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So far in our studies All About Jesus we have seen that he is pictured, present, and prophesied of in the Old Testament.  This week we will enter into the New Testament, where we will begin to look at the life of our Lord Jesus Christ as he walked here on earth.

The Biblical teaching of God the Son coming to earth in the flesh is what we call the incarnation.  This simply means “The act of clothing with flesh” [Webster 1828]. One of the clearest teachings of the incarnation can be found in John chapter 1.

• John 1:1 In the beginning was the ______________, and the Word was with God, and the _________________________.

Comparing this verse with its context, especially verse 14, we learn that the Word is a title given to the Lord Jesus Christ.

• John 1:14 And the _______________ was made _____________, and ____________ among us, (and we ______________ his glory, the glory as of the ________  _________________ of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Q. Why can we assume that John 1:14 is referring to Jesus Christ?

• 1 Tim 3:16. Q. Who was manifest in the flesh? ____________.

Q. By the description listed in the remainder of 1 Tim 3:16, who does this verse seem to refer to?

The Incarnation – An Essential Doctrine
Believing that Jesus Christ was in fact God robed in human flesh is not an optional doctrine for the Christian. • Look up 2 John 1:7,9.

Q. How does the Bible describe one who denies Jesus came in the flesh?

Q. Considering verse 9, do you think a belief that Jesus was God in the flesh is required for someone to be saved?

• 1 John 4:1-3. In these verses we are given a test for false prophets. How can we be sure that a spirit is NOT of God?

The Virgin Birth – God’s Means for the Incarnation

Essential to the incarnation of Jesus Christ, is the virgin birth.  In order for God the Son to manifest himself on earth, in human flesh, he could not have been born of both a human Mother and Father.

• Romans 5:12. Q. This verse, speaking of Adam, indicates that he brought ___  ___  ___ into the world.

Q. What passed upon all men as a result of sin? _______________.

Q. What other impact did Adam’s sin have on all people?

• 1 Cor 15:22. Q. What happens to all those in Adam? _______________.

All descendants of Adam since this first sin have been born spiritually dead and separated from God.  In order for Jesus Christ to be the sinless saviour of the world,  he could not be born as a direct descendant of Adam.  God, through the virgin Mary, provided Jesus a human body (Heb 10:5), yet prevented him from receiving only a fallen, fleshly nature by ensuring that Joseph was not the earthly father.

• Matthew 1:20. Q. How was Jesus conceived?_______________________.

• Isa 7:14, Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:27, Q. Mary was a __________________

A sinless mother was not required for the incarnation to take place. Nor was Mary a perpetual virgin. Matthew 1:25 indicates Mary and Joseph consummated their marriage sometime after the birth of Christ. Matthew 13:55,56 indicates that Jesus had 4 brothers and at least 2 sisters.

The miracle of the virgin birth was that God interceded in the generations of man and produced a child that was not a partaker of Adam’s flesh.  Jesus was born not in the line of Adam, but as the progenitor of a new line of spiritual men and women.

• Look again at 1 Cor 15:22. In Adam all die, what happens to those in Christ?________________________.

• 2 Cor 5:17. What are those who are in Christ?____________________________.

The virgin birth was necessary for Jesus to be God incarnate. He was not born as a descendant of Adam, and through the new birth, allows us to escape the cursed line of Adam and enter into the line of Christ, as new spiritual creatures.

Reasons for the Incarnation

We have seen that a belief in the incarnation is essential for the Christian, and that the virgin birth was necessary for the incarnation to take place.  For the remainder of this study we will look at some reasons for the incarnation.

It was necessary to destroy Sin, Death and the Devil

The Devil
• Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of ___________ and _____________, he also himself likewise ___________________________________; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Q. According to that verse, for what purpose did Jesus become flesh?

• 1 John 3:8. According to this verse, why was Jesus manifested?

Sin
• Romans 8:3. Q. What did Jesus do in his flesh?

Death
• 1 Cor 15:54-57. Q. What will happen to death at the resurrection?

Q. According to v57, how have we obtained victory over death?

Although God can do anything, he has chosen to govern himself according to His law and justice.  Jesus took on flesh so that he could fulfill the law.  If Christ did not become flesh, he could not have satisfied the penalty which the law sought to exact on mankind. Because he came in the likeness of sinful flesh, he was able to destroy sin, death and the devil by overcoming them in the flesh.

It was necessary to fulfill God’s covenant with David

• Psalm 89:3,4. Q. What was God’s promise to King David?

•Acts 2:30. Q. Who did David know would sit on his throne?

God promised David that his throne would be built up to all generations and that the one who sat on that throne would be of his seed.  There was only one possible way for this covenant to be fulfilled and that was through the person of Jesus Christ, manifest in the flesh.

• Luke 2:4. Q. Who was Joseph descended from? ________________.

• Luke 1:32. Q. What did the angel tell Mary God would give to Jesus?

• Rom 1:3. Q. Whose seed was Jesus according to the flesh?___________

Jesus is the rightful heir to the throne of David and the only one who could fulfill God’s covenant with David.  He was born in the line of David (his seed), and through the resurrection of the dead, will reign forever.

The Incarnation was necessary for us to be redeemed.

• Gal 4:4. Q. How did God send forth his son?

• Gal 4:5. Q. For what reason did God send his Son in this manner?

When Adam sinned all flesh was cursed by God.  All men became lost and in need of redemption.  Jesus, as God in the flesh, was the only one who had the right and ability to redeem us from that curse.

• Galatians 3:13 Christ hath ___________________ us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us…

It was necessary to make Christ our advocate.

• According Heb 2:17, why did Jesus become like his brethren?

• According Heb 2:18, what is Jesus able to do for us?

As our high priest Jesus intercedes on our behalf, is our advocate to the father, and helps us when we are tempted. (Succour means, help, aide or relieve).  The incarnation is essential to our Christian faith.  If Jesus did not come in the flesh, then we are still in our sins, death and the devil are undefeated, we have no advocate with the father, and we look forward to no resurrection! 1 John 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

Review

1.    What does Incarnation mean?

2.    Why do you think the incarnation is an essential doctrine?

3.    Why was the virgin birth necessary?

4.    How many other children do we know Mary had? _________.

5.    What are some reasons for the Incarnation of Christ?

6.    Why do you think Jesus is referred to as the Last Adam in 1 Cor 15:45?

Tags: bethlehem, covenant, incarnation, jesus, redemption, virgin
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Last week we looked at the doctrine of the incarnation. That is, the fact that Jesus, as God, took on human flesh and dwelt on earth. In this study we will continue to consider this doctrine, specifically regarding the Lord jesus Christ and his human nature.

Like the doctrine of the trinity, men have tried diligently to explain the incarnation in a clear and concise manner, making it easily understood.  In this effort many false ideas have arisen, and sometimes, more confusion then clarity has been created.  The fact is, according to Isaiah 55:9, God’s thoughts and his ways are far above our ability to comprehend them.  He has allowed us to grasp many eternal truths, but some remain somewhat mysterious.

Although we may have to acknowledge that the mixture of deity and humanity at the incarnation is far above our ability to understand, one thing can be certain, the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus was both man and God at the same time.

• Phil 2:6-7.  Q. Who did Jesus claim to be equal to?___________.

Q. What was Jesus made in the likeness of? ________.

We refer often to Jesus as the Son of God, and rightfully so, since Jesus claimed to be eternal (John 8:58), to be one with the Father (John 10:30), and to be the image of the Father (John 12:45), but Jesus’ preferred title was “the Son of man”. This title, used by Jesus thirty times in the book of Matthewhew alone, refers to his humanity.

Although Jesus was fully God and fully man, he did not avail himself to his divine power in much of his earthly ministry.

• John 3:34. Q. What did God give Jesus not by measure? (that is, he gave it fully) ________________________.

• John 14:12. Q. What did Jesus say regarding his works?

Although fully divine, Jesus did not avail himself to his deity in much of his earthly ministry, choosing instead, as our example to use the power of the Holy Spirit.  Look up these verses and list characteristics of Jesus that reflect his humanity. Matthew 26:37, Luke 2:40, Luke 4:2, Luke 8:23, John 4:6

Jesus Our Example

One reason why it was absolutely necessary for Jesus Christ to be fully human was so that he could be our example.  Though he came to do far more than to set an example, it remains one purpose of the incarnation.

•1 Peter 2:21. Q. What did Jesus leave us? _______________________.

Q. What should we do with this example? _______________________.

Consider the following verses and indicate in what areas we are to follow Christ’s example.

• Matthew 6:9-13)  ________________________________________.

• Col 3:13  ___________________________________________.

• Matthew 20:27-28  _______________________________________.

• John 15:10  _________________________________________.

• Matthew 11:29  _________________________________________.

• 1Pet 1:15-16________________________________________.

• 1John 3:3  _________________________________________.

• Phil 2:5-8  _________________________________________.

Although there are certain aspects of Jesus’ life that we could never duplicate, the Bible is clear that we are to try to live like Jesus lived. We can forgive others, serve others, have a humble spirit, and practice obedience, holiness, and purity.  All these things reflect the human life of Jesus as he lived in the power of the Spirit. God has given us the same Spirit and desires us to become like Christ.

• Write out 1John 2:6 ____________________________________

________________________________________________________.

Some years ago, it became popular in Christian circles to ask, What would Jesus do? Although this is a valid question, we must be careful not to relegate the life of Jesus to that of  just an example. He is our example and so much more. Remember, it is only by our surrendering to His influence in our lives by His Holy Spirit that we can be like Him. He did not come simply to show us how to live, but to give us life! (John 10:10, Rom 5:10)

Jesus Our Kinsman Redeemer

As we stated in an earlier study, although God can do anything, he has chosen to govern himself according to his justice and his law.  One portion of the law that God demands be fulfilled is that of the Kinsman Redeemer. This law is found in • Leviticus 25:47-49.

v 47. Q. Why has the man in this verse sold himself?

v 48. Q. Who can redeem or “buy back” this man?

v 48. Q. Under what conditions could he redeem himself?

This man, due to his poverty has sold himself as a slave to his debtor.  Only a near of kin could pay the debt that this man could not pay.  Once this payment was made, this man was freed from his service to his debtor and is made free.

This is the exact position in which the lost sinner finds himself.

• Rom 7:14 …. I am carnal, ________________________.

All of mankind is spiritually bankrupt and sold under sin. As a result we find ourselves as servants of sin (Rom 6:6). We do not possess the means to redeem ourselves, as the cost is death in Hell (Rom 6:23).  Thankfully we can appeal to God’s law of the kinsman redeemer and seek one to deliver us from our servitude! • John 8:34-36.

v 34. Q. What is one who commits sin? ________________________.

v 36. Q. Who can make us free? _____________________________.

Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of the kinsman redeemer when he took on human form. 1. He was able to pay the price (Rom 8:3), 2. He was willing to pay the price (Gal 1:4), 3. He himself was free (Heb 4:15), and lastly 4. He was our kinsman (Heb 2:17).

Had the incarnation not taken place, we would remain sold under sin.  From the first sin of Adam until the birth of Christ, there was never born one who could fulfill the requirements for redemption.  Jesus and he alone could be the kinsman redeemer, thus fulfilling God’s law and redeeming us from sin.

Think • Discuss Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Jesus Our High Priest

Lastly, let’s consider the role that the humanity of Christ played in his office as our high priest.

• Hebrews 2:17. Q. According to this verse, what did Jesus have to do before he could become our high priest?

• Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest _________________, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Before Jesus could become our high priest he had to become like us. Now let’s look at some of the duties he performs as our high priest.

• Hebrews 2:18. Q. What does our high priest do for us?

Q. How is it that he is now able to perform this duty?

• Hebrews 7:25. Q. As a high priest, what does Christ live to do for us?

• Hebrews 10:5, 10:10. Q. As a high priest, what has Jesus offered for us?

• Hebrews 4:15,16. Q. What can we now do, since He has become our high priest?

One duty of the Old Testament priest was to enter into the holy of holies within the tabernacle in order to offer sacrifice for the sins of the people once a year.  This sacrifice did not take away sin, but acted as a temporary covering. • Hebrews 9:11-14. Q. With what did our high priest enter the holy of holies in Heaven?

Q. What was our high priest able to obtain for us, with his blood?

Jesus is our example, our kinsman redeemer, and our high priest.  None of these things could have been possible had Jesus not taken on true humanity at Bethlehem.  Though we may not fully understand it, the Bible is clear, Jesus was fully human and fully divine.

Review

1. How is it possible that we could do works like Jesus did?

2. How could Jesus be our example if he was divine?

3. How is Jesus MORE than an example?

4. Which requirement of the law of the kinsman redeemer absolutely required that Jesus become man?

5. What are some advantages that we have since Jesus is our high priest?

Tags: flesh, God, high, holy spirit, humanity, incarnation, jesus, priest, redeemer
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