The Incarnation of the Triune God

He was becoming the same as men. He was in every sense in the sameness is man. He was a genuine man. He had the essential attributes of humanness. He wasn't just God in the shell. He was finally man in all parts of human genuine man would really man has a color and luster similar to old and it often forms in the same kind of rock that goal does but in the end, iron pyrite, commonly known as fools gold is worthless compared to the genuine article. You know as Christmas approaches. You can be sure that much of the world will get caught up in secular traditions. The fools gold. If you will, but they will miss what is truly valuable about the holiday. And that's the Lord Jesus himself so today on grace to you. Take a fresh look at the significance of the incarnation God took on human flesh, as John MacArthur continues his study called the real meaning of Christmas. Here's John with the lesson. I invite you to take a bottle and turn to Philippians chapter 2 Philippians chapter 2, I want to take as the text of our Christmas message verses six through 11 Philippians 26 through 11 in these verses we will see five steps in the Christmas story five features as God enters the world five great aspects to the incarnation. First of all number one the Lord Jesus Christ abandoned a sovereign position so like a king who takes off his robes of Majesty and puts on the garment of a bigger, the son of God abandoned a sovereign position second point he accepted a servant's place when he became a man he didn't become a king is a man or great ruler. Our great leader or great master.

He became a servant. The moment that he divested himself of his robes of Majesty, he donned the servants a point.

Third, he approached a sinful people he approached a sinful people in his perfection.

He was willing to be a servant to the father in his perfect harmony with the father. He was willing to be a servant. That service meant that he had to approach a sinful people he had to enter this sin cursed planet. He had to render his service here on this earth.

He couldn't do it from outer space. He couldn't do it from the edge of heaven.

He had to come into this world and he had to touch sinful man at his own level so that abandoning a sovereign position on adopting or accepting a servant's place man approaching a sinful people look again at verse seven he was made in the likeness of men and found in fashion as a man that was the only way it could be done. He had to become a man by the way it says in the authorized was made in the likeness of men. The word was made is probably not the best translation is a participle of the verb. Given my denominator asked which means becoming he was becoming in the likeness of men. And the idea there is not that he was created then, but that he always was God, but he became a man he preexisted as eternally as God is eternal. He wasn't made. Then he was then becoming a man. He had always been in existence so the proper use of that verb indicates a change becoming something and it is saying that Jesus who always was in the form of God was becoming in the likeness of men.

And it was a process he was born and he grew in wisdom and stature, he was becoming in the likeness of men. By the way, the word likeness is so important. The first part of the word is the word Homo which means the same homogeneous something that is the same and what it's saying is, he was becoming the same as men. He was in every sense in the sameness, as man, he was a genuine man.

He had the essential attributes of humanness.

He wasn't just God in the shell.

He was fully man in all parts and dimension genuine man with real humanity. Yet everything that all men have, except for one thing, what was sin, but that doesn't mean he wasn't a man Adam was a man before he was a sinner and you and I will be glorified men throughout all eternity. When our sin is put behind us, and there are times in our lives when we are not sitting so to be a man does not necessarily mean you must sin. Christ did not. The Bible is clear he was without sin. But he was no less a man. In fact, if I made be so bold to suggest he was all that a man could be that we could never know a man to be because of the sinlessness so it was a genuine man. He was fully man in the essence of his humanity at the deepest point he was made but go to verse eight he also was found in the fashion of AMI. Not only was he a genuine man and deeply and truly it is nature, all that a man is, but he also took on the outward form of a man hears the words came up the fashion of men come into the first century with a 20th-century outfit talking a 20th-century language drop like some visitor from outer space.

He was born of a Jewish mother. He lived in a little village of Nazareth, the eighth, the way they 80 talk the language they talk. He transported himself the way they did. He wore the clothes they wore took care of himself the way they took care of themselves.

He ate what they 80, drank what they drank in other words, he took on the scheme of their life.

The customs of their culture. So by personal experience. He adapted to the outer manifestation of the time in which he lived. He was man at the deepest part of his nature and he adapted to man, and that climate and that culture and that time and experienced all of their experiences fully God fully man the mystery of the incarnation and sinless, all the while.

Don't think of Jesus as less than fully human. He was fully human. Did people come into this world to the natural process of birth through the womb of a mother. So did he and others been wrapped in swaddling clothes so was he had others grown up, so did he did. Others have brothers and sisters. He did did others learn a trade and work so did he were other men at times hungry and thirsty and weary in the sleep so was he were others grieved angry so was he. Did others weep. So did he. Did others rejoice, so did he. Were others destined to die. So did he. Did others suffer pain so did he.

Were others loved and hated, so was he was a man in in the form in the fashion gets the Christmas Carol away in a manger that says the cattle are blowing the baby awakes but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes you mean to tell me because he was God. He didn't try. All babies cry is necessarily a sign of sin cried when he was a man, like any cronies a baby hast thou been hungry child of mine. I too have needed bread for 40 days. I tasted not till by the angels fit.

I stop and thirsty on the cross, I suffered thirst for the five promised to supply that I need my child come to me when thou art saddened tears fall fast. My heart goes out to the need for. I wept over Jerusalem the place so dear to me when I came to Lazarus to my wept. My heart was sore outcome for D when thou dost weep till sorrows are all over jury wept. He was human in all the fullness of humans. That's the Christmas story. He was fully God did not cling to his privileges, but laid them aside became a servant and approach to sinful people. Fourthly, having abandoned the sovereign position, having accepted a servants place having approach to sinful people. He then adopted a selfless posture, he adopted a selfless posture verse eight, he humbled himself all people. What a statement. What a statement. Do you ever think about the humility of Christ.

I mean I see them in their areas. As a little boy or a young man and he's helping Joseph make a yoke in the carpenter shop to put on some oxen that he had created meanies washing the feet of 12 disciples and he was to design their brains is hungry and it was here created the universe place of humility, he adopted a selfless posture, utterly selfless for us. He did this people.

Humility is the theme of Christmas humility, filthy stable our family was in one the summer in the bottom of the barn ankle-deep in the mire and the filth were never the light of day were the sun shone foul stench that nauseated was gagged, humiliation St. Augustine wrote so beautifully of his humility so beautifully the word of the father, he said, by whom all time was created was made flesh, and born in time for us. He, without whose divine permission note date completes its course wish to have one of those days for his human birth in the bosom of his father.

He existed before all the cycles of the ages, born of an earthly mother. He entered on the course of the years on that very day, the maker of man became man that he ruler of the stars might be nourished at the breast that he the bread might be hungry that he the fountain might thirst that he the light might sleep that either way might be wearied in the journey that he, the truth might be accused by false witnesses that he, the judge of the living and the dead might be brought to trial by a mortal judge that he justice itself might be condemned by the unjust, that he discipline personified, might be scourged with a whip that he, the foundation might be suspended on a cross that he courage incarnate might be weak and he security itself might be wounded, and he life itself might die.

Humility and how humble look back adversity, he humbled himself off article well certainly became mortal but he went beyond that. He also became obedient unto death. You see, it was an act of obedience. He learned obedience. Hebrews 5895 death. The greatest act of obedience to the father was in dying that was God's will and even the garden resettled father, let this cup pass from me. The humanist was crying out against dying, the deity was crying out against sin bearing and yet he said not my will but thine be done.

He was obedient to death. He didn't just become mortal.

He died. That's the worst that man can ever ever endure all the way to the grave and he didn't just die either to the University, even the death of the cross. One thing to die. It's infinitely beyond that to die the death of the cross. Ancient writers used to say that the dyadic process to die a thousand times before you take your last breath. The pain is excruciating, unimaginable suffocation of the organs. When the body is suspended by four great wounds is more than you can believe the pain the fiery pain pulsing through the body is more than we can conceive.

It was a peaceful death. It was a shameful death that was reserved for the vilest and the most wicked of criminals and you hung suspended in space naked before the gaping, gazing markings wrong was accursed death. God himself and said he that hangs on a tree is cursed with a lonely, there was no companionship, even God was gone and I wonder so often as I hear the word still sold the sign of wonder of all the ages see Christ die. God, the Lord of glory is on the cross for the incomprehensible humility was so marvelous is that even in his dying, even in his dying, even in such abject depth of the human suffering. He still wielded the power of God to redeem the human race is dying. He could do that. There was a battle fought long ago story came back to the king of one soldier who had a sword who had single-handedly destroyed the enemy and the king said to one of his soldiers bring me that sword I want to see such a sword that can do such damage. Soldier got the sword brought it in. Give it to his Majesty and he looked it over and he said take it back. This is but an ordinary sword soldier said, your Majesty, you should see the arm that wields it look at Jesus Christ and you see his humanness, say but how could a man redeem the human race. This is but an ordinary sword, but what you should see is the arm of deity that wielded that humans that even in death, he redeemed the human race. Great great truths so when receiving what is the Christmas story, the Lord Jesus Christ abandoned the sovereign position accepted a servants place approach to sinful people adopted a selfless posture.

That's the Christmas story. But there's one more thought for.

He ascended a supreme Prince. He ascended a supreme Prince was God's reaction to this and what should be ours. God's reaction. First, in verse nine wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name or title or position or rank that is above every other name or title, position or rank God and people assuming that is the greatest classical spiritual truth. Jesus said it himself. In Luke 1411 he that humbled themselves, shall be what exalted, and that is the spiritual truth that we must learn when we hug ourselves. God will lift us up and exalt us. And that's exactly what he humbled himself, and he was exalted. He then becomes the supreme illustration of this kingdom principle you sink to the depths of selfless sacrificial humiliation and God will lift you to the heights of glory we see them in the temptation is humbled 40 days without eating. He's being buffeted by Satan. He's fasting and repentance again identifying the sins of the nation in humility. Trust the father to take care of them and never uses his power to meet his own needs and then inglorious exaltation when the time is done. The father dispatches the Angels to come and feed in humility publicly proclaimed to his disciples that he was going to die in a moment later he's in a mountain with them and he pulls his flesh back and they see his glory.

We see them on the cross in humility and then he bursts from the grave and exaltation. And that's the pattern humility and glorification.

God exalted. I was God's reaction got exalted, and God give them a name above every name, what percent in order that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow every knee. Now we come to us and all the other creatures every need about every knee in heaven for that lethality.

The holy angels on the redeem series of already gone that everyone in earth that will be all living and under the earth the demons and Satan and all that hosts all the creatures in heaven and earth and under the or all of them are to bow to that exalted name. He is says Ephesians 1 far above all principalities and powers far above all other knee given the Supreme Pl., Prince of God. Notice that he's given a name above every name, so what is it very clear verse 10 the name of Jesus that all that is embodied in that name. All that is embodied in who is he is unequaled, the Savior, the Lord of the world and the universe and that that name every knee should bow in your subject every knee will bow, that's right, every knee will bow, if not in adoration in judgment right if not in worship in condemnation. Every knee will bow, even Satan will be cast into the pit forever. You will bow the knee to the authority of Christ. Look at verse 11 and bring it to personal response. Verse 10 encompasses the broad picture every knee should bow, verse 11 comes down to the individual.

Every tongue should confess Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the father every living thing. Every living creature in this world will confess Jesus Christ as Lord.

The demons and the damned, the redeemed the holy angels. All will bow all will confess sooner or later the issue is when if you wait until the judgment is too late.

But if now you confess Jesus is Lord you enter into his kingdom is salvation. Romans 10 on incense as if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord leaving on hard God is risen from the dead, thou shalt be what say this is the message of the gospel.

Jesus Christ is more that's were saying he is God he is in the form of God, he is God of very God with all the attributes of God come into the world with all the fullness of humanness, he became the servant, he humbled himself, he died, even dying on the cross in the midst of that death purchasing our salvation God approve and God lifted it back up and exalt him and then God calls to all the created universe and says bow the knee and confess his Lordship and if you won't now. You will someday then it will be in judgment and condemnation now or later, choice is yours. You can bow the knee. Now in adoration of love.

You can confess him as Lord now and enter into the joy of salvation forever. You can resist and say no. And someday you will bow the knee because her before she had no choice to be condemned a person you confess Jesus as Lord, what greater Christmas gift and that and receive eternal life. Why be a fool. What kind of food reject that incomprehensible, but is there a message for Christians or most of us are Christians.

The message for us for sure one or something. This passage was written for Christians attract the passengers not written from believers for Christians. How do you know because this whole passage is just an illustration of another principal go back to verse five the whole passage simply illustrates another principal and what is the principal verse three let nothing be done through strife or vainglory but in the lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Don't look on your own things, but on the things of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being and then you go into the past. What is pulsing be humble, be selfless below only and if you need an illustration then let this mind be in you which was in Christ who wants something and became nothing that God might make him something again. He is a living illustration to the believer if you will humble yourself. God will exalt you. You know what people often ask around Christmas time I guess. What is a Lord try to tell me what what is the point of Christmas. I think the point of Christmas is right here Christmas there's no better time in the year than to teach us the illustration of the lesson of humility character of Christ.

He was unselfish.

He was humble. He was condescending, polished, challenging the church to that perspective and attitude of a willingness to suffer to be humiliated to be selfless to be sacrificing so that God can lift us up with the thing we need to learn people is not to always be asserting ourselves defending ourselves pushing ourselves up, but to be humble and selfless. That is the message of Christmas to us.

Listen to the words of Paul Reese for us Christians, says Paul, there is no place where the principle of effacing self in behalf of others appear so impressively as it doesn't Jesus Christ.

He is God giving himself away, yet remaining God is God putting off a sovereign's vesture for a bigger's rags. He is God rising from his bench where he sits as judge and going to the gallows for the criminal he is God impoverishing himself, bettering himself, exposing himself to evil spite and spittle never sparing himself until he has made the rude cross on Jerusalem's Hill the sign of the sum of his utter self giving, what is he saying to us this mind be in you.

That is the missing be humble is crisp, selfless reach out to somebody else in need Jesus to selfless selfless. That's the message for us. Message of humility you're listening to Grace to you featuring the verse by verse Bible teaching of John MacArthur.

John is a pastor, author and Chancellor of the Masters University in seminary.

Today's lesson is part of his current series titled the real meaning of Christmas.

Well, as we have explained there's a clear purpose for airing this Christmas study so many weeks before Christmas. I guess you could say John. It's all about being prepared well it is that's what we been saying in the last couple of days. You might say well we should wait until the week before Christmas.

Think about Christmas well conversations about Christmas are going to start a quick break and this is pre-Christmas training.

If we can say it that way doing the real meaning of Christmas in November should equip you to not only enjoy the full richness of Christmas in a way that perhaps you have an in the past because you didn't have the information were giving you but also allow you the opportunity to communicate these glorious crews leading up to that holiday.

I want to mention that we have a book to go along with this series. The title of it is God's gift of Christmas. It's a beautiful book is a small compact hardcover gift book hundred 20 pages and the book God's gift of Christmas is available from grace. Few obviously reasonable prices. All of our materialists and it's going to set a context for celebrating Christmas by taking you through fascinating details like who were the shepherds who were the wise men. It even looks at the people who miss the reality of Christmas even though they were there.

It looks that the religious leaders Herod the masses in Jerusalem, and later even the Nazarenes God's gift of Christmas takes you not only to the tender manger scene helps you see the big picture. It's filled with clear gospel truth. I think this is the kind of book that should become a cherished family tradition as well as an excellent timely tool for evangelism appoints readers to the eternal importance of what happened in Bethlehem so you can order the book. God's gift of Christmas or you can order a whole group of those books to give to your friends that there are available right now from grace to you. Yes and now is especially a good time to pick up John's book God's gift of Christmas. It's on sale for 25% off our regular price along with nearly all of our resources to help you stay focused on Christ this holiday season, or to help an unbelieving friend, consider Christmas from a whole new perspective order God's gift of Christmas when you contact us today. Call our toll-free number 855 race or go to our website de TY.org again the title to ask for God's gift of Christmas.

The price is nine dollars and shipping is free and also during the sale. You can get the MacArthur study Bible for as little as $15 and softcover and shipping is still free to get an early start on your Christmas shopping and to take advantage of the discounted prices. Call 855 race or visit de TY.org and when you're online. Make sure to catch up on the articles at the grace to you blog. There you will find insights from John on practical issues facing you and your church. Just click on the GT Y blog tab at the top of our homepage@jidety.org website is also where you go to download any of John. 3500 sermons free of charge. They are all available in MP3 or transcript format@tty.org now for John MacArthur on Phil Johnson. Thanks for tuning in today and be back tomorrow. As John shows you some people who missed Christmas and how you can avoid making the same tragic mistake. It's another 30 minutes of unleashing God's truth one verse at a time on grace to you