THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH
MATTHEW 1:16, 20-23
John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
Introduction:
This is the time of the year when many people go to church or at least think about Jesus Christ. Gifts are given at this time for reasons that many will not connect to Him. Most people today are ignorant of who Jesus is. Most do not think of Him as the Son of God. God the Father sent Jesus, His only-begotten Son, at a time that God had planned before the world began.
Many do not know who the Son of God is. He is a very special person as we will see.
I. GOD’S SON IS SENT FORTH
A. In the fullness of time, Galatians 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,”
1. Made of a woman, Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
2. Made under the Law, Isaiah 9:6-7, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
B. He became a man, John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
1. His name is Emmanuel, “God with us,” Matthew 1:23, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
a. He was born of a virgin, Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
b. He is the God of Heaven, John 1:1-3, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
2. His name is Jesus, Matthew 1:21, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS [that is, Saviour]: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
3. His name is “The Word of God,” Revelation 19:13, “And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God”
II. JESUS DWELT AMONG US
A. At twelve years of age He amazed the doctors of the Law, Luke 2:42, 46-47, “And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.”
B. At the age of 30 He began His ministry.
1. He participated in our life as a man, Hebrews 2:14, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;”
2. He preached the same message as John the Baptist, Matthew 4:17, “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
3. He performed miracles, Matthew 4:23, “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.”
4. He suffered and died for our sins, Galatians 1:4, “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:”
a. He gave Himself as a ransom, 1 Timothy 2:6, “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”
b. He suffered the Just for the unjust, 1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”
c. He died for us of His own free will, John 10:17-18, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”
d. He died to put away sin, Hebrews 9:26, For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”
e. He was raised for our justification, Romans 4:25, “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”
CONCLUSION
The God of Heaven has accomplished redemption for us through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. He is not a babe in a manger, nor is He on the Cross of Calvary today, but in the very presence of God the Father. He is seated at the right hand of the throne of God making intercession for you and I who know Jesus as our Savior.
He is coming again very soon. Are you ready if He should come today?