THE INCARNATION OF CHRIST

TEXT: GALATIANS 4:4-7

This passage deals with an event that is central in Christian doctrine. It talks about the coming of Jesus Christ into this world. It deals with the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Incarnation means “in flesh”. God took upon himself a human body. The incarnation is the event in which God came from eternity into human history. In the person of the baby Jesus Christ, God fulfilled all the prophecies of the Old Testament and accomplished all the hopes of times yet to come (John 1:1-4)

Let us learn:-

I.  THE PLANNING BEHIND THE INCARNATION (Gal 4:4)

1. The incarnation was planned by a perfect Sovereign.

• The wonder that God would love fallen men like you and me. (Job 7:17-18, Psalm 8:4)
• The love of God is seen not in what He gives us, but who He gave us (John 3:16, Rom 5:8)

1. The incarnation was planned around a perfect setting

• It was accomplished at the fullness of time
• The time was perfect for the birth of Jesus Christ, Psychologically, Prophetically and politically (Rio Romana, Lex Romana, Pax Romana)
• The Roman empire had secured the entire world for the coming of the King of peace
• There was not a single war on earth, Augustus Ceasor had removed all criminals and pirates from every sea and every road and highway.
• It was the perfect time in regard to language and communication.
• It was now 4000years between Gen 3:15 and Matt 1:25

1. The incarnation was planned for a perfect substitute.

• God’s son Jesus Christ was ready to come (John 3:16)

II.   THE POWER OF THE INCARNATION (GALATIANS 4:4)

1. The power of its method – “Made of a woman” – God became flesh (John 1:1, 14)

• The king of kings took upon himself the form of a servant (Phil 2:5-8)
• The timeless one stepped out of eternity and into time (B.C/A.D)
• The one who fills all things limited Himself to the body of a helpless infant, born in a manger.
• The creator became dependent upon the creature
• The Bread of heaven sought nourishment at Mary’s breast
• One day, the sinless one died for sinners, an innocent man shed His glorious blood of God, hell trembled, Satan fell, sin lost its power and sinners were set free.
• He was made of a woman “the first woman sold us to sin, the second woman gave birth to the saviour of the whole world.

1. The power of its Ministry – Made under the law (Matt 5:17)

• The great sovereign became subject to the law (Luke 2:21-52)
• Jesus Christ kept the law so that we might set free from the law. (Rom 6:14, Rom 8:1-8)

III.  THE PURPOSE OF THE INCARNATION (GALATIANS 4:5-7)

1. To purchase us – Redeem – to buy in the market place and totally remove the sale!

• We have been purchased by the precious blood of Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:5, I Peter 1:19)
• The sole purpose of Christmas was to redeem God’s elect from the judgment of sin and God’s wrath in hell and place them into the family of God (John 18:37)

1. To adopt us as sons – The Roman ceremony of the Toga virilis”

• The father removed the garment called “toga praetexta “and place the “toga virilis” on the body of his son and declare him a full heir to all that he owned.
• Jesus Christ came to remove the garments of sin from us and to clothe us in the righteousness of Jesus!
• Now, for those who believe in Jesus Christ, God is our “Abba” Father, our relationship with God is an intimate one, we should never be afraid to approach Him (Isa 61:10, Zech 3:1-5, I Peter 5:7)

IV.   THE PROMISE OF THE INCARNATION (GALATIANS 4:7)

1. The promise of a new station

• We are no longer slaves, but sons! (I John 3:1-2)
• The old life is one of slavery (Eph 2:1-4)
• The New life is one of sonship and blessings!

1. The promise of a new status

• From the wages of sin (death) (Rom 6:23) to the riches of the Father! Rom 8:17, I Peter 1:3-5
• Everything that belongs to Jesus belongs to us and one day we will receive our inheritance (I Cor. 2:9)

CONCLUSION

• All these is ours, just because Jesus Christ came.
• Jesus was willing to become a man, He became poor so that we may become rich.
• He paid an eternal price so that we could enjoy eternal blessings.
• He did all these at the fullness of time – AMEN.