Walking with Jesus - #1 Jesus INCARNATED on Earth
The focus of this series is to look at the life of Jesus as presented in the Gospels. We'll slowly and simply examine the life of the Lord, from His first movements to His last and it will be as though we were walking alongside Him.
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Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet will be held on January 26th following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
CJ's coffee shop will be open on Wednesday nights 6:00-7:30 pm. This is a great time to invite others and "pull up a chair" to have conversations.
Monday, January 6th - Jeff Fisher, Braxton Dykhouse
Tuesday, January 7th - Jenny Krauss, Avery Simons
Friday, January 10th - Belinda Harwood
Tuesday, January 7th - Jenny Krauss, Avery Simons
Friday, January 10th - Belinda Harwood
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Today marks the start of our new series, Walking with Jesus!
The focus of this series is to look at the life of Jesus as presented in the Gospels. We'll slowly and simply examine the life of the Lord, from His first movements to His last and it will be as though we were walking alongside Him. This series will take place over several years, similar to what we've been doing with the life of the Apostle Paul each summer.
The focus of this series is to look at the life of Jesus as presented in the Gospels. We'll slowly and simply examine the life of the Lord, from His first movements to His last and it will be as though we were walking alongside Him. This series will take place over several years, similar to what we've been doing with the life of the Apostle Paul each summer.
In the past few decades there have been numerous movies and television shows about time travel.
Questions: If you could go back to the time in which Christ lived, and walk with Jesus, would you want to?
If so, is there anything in particular that you would want to experience, see, or talk about with him?
If not, what period of time would you want to go back to, who would you like to meet, and what would you talk about?
Questions: If you could go back to the time in which Christ lived, and walk with Jesus, would you want to?
If so, is there anything in particular that you would want to experience, see, or talk about with him?
If not, what period of time would you want to go back to, who would you like to meet, and what would you talk about?
As fascinating as that would all be, it just isn't possible. But our heavenly Father wanted us to know Him...and His Son. So God presented the life and times of Jesus through four different writings called the Gospels.
We'll start at the beginning, John 1:1-4.
We'll start at the beginning, John 1:1-4.
John 1:1-4
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1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.
4 In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.
4 In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.
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As you read further in John 1, you learn that this is a direct reference to Jesus. This passage conveys numerous facts including His identity, His shared nature of deity, He is preexistent, Jesus is the creator, and He is the sustaining force of all life including mankind.
Jesus has always been and always will be in Heaven. But for a period of time, the Lord lived here upon Earth in human form, which is what we're looking at today.
The Gospel accounts and other passages in the New Testament explain this.
Philippians 2:6-8 [The Message]
Jesus has always been and always will be in Heaven. But for a period of time, the Lord lived here upon Earth in human form, which is what we're looking at today.
The Gospel accounts and other passages in the New Testament explain this.
Philippians 2:6-8 [The Message]
Philippians 2:6-8
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6 Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross.
7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross.
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Illustration of Incarnation:
Suppose a king wants to identify with the poorest in his country.
1.One way he could do it would be to disguise himself as a beggar and move among them. However, in this situation he is only pretending to be a beggar; he can go back to the castle at night, and he still has all the resources of a king.
2.On the other hand, the king could renounce his throne and give away everything and become a beggar. But in this case, he would cease to be a king.
3.A third option is that he could, for a time, give up the use of all his resources for a set period of time—let’s say 3 1/2 years—knowing that at the end of that time he would once again resume the throne.
In this last situation, he truly is both a beggar and a King!
Suppose a king wants to identify with the poorest in his country.
1.One way he could do it would be to disguise himself as a beggar and move among them. However, in this situation he is only pretending to be a beggar; he can go back to the castle at night, and he still has all the resources of a king.
2.On the other hand, the king could renounce his throne and give away everything and become a beggar. But in this case, he would cease to be a king.
3.A third option is that he could, for a time, give up the use of all his resources for a set period of time—let’s say 3 1/2 years—knowing that at the end of that time he would once again resume the throne.
In this last situation, he truly is both a beggar and a King!
This Biblical truth is known by the word Incarnation. It literally means: "the act of being made flesh."
Jesus is one person with two natures which are inseparably united - a human nature and a divine nature.
Jesus is fully God and fully man.
This understanding is critical to understanding the life and mission of the man we know as Jesus. And it's equally important to understand because it forms the foundation of our Christian faith - what we believe and how we are to live.
Jesus is one person with two natures which are inseparably united - a human nature and a divine nature.
Jesus is fully God and fully man.
This understanding is critical to understanding the life and mission of the man we know as Jesus. And it's equally important to understand because it forms the foundation of our Christian faith - what we believe and how we are to live.
Today we'll look at seven practical implications that incarnation has for our lives today.
First - To FULFILL Old Testament prophecy.
John 5:39
There are some 300 Old Testament prophecies about the earthly life and ministry of Jesus.
First - To FULFILL Old Testament prophecy.
John 5:39
There are some 300 Old Testament prophecies about the earthly life and ministry of Jesus.
John 5:39
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39 You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me,
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Second - To REVEAL the nature of God to mankind.
John 1:18
John 1:18
John 1:18
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18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.
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Third - To PROVIDE an example for living.
1 Corinthians 11:1
1 Peter 2:21
1 John 2:6
1 Corinthians 11:1
1 Peter 2:21
1 John 2:6
1 Corinthians 11:1
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1 You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
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1 Peter 2:21
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21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:
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1 John 2:6
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6 Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.
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Fourth - To OFFER a sacrifice for sin.
Hebrews 10:1-10 [NLT]
In Hebrews 10 the author is describing how the Jewish religion used animal sacrifices in a symbolic way to cover over their sin. But it didn't do away with sin because the penalty for human sin must be paid by a human. It was for this reason that Jesus sacrificed His sinless life.
Hebrews 10:1-10 [NLT]
In Hebrews 10 the author is describing how the Jewish religion used animal sacrifices in a symbolic way to cover over their sin. But it didn't do away with sin because the penalty for human sin must be paid by a human. It was for this reason that Jesus sacrificed His sinless life.
Hebrews 10:1-10
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1 For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.
2 If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt the guilt of their sins.
3 Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins,
4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me.
6 In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight.
7 Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God.’”
8 In the passage above He says, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire, nor did You delight in them” (although they are offered according to the law).
9 Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second.
10 And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
2 If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt the guilt of their sins.
3 Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins,
4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me.
6 In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight.
7 Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God.’”
8 In the passage above He says, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire, nor did You delight in them” (although they are offered according to the law).
9 Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second.
10 And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
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Fifth - To DESTROY the works of Satan.
Hebrews 2:14-16
Hebrews 2:14-16
Hebrews 2:14-16
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14 Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil,
15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
16 For surely it is not the angels He helps, but the descendants of Abraham.
15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
16 For surely it is not the angels He helps, but the descendants of Abraham.
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Sixth - To FUNCTION as our Mediator and High Priest.
1 Timothy 2:5
Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:14-16; 5:1-10; 7:25
1 Timothy 2:5
Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:14-16; 5:1-10; 7:25
1 Timothy 2:5
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5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
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Hebrews 2:17-18
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17 For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people.
18 Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.
18 Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.
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Hebrews 4:14-16
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14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess.
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.
16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.
16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
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Hebrews 5:1-10
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1 Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is beset by weakness.
3 That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.
4 No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.
5 So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.”
6 And in another passage God says: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
7 During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.
8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered.
9 And having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him
10 and was designated by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is beset by weakness.
3 That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.
4 No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.
5 So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.”
6 And in another passage God says: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
7 During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.
8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered.
9 And having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him
10 and was designated by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
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Hebrews 7:25
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25 Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
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Seventh - To DEMONSTRATE the nature of our mission.
John 20:21b [ESV]
Jesus demonstrated the need to have a new set of priorities in order to accomplish the mission of His Father.
Incarnation for you and I means that we willingly leave our comfort zone and represent the Lord to those who are in our life path. Care for them, offer prayer for them, and share the Gospel with them.
John 20:21b [ESV]
Jesus demonstrated the need to have a new set of priorities in order to accomplish the mission of His Father.
Incarnation for you and I means that we willingly leave our comfort zone and represent the Lord to those who are in our life path. Care for them, offer prayer for them, and share the Gospel with them.
John 20:21
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21 Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.”
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This week:
1. Read and pray over Philippians 2:6-8 until you can answer three questions:
a) What did God say? (The meaning of the passage in your own words)
b) What is God saying to you? (Specifically, what is God telling you to do?)
c) What will you say about this passage to someone? (Think of one person)
2. What progress have you made using the “Circles of Concern” (from December 29th service) to identify 6 people and the Proclaiming Graphics that were provided?
3. Browse some of the points and passages in today’s message that weren’t talked about and allow God’s Spirit to guide your thoughts.
1. Read and pray over Philippians 2:6-8 until you can answer three questions:
a) What did God say? (The meaning of the passage in your own words)
b) What is God saying to you? (Specifically, what is God telling you to do?)
c) What will you say about this passage to someone? (Think of one person)
2. What progress have you made using the “Circles of Concern” (from December 29th service) to identify 6 people and the Proclaiming Graphics that were provided?
3. Browse some of the points and passages in today’s message that weren’t talked about and allow God’s Spirit to guide your thoughts.
