SERMON OUTLINE:
(1). Incarnation
(2). Vindication
(3). Visualisation
(4). Proclamation
(5). Confession
(6). Ascension
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• The 1993 film Schindler's List;
• Chronicled the heroic efforts of Czech born businessman Oskar Schindler,
• Who tried to make his fortune during the Second World War.
• When Schindler found out what was happening to the Jews at Auschwitz,
• He began a systematic effort to save as many Jews as he could.
• He discovered that for money,
• He could buy Jews to work in his factory,
• Which was supposed to be a part of the military machine of Germany.
• His plan was simple:
• On one hand he was buying as many Jews as he could,
• And on the other hand;
• He was deliberately sabotaging the ammunition produced in his factory.
• Schindler was able to save the lives of more than a 1000 mostly Polish-Jewish refugees,
• From the Holocaust.
• He entered the war as a financially wealthy industrialist;
• By the end of the war, he was basically financially bankrupt.
• The most emotional scene of the film;
• When the Germans surrendered,
• Schindler met with his Jewish workers;
• And declared that at midnight they were all free to go.
• when Schindler said good-bye to the financial manager of the plant,
• A Jew and his good and trusted friend.
• As he embraced his friend, Schindler sobbed and said,
• "I could have done more."
• He looked at his automobile and asked,
• "Why did I save this? I could have bought 10 Jews with this."
• Taking another small possession he cried,
• "This would have saved another one. Why didn't I do more?"
• TRANSITION: When it comes to the God of the Bible,
• When it comes to his plan of salvation,
• Please note, that God "Could NOT have done anymore."
• It cost him everything!
• He gave ‘his one and only son’ the price was great!
• And amazingly he was willing to pay it!
• We read together the words of a hymn that the early Church sang together.
• We have no idea what tune was;
• But we do have the content which is the most important part of this hymn/song.
The technical term for this hymn/song is a creed:
• The word 'Creed' is derived from the Latin word ‘credo’, meaning 'I believe'.
• And Creeds were a summary of belief.
• They were particularly needed at the beginning Christianity;
• When the New Testament was not yet completed as a Cannon,
• Or it was unavailable for people to read.
• The most famous creeds were forged by the early church.
• They helped to establish what Christians believed;
• They also were safeguards that help to refute false-teaching and error.
Now in 1 Timothy chapter 3 verse 16:
• We have an early creed/hymn of the early Church;
• It is a concise statement of what Christians believe.
• And it helps all believers to formulate a clear confession of faith;
Note:
• This Greek word translated into English as ‘mystery’.
• Does not mean a riddle that you have to puzzle over.
• In fact the very opposite:
• ‘Mystery’ refers to something that was hid but has now been revealed.
• And the mystery of godliness is no longer a mystery!
• The mystery of godliness is JESUS CHRIST!
• i.e. To those who lived B.C. (Before Christ)
• They found that Jesus was hidden to them;
• It was hidden in symbolism, in types and shadows.
• And by faith they had to look forward to the Messiah’s arrival.
• ill: For them it was like looking at a bunch of individual pieces of a jigsaw;
• They got insights and lots of clues but never saw the completed picture;
• They only ever saw small sections.
• We however live in A.D. (The term ‘Anno Domini’ is Medieval Latin,
• Translated as ‘In the year of the Lord’);
• To us he is no longer a mystery but has been revealed to our world!
• In the New Testament we see the completed picture!
Now in this hymn we have six unfolding's of the mystery of Jesus:
• In other words we have six unique truths about Jesus:
• Six great theological statements regarding Jesus Christ.
• Notice: that the hymn divides into three couplets of two lines each.
• These are contrasting truths about Jesus,
• In complimentary pairs.
• In fact they are a mixture of the visible and the invisible;
• The first pair:
• Visible: He appeared in the flesh.
• Invisible: He was vindicated by the Spirit.
• The second pair:
• Visible: He was seen by angels.
• Invisible: He was preached among the nations.
• The third pair:
• Invisible: He was believed on in the world.
• Visible: He was taken up in glory.
• Now let’s look at these truths in a bit more detail:
• And as we do they will enrich our appreciation and understanding of Jesus Christ!
(1). Incarnation:
• “He appeared in the flesh”,
• That is the incarnation – Jesus took upon himself a human body!
Ill:
• Author and pastor Leith Anderson writes:
• Several years ago I was visiting Manila and was taken, of all places,
• To the Manila garbage dump and saw something beyond belief.
• Tens of thousands of people make their homes on that dump site.
• They’ve constructed shacks out of the things other people have thrown away.
• And they send their children out early every morning;
• To scavenge for food out of other people’s garbage, so they can have family meals.
• People have been born and grown up there on the garbage dump.
• They have had their families, their children, their shacks, their garbage to eat,
• Many have died there without ever going anywhere else, even in the city of Manila.
• It is an astonishing thing.
• But Americans also live on the garbage dump.
• They are missionaries,
• Christians who have chosen to leave their own country;
• And communicate the love of Jesus Christ to people who otherwise would never hear it.
• That is amazing to me.
• People would leave what we have to go and live on a garbage dump.
• TRANSITION:
• That is amazing, and yet still not as amazing as the journey from heaven to earth.
• When God the Son entered the world of his own creation.
• “The Word became a human being and ‘pitched his tent’ among us”
ill:
• Chilli Con-Carne – Spanish for Chilli with meat/flesh.
• TRANSITION: Jesus Con-carne – Jesus with meat/flesh.
• It will not be too long before we start singing carols (10 weeks).
• Quote from the carol ‘Hark the herald angels sing’
“Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the new-born King!"
• For us life started at conception and approximately nine months later;
• We entered the human race.
• Jesus has always existed as the eternal Son of God,
• He chose to be born of a woman.
• Quote from another great hymn written the same author Charles Wesley:
• "Our God contracted to a span. Incomprehensibly made Man"
(2). Vindication:
“Was vindicated by the Spirit,”
Question: How do we know that Jesus Christ was deity in human flesh?
Answer:
• Because he was vindicated!
• That is he was proven, endorsed, or demonstrated to be divine by the spirit!
• Now the word ‘spirit’ could refer here to the Holy Spirit or Christ’s spirit;
• (That is his divine nature).
• Most Bible scholars suggest it is the latter – Christ’s spirit.
• In the Greek text the first two lines of this hymn have the same construction;
• “Appeared in the flesh” and “Vindicated by the Spirit,”
Ill:
• When you go to a shop and give a £20 bill to the cashier,
• Sometimes they place the note under a special light.
• The reason they do that of course is to show,
• To prove, to demonstrate that the note is genuine.
• TRANSITION:
• This week we have been sharing with the 400plus school children;
• Who visited the Life Expo for a lesson,
• (https://www.countiesuk.org/schools-work/life-exhibition)
• Some of the miracles Jesus performed (Zone dedicated to them).
• This statement “Vindicated by the Spirit,”
• Is a reminder that each time Jesus healed the sick, returned sight to the blind,
• Resurrected the dead, greatly multiplied food, and turned water into wine etc.
• His spirit was vindicating who he was and why he came.
• His actions spoke louder than any words!
Ill:
• Once when John the Baptist was thrown into prison,
• As the months passed, John must have started wondering if he had made a mistake.
• And John started to have doubts as to who Jesus was,
• So he sent his disciples to question Jesus.
• He need assurance that Jesus really was the Messiah.
• When two of John’s disciples spoke to Jesus,
• And asked him if he was the Messiah.
• Jesus did not give them a simple yes or no answer,
• Instead he said:
“Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”
• TRANSITION: Others came claiming to be the Messiah,
• But no-one ever did the things Jesus did.
• The miracles of Jesus were performed for two reasons,
• First: they relived the suffering of individuals.
• Second: they acted as signposts showing people this man is the Messiah.
(3). Visualisation:
“Was seen by angels,”
• The word “angel” actually comes from the Greek word aggelos,
• Which means “messenger.”
• The matching Hebrew word mal'ak has the same meaning.
• Angelic beings are mentioned at least 108 times in the Old Testament;
• And 165 times in the New Testament.
• So an angel is a spirit being who carries a message,
• Or performs a mission, for God.
• They are spiritual beings with a nature superior to human nature,
• But lower, much lower, than God.
• Many times angelic beings are associated with the life and ministry of Jesus.
• Throughout the gospels that fact is demonstrated again and again.
• i.e. One angel foretold his conception,
• (Luke chapter 1 verses 26-38).
• i.e. A multitude of angels proclaimed his birth,
• (Luke chapter 2 verses 8-14).
• i.e. Angels came to minister to Jesus after his temptation experience in the desert,
• (Matthew chapter 4 verse 11).
• i.e. Just before the cross an angel came to strengthen him in the Garden of Gethsemane,
• (Luke chapter 22 verses 43).
• i.e. Angels were present at his resurrection.
• (Matthew chapter 28 verses 2-7).
• i.e. Angels were present at his ascension back into heaven.
• (Acts chapter 1 verses 9-11).
Ill:
• To see an angel would be mind-blowing,
• In fact for a Jew is was the pinnacle of their lives!.
• Yet these creatures that the ancient world,
• (And modern New-Age religions) crave for.
• Come to bow down, serve and worship Jesus!
• These angelic creatures;
• Realise that the one born ‘in flesh’ is still vastly superior to them.
• In the Bible angels are ranked as higher than human beings,
• But all angels bow down, serve and worship one human being – Jesus Christ.
(4). Proclamation:
“Was preached among the nations”
• While he was here on earth;
• Both Jews and Gentiles encountered the claims and teaching of Jesus.
• Many heard Jesus as crowds flocked to hear him preach;
• He was relevant, empathic, insightful and passionate.
• (Mark chapter 1 verses 45, chapter 2 verses 1-2 & 13)
• Others heard the good news via the disciples;
• You remember how Jesus sent out the twelve and then the seventy-two disciples.
• (Matthew chapter 10 verses 1-42 & Luke chapter 10 verses 1-24)
• Both Jews and Gentiles encountered the claims and teaching of Jesus.
• That continued after Jesus ascended back to heaven,
• You can read about it in the ‘history book of the early Church’
• The book of Acts.
• And of course throughout the last two thousand years of Christian history;
• These verses are still being fulfilled.
• i.e. We are Acts chapter 29, 30, 31 etc. etc. etc.
Ill:
• In the days of John Wesley,
• Lay preachers with limited education would sometimes conduct the church services.
• One man used Luke chapter 19 verse 21 as his text:
• "Lord, I feared You, because You are an austere man".
• Not knowing what the word "austere" meant he misread it,
• He thought the text spoke of "an oyster man."
• The lay preacher explained how a diver must grope in the dark,
• Freezing water to retrieve oysters.
• In his attempt, he cuts his hands on the sharp edges of the shells.
• After he obtains an oyster,
• He rises to the surface, clutching it "in his torn and bleeding hands."
• The preacher added,
• "Christ descended from the glory of heaven into … sinful human society,
• in order to retrieve humans and bring them back up with Him to the glory of heaven.
• His torn and bleeding hands;
• are a sign of the value He has placed on the object of His quest."
• At the end of the meeting, twelve men received Christ.
• Twelve men became Christians.
• Later that night someone came to John Wesley;
• They came to complain about these unschooled preachers;
• Who were too ignorant even to know the meaning of the texts they were preaching on.
• The Oxford-educated Wesley simply said,
• "Never mind. The Lord got a dozen oysters tonight."
• TRANSITION: for two thousand years Christ has been proclaimed;
• By the learned and the uneducated;
• Proclaimed to millions of people regardless of their age, sex or race,
• Religious persuasion, education, or any other distinguishing trait.
• And it is still the task of the Church;
• To proclaim the whole gospel to the whole world!
• Brothers and sisters we are plan A to reach a lost world;
• I remind you, that there is no plan B!
• So this week by life and lip let’s make sure we are all proclaiming the gospel message!
(5). Confession:
“Was believed on in the world,”
• Throughout the gospels we read of those individuals or crowds;
• Who encountered Jesus Christ and believed in him as the Messiah;
• Both Jews, Samaritans and Gentiles.
Ill:
• One man who confessed Jesus publicly;
• Has unfortunately by Church history been given a rather negative nick-name.
• The New Testament gives him several names:
• He is called ‘Thomas the Apostle’, also called ‘Judas Thomas’,
• Or ‘Didymus’ which means ‘Twin’,
• But perhaps he is better known by the nick-name, ‘Doubting Thomas’.
• Thomas was branded with that nick-name;
• Because he refused to believe that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead.
• The other eleven disciples could believe it if they were daft enough;
• But Thomas wanted proof, he wanted evidence,
• He had seen the horrendous death of Jesus by crucifixion;
• He knew that nobody, nobody ever survived such a horrendous death like that.
• So wanting proof, he made his famous statement;
• That he wanted to feel for himself the wounds received by Jesus on the cross.
• As a result history has forever called him ‘doubting Thomas’.
And yet…
• The gospel of John also show him as ‘Confessing Thomas’.
• When the risen Christ appeared to him and told him to touch his sides and his hands;
• Thomas fell to the ground and was the first believer to publicly confess Jesus as:
• “My Lord and My God!” (John chapter 20 verse 28)
• For me this is the true Thomas,
• Who has come face to face with his own doubts and overcome them.
• The majority of people may call him ‘doubting Thomas’,
• I prefer to call him ‘Thomas the confessor!’
• Note: Thomas is the first person to call Jesus God
• The first person to publicly acknowledge his deity!
• And in doing so he brings John’s gospel full circle.
• It starts and finish with an acknowledgement that Jesus Christ is God!
(6). Ascension:
“Was taken up in glory.”
Ill:
• A bank wanted to reward one of their loyal and long standing customers;
• The business was expanding and moving into a new building.
• So the bank who had provided the loan for the move;
• Decided to send a floral arrangement to congratulate them.
• Unfortunately there was a mix up at the florist,
• And the card sent with the arrangement read, “With our deepest sympathy.”
• When the mistake was found they contacted the florist;
• Who apologized, but became even more embarrassed;
• When she learned that another floral arrangement sent to a funeral home must have read;
• “Congratulations on your new location.”
• TRANSITION: I have good news for you today.
• After Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, He moved to a new location.
• He ascended back to heaven!
• The very place he descended from two thousand years ago!
Quote:
"In this life, Christ is an example, showing us how to live;
in his death, he is a sacrifice, satisfying for our sins;
in his resurrection, a conqueror over sins, death and the devil;
in his ascensions, a king; in his intercession, a high priest."
Now you can read about the ascension in Acts chapter 1 verse 11:
• Where Forty days after his resurrection,
• Jesus called his 11 apostles together on the Mount of Olives,
• And they witnessed Jesus being physically taken up into the air;
• Until a cloud hid him from their sight.
• As the disciples were watching him ascend,
• Two angels dressed in white robes stood beside them;
• And asked why they were looking into the sky. The angels said:
"This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
The ascension is important for a number of important reasons:
• FIRST It signalled the end of His earthly ministry.
• From now on the disciples and all Christians must experience him in a new way;
• Now by his physical presence but by the Holy Spirit.
• SECOND: It signified success in His earthly work.
• All that he had come to do, He had accomplished;
• Remember his cry from the cross; “It is finished!”
• In heaven he is described as seated, he is at rest, his work complete!
• THIRD: It marked the return of His heavenly glory.
• Jesus' glory had been veiled during his life on earth,
• (except for one brief exception at the Transfiguration; Matthew chapter 17 verses 1-9).
• Notice those words in this hymn: “Was taken up IN GLORY.”
• The ascension saw the return of His heavenly glory.
• Or rather his glory once again shining through.
• FOURTH: It symbolized His exaltation by the Father;
• There are many scriptures that point out the exaltation of Jesus by the Father.
• (i.e. Ephesians chapter 1 verses 20-23 & Philippians chapter 2 verse 9).
• ill: In sporting terms – i.e. Grand Prix we would say he is now on the winning podium;
• ill: In royal terms – i.e. Coronation Day when the king is formally crowned.
• He is now taking the applause, receiving his due praise as victor and sovereign.
There are of course other reasons why Jesus ascended:
• i.e. So that he could send the Holy Spirit.
• (John chapter 16 verse 7)
• i.e. So that he can be our Great High Priest.
• (Hebrews chapter 7 verses :26-27; & chapter 8 verse 1 & chapter 10 verse 21);
• The ascension of Jesus is a great topic of study in itself;
• The New Testament reveals so many important truths in connection with this event.
• So your homework is go and find a few of them!
And finally:
Ill:
• On the side of rubbish truck was the following inscription:
• “Satisfaction Guaranteed or Double Your Trash Back."
• The resurrection and the ascension are our double guarantees;
• That what happened to Jesus will happen to all who trust in him!
• Because he was raised – we too shall be raised;
• Because he was glorified – we too will be glorified;
• Because he reigns – we too will rein with him!
SERMON AUDIO:
Bible Teaching Version:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=iPtvhvbU5dJW80UuwTaUCIIcHpapOCjj
Gospel Version;
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=yhSghJW5eMvpqXeCyXBJBJmdWUCQkSJy
