Temple Baptist Church - 12-8-2024
John 1:1-14
Introduction:
Matthew 1:23-25 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (24) Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: (25) And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
A. The four Gospels each portray Christ is four different ways. When reading all the Gospels, we get the complete description of Who Christ was. God has always been with and communicated with man in one form or another.
B. In John’s Gospel, which reveals the Divinity of Christ, the description of Jesus Christ is found in the first few verses.
1. The Eternality of Christ – “In the beginning was the Word”
2. The Equality of Christ – “and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.”
3. The Work of Christ – “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
4. The Life of Christ – “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
5. The Incarnation of Christ – “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.
C. The word "made" expresses something that could not naturally occur with someone making it. For Jehovah God to become flesh while remaining His sinlessness, perfect, and all power is something that He alone could and did do.
D. This month, we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Emmanuel, God with us. The Incarnation? What Christ did and does:
1. He sacrificially bought us. The price of our redemption has been paid in full! Nothing else needed nor required. Salvation is all of God, a gift to be received, not earned.
2. He tenderly sought us. An old song says,
"He came to me, O, He came to me.
When I could not come to where He was, He came to me.
That's why He died on Calvary,
When I could not come to where He was, He came to me.
He came to me when I was bound in chains of sin,
He came to me when I possessed no hope within,
He picked me up and He drew me gently to His side,
Where, today, in His sweet love I now abide."
3. He lovingly convicts us.
“A Sinner’s Prayer”
By Doyle Kuykendall
Take me in your hands, Oh blessed Lord,
And hold me close to you.
For I’m so tired of this kind of life,
I don’t know what to do.
I know I’m asking for a lot,
But, God, I need your help.
So take my hand and lead me on,
And show me where to step.
I brought all my sorrows on myself
Dear God, I know it’s true,
But I’m just too weak to help myself,
So, God, I’m asking You.
I know your home’s in Heaven, Lord,
Away up in the sky,
And this is just a sinner’s prayer,
And won’t get very high.
Well, I end this little prayer, Lord,
I’ve done the best I can;
And if I die before I wake,
Carry me to your promised land.
4. He progressively illuminates us. He is that Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He is the true Light.
5. He absolutely convinces us. Paul said, "I know whom I have believed!"
6. He graciously saves us. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved!
7. He completely forgives us. As far as the east is from the west, He removed our iniquities. Behind His back and into the sea of forgetfulness, He cast our sins, never to be remembered again.
8. He marvelously keeps us. He has given to us eternal life and we shall never perished, sealed by the Holy Ghost of Promise, the Earnest of our redemption. I am His and He is mine.
9. He sweetly abides within us. The Holy Ghost of God, the Spirit of Christ Jesus. I have Somebody with me to bear my heavy load.
10. He sovereignly works through us. God could have sent an angel to do His work and it would have been done perfectly but God chose to send us. "Here am I, LORD, send me."
11. He continually protects us. The horse is prepared against the day of battle, but safety is of the LORD.
12. He fully provides for us. Every good gift and every perfect gift come from the LORD and is to be received with thanksgiving.
13. He perfectly guides us. But he knoweth the way that I take.
14. He patiently succors us. Unto a perfect man.
15. And, one day, He is coming for us to take us home! And that, my friend, will preach!!
Conclusion: This is what Christmas is about: Man sinned, God loved, Christ promised and given, salvation finished, repentant sinners who believe saved, and heaven our home!
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