The Wonders of the Incarnation pt. 1 • The chief doctrine that explains the birth of Christ – is the incarnation. • The incarnation is the Christian belief that the eternal Son of God entered human history by taking on human flesh to forever be the God-Man. • The incarnation teaches that the one person, Jesus, is fully God and fully human (except in his humanity, he had no sin). • Through the incarnation, Jesus was born, he lived, he died and rose again as a fully divine and fully human person (except now He lives today in a resurrected body). “It is the neglect of dogma that makes for dullness. It’s boring to adapt the Christian faith to better fit people; what’s exciting is to adapt people to better fit the Christian faith… the most exciting drama that ever staggered the imagination of man—and the dogma is the drama.” – Dorothy Sayers • Liberal/progressive Christians take away the wonders of the virgin birth, the incarnation, the Trinity, because they are embarrassed by them (their supernaturalism). • But, the Christian should celebrate historic Christian doctrine and adapt people to it, rather than dumbing down our doctrine to a human level. John 1:1-4, 14 (NLT) “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone… 14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” The Identity of Jesus in the Incarnation Jesus is uncreated - “In the beginning the Word already existed.” (John 1:1) Jesus is distinct in person - “with God.” (v1) Jesus is divine in person - “was God.” (v1) Jesus is creator - “God created everything through him.” (v3) Jesus is human – “The Word became flesh.” (v14) Jesus is light, love, faithfulness, glory. (v4, 14) Is this your understanding of Jesus? Recent U.S. surveys by Barna and Pew show a decline in Christians belief in the Trinity and the Incarnation. 60% of Christians believe in one creator/sovereign God. 58% of Christians believe the Holy Spirit is not a real being, but a symbol of God’s power. 56% of all adults believe Jesus is God. (2015) 16% of Christians believe in the Trinity. (March, 2025) The Trinity Explained There is ONE God. The Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not each other! The Bible reveals that ONE GOD exists in THREE PERSONS. The Incarnation God the Son is: • ONE person (who) • TWO natures (what) • Divine/Human • Jesus is fully God and fully Man These doctrines were believed by the early church and made official at the Council of Nicaea (325). Arius taught heresy: • God created Jesus from nothing. • “There was a time when Jesus was not.” • Jesus is “like” God but less than God. • Jesus is not eternal and is subject to change. Athanasius taught orthodoxy: • “Only God can restore the image of God in us.” • “If Christ is not fully God he cannot fully save.” • About 315 of the 318 religious leaders voted down Arius at Nicaea. • The Nicene Creed (325) is now 1700 years old! • Athanasius “stood against the world” for decades in the fight against Arius and the fight for Christian orthodoxy. • Athanasius is the deacon who saved Christmas! The Nicene Creed (325) “We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, Of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and was made man.” CONCLUSION: Why the Incarnation? Answer: Because only the God-Man can bridge the infinite gap between God and Man.