The Word Became Flesh - Pastor Stacey Shiflett

Watch this message here:

The Word Became Flesh

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.

Intro: Today, we will examine the biblical doctrine known as the Incarnation of Christ and why it matters.

John 1

·        1 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.

·        4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

·        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.

The Virgin Birth of Christ is an absolutely essential doctrine!

• If Jesus Christ was not virgin born — He is only a man, not God!

• If Jesus Christ was not virgin born — He could not be our Saviour!

• If Jesus Christ was not virgin born — the Books of Isaiah, Matthew, Luke, and John are all fakes!

• If Jesus Christ was not virgin born, we are all lost and on our way to Hell.

The fact is, the doctrine of the Virgin Birth of Christ is a cardinal doctrine — one of the fundamentals of our Baptist faith.

According to Revelation 13:8, the incarnation was a predetermined event in human history.

·        8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

There is no doctrine more attacked, more denied, more essential, or more glorious than this: God became man.

·        The Creator clothed Himself in creation.

·        The Infinite stepped into the finite.

·        The Eternal entered time.

·        The Almighty became an infant.

·        The Creator of man became man.

Why was it necessary that God Himself take upon Him the form of a servant and be made in the likeness of men?

I. To Ratify the Prophecies

The least number I can find is 110, with some resources saying Jesus fulfilled as many as 300 prophecies.

·        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.

·        Romans 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. 

·        Isaiah 9:6 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.

The prophecies were not given just to inform the Old Testament saints that a Messiah would come.

They were also given to validate Him when He arrived.

Matthew 1

·        18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

·        19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

·        20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

·        21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

·        22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

·        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.

II. To Rescue the Sinners

Christ did not come to reform society or elevate morality; He came to save sinners from their sins.

·        Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

·        Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

·        1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...

III. To Reveal the Father

Man could not see God, so God showed Himself in Jesus.

·        John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

·        John 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

·        John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

IV. To Represent the High Priest

The High Priest must be a man to stand between God and man.Christ took on flesh to qualify as our Great High Priest.

Deity alone cannot die.Humanity alone cannot save.Deity wrapped in humanity - that is our High Priest.

·        Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 4

·        15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

·        16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Interestingly, the nation of Israel was not interested in having a High Priest.

John 6

·        14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

·        15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

They were willing to accept Jesus as a prophet.

They even tried by force to make Him a King.

But they did not see their need for a High Priest.

Hebrews 5

·        1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

·        2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

·        3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

·        4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

·        5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

·        6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

·        7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

·        8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

·        9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

·        10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

V. To Remove the Sin 

He came - not to manage it, minimize it, or overlook it, but to take away sin.

·        1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins...

·        John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Hebrews 9:26-28

·        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.

·        27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

·        28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

VI. To Ruin the Works of Satan

·        1 John 3:8 For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 

·        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.

·        John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

VII. To Reflect the Holy Life

·        1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

·        1 John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

The incarnation gives the believer an example of godliness.

We can walk like Him because:

• He walked before us

• He lives within us

• He intercedes above us

• He enables us through His Spirit

Conclusion: Why did God become flesh?

·        Because prophecy demanded it.Because sinners needed it.Because the Father desired it.Because redemption required it.Because Satan’s defeat depended on it.Because believers benefit from it.

The cradle led to the cross.The cross led to the crown.And the One who came once in humility will come again in glory.

The Word became flesh, and nothing has been the same since.