Because there are many scripture references that are not read in the sermon, I have included the notes.
Who Was Crucified Philippians2:5-8; Acts20:28
Today, a little over a week before the date we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, let us consider an aspect of the miracle that took place in Bethlehem that made possible our salvation. God took on the form of man to accomplish what could be accomplished by no other means.
- Holy Habakkuk 1:13a; Psalm 5:4; 1John 1:5-6
Invisible Colossians 1:15;John1:18;4:24All Powerful / All Knowing / Ever PresentEternal Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 7:3Sovereign Isaiah46:9; Romans11:34Worthy Of Worship Matthew4:10- Born Of Woman – Particularly A Virgin
- Seed of woman Genesis 3:15
Uniting God And HumanityTo be born without sin- Humanity inherits sin nature from first father, Adam >>> Christ did not descend from Adam Luke1:35
Human Frailties- Born >>> grew >>> increased in wisdom (Luke2:40)
Hunger / thirst / physical weakness / lost human lifeMind >>> obeyed parents / increased in wisdom / things he did not know “of that day…not even the son…” Mark 13:32Emotions >>> sorrow / wept / marveled (at faith)People saw his humanityYet Without Sin Hebrews 4:15- Always did what pleased Father John8:29
Yet, he knew temptation [Winning weight lifter knows the weight better than those who tried and failed]Showed Obedience / ExamplePerfect Substitute / Perfect MediatorSympathetic High Priest >>> Human For Ever- “God (Theos)” Is Used Speaking Of Jesus Christ John1:1,18; Romans9:5; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8; 2Peter1:1; Isaiah9:6
“Lord (Kyrios)” Is Used Speaking Of Christ Jesus Luke2:11,18; 1:43; Matthew22:4; 1 Corinthians8:6Jesus’ Claim To Deity John8:57-58 - Before Abraham…/ John3:16,36; 20:31 - Gives eternal life / John3:17; 5:23; 10:36 - Existed before he came into the world / Hebrews1:2 – Creator and heir of world / Heb.1:3 – Exact duplicate of the nature/essence (hupostasis) of God … his power upholds the universe- Omnipotent >>> calms storms / multiplies food to feed thousands / turns water into wine
Omniscient >>> Nathaniel under fig tree / Knew what was in men’s hearts / Knew who would betrayOmnipresent >>> not between manger and cross >>> However: Promised “there am I” Matthew 18:20; “I am with you always…” 28:20Immortal >>> “I will raise it (temple/his body) up again” John2:19; I lay down my life… no one takes it” John10:17-18Worthy of worship >>> Philippians 2:9; Hebrews 1:6Sovereign >>> “I say unto you” vs “Thus sayeth the Lord”; Reveals the Father to whomever he chooses Matthew 11:27; All authority/ power in heaven and earth Matthew 28:18So Jesus Christ Could Bear The Sin Of ManTo Save Man “Salvation is from the Lord” Jonah 2:9To Be Mediator 1Timothy 2:5TO SHOW THE AMAZING LENGTH TO WHICH GOD WENT TO PROVIDE FOR YOUR SALVATION
- Invisible God Became Visible [Even grotesquely so]
Who Is Not Flesh And Blood Sacrifice Blood That Was HisWho Cannot Sin, Became Sin >>> So That We Might Become The Righteousness Of God 2Corinthians 5:21This and more about the deity and humanity of Christ can be found in Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem Zondervan press