Jesus: The Word Becomes Flesh
Text: John 1:14
Introduction
A. Read John 1:14
B. A few weeks ago Newsweek magazine conducted a poll asking questions about Christ and his birth. Here are some of the results:
1. 67% - believe that the entire story of Christmas is historically accurate.
2. 24% - believe the story of Christmas is a theological invention.
C. If Jesus had not been born, people believe there would be:
1. 63% - less charity
2. 61% - less kindness
3. 59% - less personal happiness
4. 58% - less tolerance
5. 47% - more war
D. It does not matter what people believe about the birth of Christ because it is a historical fact. However, the question is what does his birth mean to us?
Thesis: Christ’s birth means that God intervened in the history of human affairs to redeem a creation that had rebelled against him.
I. The Word Became Flesh For Us
A. Became Flesh
1. There are some great similarities between our day and John’s day.
In John’s day there were a lot of opinions going around as to who Jesus was, but the problem was that most of them were wrong.
Some said Jesus was God but not man.
Others said that he was man but not God.
Still others said he became God.
Another group said that he only appeared to be a man.
2. However, John is very clear about Jesus’ nature.
In verse 1 he said, "In the beginning was the Word."
In verse 14 he says, "The Word was made flesh."
3. It is very interesting that John uses the word "flesh" to describe Jesus. In Scripture the word "flesh" can be used in one of two ways:
It can mean our carnal, sinful nature.
Romans 8:1 (KJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Or it can be used of our "flesh and bone."
4. Here John uses it as "flesh and bone." His point is clear:
Jesus didn’t become God, he is, was, and always shall be God.
But he became man.
5. 2 John 1:7 (KJV) For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
B. The Incarnation
1. Illustration: When Dale and I were deer hunting he pointed out to me an area of his property that he had fenced off. In other words, he made a fence. What God did for us is like if Dale what to save his fence from destruction he became a fence.
2. John 3:16 (KJV) 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.
3. God loved us so much that he gave is only Son, Jesus, to come and die for our sins.
4. Jesus loved us so much that he was willing to give up everything to become like one of us.
He was willing to be born in a barn.
He was willing to take on human frailty.
He was willing to take on human suffering.
He was willing to take on human pain.
He was willing to come knowing that his end was the cross.
5. Some people like to say, "How can a loving God send people to hell?" He doesn’t send people to hell, we send ourselves. He has done everything, given up everything so that we wouldn’t have to go to hell.
Transition: Jesus, the Word, became flesh for you!
II. The Word Dwelt With Us
A. Tabernacled Among Us
1. John tells us that Jesus "dwelt among us."
2. skenoo, skay-no’-o; from Greek 4636 (skenos); to tent or encamp.
3. The figure here is from the Old Testament. The tabernacle was the dwelling-place of the LORD; the meeting-place of God and Israel. So the Word came to men in the person of Jesus.
4. Just as God’s very presence was in the tabernacle in the wilderness, God’s very presence came and lived with us in the person of Jesus.
5. He not only became like one of us, but he came and lived like one of us. He brought us the very presence of God.
B. Among Us
1. Illustration: After the tragic events of 9/11, some of the most comforting scenes that are etched in my memory are those of President George Bush at ground zero among the rescue workers giving encouragement and thanks.
2. Even more comforting is the thought that not only did God the Son become like us, but he came and he tablernacled with us.
3. He brought us his permanent presence, and the promise that he would never leave us.
4. Even when he left this earth he gave us the promise of God’s presence in the person of the Holy Ghost.
5. John 16:7-8 (KJV) Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. [8] And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Transition: John also says that...
III. The Word Showed the Father’s Glory to Us
A. Shekinah Glory
1. John’s reference here is to the Shekinah Glory that was present in the tabernacle.
2. Exodus 40:34 (KJV) Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
3. The basic meaning is "to be heavy, weighty,"
4. Illustration: Perhaps you’ve heard the expression "the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife."
5. God’s glory in the tabernacle was the heaviness of his presence.
B. God’s Glory
1. Jesus came in the flesh and brought God’s permanent presence with us. So much so that you can feel it from the weight of his presence.
2. That is how it should be when we gather in the house, we should be able to feel the presence of God’s glory.
3. Matthew 18:20 (KJV) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
4. The more we hunger and thirst for God’s presence the more his glory is made manifest in our midst.
Transition: Let us long for God’s glory and presence. Finally...
IV. The Word Brought God’s Grace to Us.
A. Full of Grace
1. John tells us that Jesus was full of grace and truth.
2. Grace, highest privilege. It means a gift or a favor, an unmerited and undeserved gift or favor.
3. Romans 5:6-8 (NIV) You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. [7] Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
4. Not only did Jesus bring God’s grace, but he brought the fullness of God’s grace.
5. In Jesus we receive the completeness, wholeness, full measure of God’s unmerited favor.
We cannot earn it
We will never deserve it
We cannot be good enough
We cannot be kind enough
We can only receive it
B. Full of Truth
1. Jesus not only brought the fullness of God’s grace, but also the fullness of God’s truth.
2. John 14:6 (KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
3. Lindbergh On Truth: In my youth, science was more important to me than either man or God. I worshipped science. Its advance had surpassed man’s wildest dreams. It took many years for me to discover that science, with all its brilliance, lights only a middle chapter of creation. I saw the aircraft I love destroying the civilization I expected it to save. Now I understand that spiritual truth is more essential to a nation than the mortar in its cities’ walls. For when the actions of a people are undergirded by spiritual truths, there is safety. When spiritual truths are rejected, it is only a matter of time before civilization will collapse. We must understand spiritual truths and apply them to our modern life. We must draw strength from the almost forgotten virtues of simplicity, humility, contemplation and prayer. It requires a dedication beyond science, beyond self, but the rewards are great and it is our only hope. -Charles Lindbergh
4. People today search high and low to find the truth. Some so that there is no absolute truth, but I say there is truth: truth that we can know and experience. That truth comes only in Jesus Christ the Son of God.
5. If you want to know the truth:
You must come to Jesus Christ
You must receive Jesus Christ
You must submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ
Transition: If you want the truth you won’t find it in a science book. You won’t find it in a history book. You’ll only find it in this book!
Conclusion
A. Jesus, the Word:
1. Became flesh for us
2. Dwelt with us
3. Brought God’s glory to us
4. Brought God’s grace to us
B. He did all of this for one reason: to redeem us.
C. Let us proclaim the true meaning of Christmas that Jesus came to be a ransom for many.
