Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
This sermon explores the profound mystery of the incarnation, emphasizing how Jesus shared our human experiences to guide us towards righteous living.
Welcome, dear family in faith, to this gathering of hearts and minds under the divine umbrella of His word. We gather here today, not as mere spectators, but as active participants in the grand narrative of God's love. We are here to engage with the Word, to allow it to shape us, mold us, and guide us through the winding paths of life.
Today, we turn our focus towards the profound words found in the Gospel according to John, specifically John 1:14, which reads, "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." This singular verse, so rich in meaning and depth, invites us to ponder the profound mystery of the incarnation, the divine act of love where our Savior willingly shared our human experiences, sanctified our human form, and showed us the possibility of righteous living.
Reflecting on this, we recall the profound words of the revered preacher Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "The Word of God is always most precious to the man who most lives upon it." This, dear friends, is our endeavor today - to live upon the Word, to let it nourish our souls and guide our steps.
As we prepare to delve deeper into this verse, let's take a moment to invite God's presence into our midst. Please join me in prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Word, for the divine wisdom and guidance it offers us. As we gather here today, we ask that you open our hearts and minds to receive your Word. May it be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Guide us, Lord, as we seek to understand and apply your Word in our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.
The Gospel of John tells us that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. This is a profound statement. It tells us that Jesus, the Son of God, chose to become human and live among us. He didn't just observe us from a distance, or send messages through prophets.
Jesus was born as a baby, just like all of us. He grew up in a family, with parents and siblings. He learned a trade from his earthly father, Joseph. He experienced hunger, thirst, and fatigue. He knew what it was like to be tempted, to feel sorrow, and to feel joy. He had friends, and he had enemies. He was praised, and he was criticized. He experienced life in all its complexity, just as we do.
But why did Jesus choose to share in our human experiences? Why did he choose to become flesh and dwell among us? The answer is simple, yet profound. He did it out of love. He did it to show us that God understands us, that He cares about us, and that He is with us in our struggles. He did it to show us the way to live, the way to love, and the way to God. Jesus' shared experiences teach us many things.
First, they teach us about the nature of God. God is not a distant, impersonal force, but a loving, compassionate Father who is intimately involved in our lives. He is a God who cares deeply about our joys and sorrows, our hopes and fears, our triumphs and failures. He is a God who is willing to enter into our world, to share in our experiences, to walk alongside us in our journey. This is a God who is not just above us, but with us and for us.
Second, we learn about the value of human life. By becoming human, Jesus showed us that every human life is precious and worthy of respect. He showed us that every person, no matter how insignificant they may seem, is of infinite value to God.
Third, we discover the importance of love. Jesus didn't just tell us to love one another. He showed us how to love by the way he lived his life. He showed us that love is not just a feeling, but a way of life. It's about putting others before ourselves, about serving rather than being served, about giving rather than taking. It is a love that is willing to sacrifice, to suffer, to die for the sake of the beloved. This love is not just a characteristic of God, but the very essence of His being. It is a love that is not just for us, but in us, transforming us from the inside out.
Finally, Jesus' shared experiences teach us about the power of sacrifice. Jesus didn't just die for us. He lived for us. He gave up the glory of heaven to become a humble human being. He gave up his life to save ours. He showed us that true power is not about dominating others, but about sacrificing for them.
In the grand tapestry of God's narrative, we find the thread of sanctity woven into the very fabric of human existence ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO