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KEY SCRIPTURE
The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
PRAYER
Holy Spirit,
I’m ready! Speak to me!
Amen!
SERMON NOTES
Parents know all too well the struggle at Christmas - you buy cool, thoughtful gifts for your toddlers just to have them be far more excited by the wrapping paper, box and bow. This can be frustrating - they don’t seem to understand the cost of the present and time it took.
But how exciting at the same time was it to see the joy on their face playing with the simplest of things?
What causes that feeling of joy? It’s simple -
And that love changes the motivation behind the gifts given at Christmas.
The first few verses of John 1 tell us:
1. The Word is another name for Jesus
2. Jesus has always existed
3. Jesus, along with the Father and Holy Spirit, created all things
4. Jesus, God’s son, came to bring us life
Think about it… If Jesus came to bring life to you and me, that implies that without Jesus you aren’t really
Jesus came to bring 2 Truths and Reveal the Lies
‘Jesus is God who became man’
You can become like God, but you are man.
Jesus didn’t just come into the world to be a light in the dark, he came to overcome the darkness of
Jesus became human so that you and I might become sons and daughters of God!
11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.—John 1:11-13 NIV
God became so you might BECOME!
1 God became that you might become family
God became flesh (
When you place your faith in Christ, you become part of that family.
2 God became that you might become like Jesus
In that faith, you become a new human.
Notice, I didn’t say you become a good person. We often confuse that the purpose of Christianity is to make us better people, but that’s not always true.
All kinds of good people exist who aren’t Christian. What makes Christianity different?
16 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.—John 3:16 NIV
Jesus entered into the hardest part of creation. He could have just appeared as a
Why?
5-8 Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.—Philippians 2:5-8 MSG
This shows the two bookends of Jesus’ life.
Bookend 1 - Jesus’ birth
Bookend 2 - Jesus’ crucifixion
Both are full of pain, tears and comfort.
What’s this have to do with Christmas?
Because without Easter, there would be no
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.—John 1:4-5 NIV
God became like you (human) so that by faith you now can become like Him (Divine).
Jesus left the comfort of his divinity, humbled himself, made himself lower than even the angels in order to become human. When we accept his invitation, we humble ourselves before Jesus by accepting by faith that God loves us so much that He sent His son to die for us.
Nicodemus’ story in John 3 is a great depiction of this.
Christmas Eve is a great reminder of God’s power to become. God’s power is conceived in you - you don’t become
3 God became that you might shine bright in the darkness
When you’re born again, you can’t help but love your neighbor. Compassion and kindness naturally flow. Faithfulness, gentleness, goodness are no longer an attempt to be moral but are the result of knowing and basking in God’s love for you and for the world.
Jesus came to give you the greatest Christmas gift you’ll ever receive.
A new life. A new heart. A new beginning.
Jesus is God wrapped up in humanity. And what’s inside changed everything!
You just have to receive this gift - Jesus.
WORSHIP THIS WEEK
O Come All Ye Faithful (His Name Shall Be)
What A Beautiful Name/ANGUS DEI