[Slide 1] “Incarnation”

Spoken word Based on Philippians 2:5-11

[Slide 2] 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (ESV)

[Slide 3] Form of God can be confusing

and has led to much false teaching

“Form” means corresponding to reality

Meaning Jesus was God without reaching.

[Slide 4] And although He was God

He did not cling to that position

As if it could be stolen

By His enemy or His mission.

[Slide 5] He was eternally God

But His attitude of submission

Led Him to set aside His divine rights

Eternal subtraction through eternal addition

[Slide 6] He did not cast off His Godness

As one would with an old shirt

But instead He hid His glory

To be as one formed from the dirt

[Slide 7] By taking on human nature

And adding it to His divine

He became all God and all man

Two natures - one of a kind

[Slide 8] At Christmas time we focus

On that baby in a stable

We sing our carols loudly

Well, all the verses we’re able

[Slide 9] We say Jesus is the reason

For the season, that’s true

But what he went through

I don’t think we have a clue

[Slide 10] He humbled himself to come here

He did more than take on skin

He became a slave of His Father

And surrounded Himself with sin

[Slide 11] We think of His suffering

On a cross or in a tomb

But he placed His holy nature

In a wretched sinner’s womb.

[Slide 12] Like a potter becoming a bowl

It’s something we don’t quite get

To become His creation

He would hunger, thirst, and sweat.

[Slide 13] He cast out demons with a word

Battles with Satan, He did win

Unlike our first representative

“The Second Adam” did not sin

[Slide 14] But it’s not just human frailty

That He faithfully chose to bear

But the perfect law of God

Which He kept without error

[Slide 15] Then under submission to His Father

As the God-Man He must obey

“Let this cup pass from me

But Your will Father.” He prayed.

[Slide 16] His suffering continued

As in agony He bore

Not just stripes, not just death

But on Him God’s wrath was poured.

[Slide 17] Not a death of a hero

Not the death of a King

Cursed by God

But now death has lost its sting

[Slide 18] Riches to rags

A Sheep to slaughter

Peace with God

Good will to sons and daughters

[Slide 19] But He didn’t stay dead

Now He’s been given a name

A name all will bow to

Authority no one else can claim

[Slide 20] The Father is Spirit

The Son now at His right hand

Two natures eternally joined

Still all God and all man

[Slide 21] Through the humiliation of Christ

Though He suffered great disgrace

His body now bears the scars

That let us approach the throne of grace

[Slide 22] Forever He’s been humbled

Forever He’s been raised up

Forever He is the King of Kings

Because He Obeyed the Father and drank our cup.

[Slide 23] So at this glorious time of year

When we see all the glittering lights

When presents and stockings fill our homes

And the cold wind of winter bites

[Slide 24] It may be tempting for us to focus

On shepherds, angels, and a star

We may even brag about knowing

That those wise men were still afar

[Slide 25] But our blessed Savior’s birth

Was not the greatest event that day

But the hypostatic union

By which our God made for us a way

[Slide 26] So go home from here in awe

That in humility our Savior came

Because it was His humiliation

That His angels did proclaim

[Slide 27] And all throughout this holiday season

And on into next year

Keep your eyes upon the clouds

But not for Santa or reindeer

[Slide 28] Keep your ears attuned and listening

But not for jingle bells to ring

But for the trumpet’s peal and glorious reveal

The return of our mighty King

[Slide 29] For though He first came in humility

Led to die without a fight

He will next come in power

To make all things new and right

[Slide 30] So, come gather up Your bride

From every tribe and nation

Come and take us home to You

Lift us from our lowly station

[Slide 31] Adorn us with Your robes

Spotless white and forever pure

Come and dwell with us, Your people

Sin’s sickness forever cured

[Slide 32] Even so come Lord Jesus

Come almighty King

Come our wonderous Savior

And Your perfect Kingdom bring!