for killing his family? Think about such love of the Father who gave His best for earth’s worst. He could have sent an angel, but He chose the best, His Son.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
1 John 4:9-10 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. (10) Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
3. The Willingness of God the Son. 1 Peter 1:18-20 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; (19) But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (20) Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Before the Creation of the world; before God made the first man; before the first sin, God’s Son was already slain in the mind of God!
1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
4. In these things, we find God’s example to be followed. He always did the will of His Father in heaven, kept the laws of man, and became subject to his oppressors. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus!”
2. Verse 6. The Person of God in Condescension.
a. Who He was. “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:”
1) The Alpha and Omega – Creator and Lord of All – Sovereign of the Universe – Potentate and God Almighty – I AM THAT I AM.
2) An Eternal, self-existing, omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent God.
3) Jehovah God needed nothing or anyone. But He chose to condescend to the human state of man.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Psalms 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
b. What He left. Though all belonged to Christ as Jehovah God, He voluntarily gave it all up for you and me. Jehovah God gave up everything and became poor that we, through His poverty, might be rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
He left heaven's glory for me – He who never knew pain, hunger, physical weakness. He left the realm and praise of angels. He left the infinite riches of Heaven and Earth. He left it all so that we might gain all.
3. Verse 7-8. The Word became flesh in Condescension. What He became.
a. God became flesh. “made in the likeness of men” “And being found in fashion as a man
John 1:14 And the Word was made 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.
1) Likeness in His physical body. “Now, He would suffer all that we suffer. Hunger, thirst, tiring, sorrow, suffering, etc.
a) Made flesh. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us”
b) Made of woman. Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
c) Made under the law. Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
d) Made sin for us. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
e) Hypostatic Union of Christ (two individuals making up one) 100% Man on His mother’s side and 100% God on His Father’s side.
2) Fashion is how He behaved. “humbled himself” John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
1 Peter 5:5-6 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (6) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
3) Christ could have been born to the most affluent families in Israel. He chose to be born in a poor carpenter’s home, where He was raised in poverty.
b. God became a Servant. “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant” John 13:4-5 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. (5) After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
c. God became a Sacrifice. “became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
He set His face toward Calvary like a flint – He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (5) To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
4. Verses 9-11. His Exaltation.
1. God the Father exalted the Son. Highly exalted Him: to raise up and elevate above all. Psalms 2:6-7 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. (7) I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Acts 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
“Jesus Christ: he is Lord of all!” What more can be said?
2. God the Father named the Son. Matthew 1:20-21 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. (21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
3. We are to Exalt Him. Verses 10-11. The choice is personal, the choice is ours, eternity hinges upon it.
John 1:14-18 And the Word was made 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. (15) John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. (16) And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. (17) For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (18) No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.